Page 8 of Honoring Freedom
A stray black cat ran out into the gravel lane and stopped, staring at him with bright green eyes.
“Don’t even try it, cat. I’m not superstitious,” he muttered. Honking the horn, the cat took off. Keller picked up the phone and texted Keifer…
Put out a bowl of water for the stray cat.
Chapter Three
“I’m not working with him. It’s out of the question,” Freedom crossed her arms and glared at the arrogant Keller slouching nonchalantly in the corner chair of the barn office. His gaze looked dark underneath his lowered Stetson.
“I swear I left that invoice for the drone right here. Where is it?” Sam moaned as he shuffled through stacks of paperwork on his desk.
She continued to stare at Keller.
Why did he have to be so handsome? So masculine? Why did his eyes have to be deep blue and his silver black hair so thick? The old blue flannel he wore hugged his broad shoulders, while his worn jeans fit his lean, muscular frame. She traced every detail with her eyes, wishing she could detest him. However, her body's reaction was anything but disdainful, which only fueled her frustration.
She steadied her gaze on her daddy who wore a perplexed expression.
Sam took off his reading glasses, rubbed his weary eyes, and glanced across the messy desk at Freedom. Despite appearing fatigued, he had been looking after himself better lately—shaving, getting regular haircuts, and buying new clothes in blues and reds instead of the usual grey and black. Freedom didn’t necessarily like the fact that he was dating a much younger woman, but at least he seemed happier.
“Daddy, did you hear me?”
“Honey, it’s your responsibility. You go to the auctions, and the veterinarian checks the livestock beforehand to ensure they’re suitable.”
“It’s no longer acceptable.”
“And what in heaven’s name is wrong? You and Vanhoose worked well together.” He gave his glasses a toss onto the desk.
“Exactly. Miloh and I made an effective team.” She anxiously tapped her boot. “Keller and I don’t have the same energy.”
A long sigh warned that Sam was reaching his limit with the conversation and the fact that he couldn’t find the invoices.
Keller’s smile made her growl. “What did I do that made you so angry?” he asked with a slow drawl.
“You exist.”
"Ouch!" He clutched his chest dramatically. “Unfortunately, I can’t help you with that problem.”
“Freedom let’s not allow this to get out of hand—” Sam started but Freedom cut him off.
“I’m dead serious, Daddy! I refuse to go to the auction—any auction—with him. We’ll kill each other. I’ll toss him down the mountain.”
Keller raised his eyebrows over twinkling eyes. He was getting a kick out of her turmoil. “Exaggerating a bit, aren’t you?”
Sam anchored his elbows on the edge of the desk. “Look, I know there’s history between you two, but how long has it been? Ten years?”
“Fifteen,” she muttered.
“Don’t you think it’s time to bury the hatchet and stay focused,” Sam said gently. “Keep the past out of the present.”
“Easy for you to say.” She narrowed her gaze. “You don’t have to work closely with the most infuriating man to have ever graced the planet. Anyway, he’s busy here on the ranch teaching the crew new techniques.”
“So is everyone else, honey. We’re all busy,” Sam said patiently.
“What about Jinx? He knows his horses.”
If Keller had daggers for eyes Freedom would be Swiss cheese. “Take Jinx. No skin off my bones. Taking a trip out of town, or even downtown, doesn’t entice me either.”
She raised her chin, sensing some stress beyond the situation at hand. “I don’t get why you hired him, Daddy. His attitude is seriously lacking.”