Page 42 of Chasing Liberty

“It’s a bit like you to expect more than you give.” He swung her around then dipped her, which made her laugh.

“You’re wrong. But now that you’ve mentioned a secret, would you like to clue me in?” Her joy faded some.

They glided in unison as the gentle tune enveloped them like a sheet of satin.

“I don’t mind sharing at all. I bought a house.”

“A house?” She stopped dancing which caused a traffic jam as other couples were forced to step around them.

He gently guided her to the edge of the dance floor. “Why do you look so surprised. After all, you were worried about me not having any spot to put that cradle. It’s a fixer-upper, but I know a guy who’ll take care of what I need.”

“But a house, Wyler.? That’s’ a big purchase. We have the Rose Manor.”

“Not since you invited the hands to take up residence there.”

“That’s temporary.”

Her eyes glistened in the stringed lights strung in the rafters above them. He couldn’t quite tell if she was more shocked or angry.

“The Manor is yours, sweetheart. I’m a guest there.” He pulled her back into his arms as the music swelled, a crescendo that held the world’s sorrow and joy. And as the music finally faded into a crisp, clear note, he still held her.

Liberty pulled free and walked away, but he quickly caught up to her. “Are you angry?”

“Of course not.”

“Aren’t you going to ask where the house is?”

She stopped walking and turned to face him. “I’m sorry. Of course, where is the house?”

“Shaw Lane. The old cabin on the crooked part of the river.”

Her mouth dropped open. “How did you manage that? I’ve been trying to get my hands on that property for a few years.”

He blew on his knuckles and swiped them down the front of his shirt. “Kaitlynn had a contact, and I took it from there.”

“Kaitlynn wears many hats in your life.”

“I’m starting to figure you out, Liberty.”

She cocked her chin, looking at him through the delicate sweep of her thick lashes. The twinkling lights seemed to highlight the deep depths of her ocean blue eyes and made them into pulses of light like stars exploding in the galaxy. “That must be a bit scary, cowboy.” One corner of her mouth played with a smile.

“It certainly isn’t for the weak hearted.”

“I’m curious. What have you figured out?”

“Your heart is much bigger than you let on. You care for others, but you keep your walls up because you believe it’s hard for others to care for you.”

She cleared her throat and shrugged, saying, "Continue."

"It’s simpler to push others away than face the possibility of them keeping their distance because they deem you unworthy. Living with that loneliness must be hard, holding onto all those emotions and self-reliance within yourself. And the constant fear of being rejected."

“That’s a little far-fetched.”

“Really? I think I’ve hit the nail on the head. I also believe that people have been wrong. You’re not the “evil twin” townsfolk have labeled you as. You’ve only been a protector. Protecting Honor, and all your sisters. Taking the heat for every mischievous act that ever happened. So much so that you started giving others what they expected. A defiant cowgirl persona as a shield to prevent emotional pain.”

“Are you trying to say I’m innocent, cowboy?

“Not at all because we all know there’s not a Rose in Wyoming that could be branded as innocent. What I’m saying is, it wasn’t Honor that paid for Jinx’s medical bills when he had the accident. He found out, didn’t he?”

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