Page 52 of Honoring Freedom
“I am. In fact, I’ve convinced one of Sagebrush Rose’s workers, Jinx, to partner with me.” Did Lanah’s eyes shine more brightly?
Keller chuckled. “Good luck.”
“We’re participating too,” Freedom said.
It took Keller a moment to realize she was talking to him. “We are?”
“Yes, silly. Remember I asked you earlier?” Freedom said saucily.
“Sure, I remember.” He remembered she wanted him to meet her here, but she didn’t mention participating. Or did she? He had no clue because he’d been wrapped up in his anger.
“Well, may the best…couple, win.” Lanah gave a flirty toss of her skirt as she turned and headed across the pasture to where Jinx was standing with a group of cowboys.
“So, we’re allowed to speak in public now?” Keller said in a lowered voice.
“Would you rather we didn’t?” she said in a clipped tone.
What reason did she have to be angry?
“I thought you and Jinx would team up,” he said with a bit of irritation. He knew he sounded jealous, but he just couldn't stop himself.
“Maybe he and I should have so you and Lanah could have partnered.” Anger flashed in her gaze. “And please tell me we’re not revisiting the conversation we had about Jinx?”
“Please tell me we’re not going back to the discussion that involves Lanah.”
Freedom rolled her eyes. “I just saved you from her. Did you see the way she was looking at you? Like a shark that caught the scent of blood.”
Before he could respond, the mayor came over the microphone announcing that the contestants should gather their items for their scarecrow and pick a spot.
“Come on before all the good things are gone.” She hurried over to the pile of flannel shirts, overalls, bottle caps, pipes, and tin cans. “I’ll pick and you carry.”
“What made you decide that you want to associate with me? Won’t people start talking?” he said in a lowered voice, but she stillshushedhim.
As she piled items into his arms, including a pumpkin, he bit his tongue until he tasted blood.
But the second they were near their straw station, he said, “Well?”
"Since you want to talk about this now, I wanted to show you that I'm not scared to speak up in public." She started stuffing the worn flannel shirt with straw. “I do need your help.” She looked at him through the thick fringe of her lashes.
He bent next to her, grabbed a handful of straw, and shoved it into the shirt. “Is this about us or about your hatred toward Lanah?”
She paused in stuffing the arms. “What? Why would I give a hoot about Lanah? I don’t think she can make up her mind which cowboy she wants to snag. If anything, she’s flirting with you just to ruffle my feathers.”
“She’s not interested in me,” he said on an exhale of breath.
Freedom’s laugh drew the attention of several bystanders. “Bull.”
“Be careful, sweetheart. Someone might think you like me a little,” he said.
“By the way, Lanah likes every cowboy in that way. Have you seen the way she practically slurps up Wyler through her red painted lips? And now she’s after Jinx.” She tilted her chin upward.
Keller looked over his shoulder and it did appear that Lanah was interested in Jinx. “Good for them.”
“He’s locked on Justice.”
“What?”
She swiped her hands together. “He’s in love with Justice.”