Leaving Liberty, a Western Romance (Book 5) (Texas Hearts) Read Online Free Page B

him.
    “I’m heading out to that little diner across the street to get some takeout. Thought maybe you could use a bite to eat.”
    The paperwork in front of him was strewn about on the desk. “I’m a long way from finishing here.”
    “It’ll still be there when you get back. But if you want to keep at it, I can pick you up a burger and fries.”
    “Heart attack city.”
    Dane laughed. “Janine makes a mean rodeo burger. You can’t leave town without trying it at least once.”
    Jackson stuffed the unfinished report in a folder and dropped it in his briefcase.
    “I’ve been sitting here too long anyways. A change of scene might do me some good.”
    If someone were hiding something that needed to be revealed, the only way to find out would be to stay in Liberty and talk to the locals. Since Jackson’s report wasn’t getting written, now was as good a time as any to make some introductions. At the very least, it would take his mind off Libby.
    * * *
    The old suitcase sitting by the door in the kitchen had Libby’s heart stopping. A blue denim jacket was draped over the suitcase.
    “What’s all that about, Cole?” Libby dropped the sponge in the sink full of hot sudsy water and then wiped her hands with a dishtowel.
    Cole walked fully into the kitchen. “The cows have been milked and the horses are fed. I didn’t get a chance to stock the feed pen yet but I’ll do that before…”
    “What’s going on?”
    “Isn’t it obvious?”
    “Your reasons aren’t.”
    “I don’t want to leave,” he said with a heavy sigh that pulled his broad shoulders down.
    She’d been in town with Cole on several occasions and seen the glances from pretty girls who thought he was handsome. And he was. But Libby never looked on Cole that way. He’d always been just Cole, her friend and steady rock during so many storms in her life.
    Twirling his cowboy hat slowly in his hand, he said, “You know this is the only home I’ve ever felt truly comfortable in. But being here is only going to get more confusing as things move forward. I don’t want to bring on trouble you don’t need.”
    Her heart stopped. Cole had been like a brother to her ever since her own brother had been killed in Iraq. Losing Cole, felt like losing John all over again. Her bottom lip trembled.
    “It’s time, Libby.”
    She waved him off with her hand. “Time for what? This is your home. It’s always going to be your home.”
    He smiled at her in that warm way he always did when he was ready to argue his point. “Are you sure about that? You wouldn’t rather be with someone else?”
    Her mouth dropped open. “What are you saying?”
    “I saw the way you looked at Jackson Gentry. You like him.”
    “Get real. He’s annoying. He’s a ranger. Yeah, he’s doing his job. But he’s nothing but an ornery old man who--”
    “Ornery?” Cole laughed. “Yeah, okay. I see the way he looks at you, too, by the way.”
    She started to protest, but Cole cut her off.
    “This day was going to come eventually. Your father gave me a good home here for a time when we both needed each other and I’ll never forget that. But I let myself get too dug in here and I stopped looking over my shoulder. That could spell trouble for you, and I won’t let that happen.”
    “How can you leave now?”
    “If I wasn’t here—”
    “What?”
    “Maybe things would be different for you. Maybe it would free the way for you to get something more for yourself.”
    “You mean, marry me a cowboy? Fat chance! My dad wanted me to marry a cowboy so there’d be a man at the helm of Bucking Hills Ranch. He never wanted me to run this spread. I’m perfectly capable of doing it myself.”
    “I didn’t say you weren’t. And it doesn’t matter what your dad wanted, Libby. Buck’s not here anymore. And when I go, it’ll be just you running this ranch by yourself. It’s time.”
    Libby’s eyes filled with tears. She knew Cole well enough that he would wait to leave until