I’ve attached Chapter 5 of my historical romance entitled Sweet Liberty. I had high hopes of getting a free contemporary romance posted online, but the holidays turned out to be more hectic than I had anticipated.

I am, however, still at work on editing and preparing on A Baby for New Year’s.for publication on this site. Hopefully, it will be available before the end of February, 2016.

In the meantime, please enjoy the next chapter of Sweet Liberty.

 

 

Chapter 5

 

While the four ate dinner two nights later, a strange noise startled them. Whispering, Nate directed Libby, Flossie, and Will under the wagon where Will could protect them. Satisfied they were as safe as possible, he stalked off in the direction of the noise. Libby’s whispered plea for him to be careful echoed in his mind. It felt good to have her show concern for him.

Before he left the clearing a red-haired stranger entered and Libby exclaimed, “Dr. Ross!”

Glancing around, Nate noticed that she crawled out from hiding and hurried to help her. As he lifted her to her feet by grasping her waist, he asked, “Do you know this man?”

“He was my doctor in Charleston.” Dusting herself off, she turned to face Ross. “What are you doing here, Dr. Ross?”

“I came to get you. May we talk?” Ross asked as he approached her.

“Over dinner.”

“No, Libby. I need to talk with you alone.”

“Then whatever it is will have to wait until we’ve eaten. Maybe you aren’t, but the rest of us are hungry.”

Nate stared at her, certain that he’d detected a slight note of irritation in her voice. Could it be that she was as upset by the sudden intrusion of the redhead as he was? The immediate dislike he experienced toward the doctor was strong, and he battled the almost overwhelming desire to hit Ross. The doctor’s very presence reminded him that Libby had had a life before they’d met, and that life could easily contain a special male friend. Judging from Libby’s attitude, though, that man wasn’t Ross. Still, Nate had a distinct feeling that Ross’s arrival would threaten his own relationship with Libby. To avoid showing his distress, he ate in silence while everyone else chatted amicably.

 

While the others cleaned up after the meal, Ross and Libby strolled a short distance away. Since Libby was the best cook, Nate had suggested that, while on their travels, she cook while he, Will, and Flossie collected firewood and water, and cleaned up after meals. Libby didn’t care for those jobs, anyway, and had eagerly agreed. Now she regretted it, because she didn’t have an excuse not to be alone with Ross.

“It appears that you have a life of leisure on the trail, Libby,” Ross observed.

“It’s no life of leisure, Dr. Ross,” she said. “We all have chores to do. Not only do I wash bedding and clothes, I cook, mend, and drive the wagon for half a day. I also help anybody else who needs it and tend to anybody who’s hurt or sick. I’d hardly call that a life of leisure.”

“Then you work far too hard. You’re a lady and shouldn’t do demeaning chores.”

“On the trail, Dr. Ross, nobody has privileges.”

“Would you stop calling me that? My name is Hiram, and I’d like for you to use it. Aren’t you even curious as to why I followed you?”

“A little I suppose,” she admitted.

“I wanted to be with you. When I was caring for you, I decided that I want you for my wife. So I followed you with every intention of convincing you to marry me.”

Startled by his frankness, Libby hesitated a few moments. This couldn’t be happening. Many men had wanted to court her, but no one except Thomas Morgan had ever suggested marriage. Now the first man who did was one she didn’t like very much. What was she supposed to do? How should she respond?

Choosing her words carefully, she said, “I assume that’s your way of offering a proposal. If it is, you should have stayed in Charleston because I’m not interested.”

“It’s because of Payne, isn’t it? He’s stolen your heart already.”

Libby shook her head, unable to believe they were having this conversation. She wanted to go back to camp and spend some more time talking to Nate before she went to bed. Instead, she said, “Nate has nothing to do with this. I’m not interested in marriage—with anybody. All I’m interested in right now is getting safely to Charlotte.”

“Then how do you explain Payne?” Ross demanded.

“I don’t have to explain him, nor do I have to explain you to Nate.”

“I’m going with you, Libby. And I’ll convince you to marry me.”

“As long as you’re already with us,” she said, “there isn’t much I can do to force you away. You’re a nice enough man, and I don’t mind if you travel with us. The more people there are, the less work there is for each of us to do. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go back to camp.”

Wandering back toward camp, Libby tried to ignore the man behind her. Apparently, she wouldn’t get to talk with Nate again that night; but at least, she didn’t have to spend the evening alone with Hiram. If nothing else, Nate would be as entertaining as he always was in the evening. At least, she hoped he was because she didn’t think she could pretend interest in anything Hiram would say.

 

From his bedroll, Nate heard Flossie moving in the night. Turning his head, he watched in astonishment as she went to the doctor’s bedroll. After shaking him gently, she whispered something into his ear. She kissed his cheek before they disappeared behind the nearby bushes.

Before long Nate heard rustling and groaning. He didn’t need to get up and check to know what was happening. But he would wait a few minutes to give Ross time to dissuade Flossie. If Ross didn’t succeed, he would intervene.

When the pair returned only minutes later, Nate stared at them in horror. Ross was buttoning his trousers. Now he didn’t know what to do. If he said something, he might cause trouble for the long journey ahead. If he didn’t, Ross might take advantage of Flossie again. Maybe he should wait and see what happened next. For all he knew, this was a one-time liaison that Ross hadn’t been able to resist. Besides, knowing that Ross and Flossie had been intimate would upset Libby, and he wanted to protect her from the truth—even if it meant that she sent him away if she ever discovered that he knew what had happened and didn’t tell her.

Rolling over, he tried to block the incident from his mind and go back to sleep. But instead, he lay awake for a long time, trying to decide if he should say something to Libby or not.

***

Only one day on the trail, and Nate was ready to send Ross back to Charleston. Ross refused to do his share of heavy labor, and he paid constant attention to Libby—too much attention to suit Nate. But Ross devoting so much time in small-talk with Libby didn’t bother him nearly as much as the extra effort Ross put forth to be charming.

Nate had known many men like Ross, and that doctor was trying to convince Libby to marry him. She appeared to pay little attention to him, but that in itself gave Nate only a bit of consolation. Still, he was fairly sure that she was smart enough not to believe Ross’s attention was anything other than for his own purposes. At least, he hoped she was.

That night when they made camp, Nate insisted that Will stay with his sisters while he and Ross hunted for dinner. Ross wasted two shots on deer that were out of rifle range, scaring away smaller game and making Nate’s task more difficult. When Nate finally shot enough for dinner, they returned to the campsite.

 

After eating, Nate went about his chore of feeding and securing the horses for the night. While Flossie washed the dishes, Ross escorted Libby away from camp. Will followed the pair at a safe distance.

“There’s something I want to discuss with you, Libby,” Ross announced irritably. “Payne isn’t a good influence on your brother. I want you to send him away.”

“I can’t,” she replied. “He’s done nothing to harm us, and he’s been very helpful. I doubt we would have made it so far without him.”

“He swears like the uncouth trapper that he is. Willie is even beginning to swear.”

“I’ve noticed,” she replied. “But he doesn’t do it often, and he has never taken the Lord’s name in vain—at least not that I’ve heard. So he hasn’t broken a commandment yet. If he does, I’ll talk to him. It’s my decision if I should discipline him about it, Hiram, not yours. I’ll speak to him if and when the time is right.”

“Payne thinks he’s in charge of this trip.”

“He is. He’s the only one who knows what he’s doing. He’s also teaching Will how to take care of various things that need to be done on the trail. That way Will can manage when Nate has to leave us.”

“He has you under his spell, Libby,” Ross said spitefully. “You’re blind to what he’s doing.”

Upon hearing those words, Will rushed back to camp and called to Nate breathlessly. “Nate! I hafta talk to you. It’s important.”

Glancing at him over a horse, Nate continued brushing the mount. “What is it, lad?”

“It’s Dr. Ross. He’s mean-mouthing you to Libby. He said you’re a bad influence on me. He told her to send you away. She won’t do it, though. She don’t … I mean, she doesn’t like people telling her what to do. When I left, she was tellin’ him about you teachin’ me what to do on the trail. But if he says the right things, she might change her mind. Libby’ll do that sometimes—change her mind, I mean. She might already be startin’ to agree with him, too—‘cause of me startin’ to swear. What’re we gonna do?”

 

Nate seethed with anger. He hated Ross already and knew that he was intelligent enough to convince Libby to change her mind about marrying him. But he had no idea what to say or do to stop it. As angry as he was, though, he crossed his arms on the horse’s back and replied casually. “To begin with, Will, you’re going to slow down and remember your grammar. Then you’re going to forget that you heard their conversation.”

“Aren’t you going to do something?” Will asked, aghast.

“There’s nothing I can do. Libby will do what she thinks is right no matter what I say. You know that as well as I.”

“But even I know we can’t take care of ourselves like you can.”

“Relax, Will. I don’t trust Ross. Hell, I’d rather put my trust in a mountain lion. At least, with a lion, you know to expect the unexpected. Ross is a sneaky, little bastard. I can’t tell what the hell he’s up to. And I’m not leaving unless Liberty asks me to.”

“He’s up to no good if you ask me,” Will mumbled. He paused a moment then questioned Nate anxiously. “What will we do if Libby asks you to go?”

Nate considered the prospect. What would they do? What the hell would he do? In the past few days, he’d become very attached to Libby. Granting her desire should she ask him to leave would be damned near impossible, but of course, he would do it. Then again, he could leave without actually leaving them. That way he could still keep an eye on Ross, not to mention the siblings.

Drawing in a deep breath, Nate exhaled slowly before explaining, “I’m not about to leave you people unprotected. Even that blundering idiot needs my protection—probably more than the rest of you.”

“I don’t think so, Nate,” Will said, shaking his head. “He’s awfully smart.”

“I’ll tell you a little secret, Will. Sometimes the smartest people don’t have a lick of common sense. I think I’ll take a walk and concentrate on what I’ll do if she does ask me to go. You stay with Flossie.”

Even though Nate intentionally left camp in the opposite direction from Ross and Libby, he soon heard their voices. Making his way closer, he stopped out of sight as soon as he could see them in the dimming light of dusk. For several minutes, they discussed inconsequential items. Then Ross abruptly changed the subject.

 

“I want you to send Payne on his way, Libby,” he said. “Now that I’m here to protect you, having him around isn’t necessary. I even proved that I’m capable of providing enough food for everyone.”

Libby stifled her anger again. If Ross thought he could tell her what to do, he needed to reconsider the notion, because nobody would ever run her life but her. Her father had taught her that lesson very well three years ago when he’d tried to convince her to marry somebody he thought was appropriate.

“That may be true,” she replied after a brief pause, “but Nate knows the area very well. He knows what lies ahead. And he’s extremely good at killing enough game for everybody to eat. If nothing else, Nate can keep us from starving on the trail.”

“There’s an easy way to solve the problems of the unknown and potential lack of food. We’ll turn around and go back to Charleston. I’m sure I’ll have no trouble re-establishing my practice.”

Her eyes widened in stunned disbelief. How could he possibly think that she wanted to go back when she’d gone to such lengths to leave Charleston? “I have absolutely no intention of turning back, Hiram. I don’t know why you don’t like Nate, because he’s been nothing but polite to you. Why can’t you at least try to get along with him?”

“He flaunts his knowledge of the wilderness. He doesn’t seem to think that I know anything on the subject, and he’s wrong. I can do as well as he can. The least you could do is give me a chance to prove it, but you won’t. You won’t even consider it. Payne’s the cause of it, too. You’re smitten. I could tell that the minute I walked into your camp last night. Have you two been doing things a decent man and woman shouldn’t?”

Turning away, Libby plucked a leaf from a small maple tree to toy with it. “That isn’t a very polite insinuation, but it doesn’t bother me because what you’re thinking is nonsense. The only feelings I have toward Nate are of gratitude. He saved Flossie’s life like you saved mine, and I have no intention of sending him away. Nor do I have any intention of sending you away.”

Ross spun her to face him by grabbing her arm roughly. “Who’s been trying to talk you into that?”

Libby stared up at him and fought the fear rising within her. If she’d known he was this type of man, she never would have agreed to him joining them. Now he was there, and she didn’t know what to do. But she did know that she wanted him to release her. She pulled back her arm, but Ross held it tightly.

Not wanting to antagonize him and risk making him angrier, she spoke calmly. “Please, Hiram. Let go. You’re hurting me.”

“Answer my question first!” he ordered.

Stunned by his temper, she found herself unable to respond. She wanted to, but she was afraid that he would hurt her worse if she said the wrong thing. A sharp pain shot through her forearm as he unexpectedly twisted it. Unable to restrain herself, she squealed in pain.

“Was it Payne?” he demanded. “Is he trying to convince you to send me away?”

A moment later, Nate bolted through the trees to the left of them. Libby stared at him in shock. As glad as she was that he was there, she was a bit irritated that he had followed them.

“Let the lady go, Ross!” Nate said in a warning tone.

Instantly, Ross released Libby and spun to face Nate. “Payne! How long have you been following us?”

“As tempted as I was,” Nate declared, “I didn’t follow you. I left camp in the opposite direction. You’re so damned stupid, you circled around.”

“You’re a liar!”

“The hell I am!”

“Listen to him, Libby,” Ross declared. “He’s been away from civilization so long that he can’t stop swearing. Do you honestly want Willie exposed to that? He’s only a boy.”

“Hiram, please,” Libby replied, shaking her head. She had enough to deal with; she didn’t need two men arguing like a couple of adolescents. The only way to show her displeasure was to put a stop to it right away. “It isn’t polite to talk that way.”

“It’s all right, Miss Libby,” Nate said. “Let him speak his mind. I don’t care.”

To Libby’s amazement, Nate’s gaze went to her hand as she rubbed her forearm gently. Then he stepped up beside her and caressed the back of her neck tenderly, asking, “How’s your arm, ma’am?”

But his touch was different than it had been. Tonight it carried a tense quality rather than its normally casual feel. She offered him a quick smile. “Sore, but it should be fine in a few minutes. Thank you for asking.”

“Payne is trying to make me look bad, Libby,” Ross insisted. “He’s lying about not following us so you’ll think I can’t lead you safely. Surely, you can see that he’s trying to discredit me.”

Studying each man in turn, she released a heavy sigh. This was the most ludicrous conversation she’d ever been involved in. Two grown men should know better than to argue about such an inconsequential matter. All she wanted to do was get away from them. But how could she without being rude? Unable to think of anything else, she said, “I think I should go back to camp.”

“Would you like me to go with you, Miss Libby?” Nate asked. “I know the way.”

“I’m perfectly capable of escorting Libby, Payne,” Ross insisted. His nearly colorless eyes glared at Nate. “She left with me, and I’ll take her back.”

Although irritated by Ross’s behavior, Libby spoke calmly to disguise it. “Thank you both. But if you’ll point me in the right direction, Nate, I can make it on my own.”

 

“I have no doubt that you can, Miss Libby,” he replied with a reassuring smile, “but I must insist that you be accompanied. We’re only a couple days from a Cheyenne village, and it isn’t safe for you to be wandering around alone.”

“Two days away! Libby, can’t you see that he’s trying to coerce you into going with him? Undoubtedly, he wants to seduce you.”

“Hiram, please,” Libby said with a hint of impatience in her tone. “Stop acting like a child. Even Will knows that two days isn’t far for Indians. It’s even a shorter distance when you consider how much progress we make in a day with a wagon. Is that right, Nate?”

Nate slid his hand from her neck down her back to just above her waist and nodded. Beside him, Libby suggested that they return to camp.