Leaving Liberty, a Western Romance (Book 5) (Texas Hearts) Read online

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  Jackson was leaving. What should have given Libby a sigh of relief only made her ache inside more than the pain of the surgeries she’d had. It was just as well, she’d told herself all morning while working. She was getting stronger every day. Her body reminded her of its limitations less and less each day. Pretty soon she wouldn’t be reminded at all of the ordeal she’d been through over the past few months. As soon as word got around that Jackson had left Liberty, Cole would return. At least, Libby hoped he did. In the meantime, she’d keep working.

  It had been ages since she’d taken Spirit for a ride around the ranch. She decided it was time to give them both a treat after her morning chores were done. Jackson had mentioned the three breaks in the fences. She’d only known about one of them. Jackson had only been able to use a felled tree to close up the opening in one of the breaks. That left two others where her livestock was getting loose. The sun was hot on her back as she rode along the trail that led to the pond she and John used to swim in when they were kids. Sweat was dripping down her back and settling in the seat of her jeans. Her skin felt like it was flaming beneath the fabric of her shirt. All the sweat and manure that had smeared on her jeans now stunk. And her bones were aching more than she’d ever remembered. Despite all that, Libby was a country girl, through and through. She wasn’t going to let the heat get to her. Sitting in the saddle, her backside protested with each sway of her horses stride, so when she got to the pond, she decided she’d had enough. “Whoa, Spirit,” she said soothingly. When Spirit stopped at the bank of the pond, Libby climbed out of the saddle and arched her back to get the kinks out. She let go of Spirit’s reins and Spirit walked over to the water, bending her head for a much-needed drink of water. Pulling off her cowboy hat, Libby pushed her sweat off her forehead and glanced around. It wasn’t unusual for her to ride out to the property line alone. This was one of her favorite spots to come to get some clarity. Months before making her decision for surgery, she’d spent a lot of time sitting on the boulder just looking at the sunlight on the water. Spirit had been her quiet but loyal companion, listening to her as she talked. Sometimes Cole would find her. Oh, he tried not to make his presence known, but she’d always known he was there, hiding behind a swell in the land or pretending to come out just to check on the cattle. But Cole was gone. And as Libby looked around, she realized Jackson wasn’t coming today either. She was truly alone. She loved this spot because of the privacy it afforded. The temperature was inching higher as the sun passed over the sky. Cool water drops hit her face, causing her to glance over at Spirit, who was bobbing her head up and down spraying drops of water at Libby. “Feels good, girl, huh?” she said, chuckling. “I think you’re on to something there. No one but you is going to see me, right?” Spirit neighed as if she were answering. But Libby didn’t need much of a push to strip down and get cooled off. She dropped her hat on the ground and pulled off her boots, laying them next to the hat. She quickly stripped the rest of her clothes off and placed them on top of her boots. The cool water shocked her hot skin as she dipped into the water. She’d never gone skinny dipping because she knew her father would never approve. But she was only going to stay in the water long enough to cool off her skin so she could tolerate the heat on the ride back to the house. Spirit was a good distance away, so Libby decided to dunk herself completely and swim out to the middle of the pond and then make her way back to shore floating on her back. But as she flipped over, feeling the sun against her wet face, she footsteps. “Well, look what we have here!”

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  Chapter Seven

  “Underneath all that sass, I knew there was a hot woman who loved to let loose.” Libby’s hands flew to cover her breasts. “What are you doing here?” “I came back to finish fixing the broken fencing. When you weren’t at the house I thought I’d come and investigate.” “Again? I thought the investigation was over.”

  “I don’t mean that investigation. I mean looking for you. Your truck was still at the house so I got worried.” She splashed some water at him and turned away, covering her chest with her arms. “Go away!”

  “I never thought you’d be the shy type.” “I’m not…just go.” “Don’t worry, I’m not peeking. I want to. I’m just being honest with you about that. But I’m not. I have pretty futile imagination and based on the underthings sitting here on top of your boots—” “Jackson Gentry!” “I’m pretty sure…” She peeked over her shoulder and saw his deep intake of breath. “Want some company?” “Not if it’s you.” “That hurt.” “Oh, for God’s sake, at least turn around.”

  He did as he was told but continued to tease her.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to join you in there?”

  “No. You just stay put while I get out.” Now that her skin was cooled off, goose bumps rose on her arms and legs as her wet skin hit the warm air. She quickly ran up the bank to where she’d dropped her clothes on the ground. Pulling her hot, dry clothes over wet skin proved more difficult than she’d anticipated, but she continued to watch Jackson as she labored through dressing. “Did you see anything?” she asked, pulling her shirt over her head. “Oh, yes, I did. And what a mighty fine—“ Panic struck her hard. “What did you see?” “Those slender shoulders. That beautiful long neck as you tossed water on your back. Your face turned up to the sun while you—“ “What else? I mean before I knew you were there.” “What else? What more did I need to see?” “Oh, please. Are you going to tell me that you found a naked woman swimming alone and you didn’t peek?” “I’m a man of my word.” “You’re a man.” “Okay, I peeked a little.” She swallowed hard. She quickly pulled her pants on as she watched his back. “So you’re one of those guys.” He started to turn around. “What are you doing? Don’t look!” He blew out a frustrated breath. “How can a woman feel comfortable stripping down naked in broad daylight and then get all flustered about showing off a little skin? I didn’t see anything, okay? And what kind of ‘guy’ are you talking about?” “The ones who say, ‘your lips are saying no, no, no, but your eyes are saying yes, yes, yes’.” Jackson laughed, which grated on her nerves more than she cared to admit. “I think we’re there, sweetheart, but I’m not going to take anything you’re not fully willing to give me. I’m not that kind of man.” “You won’t be getting anything. You’re supposed to be leaving town.” “I’m starting to get a little bit of a complex about your wanting me to leave so badly.” “Poor baby. Why are you still here?” He was quiet a moment while she waited, then turned just his head to look over his shoulder at her. “Because I like being with you. I thought I made that pretty clear.” His words stopped her dead in her tracks. The knee-jerk reaction she had was to tell him he was full of himself. But the look he gave her told her he was telling the truth. Warmth spread through her hotter than the sun beating down on her head. “I don’t know why,” she said quietly. “I’ve done nothing but yell at you and push you away since you stepped foot on my ranch.” He smiled then, a wide smile that showed straight white teeth and a deep dimple on his left cheek. “You’re a challenge. I’ll give you that.” He looked at her feet and then back at her face. “You’re going to get dirt in your boots if you’re not careful.” “So,” she said, as he walked over to her. “So you’ll end up with sores on your feet walking in those boots. Here, put your hands on my shoulders.” Libby did as she was told as Jackson bent down in front of her, lifting her foot off the hard, dry earth, and brushing the soles of her feet with his hands. She closed her eyes at the feel of his hands on her skin. She liked his hands. They were strong and reassuring. Today wasn’t the first time she’d noticed them. When he’d been working in the barn the other day she’d noticed them. He wasn’t just a man who pushed paper and pens around. He got himself dirty and didn’t mind it. She liked that about him. So many men wanted to prove something. But Jackson didn’t hide behind a title or his badge. He was real. “What? No sock?” he asked. Libby dropped to a grassy patch on the ground and grabbed her socks from
inside her boots. “I can do the rest myself. Thank you.” Jackson sat down next to her while she finished getting her boots on, staring at her feet with a wide smile. “What?” “Bows?” “You have a thing about my socks.” “I have a thing about you. You’re…” “What?” “You never cease to amaze me.” “Good. It’ll keep you on your toes.” He threw back his head and laughed up at the sky, which did wonders to calm the panic she’d felt when he’d found her. “You’ve already done that, sweetheart,” he said, adjusting his cowboy hat on his head. She looked at him for a brief moment, her head spun. Uneasy by how close he was to her, how the scent of him still swirled around her, how the heat of his closeness affected her to the core, she abruptly got up from the ground. “I need to get back.” “Why don’t we ride back together on Spirit? I left the supplies for the fences in the back of the truck.” “You walked out here in this heat?” Jackson got to his feet. “Yes, ma’am. It was a nice walk, made even more pleasant with my finding you in the pond.” Her cheeks flamed again. “Forget about that. Let’s get back to the house.” They both climbed on Spirit, who took to carrying both of them in stride. Having her back up against the heat of Jackson’s body was only made hotter by the sun beating down on them. But she liked the feel of his arms loosely draped around her waist. Every once in a while on the ride back, Jackson would lean forward and whisper something in her ear, tickling her senses. It wasn’t anything romantic or erotic. He just mentioned something he noticed on the ranch. Yet her mind wandered to places she hadn’t allowed herself to go in a very long time. She loved the feel of Jackson’s body against her and wondered what it would feel like to be flesh-to-flesh, making love. Her blood stirred just thinking about it and she was infinitely glad she was sitting in front of him where he couldn’t see her expression. She was sure her expression would betray her thoughts. When they reached the barn, they worked together to get Spirit settled in the paddock where she could enjoy some fresh water and hay, and then put the saddle and gear away in the tack room. The refreshing feeling of swimming in the pond was long gone. Libby’s skin was still hot and electrified from being so close to Jackson during the ride back to the house. When she turned to leave the tack room, Jackson dragged her into his arms. “Hold on a second,” he said. Her legs melted beneath her and the only thing holding her upright was Jackson. In his arms she felt small and whole and special in a way she’d never known. Libby had dated men over the years. She’d thought she’d been in love once. But nothing had ever felt like this. Jackson pulled her closer, pressing her chest against his. But she didn’t feel the sensation she’d expected with the contact. She fought all the usual fears she’d had about what it would be like to be with a man and just allowed herself to feel. Would he know the difference in her? Would it matter? She didn’t want to think about it. Instead, Libby focused on the feel of Jackson’s arms wound tightly around her body, and the stirring she felt in her belly, as she pressed herself up against his hot skin. His strength and the gentleness of his hands as his fingers dug into her hair. When he finally bent his head and his mouth covered hers, it made it easy for Libby to forget the struggles she’d been facing. Oh, it would be so wonderful to stay in Jackson’s arms, she decided. Nothing could hurt her there. Jackson pulled away to gaze into her eyes and take a deep breath, but it only left her wanting more of him. Everything inside her screamed that this was so right. “I’d wondered what it would be like to taste you,” he said, looking down at her with a smile that stole her breath away. But before she could find the words to respond her pleasure, the sound of a truck coming down the driveway pulled their attention toward the barn door. She looked up at him, still shaky from their kiss. “I wasn’t expecting company.” “Do you think it might be Cole?” She shook her head, not wanting the irritation about his focus on Cole to ruin the wonderful moment they’d shared. “We’d better go see who it is then,” he said, brushing his fingers gently along the curve of her cheek. She touched her hand to her chest as she walked beside him. Outside, she had to squint her eyes to focus on the truck now parked in front of the house. She didn’t know who it belonged to, but she did recognize the emblem on the side of the truck, a telltale sign of the man’s profession. He was another Texas Ranger. She glanced up at Jackson and his smile told Libby he recognized the man now standing beside the truck. “I wasn’t expecting to see you until I got back to Austin,” Jackson said. “Libby, this is Ranger Doug Dunlap. I work with him on occasion.” “Some of us are chained to a desk and don’t get all the perks of working in the field,” Doug said, tipping his hat at Libby. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.” “Likewise.” The awkward silence let Libby know the ranger was probably here on official business. A knot formed in the pit of her stomach. “Your timing is lousy,” Jackson said as Doug handed him the manila folder he’d been holding. “I’m not sure it was what you were looking for but it’s interesting reading. I could have faxed all this to you. But then I wouldn’t have had an excuse to come out and see what was keeping you here in Liberty all this time. Now I know.” The knowing smile Jackson gave her made her blush. “Where are my manners? Would you like a glass of iced tea, Doug?” she asked. “I made a fresh pitcher before I left for my ride.” “That would be nice. Thank you.” Doug tipped his hat at Libby as she turned away. Walking to the house, she wondered why on earth a Texas Ranger would travel all the way from Austin to Liberty when a phone call would do. And she wanted to know what was in that folder Doug had just handed Jackson. And she wanted him to leave as quickly as he came. Her mother would be appalled by her behavior. She’d been raised better than that. But Libby couldn’t help but want to rewind the minutes back to when she was in Jackson’s arms and she felt safe. She kept a watchful eye out the kitchen window at the two men as they talked in the yard while she pulled clean glasses from the cabinet and put them on a tray. Then she quickly poured the iced tea. As she pushed the screen door open with the tray in her hand, she saw the back end of Doug’s truck as it sped down the driveway. Jackson was sitting in a chair on the porch. Libby walked over and dropped the tray on the wooden table. “I thought Doug wanted a drink?” she said. Jackson kept his eyes on the pages in the file folder. “Jackson?” “It’s interesting.” “What is?” He put the folder on the table next to the tray of iced tea. “I look around and I see a functioning ranch. The barn has a roof that is patched, not replaced. The house is in good shape, but nothing is updated. You have about half the head of cattle a ranch like this could hold. You had one ranch hand. One.” “My father and I—“ “This ranch isn’t working to capacity at all, Libby. And I had to wonder why. I’ve been around ranching all my life. I know when a ranch is failing. This ranch isn’t failing. It’s under-producing. Didn’t you think I’d wonder why?” “You said the investigation was over,” she said quietly. He ignored her and said, “The only reason I could come up with was that the ranch was cash poor.” “Since when was my family’s ranch practices under investigation?” “Since I saw the bank statements. There’s nothing there. I knew the property was mortgaged but the full report didn’t come in until yesterday. Doug knew I was wrapping things up here so he brought the report to me personally in case it had some bearing.” “This is my family. My privacy you’re invading.” “It’s my job to find out what happened to your father, Libby.” “You said it was over.” “Where’d the money go, Libby?” “How dare you do this?” Jackson pushed himself to his feet and came toward her quickly. “Did Cole take it?” “We’re back to Cole? Are you crazy? Cole never took a dime more than his paycheck. Never. He’s the most honest person I know.” “Large amounts of cash withdrawals have been taken out of the account.” “My mother was sick for a long time. She had breast cancer. My father did everything he could to make sure she had whatever care she needed. Some of that was experimental treatment that the insurance company refused to cover.” “Your mother died ten years ago. A ranch like this could have bounced back. These transactions are recent.” “Don’t push this, Jackson.” “Why not? Where did the mon
ey go, Libby?” The last thing she wanted was Jackson’s probing gaze keeping her still. But there she was. Her biggest fear realized. Forced to confess things she wasn’t yet ready to talk about. “Don’t you need a warrant to get personal information like this? Why didn’t you tell me?” “I didn’t need to. I was investigating Buck Calvert’s death. His name is on the bank account. None of that will transfer to you until his estate goes through probate. Mortgage information is public record and this ranch was recently remortgaged. I had to check it out, Libby.” “I told you. We had a lot of medical bills for a long time. It took a toll on my father. After my mother died, my father threw himself into the ranch again and John decided to leave for the military. It was John’s way of coping with my mother’s death. That’s when Cole came to work at the ranch. I’d just graduated high school about that time.” “In the ten years since your mother passed, your father should have been able to bring the ranch back to its potential. But still, the ranch is in full debt. More money is going out than is coming in.” “I know you’ve done your homework, Jackson. You know my brother was killed in Iraq.” Jackson’s demeanor changed. “Your father had a lot of grief to deal with. I understand that.” He sighed and she could see the war raging on his face. The man who wanted to be sympathetic still had a job to do. So he pushed on. “Are you telling me your father gave up?” “No. The man didn’t have quit in his vocabulary. I think there were times he wanted to, but…I think he kept a brave face for me.” “Does the debt on this ranch have something to do with the fence breaks? Was there someone threatening your father?” “No.” “What aren’t you telling me? Why do I feel like I’m pulling teeth to get the most basic information from you?” “Because I’m a private person. I don’t talk about my private life with just anyone.” His face registered hurt like she’d never seen. “I didn’t realize I was just anyone.” She sighed and looked away. “You have to admit that our relationship isn’t exactly normal. You didn’t come here for me, Jackson.” “I’m staying for you. Talk to me, Libby. Tell me what’s going on. You know I’ll dig into this further and find out myself. But I’d rather it come from you.” “I can’t.” Defeated, he said, “You won’t.” And it was true. The deeper she got into the truth, the harder it was for all of them. “Is this why Cole left?” She shook her head. “Because for the life of me, I can’t wrap my head around why a man who supposedly cares for you would leave you alone.” “The reason he left no longer matters,” she said. “Are you sure?” How could she tell him the truth? Cole had left because he thought he’d hold her back from having a life with someone else. And it wasn’t until that moment that she realized he was right. If Cole had been here on the ranch, she would have never allowed herself to open up to Jackson the way she had. She’d have been too afraid for Cole and what Jackson might find out. But now she realized none of that mattered. When Jackson found out the truth about where the money had gone and why, he’d be leaving anyway. She was sure of it. “If you don’t mind, Jackson, I’d like you to leave.” “The fences aren’t fixed.” “I’ll take care of it. Please, just go.” He didn’t argue. “I’m coming back, Libby. One way or the other we’ll have this talk.” She watched him walk toward his truck, start the engine and then speed down the driveway, leaving a cloud of choking dust in its wake. And then she was alone again.