Page 36 of Chasing Liberty

Using the toe of her boot, she made shapes in the dirt, realizing she had made heart shapes. Looking around, she hurried to scrape away the evidence of her mindset. She had to focus on taking care of her biggest issue now. Handling the situation with Lacey. Once the check cleared from Marty Moon, she’d be one step closer to ridding her life of a past that she wanted to forget. Then she could concentrate on the most important thing.

She laid her hand on her still-flat stomach. Soon she would be showing. This was all a bit overwhelming, and exciting too.

Across the yard she caught a glimpse of Honor. Liberty’s heart pinged. She missed her sister—needed to talk to her. She above everyone would understand the state Liberty was in.

Lately there was a wall between them that was harder to bring down than all the others that had been erected before. They were barely talking. Being civil. Having how’s-the-weather conversations.

Looking back, they’d always had a love-hate relationship, but this was different. And hurtful. Destroying Liberty. Freedom, Justice and Hope had distanced themselves early on from the conflict because growing up, they’d witnessed enough of the sisterly drama and knew it could get very ugly before things settled.

Why were the twins like this? They were adults now and having children of their own. It was imperative that the cousins were best friends—relied on each other.

Liberty loved Honor. They’d been built-in best friends from the time they were born. Although they were identical, there were physical differences, most definitely in personality. All about the age of six, Liberty had gained the nickname as the “naughty” twin. Even if Honor had done the deed, Liberty habitually took the blame until it became the norm that she was the black sheep of the family.

Wanting to gain some appreciation, and attention, from Sam, Liberty had stubbornly decided to distance herself in some way, just enough that she was her own person. She’d always remember that day when she’d stomped across the dusty arena, climbed on the rowdiest horse at the ranch, the very one that Sam was having difficulty training, and approached the nervous mare with the innocence of a child. She’d heard the pounding footsteps of the hands as they came running, but Sam had paused their attempts. He watched from afar, allowing Liberty room to learn a lesson one way or another.

However, she’d taught everyone on the ranch, especially her daddy, a lesson that day. She had more gumption than mostmen and had a way with horses, an instinctual connection that would pave her way to becoming a leader in barrel racing.

She’d climbed up on “Shortcake”— probably not the best name for a noble horse, but it sounded great to her—and took off like she’d been riding horses as a profession.

Her father, well, he’d never been prouder.

She didn't receive much acknowledgment for her barrel racing achievements until she won a significant trophy. Her father displayed it proudly below his late wife's portrait for months before she reclaimed it for her own collection in her room, which eventually expanded with more awards and shelves. When younger, skilled racers emerged, Liberty's fame and her father’s attention faded some. By that time, she was used to his emotional ups and downs, later understanding that he grew distant around the time of his wedding anniversary and his wife’s passing. His daughters had shared in the pain, but they never spoke of it as a family.

She wasn’t quite sure when she’d gone from wanting to make her father happy to wanting to win a competition because it made her feel alive—more alive than anything. She loved every moment.

Now it was time she set her life on a new trail. Her responsibilities were changing, her priorities were different. She wouldn’t let anyone hurt her family.

She saw Wyler.

What would he say if he knew about the photos? The situation with Reggie? Would it change how he looked at Liberty? She couldn’t take the risk. She never wanted him to look at her the way some townsfolk did.

Wyler maintained his smile while conversing with one of the senior residents of Sagebrush Pine.

That endearing smile, it was breathtaking. It inspired a sensation in her that nothing else could compare to.

What had become of the detached and indifferent Liberty? Why wouldn't Wyler allow her to simply push him aside? He was loyal. He wouldn’t go anywhere unless she gave him good enough reason, and he’d still be there for the baby. Yet, relationships couldn’t be based on a matter of circumstances. If she wasn’t pregnant, they wouldn’t be together.

Or would they?

It was time she figured out the whole marriage-pregnancy-man thing.

This had become more complicated than she ever envisioned it would be when she came up with the plan.

This whole situation wasn’t as easy as teaching a horse new tricks and behaviors.

She enjoyed equestrian training because she could earn the trust of a horse. From that point she could guide the animal to listen to cues and commands. Her baby was a human and not a horse. This would be so much more difficult. She couldn’t just pet his head and offer him an apple. This approach wouldn’t work in motherhood.

Emotion bubbled up in her chest.

What kind of a mother would she be?

What if she wasn’t a good one?

What if she failed?

She wasn’t as nurturing as Honor. As compassionate and insightful as Freedom. Or as giving and carefree as Justice and Hope.

Liberty could easily call herself selfish. She’d always been out for number one, but now that was all changing. Since Wyler walked into her life and wreaked havoc.

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