Page 9 of Honoring Freedom
“Now if that ain’t the pot calling the kettle back.” Keller chuckled.
“I feel like I need a referee whistle when it comes to you two.” Sam steepled his fingers and took a deep breath, clearly reaching deep for patience.
“Sir, maybe me staying behind would be what’s best given the circumstances,” Keller said.
“It’s my ranch and I’m still running the show. Sagebrush Rose is lucky to have Keller.” Sam stuck to his guns. “You should give this trip a try before you start poking holes in the situation. I’d like you and Keller to work together on other projects. He’s got great ideas about breeding that you could use—”
“Are you implying that my methods aren’t acceptable?”
“I’d always be happy to show her the ropes,” Keller said slickly.
Her fingers itched to smack the smug grin right off his face. “I’d rather run naked through a briar patch.”
“Such anger for a girl.” Keller’s grin erupted into a full-blown smile. He was getting a kick out of this.
“That’s where you’re mistaken. I’m not a girl. I’m all woman, one who intimidates you because you came to complain to Daddy that I’m being difficult.”
“Whatever you say, ma’am.” The mischievous glint in Keller’s eye as he tipped his hat rubbed her ten different ways. She had an idea he enjoyed baiting her then sitting back and watching her spin like a top.
“Freedom, calm down. He didn’t complain. He only stated that he didn’t want to cause ripples,” Sam told her.
She blinked. “That figures. He wants to make it look like he’s such a true gentleman,” she snapped.
“You’re never happy, are you?” Keller said in a surprisingly calm tone.
“Is it possible that you two can put your differences aside so that we can get the job done?” Sam said hastily. “There are ten different things on my plate to tend to. You two acting like children squabbling in the sandbox isn’t one of them.”
“Daddy, why can’t you go? You and Keller can manage this trip.”
“I have other priorities now. I hired Keller to take over Vanhoose’s job. He trusted Keller and so do I.” Sam picked up a cigar from the case on his desk but didn’t light it. After his heart attack Doc Lafferty had warned him to quit smoking, and his daughters had been reminding him too. He didn’t like them sticking their nose into his habits though.
Freedom paced the length of the office to work off the restless energy building inside her. “You might trust his opinion, but does it even matter that I don’t want to work with him? Does it matter that I don’t trust him?” She was giving up her position at the library to take on more responsibility at the ranch, but unless she started being heard by her daddy and her sisters, she would quit the ranch and go back to the library where she was respected. Being the youngest of a family of opinionated, stubborn women sometimes made her want to run away but only Liberty had the luxury of disappearing when it suited her. Being Daddy’s favorite had always weighed heavily in her favor. At times Freedom didn’t think she could even be a blip on his radar.
Sam squinted. “Did he harm you?”
Freedom stopped, fully aware that Keller was also watching her. If she gave any indication that Keller had done anything wrong, her daddy would be playing a different tune, but she wasn’t a liar. Never would be. He had broken her heart at eighteen, but that would be irrelevant to the situation. “No, he hasn’t.”
“Then what’s this all about?” Sam scratched his temple as if he was trying hard to follow along. “Keller is a fine veterinarian. He’s respected. He’s a friend of the family.”
Gritting her teeth, she felt her argument was losing traction. Telling her daddy that she hated Keller for cheating on her before wouldn’t have any influence. And she didn’t want to reveal just how heartbroken she’d been over him. How many nights she’d cried herself to sleep, feeling foolish that she’d trusted and cared for him. She’d fallen for his innocent charm and how much fun they’d had. The nights they spent awake just so they could talk about nothing and everything. The excitement of being near him had been her weakness. He’d been her first…love, lover, and boyfriend. He’d taught her the intricacies of her body and desire. All the walls she’d built had been chiseled away by his brilliance, even now. Thinking of being alone with him warred with every ounce of her logic.
She had no choice but to protect herself.
“Then Mr. Wonderful can go by himself.” She refused to look Keller’s direction.
Sam pressed his palms into the desk. “Have a seat. You’re putting a worn spot on the floor with all that pacing.”
“I’d rather stand, thank you,” she said willfully.
“Suit yourself.” Sam chose his battles. “I need you both there. And I’m still the boss. That’s something I know you and your sisters forget at times.”
“Daddy, this is unfair.”
He stood. Sam Rose was a tall man, broad shouldered, and had a presence about him. Not cocky, but self-assured. “What’s unfair is that you’re taking up my time over something as frivolous as a misunderstanding.” He rounded the desk and strolled to the door, swiping his gaze over his shoulder. “Here’s the solution. Neither one of you better cross this threshold until you’ve worked this situation out like adults. One of you either quits the ranch or you decide to put the ranch first and do what is required of you.”
“Daddy—”
Sam held up a hand to stop her. “You heard me, young lady.” He shook his head, opened the office door and slammed it shut behind him.