Page 23 of Chasing Liberty

"Of course you will," he replied, tipping his hat and flashing a smile reminiscent of Wyler.

To her shock, he didn't just walk by. Instead, he leaned in, trapping her with his arms and planted a swift, impactful kiss on her lips. Barely able to speak, all she saw were

his captivating eyes.

"See you at home tonight, sweetheart," he said before leaving, taking her breath away with him. After tossing some bills on the table and saying goodbye to Winona, he left through the glass doors. She watched him go, accidentally spilling water all down her shirt and lap. Her emotions ran high from the mix of frustration and sweet turmoil he caused.

Before he climbed into the driver’s seat of the work truck, he caught a glance at her through the window. He winked as if he knew that he’d left her in a frazzled state.

The gall of that man!

As he drove off, she picked up her handbag and nearly overlooked the package resting on her seat. She quickly took the envelope as well and walked to her car. The moment she got into the driver’s seat, she ripped into the envelope and spread its contents across the seat beside her, a feeling of dread settling in her gut.

The photos wrote a story from the past. That of a different time when she and Reggie were having rendezvous in the barn, at the lake, on the patio at the farmhouse, and anywhere else they could find. Each picture was more revealing than the next. More exposing. She sifted through them until she thought she might be sick—until she couldn’t see anything through the blur in her eyes.

Inside she found a folded piece of paper.

With shaking fingers, she unfolded the note and read…

Meet me at the park at noon.

The sheet slipped from her grasp and settled on the center console.

Clearly, it was Reggie who had mailed the pictures to her. But for what purpose?

This implied that he had been at the diner, watching her. But where was he?

She scanned the parking lot and the vehicles, but he could be anywhere.

Gathering the photographs like she was digging dirt, she tucked them into what was left of the envelope and swept the letter up, stuffing it inside too.

She checked the clock. It was eleven forty-six.

She started the car, pulled out of the diner, and joined the light traffic on Main Street.

As she contemplated the photos, her pulse quickened.

The previous year, she had been casually involved with Reggie, insisting that she wasn’t seeking a relationship, which he had initially accepted. Despite enjoying their time together, his reaction to ending things was hostile. Angry. Rejected. He began incessantly texting, calling, leaving unwanted gifts for her, and watching her while she worked. Even after a clear conversation, he refused to back down.

When his behavior continued, she realized his advances wouldn’t stop. Liberty had no other choice but to explain the situation to her father. It had been humiliating, and he’d been disappointed. He reminded her that his strict rules were there for a purpose, but he let her know he would take care of the situation as usual.

Two days later, Reggie had left his job at the ranch.

A week went by, followed by another, and there was no sign of the former ranch hand, until he turned up late one evening while she was instructing a rider and horse in the arena. He appeared intoxicated, with an unsteady walk and muddledspeech, insisting on a conversation with her as if things were great between them.

Liberty had remained calm and requested that Reggie wait for her by the barn. After her student had returned to her parent, Liberty met with Reggie, reiterating that his presence at the ranch was considered trespassing.

Things escalated quickly. He resorted to begging her for another chance to prove his love, expressing his profound desire for her. Despite her attempts to deescalate the situation, they were unsuccessful.

Fortunately, a driver was delivering a shipment of hay to the ranch and Reggie had backed off.

The incident was resolved without involving law enforcement.

Nonetheless, following the event that had been relayed to Sam, he declared to his daughters an ultimatum. Marry or lose their inheritance. Though he didn't reference the altercation with Reggie, it was clear that it had instigated the demand.

Why had Reggie returned to Sagebrush Pine now?

She contemplated seeking help from her father, or perhaps Wyler, yet it would further complicate matters. She had already caused enough complications for herself, her father, and her sisters.

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