Page 49 of Chasing Liberty
“Make sure this is the last time I see you,” Liberty said in disgust.
“Don’t worry. I’m a woman of my word. I told you to play nicely and the outcome would be bright.”
Holding herself back from slapping the smile off the woman’s face, Liberty walked away from the picnic table at the park, wanting the situation to be put behind her.
And as usual, nothing ever went easy.
“Hi, Liberty!”
“Holy cow!” Liberty muttered when she saw Polly practically racing up the sidewalk toward her.
“My, isn’t she just adorable,” Lacey said from over Liberty’s shoulder. “Did she make that dress herself?”
“Let me handle this,” Liberty warned.
“Good to run into you, Liberty! I planned to call you later, but face-to-face is much better.” Some of her smile faded when she saw Lacey. “Oh, am I interrupting?”
Now she had to explain—or rather lie which Liberty never liked to do. “Not at all. We were just chatting. Sorry you must be running along,” Liberty said to Lacey. “Be safe on your travels.”
With a conceited smile, Lacey said, “The pleasure was all mine,” then she walked away.
Liberty heaved a sigh of relief.
“I really shouldn’t have just barged up on you and your friend like that,” Polly said in apology.
“She’s not what you’d call a friend. Only an acquaintance.”
“Oh!” Polly’s brow wrinkled. “I could have sworn when I ran into her over in Lonestar she said she was visiting a friend. I assumed when I saw you two together you were the friend. I guess I need to keep my nose out of your business.”
“I’m curious, Polly, when did you run into her?”
“I think it was last Monday. Yes, it had to be Monday. You know I get my hair done over at Nellie Walker’s salon. She’s the only one who knows my distinct style. Well, I always run into the hardware store there to grab my craft supplies because they have products fifty-perfect off every Monday and Tuesday. That girl was there too.” She jutted her chin in the direction where Lacey had disappeared. “She was chatting it up with the woman behind the counter, talking about how she’d driven here all the way from New York? No, no. I’m sure she said Pennsylvania because I had a cousin who lived twenty miles from Philadelphia.” She waved a thin hand through the air. “Anyway, when your friend mentioned that she was visiting Sagebrush Pine, I told her that I was from here and the cat got her tongue. She looked at me like I’d grown a second head. That boyfriend of hers wasn’t anybetter. I asked if we’d met before, he looked familiar, and he got all huffy-puffy. Best you aren’t associated with the likes of those two people. I don’t think they’re up to any good.”
“Boyfriend?”
“I’m assuming again, but on their way out of the store I watched them a good bit just to fill my curiosity. They were bent together having a sour conversation.”
Liberty wobbled a little. The puzzle pieces were starting to fit together.
“Is something wrong, honey?” Polly asked, concerned.
Liberty shook her head. “Can you tell me what the boyfriend looked like?”
“Oh, I didn’t pay too close attention. All those cowboys blend. He was tall, big shouldered, a bit too thin if you ask me. Oh, and he had a tattoo that caught my attention.” She pointed to her forearm. “A snake. It wrapped around his arm and disappeared up onto his bicep. I’ve never seen anything like it before. Had these mean green eyes. I can’t understand why someone would want a snake on their arm.”
“Do you remember what the couple was buying?”
“Hmm. Let me ponder this a bit. Libety, you really do look pale.”
The sun seemed to deposit fire into her skin. “I think I need to sit down.”
“Yes, yes, of course. Let me help you over to the bench,” Polly offered.
Once Liberty was seated, she felt better. “Thanks. I’m okay. I’m just a bit drained today. I know you said you had something to speak to me about, but can we talk this evening?”
“Sure thing. It’s nothing important anyway. Can I call Wyler for you? Or one of your sisters?”
“No, please don’t. I’ll sit here for a bit.”