Page 8 of Chasing Liberty

“I’ve been so tired. Overwhelmed. In a brain fog,” she said, throwing up her hands in frustration.

“I need to air my feelings—”

The door came swinging open and struck Wyler in the back. He stepped aside and Justice entered, stopping mid-stride. She swiped her curious gaze from Wyler to Liberty. “Please tell me you two aren’t planning to do thebathroom bliss.”

“Yes,” Wyler said, unsure whatbathroom blissreferred to.

“I can come back.” Justice started to back out.

“Justice, you came at the right time. Wyler has just asked me for a divorce,” Liberty blurted, wringing out her hands nervously.

“He what?”

“I what?” Wyler muttered at the same time.

“No, he didn’t.” Justice narrowed her gaze on him, and her mouth twisted.

“Yes.” Liberty moaned. “I haven’t been the best wife. I tried, but I failed.” She slipped Wyler a wink.

“I think you two need to discuss this in private. I don’t need to use the bathroom that bad.” Justice took a step toward the corridor.

“Wait! I’m leaving too.” Liberty spun to look at Wyler. “Fine! I’ll give you a divorce!” Liberty sprinted for the door. She looked back at Wyler, her eyes glistening. She was playing the part so well that she appeared sorrowful. “You’re right, Wyler.We should separate. You deserve better. I’m sure you’ll want to move out of the Manor. I only wish the best for you.” Then she was gone.

Justice, who was still standing in the doorway, exchanged a look with Wyler.

“Well, this isn’t awkward at all,” she said.

Wyler stood frozen on the expensive Italian tiled floor, trying to catch up to what had just occurred. He felt like he’d been slammed against the wall a few times then kicked in the face. Everything spun around him like a racing funnel cloud. The air was thin, and he couldn’t quite drag enough oxygen into his lungs.

Finally, his mind kicked back into gear.

“Justice, give your family my regards. I’m not feeling up to dinner.”

Chapter Three

Four weeks later.

“Look at those big titties. I’d like to blow raspberries all over those babies.” Billy Reese raised his hands and kneaded the air.

Wyler Ranks barely glanced at the half-dressed dancer shimmying down the pole on stage. He shot a glance over at Billye who was without an ounce of shame salivating over the big breasted dancer. His eyes were about ready to pop out of his head. These boys were showing their desperation and the fact that they’d been working non-stop. Sam had been driving the hands to erect the new barn, inoculate the livestock, and prepare the ranch for the annual Harvest Picnic.

Wyler handed Billy a napkin. “Catch the drool before it hits your chin, buddy.” He might be offended at Billy’s hopelessness if it wasn’t for the fact that Wyler felt a bit hopeless too.

Billy dabbed his whiskered chin then gave the crumbled napkin a badly aimed toss at Wyler’s head. Billy was infamous for his inability to shoot a wall ten feet in front of him. That’s how he earned the nickname “Wild Shot”. “Think she likes ‘em old and weathered?”

“Sure.” Wyler pounded the scrawny man on the back then glanced around the bar at the cowboys who’d gathered at Slick Charley’s to unwind after a long, hard week. Usually, Wylerdidn’t hang out with the men at Slick’s, but tonight he needed to get his mind off the three-ring circus of his current situation in life. He’d rather have gone to Mav’s and played some pool or darts, listened to some good ol’ country music, and had a few beers with the regulars. They always had good stories to tell.

“Hello, handsome,” a tall blonde said as she laid her hand on his shoulder. She wore a sequined top and matching bottoms that exposed a tattoo of a cheetah covering her belly and down one thigh. “What can a girl do to turn that frown upside down?” She leaned closer, bumping her firm breasts against his bicep.

She smelled good, but she didn’t smell like spiced vanilla.

“What’s your name, ma’am?”

“Shelly.” She whispered in his ear, “Doall.” She pulled back and her eyes were shining with mischievousness.

“Well, Shelly Doall, thanks for the concern, but I’m only here for the beer and wings.”

“I’d be willing to give you anything you want at a deep discount.” She wagged her brows.

---