NotoriousWoman (13 page)

General ignored him and chewed his feed.

“Of course, you’re past your prime no matter what Kate
thinks.” He removed the gate that kept the bull penned so the animal could
amble out into the bachelor meadow to fill his belly on grass.

The ornery critter made no move to leave so Jake picked up a
few pebbles and chucked them at General’s hindquarters.

“Go on, I’ve got better uses for this pen.”

General lifted his head and blinked a few times then carried
on out of there at an easy pace.

Young Purdy came out of the barn, tucking his shirttail into
his britches. “Jake, you son of a bitch. How the hell have you been?” With a
spring in his step, he joined Jake. Straw poked out of his hair and the scent
of lilacs wafted from his body.

“Good enough, I reckon.” Jake extended a hand. They shook as
good friends do. “You smell like a rutting buck.”

Caleb smirked.

“There’s hay in your hair.”

Caleb bent over and brushed his head. “That any better?”

“Not likely. You’re the ugliest critter I ever came across.”

Caleb laughed. He was busting with so much happiness Jake
wanted to puke. He didn’t know how Caleb managed. His romancing never seemed to
hit any snags.

“Don’t tell me you’ve gone and done something foolish,” Jake
said.

“Call me a lucky man,” he answered, his smile practically
reaching his ears.

“From all the ruckus you two were making in the loft last
night, I had no doubt.”

Caleb chuckled. “I asked Jolie to be my wife. Of course she
said yes.”

“You don’t say?”

“I reckoned she was a keeper the first time I laid eyes on
her.”

“She’s real pretty and I’m sure she’ll make you a fine
wife,” Jake said.

“You boys coming in for your noonday meal or do you intend
to chatter like magpies all the day long?”

They turned around. Jolie stood on the porch, her arms
crossed, but with an unladylike shine in her eyes. She’d cleaned up real pretty
in a pink-checked shirtwaist with a matching pink ribbon in her braided hair.

“Why darling, I’ll not miss one of your meals for no amount
of money,” Caleb replied, a goner for sure.

Jolie shot him a smile that’d brighten any man’s day. “See
that you don’t, Caleb Purdy.” She disappeared into the house.

Jake shook his head. That girl bossed Caleb around and he
didn’t mind a bit. Jake supposed the two fit together like oxen yoked behind a
plow. They’d stay that way ’til death took them to their reward.

Caleb quirked a brow. “How’s the job working out? Kate still
spitting nails when provoked?”

“Naw. She’s not so ornery once you get to know her.”

“Are the rumors true about Kate using a whip on her last
foreman?”

Jake exhaled. “You should’ve seen her.”

“You still hoping to win that bet?” Caleb said.

“I reckon.”

“You still believe you can change Kate Crowley?”

“There’s a pile of money says I can,” Jake replied.

“I hate to admit I have some of my own money riding on the
outcome of your bet with the boys,” Caleb said.

“That’s what I figured.” Jake frowned. “For or against me?”

“What do you think?” Caleb answered. “I bet for you and I’m
glad I did. I’d say you’ve made some progress.”

“Kate can be agreeable if she wants to be.” A notion
occurred to Jake that left him cold. “Have you said anything to Jolie about the
wager?”

“No sir.”

“I don’t want you to bring it up around Kate or her sister.
Both of us would catch hell from all sides if they were to find out why I’m
here.”

“Your secret’s safe with me,” Caleb said, grimacing.

Caleb was a man of his word and appreciated the dilemma Jake
was in. This bet would devastate Kate. She sure was a prideful woman.

It’d take some doing to keep her from finding out the real
reason he’d come to the Crowley spread. The wager had put another
insurmountable obstacle between them. If he could take the bet back, he would.

Jake had to come up with a way to make this right.

“Come on,” Jake said. “Let’s go see what kind of grub the
females have fixed up.”

Jolie watched at the window and by the time they’d reached
the first step, she’d opened the door.

There was no mistaking the sparkle in her eyes. Jolie was
smitten. Purdy too. Unless Jake missed his guess, there’d be a wedding before
Christmas.

She invited them in. Kate was at the stove, her skin flush
and her hair limp. She was a beauty and he’d like to put his brand on her. His
insides went to mush when she looked at him. Even when she glared at him.

Part of him wanted to storm over to her side, whip her
around and kiss the breath from her. The other part wanted to take her over his
knee and smack her bare-naked ass
then
kiss the breath from her.

That is if she’d let him. Her inclination to lovemaking had
cooled considerably, an attitude he fully intended to correct.

She put down the spoon she was using and greeted Caleb with
a cold, hard stare that would make a man think twice about what he was doing.
“I see you’re up,” she said.

“And raring to go,” Jake butted in. He was pleased she
tolerated his presence. This was a good showing for Caleb. Had he noticed how
agreeable she’d become?

Kate twisted her mouth into a pout and didn’t offer him as
much as a peck on the cheek. After last night, he wouldn’t fault her for
throwing him out on his ear but so far she held back any retribution. Maybe she
was ready to let bygones be bygones.

He grinned, a peace offering of sorts, but didn’t get any
reaction out of her. He’d hoped she’d come around to his way of thinking and
set aside her constant need to dominate the situation. Perhaps he was wrong to
set any store by Kate Crowley’s sense of fair play.

Jake didn’t want to get on her bad side so early in the day
but he spoke up anyway. “Purdy’s as hungry as a mule skinner and so am I.”

“That’s a fact,” Caleb said.

Kate wiped her hands on her apron. “Good.”

“Nothing like a home-cooked meal,” Jake said.

“We’re ready. You men sit down.” Kate picked up a plate and
forked pieces of bacon on it. She spoke with satisfaction and Jake was relieved
the prickliness he’d witnessed last night was gone.

Caleb winked at Jolie, who bit her lip to stifle a giggle.
There was joy in her eyes and a lusty curl to her lips. Those two carried on,
making faces at each other.

Jake pulled out a chair and took his seat. Kate was soon to
hear an announcement that would change her life. Fortunately, Jake would be
around to pick up the pieces.

* * * * *

“That was a mighty fine meal.” Caleb Purdy swiped his mouth
with a fancy napkin.

Jake sat back in his chair and agreed. The plates heaped
with food were pretty much empty and he’d bust a button if he wasn’t careful.

“Thank you,” Kate said, getting out of her chair. “Both of
you. Would you like more coffee?”

“None for me,” Caleb said. He pushed back from the table and
stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I need a smoke.”

“Jolie and I can clean up,” Kate said.

Jake and Caleb stood on the porch as Caleb filled his pipe.

“This place sure is run down,” Caleb said, taking stock of
what he was seeing.

Jake couldn’t agree more. “A lot needs to be done.”

“You don’t sound too optimistic.” Caleb struck a match and
lit the tobacco.

Jake shoved his fists into his pockets. “Jolie and Kate are
losing ground.”

Caleb shook out the match. “I heard a rumor the Crowleys owe
money all over town.”

“Kate will make good those debts,” Jake said. “She’ll need
help.”

“I’ll do what I can.” Purdy sucked on his pipe. “Once you’ve
made your grubstake, you’ll have plenty of money to put into this ranch.”

“Don’t talk foolishness. The bet was to bed her, not marry
her.”

Caleb laughed. “Time you took a wife, raised a few young
‘uns.”

“All in good time, Purdy.”

Caleb blew out a ring of smoke. “I’m sure Jolie would feel
better about marrying if her sister had a husband to take care of her.”

“Kate don’t stand a man giving orders. What man will have
her?”

Caleb shoved his hat back on his head. “She’s a lot like her
pa. Too stubborn to admit when she’s wrong.”

Jake nodded. “She sure can kick up a fuss when she’s angry
but she’s got a softer side too.”

Caleb laughed, deep and satisfying. “I’ve noticed how you
shoot daggers at each other. Seems to me you two are made for each other.”

Jake shrugged. “I won’t deny she stirs my insides like no
gal I’ve ever been around.”

“What’s holding you back?”

“What can I offer her? If I win this bet, she’ll hate me for
it and if I forfeit, my bankroll isn’t worth spit.”

Caleb scratched his stubble. Obviously, he was stumped as to
a solution. After a fair amount of cogitating, Caleb spoke. “I reckon you two
will just have to work that out.”

“There’s nothing to work out.”

“You underestimate your abilities,” Caleb answered. “A fat
purse ain’t the only consideration for asking a lady to be your wife.”

“I expect you’ll plague me until I give you an answer you
agree with.”

“Yes sir, that’s how it’s gonna be.”

“A man in love thinks everyone needs to be the same.”

Caleb’s smile lit up his face. “Ain’t that the truth.”

Jake had done some cogitating of his own. “I think Kate is
too independent for marriage.”

Caleb clapped Jake on the back. “Now don’t go takin’ your
time making up your mind about Kate. You may lose out on the happiest years of
your life.”

Jake was more fearful it would be his balls he’d lose if
Kate found out about the wager. He’d no wish to share this information with
Purdy, who would mostly likely tell the other wranglers. “Believe me, I have my
happiness in mind.”

Caleb frowned and shifted his feet. “Pa wants you back at
the Box T. Those boys from Amarillo took off for greener pastures and left us
shorthanded.”

Jake wasn’t surprised. “If that don’t beat all.”

“So you’re needed at the ranch.”

“I’ll be there as soon as I can.” Jake didn’t like the idea
of running out on the Crowleys so soon but maybe this was the excuse he needed.

Purdy chuckled. What he found so amusing was a mystery to
Jake.

“Were you serious about helping out around here?” Jake asked
the fool.

“Sure, what do you need?” Purdy would do anything for
anybody, Jake reckoned, and he’d make a good husband for Jolie.

“A sound bull siring a herd of sturdy calves might give the
women a chance.” Jake nodded at the farmhouse.

“I can have the boys bring over one of mine,” he replied
without hesitation.

“Kate won’t ask,” Jake said. “And she’ll put up resistance
if she thinks I put the notion in your head.”

“I’ll wait until you give me the go-ahead,” Caleb said.

“I’m working on her.” Jake was confident he could change
Kate’s mind even though she was dead set against owing anybody. There was still
bad blood between her and the Purdys over her pa’s killing, which Caleb had to
be aware of. Maybe his bull would be a start to mending fences. Jake hoped so.
Jolie’s life would be a whole lot easier if her husband was welcome at the
ranch.

They walked over to the corral. Caleb placed the toe of his
boot on the bottom rail of the fence and watched General sashay his way up to
greener pastures.

Jake suspected Caleb had more to say. “What’s on your mind,
Purdy?”

Caleb knocked the ashes out of his pipe and stuck it in his
shirt pocket. “The fact of the matter is I need a favor.”

“Shoot.”

“I need your help breaking the news to Kate about marrying
her sister. Kate listens to you.”

It was a tall order. “I’ll do what I can,” Jake assured him.
“I’m not making any promises.”

What Kate would say about such a proposal was a matter of
speculation. Jolie would have a job convincing her sister that Caleb Purdy was
a good man. Jake would be happy to add his two cents.

“Good. I’m glad I can rely on you. Kate is lucky to have you
in her life.”

“Purdy, leave your sweet talking for the women.”

Caleb chuckled. “I want you to know I’m prepared to buy
Kate’s half of this ranch.”

“That’ll about kill Kate,” Jake said. “She loves this
valley.”

“She’ll sell—she can’t manage alone—unless you’d like to
stay on? Don’t get me wrong. We need you at the Box T but it appears to me
you’d do a heap of good by staying here.”

Jake lowered his head and blew out both cheeks. He had a
suspicion what Caleb was after, forcing Jake’s hand, but Jake didn’t believe
Kate would agree to the arrangement. “One of your own running things here, is
that what you’re after?”

“Hell, no. I want that gal to be settled.”

“What makes you think Kate will have me?”

“She’ll have you all right, if only to save the ranch.”

Jake narrowed his eyes, surveyed his friend with disdain.
“That’s one hell of a solution.”

“If Kate loves this place as much as you say, she’ll do
about anything to keep it.”

Jake growled low in his throat. “If I married her for that
reason, it wouldn’t be right.”

“Now don’t get your dander up. If you won’t marry Kate, I’ll
buy her out. She can stay as long as she likes. Nobody’s saying contrary.”

“I’m happy for you and Jolie, I truly am, but Kate and I
aren’t suited for each other and that’s all the talking I’m going to do about
it.”

Hopefully, Caleb Purdy considered the matter closed.

Jake was about to propose he show Caleb around the place
when lover boy suggested they go and see how the ladies were coming along.

Jake shook his head. Caleb surely was single-minded.

Kate and Jolie were in the kitchen.

Caleb winked. “What do you say we go for a ride in my new
buggy?”