Page 2 of Honoring Freedom

The day he was released he found himself in a hole in the wall dive bar washing dishes. He knew then he had to make a choice. He could either beat the cook to death with his spatula for humming nonstop and return to prison, or Pok could find something that better suited him. That’s when he found Kent Downs by a stroke of luck.

And now here Pok was.

Little did he know that when he agreed to work for Downs, he’d find Freedom.

Too bad Downs was her family’s greatest enemy.

Pok was the eyes and ears for Downs. Giving him updates on the Roses and their business dealings. Sneaking into offices and stealing information. Pok had become a professional at breaking and entering.

Across the expanse of the pasture, Jinx patted Freedom’s shoulder and Pok flicked his lighter. He’d kill the man. All Pok needed was thirty seconds alone with the cocky cowboy.

Pok took one step and stopped. He was no longer alone.

“Hey! I’ve been looking for you,” came a shout from Cave. “What are you doing? Hiding?”

That was another cowboy Pok reviled. He’d been christening every spot on the property with that bitch Liberty Rose. Did they really believe that their secret affair wassecret?

Pok, quick on his feet, stepped out of the tree line pretending to zip his jeans. “I was just taking a leak.”

“I need your help unloading the feed delivery over at the north barn.”

“I’ll get right to it, boss.” Pok had the urge to salute the other man but thought better of it. Causing ripples wouldn’t help the agenda. Soon, Freedom would be his and she’d make up for all the months Pok had been stranded at the ranch, biding his time. He was quickly growing tired of being someone’s bitch.

*****

The soft hairs on her nape lifted and Freedom glanced up from where she brushed Requiem. For weeks now she felt like someone had been watching her from the shadows. There was just that feeling that she couldn’t shake.

Things had been tense at Sagebrush Rose for a while now. Since Daddy’s heart attack and some of the hands had been let go, the day-to-day operations were different.

She heard a noise and listened more closely.

Usually at this time of morning the hands were unloading delivery trucks, feeding livestock, and taking care of their designated chores on the other side of the ranch. She enjoyed this time alone taking care of her horses, Requiem and Midnight, her prized breeding horses. They were the two things at Sagebrush Rose that belonged only to her. If she wasn’t at the library, she was there, dealing with the crew and the horses. A member of the Rose family meant she had expectations that settled on her shoulders. While her other sisters liked to push boundaries, Freedom stayed focused. Growing up with strong, adventurous sisters, she’d found herself staying quiet at times and simply going with the flow.

Lately though, she’d started to find her voice.

“Need some help?”

She gave a jolt and watched Jinx approach. “I’m good. Thanks though.” She and the hand had become friends over the last few months. Sharing stories about their childhoods, she’d learned that he once lived quite a traumatic life, so the differences in their upbringings somehow made them closer.

“You okay?” He looked a bit concerned.

“Coffee jitters. I shouldn't have had that second cup.” She continued her task of brushing Requiem.

“I wanted to let you know that I had Billy take Brooks over to the clinic to see Doc Lafferty.”

She paused the brush mid-air. “Is he okay?”

“If you ask me, he drank too much moonshine last night at Vanhoose’s going away party at Mav’s. Probably needs an IV hydration and a clean pair of underwear.” The instant his words hit air, he groaned in regret. “Sorry, Freedom.”

She laughed. “I told you before, I’ve been around hands all my life, so I don’t get offended easily.”

“I had the privilege of meeting the new ranch vet. Seems like a great cowboy.”

“Really?” She’d been so busy she hadn’t had time to stay in the loop.

“From what I could gather he used to work here a long time ago. Grew up in the area, good friends with Vanhoose.”

Freedom looked at Jinx. “What’s his name?”