by Tina Leonard
Liberty shook her head. “I always thought I was in their way.”
“Honey, they were in their own way. That’s all there was to it.” Helen took her fingers between her own. “Mrs. Forrester and I loved you, Liberty, and we were so grateful to watch you grow up. You have no idea how many happy hours we spent at this very table discussing your future. Talking about how you were the sweetest, most beautiful girl in town. Mrs. Forrester was just as proud of you as her own children.” She smiled. “She’d be happy about you and Duke.”
Liberty tried to smile, too. “I thought that myself the other day. But why didn’t you tell me?”
Helen sighed. “I don’t think I ever foresaw the day I would tell you. You were so beautiful and happy, or at least you seemed so to us. We just wanted you to stay that way.”
Liberty thought about Duke and how she hadn’t married him because she didn’t feel that she was ready at the time. She had known she wasn’t fully developed as a woman, and Duke was so strong…this piece of information filled in the gaps but saddened her as well. “I didn’t understand my parents. I hope my children understand me.”
“They’ll understand that you love them,” Helen said, “and their father, too.”
Liberty smiled, already missing Duke and the strength he brought into her life. “It’s okay now,” she said. “I’m not worried about a thing.”
“Good,” Helen said, “that’s the way we wanted you to be.” She smiled. “You’re not angry with me?”
“No,” Liberty said, “although this town has got to quit keeping secrets.”
“I don’t think that’s possible,” Helen said, “but I couldn’t say for sure.”
Liberty gave her a mock-stern gaze. “We have got to get our act together in this town.”
“Too true,” Helen agreed, “and we’re starting with you.”
Chapter Fifteen
Liberty went home, thinking about how much her life had changed, and still happy that she and Duke were becoming much closer, but her pleasant thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a blinding pain.
Sweat broke out above her lip. Gasping, she sat down, clutching her abdomen. She felt water break and more pain than she’d ever known and realized she would soon be face-to-face with her past, present and future.
“Mr. Parsons!” she exclaimed, and an upstairs door opened immediately.
“Liberty? Did you call me?”
She gasped, holding her stomach. Mr. Parsons didn’t drive, nor did Helen or Pansy. “Could you please call Duke?”
“Duke? At this hour?”
“Yes, please,” Liberty said.
“What shall I say to him?” She could hear his footsteps on the stairs.
“That I think it’s time,” Liberty said on a groan.
Mr. Parsons peered from his spot on the stairs at her, assessing the situation correctly because he didn’t say another word as he dashed back up to his room. Liberty leaned her head back and waited for the pain to pass.
Twenty minutes later her front door crashed open. Duke stood in the doorway, a true cowboy riding to the rescue.
“Do you have to be so dramatic?” she asked weakly.
“Liberty!” Duke exclaimed. “Are you all right?”
“I’m sort of fine,” she said to calm him down, “but I’d like to go to the hospital.”
He checked his watch. “You’re too soon,” he said, “and we’re not married.”
Trust Duke to fall back on the order of life as he planned it. “Do you want to deliver this baby?”
“No,” Duke said, “but I’ll be with you every second.” Scooping her in his arms, with a worried Mr. Parsons holding the front door open, Duke carried Liberty to his truck. “It’s not as comfortable as an ambulance.”
“It’s better,” Liberty said, trying to ward off the pain. “I trust your driving.”
“Damn it, can I get a seat belt on you?” Duke let the seat belt fall back into place. “Never mind. You just lie back there and I’ll drive like a taxi driver.”
“Great,” Liberty said, “and I’ll be sick like a tourist.” She put her head down on the cab’s back seat and tried to relax between cramps, really not feeling like teasing anymore, even though she was trying to keep Duke from being so worried.
Not a half hour later, he pulled into the emergency drive at the hospital in Dallas, hopping out to help her to the curb and then inside to the counter. “We shouldn’t have made love,” he grumbled.
“That’s a fine excuse,” Liberty said. “But shut up for now while I pant. And unattractively grunt.”
“Nurse,” Duke said, speaking to an orderly who was walking by.
“Over there, Dad,” the orderly said, pointing to the check-in counter.
“This isn’t going to be as easy as it looks.” Duke seated Liberty in a chair. “You wait there, and I’ll check us in.”
Liberty was in too much pain to question Duke’s plan. “I’m not going anywhere.”
She was sooner than she thought she was, because someone apparently ordered her to be helped from the chair to a gurney, and from there she was wheeled into a room and completely checked over. Liberty answered questions as coherently as possible, until she realized that she was going into surgery.
Then she got scared. “What’s wrong?” she asked Duke, who clung to her bed rail and stared down at her.
“Nothing,” he said, “except our baby is impatient. Takes after his dad, I’m sure. Impatient is my middle name.” He tried to grin at Liberty, but she could tell he was shaken. “Hey,” he said. “I love you.”
“Well,” she said, closing her eyes, “hold that thought until I get out, okay?”
He kissed her forehead. “You can hold that thought forever,” he said. “It’s not going to change.”
Liberty had something to say, something pertinent she was certain, but the baby really was an impatient Forrester, and suddenly she was occupied with the business of becoming a mother.
DUKE COULD BARELY contain himself, but when he was finally ushered in to see his newborn son, he couldn’t take his eyes off him. “Wow,” he said proudly, gazing down into the bassinet. “Look at this little man!”
He wasn’t certain if the tubes in the baby were normal, but Liberty smiled at him so he relaxed. “You’re beautiful,” he said.
“Thank you.”
“Of course, you know the baby is beautiful,” Duke said. “He looks just like me.”
Liberty didn’t laugh or shoot back a comment, so Duke knew she was probably in pain. “Was it very hard to give birth?” He held her hand and sat on the edge of the bed to be close to her.
“The doctor said everything was normal, but yeah, it hurt! I just wish I could have gone full-term. I feel as if I cheated our son.”
“Oh, he looks healthy enough.” Duke brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Let’s make another one right now.”
Liberty held her stomach and tried not to laugh. “I’m going to sleep now.”
“You do that,” he said softly, touching her face. “You’re amazing,” he said even more quietly, meaning every word of it. “I love my baby. And I love you, too.”
Liberty’s eyes had drifted shut. “Call Helen, and tell her she has a new grandson to enjoy.”
Duke smiled. “Drugs getting to you, baby?”
“No,” Liberty said. “Helen had the box.”
The smile left Duke’s face. “The box?”
“Yes. She didn’t want anyone to know that she’d adopted me many years ago. But, strangely, I feel all the more loved because of what she and your mom did. I feel like all the gaps in me are filled in. Please don’t arrest Helen for stealing the box, Duke.”
Liberty’s voice sounded so tired that Duke began to worry. “Are you okay, my little tulip?”
Liberty opened her eyes. “I feel stronger because of you. Don’t forget to call Helen. She’ll be worried.”
Come to think of it, he had a ton of people he’d better call. They’d all
want to bring presents and baked goods. “So did she put the box back?”
“Yes.”
“And whatever she…removed?” He didn’t want to say stole about the new grandmother of his son.
“It was on her kitchen table.”
Duke shook his head. “I’m glad I’m not sheriff anymore, unofficially speaking, of course, but just the same. Gives me plenty of time to enjoy my new family.” He softly touched Liberty’s nose. “We have some decisions to make.”
“I know. Like the baby’s name.”
Duke nodded. “I was thinking Michael Zachariah, even though my brother took over my office.”
Liberty smiled. “I like it. And don’t worry about your office. I have a plan.”
“No plans for you, lady.” He kissed her and then went to sleep in the hard chair nearby, a content grin on his face. “No plans for a long time in the Forrester family.”
Forrester family. It sounded so good. So permanent.
I finally caught her.
TWO WEEKS LATER, in her little house on Pear Street, Liberty knew she had to make some changes. The baby had finally come home in fine health, and she was recovering nicely, thoroughly in love with little Mikey, as Duke called him. Mr.
Parsons tried to stay out of the way upstairs, making himself busy by doing laundry and keeping groceries in the house. Every day there was something cooking in the Crock-Pot. Mr.
Parsons had bought a book on Crock-Pot cooking, saying he had to earn his keep, he’d never had to cook before and was enjoying learning how. He intended to cook in the oven in the near future.
Duke kept his desk downstairs, which somehow had become a baby-present holder, but he didn’t seem to mind. What he did mind, Liberty knew, was her tiny little house. He felt cramped. And customers still needed their fittings, which Pansy and Helen had taken over for her, but it still meant brides and family members in the house.
All the company meant no time for the three of them to bond as a family.
So even though it was easier for everyone to visit her at the little white house, and even though Helen and Pansy would be disappointed that the baby wasn’t right next door, Liberty had Duke help her pack up and move their family to his house.
He liked that, she knew. He could tend to his chores now, and she could often hear him whistling. Not once did he ever mention his sheriff’s office on Main Street, seeming content to let Pepper and Zach run things in their unofficial capacity.
Liberty was pretty certain Duke was as happy as she’d ever seen him. And so was she. Not really knowing what to expect of having a baby, she was surprised by how in love with him she was from the instant he was put in her arms.
It made her love for Duke deeper and more resonant than ever before, and that was saying something considering she’d loved him all her life.
Duke walked in, grinning at her. “You’re sexy in the morning.”
She raised a brow at him. “So are you.”
“I can’t wait for the doctor to give you the all-clear.”
A smile touched her lips. “But I think I can make you happy until then.”
His attention riveted to her. “Did I ever tell you I like it when you stroke my ego like that?”
She laughed. “I think I could figure that out on my own.”
“I knew I picked a smart woman.” He put on his bolo tie. “Can you make it without me for a couple of hours?”
“Well, yes and no,” Liberty said. “I can, but I’d rather have you with me.”
He nodded. “Little Mikey Zach said he’d keep you busy until I came home. All seven pounds of him—think he can take my place for a while?” He came over and gave her a lingering kiss. “Pepper and Zach said they needed some help in my office.”
“Your office?” She smiled at him.
“Hell, yes. I’m just letting those squatters think they know what they’re doing. They have no clue what they’re getting into with the town elders, and I believe my siblings are just beginning to figure out that they are hand-picked stool pigeons for the Tulips Saloon Gang.”
Liberty smiled. “There really is no Tulips Saloon Gang.”
“Ha!” Duke stroked her hair. “I’ve got one of the foremost gang members in my bed right now.”
She rolled her eyes. “I never realized what an imaginative sort you are.”
“When I come home, I plan on being really imaginative with you, so be prepared.”
That sounded very good. “I hope you’re a man who keeps your promises.”
“Although,” he said, his forehead wrinkling, “I was reading a baby book, and it said that some times women get touched-out when they have a newborn. Like, it’s all overload and they’d really rather have a bath than—”
“No,” she said definitively. “Touch me all you want, Duke Forrester, and throw out that book. I don’t think we need any more tips from anyone.”
Mikey Zach let out a wail. Duke grinned.
“Takes after his father, I’m proud to say.”
“Yes,” Liberty said, “it’s all his way or no way.”
“All men like to be spoiled,” he said happily.
“You girls and your recipes for love ought to figure that out at some point.” He left, whistling happily.
Liberty gasped. The recipe! She’d forgotten all about the recipe on Romancing Your Stubborn Sheriff.
She didn’t think she needed a recipe anymore. She felt pretty certain she’d figured out the key ingredients on her own.
So without any regrets, she fed her baby, and then began to pack a bag.
Chapter Sixteen
Duke walked into his old sheriff’s office, noting the congregation already assembled: Pansy, Helen, Mr. Parsons, Bug, Holt and his own siblings. Every countenance carried a frown, and every posture was wired for dispute. “Hello, friends and family,” he said jovially, then stared at his office with dismay.
“Duke,” Zach began, “we only made a few adjustments.”
“Certainly needed adjustments,” Pepper said.
Duke grimaced at the yellow paint, the pretty flower pots in a stand and ribbons twined around Mr. Parsons’s jail-cell door. “This is not a florist shop. This is a town office. It should look like one.”
“Yes, we’re just a little town called Depressing,” Pepper said. “Come on, Duke. You know this place needed a pick-me-up.”
He sighed. “So what’s the first order of business?”
“We have some plans,” Zach said, “and we’re meeting fierce resistance.”
“Oh?” Duke said, mentally rubbing his hands with glee.
“Yes. Some of our town members are overly opinionated.” He glared across the room at the elders, and they glared back.
“You don’t say,” Duke chuckled.
“So we wanted to get your advice on how to proceed. There has to be a way.”
“There’s not,” Duke said. “It’s their way or no way. Though you could always ignore that and cause yourself real problems. What did you have in mind?”
“Well,” Zach said carefully, “we don’t really need a tearoom in this town. The Tulips Saloon building could be put to better use.”
“Yes, we do,” Duke said, earning a delighted smile from Helen and Pansy. “I used to think we didn’t, but now I see how important saloons are to our way of life in Tulips. It’s commerce.”
“There are no customers except us,” Pepper said, but Duke shook his head.
“With Liberty’s bridal salon opening, there has been a marked increase in the number of customers to the saloon. I know, because I see Valentine and her buddies here all the time delivering baked goods.” He frowned, thinking of Hawk and Jellyfish. “I’m surprised some of our good ladies haven’t picked off some of those cookie-carriers Valentine always seems to tote with her. For example, you, sister.”
Pepper gasped. “Oh, no. Not me, Duke. I’m not looking for a Hawk or a Jellyfish in my life.”
Duke glanced at Holt. “Holt, you’ve cut all our
hair for years. What do you think about the tearoom?”
“I think I’d like to stay out of the conversation,” Holt said diplomatically. “I’m only here because it’s time for Ms. Pansy’s rinse. But she said she couldn’t skip this meeting.”
“Look,” Zach said, “Duke, we propose an elementary school should be erected where the Tulips Saloon stands.”
Duke stared at his brother in silence for so long that people in the room began shifting nervously. “Brother, have you lost your mind?” Duke finally said.
“Education before cookies,” Zach said stubbornly.
Pepper added, “Education is important to the welfare of a town, Duke.”
Pepper knew wherefore she spoke—she’d chased education all her life. Frowning, Duke glanced at Pansy and Helen, gauging their reaction. “No,” Duke said. “No town has an elementary school in the town square.”
“They have courthouses. Why not a school? It’s perfect for that big, old, basically empty space.”
Pansy and Helen glared at Zach. “I think I’m sorry I wrote you in as sheriff,” Pansy said. “I want Duke back.”
“Me, too,” Helen said. “He understands our foibles.”
Duke’s chest poked out about a foot. Now his townspeople were appreciating him!
Liberty rolled a white wicker bassinet into the office, startling everyone. “Hi,” she said. “Can someone help me carry in the diaper bag and box of necessaries?”
“Liberty Wentworth!” Helen exclaimed. “What are you doing out of bed?”
“I haven’t been in bed for days,” Liberty said. “And besides, all of you are here. I might as well be, too.” She smiled at Duke. “We’re taking back our office.”
“Can we do that?” Duke asked.
“Sure. If all we need to do is be on the premises, that’s easy.” She held the baby gently, cradling him against any chill. “I like the yellow, but the motif is going to have to be more plaid. Duke likes plaid, and I think his son does, too.”
“As a doctor, I think—” Pepper began.
“As a mother, I think we should stand behind our man,” Liberty interrupted. “Trust me, we’ll all be happier this way.”
