Page 53 of Honoring Freedom

Keller had no clue. “Really?”

“Yes. Really.”

“As long as it’s not you.”

She shoved one last handful of straw into the shirt and stood. “I’ve told you there’s nothing between Jinx and me. You and I might not be a true married couple but I’m not a cheater.”

He stood and swiped off his hat, knocking it against his denim clad thigh. “I sense a lot of accusation in that statement.”

“If the shoe fits,” she said sassily.

“That’s funny.” He dropped the straw-filled shirt to the ground. The scarecrow contest was the least of his concerns at the moment.

“What?”

“You can’t seem to let go of the past. Is that why you keep me in the dark like your dirty little secret?”

Her mouth twisted. “This is what you and I agreed to remember? A secret marriage.”

“You’re right. We did.”

She began crafting eyes and a mouth on the pumpkin using bottle caps. "By the way, this is a timed contest."

He grabbed the ripped and torn jeans from the pile of items and half-heartedly fixed them to the torso of the scarecrow. “There’s never going to be an agreement. You’ll always see things as you want to see them. It’s your way or the highway.”

“People are watching,” she said through clamped lips.

“When do you stop caring what others think?”

"This isn't the right moment or spot," she said, placing the pumpkin head on the shirt. Right then, the bell rang, signaling the end of the contest. "I have a secret weapon." She swiped his Stetson and placed it on the pumpkin's head. "Now it looks just as grumpy as you."

“I’m not playing, sweetheart. I’m done keeping secrets.”

“Is that a threat?”

“To what? Expose that we’re married?”

“Shh, Keller.” She looked around.

“My, God. Can you really be so obtuse?” He blew out a long, frustrated breath.

“Could you be more irritating?” she said in a hushed tone.

He swiped his hat back and slammed it onto his head. “I’m done with this. Good luck with the contest.” He stomped off.

*****

Pok watched from the crowd. He seethed inwardly. Freedom and the doc were in an argument.

Pok sulked, thinking it should be him with her.

He’d been a good boy, laying low, but his patience had worn thin.

Kent Downs warned Pok to back off. After the plan to take care of the horse failed, there were too many risks involved. He couldn’t leave Sagebrush Rose, not now. He was stuck on the land, working day in and day out next to the doc who was busy sneaking off and fucking Pok’s woman every chance he got.

Earlier, he’d watched Freedom with Jinx. Saw them with their heads bent in deep discussion. Something had alarmed her. What had the hand said that bothered her?

Pok hated Jinx as much as he hated Keller. They both made Pok want to punch a hole in the wall.