NotoriousWoman (17 page)

“What was that all about?” Jake asked. He was holding the
reins of her mare and his mustang.

“Nothing I can’t handle,” she replied. “Are we going to
search for those steers or stand around palavering all morning?”

Jake straightened and tipped his hat. “Whatever you say.”

She snatched her reins from him.

Jake didn’t like how the morning was progressing.

Kate mounted her mare, not the least bit agreeable. “Let’s
ride,” she said, brushing past him. He’d the urge to stop her right there and
smother her with kisses.

Strangle her or kiss her were the only two options, in his
opinion. She surely could get under his skin. He couldn’t imagine her any other
way.

Kate took off at a canter. Jake mounted Rascal and glanced
up at the sky. Regrettably, the dry weather wasn’t goin’ to last. Clouds were
bunching up in the north and they’d have to work fast to beat a downpour.

Kate was tight-lipped as they rode. The conversation with
her sister had put her in a foul mood. Jake had an idea about what they’d
talked about—Jolie had most likely spilled the beans about Purdy’s marriage
offer.

Acceptance would take some time. Kate would have to get used
to the notion or risk putting considerable distance between her and her sister.
Jake would surely hate to see that happen.

They climbed steadily into the foothills, pushing their
mounts over rocky terrain. Kate sat a horse like any cattleman.

When they came to a wash with a steady stream flowing, Kate
dismounted and led her mare to the edge for a drink. Jake followed, figuring
this was as good a time as any to give the horses a rest.

Those gathering clouds made him uneasy. When the rains came,
this wash would fill rapidly and overflow their trail.

“You’re worried,” Kate said.

He scratched his stubble. He couldn’t hide anything from
her. “We can’t dawdle, Kate. The sides of this wash reach at least six feet
high. They’ll fill with water. This part of the road will flood. We won’t get
the cows through a fast-flowing stream.”

She nodded, understood this place could be unforgiving.
“Let’s get a move on.”

Luckily, they didn’t have far to go before they came to a
dozen head grazing in a canyon. Kate headed left and Jake went on behind them
and it didn’t take long to point the cows homeward.

“I’ll ride drag,” she said, standing in her stirrups.

“Better if I do.”

She frowned. “It’s my turn.”

“I’m all for sharing the load but not today.”

She rode up alongside him. Mischief twinkled in her eyes.
“We’ll make better time if we don’t argue.”

He’d come to appreciate her feistiness and her need to prove
herself. “All right, you bring up the rear.”

Jake took the lead, hollering at the cows to step lively.
Kate cracked her whip and had no trouble convincing the stragglers to join the
herd. This was the kind of life he’d set out to find, coming to the territory,
and having Kate by his side was mighty satisfying.

The rain came all at once, as if the heavens opened up and
poured all it’d stored in the clouds down to this one place. They bent their
heads and the cows bawled and slowed their pace. No amount of encouragement
would get those beasts to move faster.

Jake began to regret they’d come up here. These surly cows
could have waited another day or two until the weather was more favorable. If
they didn’t hurry, they would be stranded.

He shifted in his seat to see Kate. Water poured off the
brim of her hat and her poncho was soaked but she met his gaze with a thin
smile. She was no complainer.

They came to the place where they’d stopped to water the
horses. It was unrecognizable from the tranquil stream of a few hours ago. A
wall of water rushed down from the mountains, carrying with it tree branches
and mud.

Kate joined him. Her lips were red from the cold. “What do
you think?”

“It’ll be risky trying to cross.”

“It’ll only get worse.” She set her jaw, strong-willed and
determined.

“We should wait.”

“No, it’ll only get worse.”

Nothing would change her mind, he reckoned, once she’d
decided on doing something.

Jake hunched forward and gave the rushing water a second
look. “There’s a cow who appears to be the leader. We’ll persuade her to strut
across and the rest should follow.”

Kate nodded. “I know which one you mean.”

“This time I’m bringing up the rear and I’ll hear no
objections.”

“So that’s the way it’s going to be?”

“Yes ma’am.”

She smirked but didn’t add her two cents. With a nudge to
her mare, she singled out a white-faced cow and urged her into the flowing
water. When the stream reached the cow’s belly, she balked. Kate didn’t give
the cow any room to turn back. Wild-eyed and protesting, the cow swam for the
other side. The others did exactly as Jake had described, calling out to each
other but not panicking.

The rain came down in sheets. Kate and the cows ahead of him
were only blurs. He bowed his head and cussed.

Jake entered the water. Its cold soaked into his britches,
adding to his misery. He swiped at his eyes. Kate had made it to the far side
along with the majority of the herd.

With a jolt, Rascal lost his footing.

“Shit!” Jake got down low and wrapped his arms around the
mustang’s neck.

They were swept downstream about twenty yards before Rascal
found purchase on some rocks and they scrambled up the slick slope.

He waved at Kate but her eyes were on one last yearling
struggling against the current, crying out in fear. He dismounted and walked
the exhausted Rascal back up the muddy bank. Kate was watching the calf, whose
white head bobbed in the water. She was a goner for sure.

“Do you think you can get a rope around her?” Kate shouted.

Jake considered it a foolhardy idea but he hated to see the
pain in Kate’s eyes as she watched the poor animal suffer. “I’ll try.”

He untied his rope from his saddle and let out a length. He
waded in, his already soaked clothes filling with more water. The cow had
disappeared, pulled downstream no doubt.

“There she is.” Kate pointed to the animal paddling but not
getting anywhere.

Jake twirled the rope and flung it at her head. His toss
came up short. He gathered his rope for a second try. The cow stopped her
struggle, her strength about used up.

“It’s no use,” he said.

“Nonsense. You have to keep trying.”

Before he could stop her, Kate sloshed into the water and
began to swim.

“Goddamn it, woman.”

The current carried her swiftly and she reached the cow.

“Throw me the rope,” she yelled.

Jake hauled in the rest of the wet rope and circled it over
his head. With a heave, he flung the loop her way. She caught it and fixed it
around the cow’s neck. Jake pulled the both of them in.

The cow sputtered as Jake took off the rope but she
otherwise didn’t appear the worse for wear. Kicking her back legs, she joined
the others.

He saved his anger for Kate. “Why’d you go and do such a
fool thing?”

She stood before him, shivering. He wrapped his arms around
her and pressed their bodies together. The heat had gone out of her and she
didn’t stop trembling.

“You’ve got to get out of those wet clothes.” He walked her
to the shelter of an outcropping of rocks that would keep the rain off and told
her to sit. She plopped down like a sack of feed, her teeth chattering.

He stripped off Rascal’s saddle. The wool blanket underneath
was mostly dry. It would have to do.

Kate had managed to remove her poncho and shirt. Her lips
were blue and she shook so hard her fingers had trouble with the buttons of her
britches.

Jake helped her and settled the blanket around her
shoulders. He shrugged out of his duster and added another layer.

There’d be no chance of finding dry wood. The blanket
wouldn’t be enough. He sat behind her, pulled her onto his lap and hugged her
tight. Kate shook, her teeth clicking. Hypothermia was no joke and it was cold
outside. Unless he could warm her, she would die. All because of one cow who
didn’t have the sense to stay with the herd.

He leaned back against the rock and rested his chin on her
head, blaming himself. He’d pushed her from the day they’d met to prove she
could run a ranch. He’d never forgive himself if he lost her.

“Come on, Kate, get warm.”

Kate Crowley was in the fight of her life and Jake would do
everything in his power to save her.

* * * * *

Jake woke suddenly. The rain had stopped. Clouds skidded
across a blue sky. He heard the rush of water nearby and shivered.

Kate was still. Panic seized him until he touched her warm
cheek. Her eyes fluttered open and she took a deep breath.

“Love,” he said.

She looked up at him, trusting him, and then snuggled
closer. His legs had gone numb and he didn’t care.

“Thank you,” she exhaled.

He was too relieved to scold her. His throat felt tight.

“I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

“Don’t talk about that.” He didn’t want to think about what
would’ve happened if he hadn’t been there. He hoped she wouldn’t have gone and
done something so foolish if she were alone.

“I need you. I haven’t been good about saying so.”

Hearing her say those words struck a deep chord within him.
“We need each other.”

“You won’t leave me, Jake?”

He swallowed hard. “I ain’t going anywhere.”

“I mean after I sell the ranch.”

His eyes widened in surprise. “This is the first I’ve heard
you’re selling.”

She shrugged. “What choice do I have? Jolie’s marrying Caleb
Purdy. It’s what she wants.”

“What do you want?”

“I don’t want you to leave,” she whispered.

His heart lurched. He was a no-good scoundrel, keeping the
bet from her. He had no other choice but to leave her.

He released her and she sat up. Her hair was matted and
stuck to her cheeks and forehead. Mud was caked on her neck. He’d not ever seen
a lovelier sight.

“We’ve got to get you back to the ranch where it’s warm.”

She stood and the blanket fell to the ground. “You won’t get
any argument from me.”

Jake shook his head. She was some kind of woman. His woman.
He whistled for Rascal.

* * * * *

Kate was grateful to be home. Jolie was waiting on the porch
wrapped in a black shawl.

“I was so worried. Your horse came home hours ago.”

Kate smiled to relieve some of Jolie’s anxiety. “We got
caught in the downpour and a flash flood.”

Jake helped her off Rascal. “Take her in the house. Put her
next to the fire. If she protests, sit on her.”

“I certainly will.” Jolie wrapped her arm around Kate and
guided her to the first step.

Kate didn’t mind their fussing over her as if she were
helpless. She’d never been so tired and welcomed the warmth and comfort of her
own hearth.

She looked over her shoulder. Jake led Rascal to the barn.
They’d forged a bond today, the kind only love can make. While they’d not said
as much, she believed with all her heart he would stay.

Her eyes misted with gladness because she did love him so.
Together they would build a life together.

She couldn’t wait to begin.

Chapter Eleven

Kate tried to relax in Pa’s chair, warmed by the heat of a
good fire, but she had the uneasy feeling there was something more to be done.
Jolie concentrated on sewing buttons on the dress shirt she’d made for Caleb.

Kate cherished these quiet moments together with her sister,
knowing they were growing apart.

She’d asked Jolie and Caleb to wait until spring to get
married but Jolie had her own opinion on the matter. Wedding plans were in full
swing. Jolie had decided to sew her own dress and she’d shut herself up in her
room every afternoon, claiming she wanted to surprise them. Kate had an idea
that maybe all those nights spent in the barn had made something more than just
a little lovin’—a babe was most likely on the way.

Kate had declined Caleb’s offer to buy them out, much to his
consternation. Now, with Jake here, she had a chance to make the ranch
profitable.

Half the ranch would still belong to Jolie. Kate was
confident she would be able to buy her sister’s share. After Jolie and Caleb
were married they would settle in their own place, hopefully close by.

“Kate?” Jolie spoke softly. That meant what she was about to
say wasn’t easy.

“What is it?” Kate regretted how her sister felt it
necessary to tiptoe around her feelings.

Her sister put down her sewing. “Mama’s coming home.”

Kate went numb. “Mama? How do you know?”

“I sent her an invitation to our wedding,” Jolie said.

“Why? We haven’t heard from her in years.”

Jolie rose from her chair and went to the window, her lower
lip quivering.

Kate wasn’t sure what kind of memories Jolie might have of
their mother. She’d been so young and Mama had never bothered to write or visit
after she’d abandoned them. Nor had she bothered to come home for Pa’s funeral.

“Don’t be angry with me, Kate.”

Kate could hear the pain in her sister’s voice. “I’m not
angry,” she replied. “I don’t understand why you invited the heartless—”

“Don’t say such things,” Jolie said, turning away from the
window. Her cheeks were wet with tears.

Kate backed down. It came natural for her to protect her
sister but her anger was causing nothing but heartache.

“I picked up this yesterday when I was in town.” Jolie took
an envelope out of her apron pocket and held it out.

Kate took it. She didn’t recognize the handwriting but the
sender had written her name as
Kathryn Crowley
. Seeing her given name
sent dread rippling through her belly. Mother and the preacher were the only
people who ever called her Kathryn.

How dare the bitch contact them now of all times?

She tossed the letter on the kitchen table. She didn’t want
to read how sorry Mama was for all that’d happened. She didn’t want excuses and
blame. The woman had run out on all of them and not bothered to give them a
backward glance.

“She’ll be here tomorrow.” Jolie sniffed and fetched a lace
hanky from the sleeve of her blouse.

“So soon?”

“I should’ve told you sooner but you know how you get,”
Jolie said as she wiped her nose.

Kate understood why Jolie had waited to tell her. She hadn’t
wanted Kate to have enough time to send a nasty reply.

“How could you ask her?” Kate asked, her blood boiling.
“She’s been gone for over ten years.”

“She’s our mother. I wanted her to be here, to be part of
the wedding.”

Kate slumped in the chair. She couldn’t believe their mother
would actually return to the ranch. She’d left them high and dry and now she
wanted to be part of their celebration? The woman wasn’t welcome as far as Kate
was concerned.

“Don’t be mad,” Jolie pleaded.

“I’m not mad at you,” Kate said. To be honest, Kate had
wondered if one day their mother would come sashaying back into their life. She
hadn’t expected that day to be so soon.

Jolie stood in the middle of the room, head down. Kate
realized she had to set her own feelings aside for the sake of her sister. A
woman’s wedding day was supposed to be the happiest day in her life and Kate
wasn’t about to ruin it.

“Read me what she wrote,” she said, not trusting her temper.
If she showed the disgust churning in her gut, it would only add to Jolie’s
misery.

Jolie picked up the envelope and took out a single sheet of
paper. She read it, her lips moving silently at first.

Kate was confused until she realized Jolie was memorizing
what their mama had written. She was saving the words in her heart. Kate had
tried to be the mama Jolie had missed out on for so many years. Had she failed
so badly?

Jolie needed to mend fences and a wedding was the perfect
opportunity.

“I’m coming home to my little angels,” Jolie recited. “It’s
time we were a family again.”

Kate drew her brows together.
Now?
“After all these
years, she thinks she can come home and everything will be like it was before?”

“What does it matter?” Jolie said. “The fact is, she’s
decided to come. I want her at my wedding.”

Jolie’s words stung. “Do you really think we could be a
family again?”

Jolie straightened. “Of course.”

“That woman hightailed it out of town when the first man who
promised her the world came along. What kind of wife leaves her husband with
two young girls and a ranch to run?”

“Maybe she’s sorry.” Jolie’s hands trembled.

Kate shook her head. “I don’t care if she’s sorry. I don’t
need her to be sorry. And I don’t need to see her again.”

“I want her to be part of my life.” Her sister’s shrill tone
surprised Kate. “Please don’t be so hateful and stubborn.”

Kate abandoned every emotion she’d ever held on to
concerning their mother. She opened her arms and her sister rushed to be hugged.
“I won’t. For your sake but not for her.”

They clung to each other and for a moment they were how
they’d grown up—two girls depending on each other.

Kate was the first to pull away. She’d held on to a lot of
anger all these years. It was time to let it go. “You go on and finish your
dress and make it the prettiest one the folks of Tucson have ever seen.”

Jolie smiled and brushed away her tears.

Kate reached for her hat and put it on. “I’ll be back in a
bit.”

Jolie quirked her eyebrows, obviously expecting an
explanation, but Kate wasn’t prepared to give one. She went out the door and
headed for the stables. Her mare greeted her with a snort and nuzzled her palm.

“Hello, sweetness,” she crooned.

The mare replied with a nicker. Kate made quick work of saddling
her.

What was she going to do? The unexpected arrival of their
mother had shaken her. Jolie was leaving and Mama was coming home. What the
hell was she going to do?

Kate pulled herself into the saddle and took up the reins.
She had to get away, she had to clear her head.

“Let’s go,” she said and gave the reins a shake.

Jake watched Kate ride with ground-eating speed, heading up
into the hills. He didn’t follow, much as he wanted to. He’d seen her face
creased with doubt. The woman would wear herself out with worry if she wasn’t
careful.

He tucked a pencil and a piece of paper inside his coat.
He’d done a tally on the Crowley stock. They’d brought down the last of the
herd that had spread out across the summer range and Kate would have a sizeable
number of cattle to auction in a few weeks. Depending on the price of beef, she
just might have enough money to see her through the long winter.

With enough luck, she might even make a go of this place.
Jake leaned on the pommel, surveying the spread. It was a wide-open space with
spring water aplenty. The girls’ pa had picked good land. With Purdy’s bull,
next year’s calves would be strong and resilient. Yes, Kate might make a
first-class ranch out of this spread yet.

Rascal stomped the hard ground, impatient to get going. Jake
sat up. It wasn’t like him to be idle. He spoke to his mount and headed for
home.

As Jake reached the barn, Caleb Purdy arrived in his buggy,
which was decked out with white ribbons and bows. He parked the contraption
next to the bunkhouse.

“Can’t say the fancy doodads suit your style, Purdy.” Jake’s
joshing failed to bring a smile. Caleb continued to frown as he stepped out of
the buggy. Jake had to wonder what was going on. “You’re a bit early for the
wedding. Ain’t you getting hitched tomorrow?”

“I came because there’s trouble brewing between Jolie and
her sister,” Caleb answered. “She was planning on talking to her sister about
something important and asked me to come on over. Think she had an idea the
conversation wouldn’t go well.”

Jake grimaced. “I saw Kate ride off as if she was being
chased by a pack of wolves.”

“A letter that came in the post. I suspect that’s the
source.”

They walked to the porch, where Caleb hesitated.

“Something else eating you?” Jake had never seen Caleb so jumpy.

“I’ve been thinking about the wedding.”

“Are you having second druthers about getting married?” Jake
asked.

Caleb shook his head. “No sirree. I just wonder if it
wouldn’t be best if we got married today.”

“Hold your horses. Why would you want to rush things?”

“I don’t want Jolie to change her mind.”

Jake hated to see Caleb unsure of himself. Whatever was in
that letter had put them on edge. “You go inside and settle your woman down. A
little sweet talk coming from you will take her mind off her troubles.”

“Do you really think she’ll listen?”

“Know so.”

“How’d you learn so much about women?” Caleb asked.

Jake shrugged. Hell if he could explain. “Some things came
natural.”

“My nerves are getting the best of me,” Caleb said.

“My guess, it’s just wedding jitters.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“When you’re through, I could use some help around here.
Unless you’d rather do women’s chores?”

Caleb let out a snort and then took the porch steps two at a
time. When he opened the door, he started talking in a soothing way Jake was
sure Jolie wouldn’t be able to resist.

Jake picked up his reins and headed for the barn. He was
stripping off the leather when Caleb joined him.

“That was quick,” Jake said. “I fully expected you to take
the better part of the morning making amends.”

Caleb had left his troubles behind and wore a smile. “Women
are a mystery I’ll never be able to figure out. Jolie’s strong as a rock one
minute and fragile as a kitten the next.”

“Both sisters are tough,” Jake pointed out. “They have to
be. Did she tell you what was in the letter?”

“Appears their ma is coming to our wedding,” Caleb said.
“Causing all sorts of problems.”

Jake had his suspicions about why but he didn’t voice them.

Caleb scratched his neck. “I don’t like those two fighting.”

“Kate’s always determined to have her way.”

“That’s a fact.”

Jake stopped and picked up an armload of split oak from the
wood pile. “Maybe we should let them work out what’s bothering them.”

Caleb grunted. He’d let his emotions interfere with his good
sense. A greenhorn’s mistake, in Jake’s opinion. “Where you going with that
wood?” Caleb asked.

“I’m branding some of those spring calves. With the two
ladies occupied, I could use some help.”

“I’m your man.” Caleb took his gloves out of his pocket and
pulled them on.

They set about building a good fire for the branding irons.
Using bellows, Jake blew on the fire until it glowed and the heat stung his
cheeks. While the irons got good and hot, Caleb rounded up the strays and
herded them into the pen next to Jake’s chute.

The cows were reluctant to cooperate but after several hours
of hard work the two men had branded a sizeable number.

As Jake wiped the sweat out of his eyes, he saw Kate. She
trotted up to the fire, wearing a terrible scowl. She pulled her horse to a
stop.

Caleb jumped out of her way.

“What do you think you are doing?” she asked in an
unladylike screech.

“That should be fairly obvious,” Jake answered.

“Why didn’t you wait for my help?”

Jake couldn’t believe his ears. “It was a job needed doing
and you took off for parts unknown.”

She pulled hard on her reins. Her horse reared up. “From now
on, I’ll decide when things need to be done around here.”

“You must be joshing,” he said. He knew she wasn’t.

Kate flushed crimson. Lord help him, he liked to see how mad
she could get. He preferred seeing the fire in her belly on most days. Today
was a different matter. She’d no call to be angry with him.

“Now Katie, don’t be so riled. Branding is dirty work. You
should be grateful Caleb and I have saved you the trouble.”

She calmed some. Her breathing slowed and sparks didn’t fly
as much from her smoldering eyes. “I guess I should be and I am. Only I wanted
to do the branding of my stock. I run this place, in case you forgot.”

“Jake didn’t mean no harm,” Caleb butted in.

Kate stared hard at Caleb. He’d not experienced her full
wrath and Jake held his tongue. “You think you can take over just like that?”
She snapped her fingers. The sound landed like a blow with a fist.

“No ma’am. I certainly don’t.”

“Who do you think you are, telling me how to run my ranch?”

“That’s not what I was doing at all.”

Jake took control before she said something she’d regret.
“Katie girl?”

She swung around and glared at him. She had passion for this
life, which he couldn’t fault her for, but lashing out at Purdy would only
cause hard feelings.

“We’re almost done. After we wash up, we’d like something to
eat.”

Her eyes widened. “I beg your pardon?”

A lesser man would’ve backed down. Or a smarter one. “Jolie
needs help in the kitchen. You go on now and let us men finish our chores.”