NotoriousWoman (6 page)

Jake slumped back against the rough-sawn wood. What was he
doing here? He had a job, one that paid decent and wasn’t as risky to his
health. He’d work off his debt, let the men laugh at his expense. He’d find
another way to buy a place of his own.

He realized Jolie was standing over him.

“Here,” she said. She took the cork out of a brown bottle
and gave it to him.

Taking a swig of the brew, he eyed her with scorn. “I’ll
recover. Don’t you worry.”

She flashed him a winning smile. “Kate is sorry. So am I.”

“Are you making excuses?” he asked.

She shrugged. “I just wanted you to know.”

Jake closed his eyes and took another drink and waited for
the slow-burning liquid to fill his belly. He was sorry too. Sorry he’d taken
up her wanton offering. Sorry he’d been an ass enough to think she wanted him.
Sorry he hadn’t been quick enough to duck.

“I hope you’ll give us another chance, Jake. I really hope
you do.”

Jake opened one eye. Jolie clenched her hands.

“I’ll think about it.” Like hell he would! He just needed
her to leave. He’d drink some more of this whiskey. Take a load off until the
pain went away, and when in any condition to ride, he’d hightail it out of
there.

“Oh, thank you, Jake. I told Kate you wouldn’t let us down.
She says you’re a drifter and can’t be relied on but I disagree. You’re just
not that kind of man, are you?” She flitted out of there without waiting for an
answer. She swished her skirt as if walking on air.

Jake rose from the chair and sat back on the bed, swirling
the whiskey in his mouth. He swallowed. What remained was a bitter aftertaste.
Much like what he’d experienced after being slugged by Kate Crowley.

He had a decision to make and someone was bound to get hurt.
Preferably not him. He’d not shirked his duty a day in his life, despite what
Kate believed. If this was going to work, he’d have to keep his wits about him
and his cock corralled. Otherwise, Kate would surely make a steer out of him.

* * * * *

Jolie burst into the kitchen, breathing hard. Kate tied on
her apron.

“Jake’s bad hurt,” she said as a challenge. “Why did you
have to hit him?”

Kate couldn’t explain. What she’d done couldn’t be taken
back. “Did you manage to convince him to stay?”

Jolie went to the dry sink and poured some water into a
bowl. As she washed, Kate lost patience.

“Well? Is he staying or not?”

Jolie grabbed a wooden spoon. “He didn’t say for sure.” She
quickly ladled stew into a crockery bowl and topped it with two biscuits.

Kate heaved a sigh, embarrassed at her actions although she
didn’t need to be. He’d taken advantage of the situation and she’d set him
straight. He’d be sure to mind his manners in the future.

Guilt niggled at the back of her mind. She’d taken advantage
of him in a way, standing so close. Hadn’t she encouraged him? His caress had
been irresistible. She hadn’t told him to stop.

And the way he talked. Her insides had melted.

In retrospect, the man didn’t deserve the punch she’d given
him. Could he be suffering as bad as Jolie said? He’d live with a headache for
a few days but he would recover.

“You’re going to apologize, right?” Jolie said, licking her
finger. “The man is all black and blue on one side of his jaw.”

Kate winced. “I didn’t mean to hit him so hard but I don’t
think it’s a good idea to apologize.”

“What did he do to make you so mad?” Jolie asked. When Kate
didn’t reply, she picked up the bowl and started for the door.

There was no keeping a secret from her sister. “He shouldn’t
have kissed me.”

Jolie stopped midstride. “No kidding. He kissed you?”

“That’s right. He took advantage of me and all I was trying to
do was be friendly.”

“Hallelujah, you didn’t tell me he’d kissed you. What was it
like?”

Kate’s cheeks flamed.
Delicious. Heavenly. Perfection.
“Good enough, I guess.”

Jolie studied her. “I’d say more than good enough.”

Kate frowned. Was she that readable? Had Jolie guessed
there’d been more than a kiss? She’d have to practice her
I-don’t-give-a-hoot
expression.

“I’ll be right back,” Jolie said. “Unless you want to go.”

“I don’t.” Kate didn’t trust herself worth a speck of dust
to be alone with the man.

“It’d be better if you went. As a way of saying you’re
sorry. Why not take your hair out of the braid and let it fall on your
shoulders?”

“You really have to stop.” Kate remembered how she liked
having him tuck her hair behind her ear. The recollection led to other places
he’d touched. He’d pinched her nipples. Thrust inside her heat with calloused
hands, a working man’s hands.

“Go on, before the stew gets cold.”

Kate shook her head. “I was thinking maybe I’ll start some
dough for fresh bread tomorrow.” Yes, she could knead the hell out of the
dough. Take out her frustration. Calm herself until she could think of a way to
sort this mess out.

“No you don’t. That’s just an excuse for avoiding him. Take
him his supper. Come on, Kate, give the foreman an apology he won’t forget.”

No sir. Not her. Besides, she’d already given him one hell
of a welcome, if she said so herself. All he had to do was reach out and she’d
thrust her cheek at him for another pet. Just like one of the ranch cats that
rubbed against her for attention.

She might have the temperament of a feline but she wasn’t
about to lose her head over Jake Madden or any other man for that matter.

“You do the honors,” Kate said. “I intend to keep my
distance from Mr. Madden.”

“Uh-huh.” Jolie rolled her eyes but Kate saw the fight had
gone out of her.

Kate laughed at the girl’s antics. Jolie joined her. Kate
was happy they’d had a discussion without a fight.

* * * * *

Jolie Crowley might be young but she wasn’t a child, as much
as Kate believed otherwise. She could very well see for herself how her sister
was falling for the stranger they’d hired to help them care for the ranch. She
could also see very well that a kiss was not all that happened between the two.
Much as Kate had tried to hide from her when she returned from the bunkhouse,
Jolie had seen plenty.

Kate had missed a button on her shirt—making it obvious it
had been undone. Her britches were wrinkled and her hair was damp when she’d
come back from showing their new foreman his quarters. You didn’t get like that
from one kiss, and she would know.

Oh yes, a romance was budding all right. Jolie couldn’t be
happier. Except she didn’t dare question Kate about Jake. Her sister would dig
in with both feet and deny her attraction until her dying day.

Her sister deserved a man. A good man.

Jake Madden could be that man. He was so handsome and kind
of sweet. He’d powerful shoulders and a strong grip. Most of all he had a
steady manner, which was exactly what Kate needed.

Convincing Kate would be a trial. Her sister was dead set
against any attachments. Kate’s attitude didn’t mean Jolie couldn’t give Jake a
little nudge in her sister’s direction. She’d just have to wait any objections
out as she pushed the two of them together at every possible opportunity.

She tapped on the bunkhouse door with a chipped fingernail.
She wished her nails were trimmed and painted and free of calluses, like most
of the other girls her age in town. While they were all prattling on about this
or that gentleman caller, the Saturday night dance at the Grange Hall or the
newest fabric and whatnot that Mr. Finney displayed at the mercantile, she was
out here shoveling manure. What she wouldn’t give for one of those fancy
dresses from back East she’d seen this morning or a new bonnet trimmed in
matching lace at the milliner’s shop around the corner. How she lusted after
these things—which was her right as a woman.

Jolie huffed. So much had changed since Pa had died. She
didn’t blame Kate, she really didn’t. Their luck had been rotten of late but
she had the notion their luck was about to change.

She knocked again.

“Who’s there?” Jake croaked like a frog.

“Jolie. Can I come in? I’ve brought you some food.” She
opened the door and stepped inside.

Jake was stretched out on a lower bunk, boots and all. He
was as long as the bed and a sight to see. The whiskey bottle used for
medicinal purposes was on the floor on its side.

“Here’s something hot to eat. I made a nice venison stew.”

His eyes fixed on the offered meal and he sat up. “That
smells mighty good. To be honest, I’m, not that fond of cold beans and jerky.”

“Don’t try to get up,” she said. “You can use this table.”
She put the steaming bowl down and scooted it toward him. She sat on the bunk
opposite him and watched him pick up the spoon.

He took small bites at first and then dug into the stew.
Jolie was relieved the blow hadn’t lessened his appetite. She surely did like
to see a man enjoy his feed.

“Your sister was right. You are a good cook,” he said
between bites.

She was delighted he was so easy-natured and wasn’t going to
hold a bump and a few bruises against them. It didn’t take long before he was
scraping the sides of the bowl. He licked the spoon and dropped it inside.

“That was tasty. I appreciate you bringing it.” Jake
regarded the empty bowl. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I’ll go get you some more.”

“No, I’ve had enough.”

“Is there something else I can get for you?”

He set the bowl on the table, the spoon rattling inside, and
fell back on the bed. He eyed her warily as if she were a mountain lion
stalking prey. “I’m set for the evening,” he said.

Jolie shouldn’t stay. Jake had to be dog-tired but her
question couldn’t wait until morning. “Why are you here, Jake?”

He wiped his mouth off with a swipe of his arm. When he
touched the bruise, he winced.

Jolie winced too.

He licked the corner of his mouth. “I need the work and you
need the help.”

She nodded. “You’re right about that.”

He didn’t say anything about leaving.

She smiled. “My sister can be short-tempered at times. I
hope you’ll be able to see she’s really a very good person. She can be
kindhearted, just you wait and see, and she’s the most generous person you’ll
ever meet.”

Jake regarded her with a scowl. She decided he did have the
nicest eyes.

“She’s trying to be strong.” Jolie examined her broken
fingernails. “It hasn’t been easy since our pa died.”

“Two ladies can’t manage a ranch alone,” he said.

“Nobody will work for us. It’ll take a special kind of man
to take orders from my sister without being resentful.” She hoped flattery
would do the trick but a man had his pride and Jake Madden was no exception.
Jolie fiddled with the fringe on her shawl, trying to hide what Kate had told
her about the stolen kiss. “I hope you’ll put your differences with my sister
aside.”

“I’m not here to argue with Kate or anybody else.”

“Oh yes, that’s the way it should be and I’m sure she would
agree. We don’t want any fighting. We’re both grateful you’re here.”

His eyes sparkled in the lamplight and a sensuous smile
spread across his amazing lips. Made her yearn for a kiss—not from him but from
Caleb Purdy, the man who’d stolen her heart.

“I’ll be going.” She picked up the empty bowl. “Unless
there’s something else? Would you like a glass of water? I’m afraid that was
our only bottle of whiskey.”

“Naw, I’ll be fine. I can help myself from the well.”

On her way out the door, Jolie congratulated herself. She’d
stated their case and smoothed troubled waters. She’d no trouble convincing
Jake Madden to give them a second chance.

Now it was up to her sister to give this cowboy the ride of
his life.

* * * * *

Kate woke to the sound of a whip cracking, sharp whistling
and mewling cows.

“What in tarnation?” She bolted upright.

Jolie’s bed was empty. The first streaks of light had hit
the quilt. For the first time in a long time, Kate had slept in.

She heard another crack and a man hollering insults. She
scrambled from her bed and pulled back the curtain. Her eyes widened at the
sight before her.

Jake sat astride his horse, waving a whip in a circle above
his head then giving the corded leather an expert flick of his wrist.
Snap!
Cows crowded together into the pen, too many to count.

Sure, she was impressed with how he herded the lazy animals
from the range, single-handedly, but what drew her complete attention was how
he sat that horse. A more enticing sight she’d never seen in all her born days.

“I gotta get a hold of myself,” she muttered.

His feet were clad in leather boots and hooked in the
stirrups, and his legs—sheathed in denim—hugged the sides of his cutting horse.
She stared without shame.

“Oh my,” she breathed, her heart jumping like a jackrabbit.

Just then he raised his head and his gaze collided with
hers. And damn it if the arrogant man didn’t tip his hat at her!

Kate shoved the curtains back into place and stomped her
foot.

She really had to get a hold of herself! Once again Jake had
her drooling and made fun of her in the process.

She hurried to get dressed. No way was she going to let him
show her up. This was her ranch and she’d worked hard as any man. Except for
the small lapse this morning, she would put in her time and do her share of the
work.

Hurtling out of her room, she startled Jolie, who was
stirring oatmeal on the stove.

“Good morning, sis,” she said, her eyes dancing with
mischief. Kate didn’t have time to ponder what her sister was up to—what put
her in such a good mood so early.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” she said as she tucked her shirt
into her buckskin chaps. She hopped on one foot and then the other as she pulled
on her boots.