Page 37 of Chasing Liberty

Tears filled her eyes.

What most people didn’t realize was that she’d lived in fear most of her life that she’d lose everyone important to her. She’d had attachments with men she should have never beenwith, or trusted. She’d craved her father’s love and affection, but always felt it was measured by success. She knew he loved her, but he had his own walls—and was a hard man to please. The disappointment had carved a pit in the center of her chest.

She vividly recalled their first quarrel when she was twelve, having mimicked her mother's makeup from the portrait above the fireplace with pride. Sitting down for breakfast, Dolly's shocked expression foreshadowed what was to come. The kind woman had tossed a hot pan into the sink and rushed over with a damp paper towel to clean Liberty’s face, but it was too late. By then, Sam had already entered the kitchen and immediately noticed her. He’d taken a long, quiet look at her and then in a roaring voice, he said, “Get out of my sight wearing that stuff!” Like an obedient child, she jumped up, raced out of the kitchen and upstairs to scrub her face until it was raw. She’d spent the day in her bedroom, licking her wounds in private.

Eventually, life had continued. Her father had made a gruff apology, even bought her a new saddle and cowgirl hat. After that though, something changed in her. She became harder. Built walls. Grew an unwavering spine. Sam saw that in her too.

She refused to be hurt again.

Now she questioned if the walls she’d built for protection were indestructible. Walls that not only kept pain at bay, but people at a distance too.

She closed her eyes for a moment, imagining her future and what it looked like. She envisioned sitting in a rocker on a porch, her children gathered around, their children, and one person who had been there for her. Wyler.

Opening her eyes, she glimpsed a face among the crowd that uprooted her sense of security.

Anger burrowed through her with the intensity of a bulldozer.

Lacey.

Getting to her feet, pushed through the throng of people with her sight pinned on the uninvited guest.

More anger built inside Liberty when Lacey smiled and said sweetly, “I’m enjoying myself immensely. You Roses certainly know how to throw a shindig.” She tore off a piece of pink cotton candy and licked the sugar from her fingers.

“What are you doing here?” Liberty said in a lowered voice. She reminded herself to keep her discontentment concealed. She’d have the entire Rose clan homing in like flies to honey if there was any sign of a problem.

Lacey pretended to be emotionally hurt. “Am I not welcome?”

“You’re not a resident of Sagebrush Pine.” Which was a bit farfetched since anyone was welcome.

She tossed her remaining cone of cotton candy into a nearby trashcan and swiped her hands down the legs of her distressed jeans. “I thought you might need a reminder that time is ticking. I’m not too sure that you’re taking me seriously.”

“If you think you can bully me, you’ve sadly not takenmeseriously,” Liberty said assuredly. “One shout to anyone here and they’ll rain down on you like bullets on a battlefield. I have half a mind to do it just to see the look on your face.”

“All those threats. You really should work on your temper, honey,” Lacey said coolly.

“If you only knew how much restraint I’m showing you. Fair warning though, it’s waning.”

“Oh, I know you…or your type. The only bullies standing here are you and your family. Look at the bastards.” Lacey jutted her sharp chin. “They’re so smug. So unaware what life’s really like not having a silver spoon rammed up their behinds. I should plaster those pictures of you and Reggie all over town andsend the letter to the newspaper just to show you that you’re a disgrace to the population of Sagebrush Pine.” Her lip curled.

Liberty folded her arms over her chest. “But you won’t, will you? You can’t wait to get your hands on the Roses’ money. Funny how terrible we are but the hundred grand still spends the same.”

Some of the woman’s armor slipped, but it didn’t take her long to pull herself back together, and this time with more vengeance trickling into her features. “I’m doing this for Reggie’s daughter. I’m guessing you’d understand how important children are.” She made a sweeping motion with her gaze to Liberty’s stomach. “Right, mom-to-be?”

The world seemed to veer off its axis. She clamped her mouth shut, not wanting to give Lacey any more ammunition.

“Don’t look so stunned. You don’t think the town is talking, honey? I guess the rumors have a sliver of truth, don’t they?” Her smile reeked of repugnance. “Fortunately, your child will have both its parents, but poor little Reeana lost her mom right after she was born and then she lost her dad.”

“What happened to her parents is terrible but I didn’t push him into the decision to hurt himself.” As a couple passed, Liberty offered them her best smile, and once they were out of earshot, she added. “I suggest if you want the deal of the century, you get off my property.”

“I want that money.” Lacey’s upper lip trembled.

“Don’t worry, you’ll have your money and then I want you gone. Gone from Sagebrush Pine. Gone from Wyoming.”

“You have until tomorrow at midnight or I’m going public. I hope we have an understanding.” She turned to check for listeners. “And if you think you can outwit me in some way, you should know that I have pictures of your sister too.”

This threw Liberty for a loop. Could she believe the woman? Anyone who would exploit someone out of moneywould certainly also lie. “You really enjoy watching people having sex, don’t you?” Liberty said bitterly. “You should consider therapy for your problem.”

“Oh, honey. I don’t have pictures of her tits and ass. I have photos of her sitting down having a very intimate conversation with Kent Downs.” A smile crawled over her features. “Just as I thought. You didn’t know your little sister is consorting with your father’s biggest enemy. The man who has threatened to take this ranch down and turn it into a shopping mall. I wonder what she could have been discussing with the man. A conversation possibly worth a million?”

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