by Hebby Roman
“You’ll have to verify this with my husband, Jack, but I think I’m pretty easy to get along with.”
“Say what?”
Liberty looked over to a hallway as a man in a policeman’s uniform entered the room, his badge sparkling from the Christmas lights.
“Hey, be nice,” Lilah said, a frown crinkling her flawless features.
“Then, don’t make me fib in front of strangers.” He winked, hugged and kissed Lilah, and then, with a grin, said. “You must be Liberty.”
“Yes.” She shook his hand.
“Jack McCommas. We’re glad you’re here to help.” He nodded toward his wife. “This event means a lot to us.”
“Connor said it was important. I’m glad I can be here.”
“If you’re hungry, Jack, supper’s warming for you in the oven. Liberty? I fixed extra, if you’d like something before turning in.”
She considered having a bite to eat, not wanting to insult her host on her first night here, but suddenly she didn’t think she could lift a fork. “Would you mind terribly if I go to bed and start fresh tomorrow?”
“Absolutely not,” Lilah said warmly. “Come on, I’ll show you to your room.”
Liberty followed Lilah to the part of the house where the bed and bathrooms were clustered together. A large master was on her right and hers was on the left. Typical of most guest rooms, it looked comfortable enough.
“Eventually, this will be baby John’s room, but for now, his bed’s still in with us.” Lilah opened a door that led into a bathroom with a door on the opposite side. “Callie’s room is beyond that door. I don’t think she’ll be too bad a suite mate.”
“Are the kids already in bed?” She knew Lilah had two children, but they hadn’t popped up and she was curious.
“One could only hope. Fact is, they’re off spending the weekend with their grandmother, Meg.”
“That’s nice.”
Lilah turned down the comforter on the bed and retrieved a thick, fleece blanket from the closet. “This will probably feel good long about morning. There are extra hangers for your things, and more than enough space in the dresser. Let me know if there’s anything you need, we’ll get it for you.”
“Thank you, that’s very thoughtful.”
Suddenly, Lilah grabbed her and hugged her tight enough to shut off her air supply.
“Liberty, this means so much for kids with cancer and DIPG. Thank you for volunteering to help us!”
Volunteer? Volun-told was more like it. When Connor had first told her about this gig, she thought to get in, get the job done, and get back home to Nashville as soon as possible. But, now, getting back there didn’t seem so important. For after only a few minutes, this woman and the reason for the event had firmly planted themselves in Liberty’s heart and she knew she would move heaven and earth to make this charity event happen.
“Well, I’m going to go get ready to turn in myself. If you need anything, holler.”
“I will.”
She closed the door behind Lilah, slipped out of her ankle boots and jacket, crawled beneath the flannel sheets and thick comforter and closed her eyes. She should wash her face and brush her teeth, but she simply didn’t have the energy.
As she drifted on a sea of tired, an image of a certain cowboy appeared on the backs of her eyelids and she smiled. Daniel. He’d said he lived down the road, but how likely was it their paths would cross again before she left? The odds were never in her favor. Still, as she sank further into the flannel, that fact didn’t keep her from dreaming and wondering.
* * *
Two days later, Daniel arrived early at the McCommas Ranch to work on the stage for the outdoor event. Yesterday they’d cleared the area where Lilah wanted to set up for the venue. Today, they would begin work on the frame. Originally, he’d suggested everything could be rented and set up quicker to accommodate the short timeframe, but she’d argued she wanted to employ local craftsmen to give back to the community. It was a noble gesture and one he applauded. Besides, he liked building and working with his hands.
He poured himself some coffee into the lid of his thermos and sat on a stack of lumber to watch the sunrise. He liked to use the early morning quiet time to plan his day and ground himself. During the years he’d spent playing in the band, and then, for a time after his brother had died, he had avoided daylight and any situation that allowed him to think too deeply. He was glad for friends and his newly discovered sense of self that allowed him to appreciate his history and to look forward to his future.
Sipping his coffee, he caught sight of the woman called Liberty headed in his direction. He likened her to a dust devil, a small whirlwind carrying dirt and debris where ever she went. Oddly enough, he found he looked forward to the challenge of discovering what had her wired so tightly.
He drained the now lukewarm contents of the lid, replaced it onto the thermos bottle, and wondered what had her stirred up so early this morning.
“Where’s the stage?” she asked without preamble. “I was under the impression there would be a stage for the performers.”
“Mornin’.”
“Wh-what?” Recognition lit her face and she said, “Oh, it’s you.”
“It is.” He didn’t move from his seat on the two-by-fours but watched her continue to fume and unspool a little at a time. “I said, mornin’.”
“Good morning.” Shivering visibly, she folded her arms across her waist, glanced around and said, “I hadn’t expected to see you here.”
“And, yet, here I am.”
“Well, where is it?”
“Want some hot coffee?”
“W-w-what are you talking about?”
Her teeth chattered, and he thought for this morning’s thirty-degree temperature, her little designer coat wasn’t nearly heavy enough to keep her warm. He could do a better job if she ever calmed down long enough to be still.
“Coffee? I asked if you wanted any, but on second thought, you don’t need the caffeine.” He set the thermos bottle on the ground at his feet, grinned and patted the stack of lumber he was sitting on. “Come sit with me.”
“I don’t have the time to sit. I have a little over a week to pull this event together, and I thought certain things would be done. I hadn’t expected to have to build the stage myself.”
“I’d pay to see that,” he said, more to himself, but still loud enough for her to hear.
“Are you making fun of me?”
“You’re making it pretty easy. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone wrapped quite as tight as you.” He shook his head and again, patted the spot next to him. “Come here and have a seat. I want you to see something.”
“All right, if it’ll let me get on with my day.” She plopped beside him, gazed to the east over the pasture and tree line, and drew in a breath. “Oh, that’s beautiful.”
The sun had just fully risen and was a perfect red-gold ball over the tree tops.
“That’s what I wanted you to see.”
“Thanks, but . . .”
“It’s God’s work,” he persisted, as she fidgeted by his side. “It’s how I start most of my days. I thought it might help you to relax.”
“Thanks, but I think I know what I need.”
Not even close, darlin’.
Silence stretched out between them, as the sun grew smaller in the eastern sky. He saw a couple of guys drive up in their truck to work. Finally, he stood and said, “Liberty?”
“Yes?”
“Don’t worry about the stage. We’ll have it finished in plenty of time. Go worry about something else.”
* * *
Liberty found Lilah in the kitchen, same as yesterday morning, cooking bacon and frying eggs. The smell was divine. She could really get used to having someone cook breakfast for her each day.
“Morning, is there anything I can do to help?”
“Hi,” Lilah answered. “So far, I have it under co
ntrol. Sit, have some coffee or tea and visit while I finish up. Jack should be in shortly.”
“Sounds good, it’s chilly out.” Rubbing her hands together, Liberty poured herself a cup of black coffee and found a chair at the large round pedestal table.
She took note of the starched, crisp white, embroidered table cloth, and then noticed other handmade items like the crocheted hot pads. It reminded her of her grandmother’s kitchen. Lilah’s voice from across the room brought her back to the present.
“Were you outside?”
“Yes.”
“What in the world for? The sun’s just now up.”
“I was anxious about the set up and the stage, so I walked out to look around.”
“You should be careful going outside by yourself this early, sometimes a coyote or a mountain lion, or a skunk will greet you.”
Liberty grinned. “Funny you should mention skunks.”
“No, you didn’t . . .”
“No, not that,” she said. “I saw your friend, Daniel.”
“He’s building the stage for us.”
“So he told me. Are you sure they can get it built by the time we need it?”
“Absolutely,” Lilah said, her voice confident. “These guys are awesome. They volunteer their time all over the county in addition to working their own farms and ranches.”
“Well, I hope so. There’s too much to do to try and get a stage setup on short notice.” She moved a few things from the center of the table to make room for a platter of bacon, eggs, and biscuits. “How long have you known him?”
“Daniel? Jack’s known him longer than me, but he’s always been a good neighbor. He’s quiet and stays to himself. Why?”
“No reason, really,” she answered. “I just wondered.”
She hadn’t told her host/employer she’d borrowed money from him to get here. That transaction would remain between her and the sunrise watcher. Besides, she’d called her bank early yesterday morning and a new card should be here today. She’d be able to get him repaid soon, therefore getting herself back on an even keel. It went to her thing about not being beholden to anyone . . . for anything.
Liberty returned to her room after breakfast and made another phone call to the bank. She confirmed with a representative that a new debit card had been overnighted to her in Mistletoe. After it arrived, she’d be able to carry on with business as usual.
Next, she began making phone calls to a few major stars to ask if they would consider donating some of their time to help with the event. She knew the country music crowd could be generous but found herself surprised so many were willing to drop what they were doing to be here and give of their time. Part of the reason had to be that Lilah Canfield had given so much back to the music industry since her return to the stage. The Country Western community never forgot a kindness.
With six of the ten performers on her list promising to appear, she put in the number for the last name on her list, Jessie Duke. She, too, had had a falling out with Connor, so getting her to commit might be a long shot. Connor had said if she refused, Liberty was to ask Lilah for help. At this point, she’d put that in her back pocket. It was too early to resort to using her ace in the hole.
A soft knock sounded on her door. “Yes?”
The door pushed open slowly, and Lilah stuck her head part way into the room. “Hey, I’m going after the kids in town. Want to ride with me?”
“Sure.”
“Good. I didn’t know if you’d have time, but I thought you might like to get a feel for the town and the resources we might have for your needs.”
Liberty shut off her phone, grabbed her shoulder bag, a jacket, and followed Lilah outside through the kitchen and mud room, into the yard. A silver four-door pickup sat beside her own car, alongside the truck she knew belonged to Daniel. He and Jack stood talking at the tailgate.
She was struck by how nonchalant and comfortable he appeared. She noticed, too, the toothpick had made a return. She supposed it was part of his charm, and he had that in spades. Her eyes met his across the pickup bed where she realized he was grinning at her, probably remembering her fit in the convenience store night before last.
The cheeky so-and-so, and she was just standing there mentally listing his visible attributes, thinking she should give him the benefit of the doubt. Well, he had, after all, come to her rescue when he didn’t know her from Adam.
Lilah opened the driver’s door on the silver truck and threw in her purse. Kissing Jack goodbye, she said, “If you’re sure you don’t need anything from the hardware store, we’ll be on our way.”
“Can’t think of a thing.” Jack closed her door after she’d climbed inside the cab. “Y’all be careful.”
Liberty reached for the door handle and found Daniel’s large hand already there. He opened the door, and then closed it after she pulled herself in and sat in the passenger seat.
He motioned for her to lower the window and said, “When you get back later, come on out and see what we’ve gotten done.”
“You think it’ll be worth my trip, do you?” She probably shouldn’t have been snarky, but she’d never been one to hold anything inside.
“I guarantee it.”
She smiled and quipped, “I’ll be the judge of that.”
* * *
Daniel tipped his hat as the women drove down the road toward the gate. He checked his watch for the time. He joined Jack at the driver’s door of his own truck.
“Unless you need me to help you load more hay into the barn, I probably ought to head back.”
“Nah, I think that’ll last for several days.” Jack put his work gloves back on and said, “Thanks for your help this morning. I’ll come over to the work site after lunch.”
“We should be ready for an extra pair of hands by then.” He slid in behind the wheel and started the engine. “At least, I hope we’ve gotten to that point, I sorta promised lady Liberty there’d be something for her to see.”
He pulled the gear shift into drive, waved to Jack and drove to the pasture where the stage would be. On the short drive over, he wondered what had come over him. When Lilah had told him an event planner would be coming, he’d wanted to avoid the woman with her connections to the music world and any questions into his past.
Now that he’d met her, he found he liked her spunk and looked forward to seeing her again.
Chapter Three
Liberty carried the bags of goodies she’d bought into the house. She hadn’t known what to expect, as far as places to buy decorations and other supplies and had been pleasantly surprised to find a couple of dollar stores with good selections. Lilah had also introduced her to a local party planner who knew the area and all available resources.
In her room, she emptied the plastic bags onto the bed, and then removed her jacket. There were paper cups, plates, napkins, plastic utensils and table cloths in a Christmas motif. She’d found Santa Claus bunting, holy wreaths and poinsettias to decorate wherever they were going to gather the attendees.
That was the next thing she had to get set up. She’d spoken briefly to the party planner about that. A, um . . . she pulled the sticky note from her jean’s pocket and read the name, Tara Hunter. The woman assured her there would be enough tents and heaters to accommodate everyone. A tricky statement at best since they had no idea how many people would show up.
The weather was also a worry. Right now, the sun was out, warming the day nicely. What if it rained or, heaven forbid, snowed? If anyone showed up, would they have enough room to shelter them?
She turned when she heard the bathroom door open. Lilah’s daughter stood in the doorway.
“Oh, hi Callie.”
“Hi, Ms. Hart.”
She waved to the little girl to join her. “You can call me Liberty.”
“Okay.”
“Are you glad to get back home?”
“Yeah, but it’s more fun at Grandma Meg’s.”
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Liberty remembered spending time with her one grandmother who didn’t work. She’d been allowed to do special things that weren’t permitted at home. “What do you get to do?”
“Well, the school’s closer and I don’t have to get up so early, and after school, I get to work at the café.”
“That’s right. Your mom told me Meg had her own business.” She noticed the child held a bag, so she asked, “What have you got there?”
Callie opened the bag. “The last time we were in Nashville, we went to the country and I gathered these pinecones. I thought maybe you could use them for decorating.”
“You know, I was just looking at what I bought, trying to figure out what was missing.” She smiled and cleared a spot on the bed for the bag. “I think pinecones are exactly what we need. Put them right here. You know what else?”
“Uh, uh, what?”
“I’m going to need an assistant. Do you think you’ll have the time to help me?” The look on the little girl’s cherub face was the stuff of Christmas. “Will you be able to help after school?”
“Sure. Grandma Meg says I’m right handy.”
“Excellent!” Liberty held up her hand for a high-five and then she said, “Now, I have to go see how they’re doing on the stage. Do you want to come with me?”
“I have to ask my mom.”
“Absolutely, I’ll meet you at the back door?” But the little girl was already gone.
She reached for her jacket, put it on and smiled. She was looking forward to calling Daniel out on his promise of progress. From what she’d seen this morning at daybreak, she wasn’t holding out much hope for a surprise.
Liberty tried to keep up with the eleven-year-old, but Callie ran on ahead of her. When she caught up, Daniel had lifted the girl onto his shoulders and was showing her around. He set Callie back onto her feet and waved, when he saw her walking toward them.
“You came.”
His genuine surprise caught her off-guard. “I said I would, didn’t I?”
“Actually, you said—”
“Look,” she said rolling of her eyes. “Let’s don’t do this right now. Okay?”
