Authors: Annabelle Weston
Please, God, oh please don’t let it be too much.
Ever
since she’d received the notice from the bank, images of the ranch being seized
for unpaid debts had flashed before her eyes. Her personal items ransacked for
things of value. She’d nothing worth much. If she had, it would’ve been sold.
Now this.
Her greatest nightmare was of Jolie walking along a desolate
road, owning only the clothes on her back and that pink parasol she was so fond
of. She couldn’t fail her sister.
Mrs. Finney checked the ledger. “One hundred forty-seven
dollars, my dear.” After reading the sum, she pursed his lips.
Kate blanched, clenched her teeth and bit the tip of her
tongue to keep from losing her temper. She had nothing to offer that could come
close to settling that amount. Nothing to sell, nothing to trade. Mr. Finney would
have to wait just like all the others.
“You’ll have it by the end of the month,” she assured him.
Mr. Finney peered down his spectacles at her.
“That’s the best I can do,” she said. “I’m good for the
money, we Crowleys always keep our word.”
Mr. Finney lifted one shoulder slightly. Much as it pained
Kate to owe so much, she was sure the people of Tucson would be sympathetic
because of their pa, buying them some time.
“I suppose your bill can wait.” His gaze lit on the Epsom
salts tucked under her arm. He reached for the box. “You’ll have to leave those
salts here. I can’t extend you any more credit.”
Kate clutched it tighter.
“Go on with you,” Mrs. Finney said. “What harm will it do to
give the girl some salts? She’s got a sick animal to tend to.”
“That’s right,” Kate said. “Our bull is ailing.”
Mr. Finney stepped aside to let Kate pass.
“Thank you, Mr. Finney. You’ll get your money. I’ll be
around soon as the cattle auction is over.” She cleared out, leaving the poor
man shaking his head.
They owed more money than she’d realized. Pa had always been
so adamant about not asking for credit. Why had Jolie started an account
without discussing it with Kate?
Who else in this town did they owe? What would happen when
the next bill came in?
They’d sell all the steers at the next auction, although it
meant getting a lower price. Mr. Finney expected his money by the end of the
month and she was as good as her word.
For the first time in her life, she considered asking for
help. Perhaps Mr. Purdy would be willing to tide her over with a loan? Her
stomach plummeted. Say he agreed to help them out—how would she repay him? She
couldn’t let Silas Purdy have their ranch.
As she climbed into the buckboard, she gave a shudder and a
sigh. When her pa ran the ranch, things hadn’t seemed so tough. He was able to
make a small but decent profit. She’d believed she’d be able to take over
without a hitch but she hadn’t expected all these bills.
The plans for making the ranch successful would have to be
revised immediately. There was no way she would let her dreams go all to hell.
* * * * *
Jolie flitted around the kitchen. Kate tried to quell her
anger. Chastising her sister for what she’d done wasn’t going to solve anything
but stifling her temper wouldn’t do a bit of good either. She couldn’t hide how
she felt.
“Did you get the salts?” Jolie asked.
Kate slammed the box on the table.
Jolie spun around. “What’s wrong with you?”
“I had to ask Mr. Finney for credit. Appears I’m not the
first Crowley to do so.”
Jolie blinked. “I needed some things for the house.”
“Why didn’t you ask?”
“I didn’t think I had to.” Her sister grasped the back of a
chair. She was shaking. “This place is half mine or did you forget?”
“Of course it is. Only…”
“Only what? You know what’s best?”
“Only we’re spending money we don’t have.”
Jolie huffed. Her sister’s defiance practically knocked Kate
off her feet. The girl had never displayed such resistance.
Time Kate explained their finances. “We’ll lose the ranch if
we don’t pay our bills.”
“You said we were selling some of the cattle. That’ll bring
in some money.”
“Not nearly enough.”
Jolie wilted. She’d depended on Kate and Kate had let her
down.
“Let’s agree to keep our expenses to a minimum until we can
pay off what we owe at the mercantile,” Kate said.
Jolie straightened. She’d recovered her poise. “Whatever you
say.”
There was no affection in her, only hostility and pain,
causing Kate to regret how she’d reacted. She was driving her sister away and
was powerless to stop her.
* * * * *
Jake surveyed his handiwork with a measure of pride. He’d
built a small corral with a chute where the cows could be brought in for
branding. The sides of the chute could be adjusted so the occupant couldn’t
move. It’d save time and manpower securing each animal, and the three of them
could do the work of a dozen men.
He’d brought the Crowley bull here and as soon as Kate
returned from town they would give him a good dose of salts. Moving the
reluctant animal along with insults and flicking pebbles at his feet, Jake had
his doubts the salts would do much good, but Kate was determined.
The old boy took his time waddling up to the enclosure but
Jake had left a fleck of hay to tempt the beast and General took the bait.
Just as Jake closed the gate to the chute behind the bull,
Kate came driving up the road, the buckboard rattling as if it was about to
bust apart. She ignored him and pulled up to the house. If he was a betting
man—and he was—he’d wager she was worried.
Minutes later she emerged from the house with two brown
bottles. She sure was something to see, decked out in a feed-sack apron and
men’s work gloves. She’d pulled her hair into a hank at the back of her neck
and secured any loose strands with pins. Some had escaped anyway and danced
around as if they’d a mind of their own.
The woman couldn’t have looked lovelier if she’d been
wearing diamonds and pearls.
He recognized her scowl. She was determined to finish the
job.
When all was said and done, he admired her gumption. He
didn’t dare tell her. The woman had stored up a heap of animosity when it came
to compliments and he’d be damned if he’d let her take her hard feelings out on
him.
After their lovemaking this morning, he’d realized the
surefire way to win her over was to give the Crowleys some of his Madden
know-how.
Jake threw a rope halter on General and tied his head
securely in the chute. The bull started bawling and pawed the ground.
“Make it quick,” Jake hollered to Kate. “If this old boy
starts throwing his weight around, there’ll be hell to pay.”
Kate hurried her pace, doing a brisk walk despite her sore
foot.
When she arrived, panting, she paused and gave the chute a
once-over. “I see you’ve been busy.”
“Yes ma’am.”
She put both bottles on the ground and crossed her arms, no
doubt believing she’d plenty of time to discuss what needed to be done.
This was no time for palaver as the bull became increasingly
agitated and Jake was sure no rope would hold him for long.
“Do what you came to do,” he said briskly. He took hold of
the rope and held the bull’s head tight against the slats. The old fool’s
nostrils flared and his eyes bulged but Jake held him rigid. “Hurry up,” he
shouted.
Her eyes widened. Would she take offense at his commanding
tone and start an argument?
She didn’t. Instead, she picked up one of the bottles.
Jake’s muscles strained as the bull pulled against the rope,
his fury building. The animal started banging his bulk against the sides of the
chute.
Kate crowded in next to Jake. The heat of her body, her
scent, interfered with Jake’s ability to do his part. He loosened his grip. The
bull took full advantage and yanked hard. The rope burned across Jake’s glove
and just about dislocated his shoulder.
He claimed a firmer hold. “Are you going to dose this animal
or not?”
She cast him a warning glance but turned back to the bull,
talking sweet nothings in General’s ear then, quick as you please, slapped a
bare hand across the animal’s wet nostrils.
The startled bull’s mouth opened and Kate shoved the bottle
halfway down his throat and emptied the liquid. She wasn’t a bit squeamish and
Jake was frankly flabbergasted by her courage.
Before the bull could protest, she’d tossed the bottle to
the ground and started in with the second.
She pressed hard against Jake, using him for a brace. There
wasn’t any hesitation in her or second guessing, only the grit and fortitude to
finish. When the second bottle had delivered the salts, she pulled it out of
the animal’s mouth. The bull swung his head side to side, spraying them with
milky spittle.
Jack let go of the rope before it left a permanent mark and
he and Kate stepped back. General bellowed and crashed into the far side of the
chute, cracking boards. He backed up and finished the demolition with a swift
kick of his back hooves. Having freed himself, he trotted off to the far side
of the corral, his dignity bruised.
Jake pushed his hat back and laughed. A morning’s work had
just become a pile of firewood. “I didn’t think the old boy had that much
fortitude left in him.”
“I hope the salts work,” Kate said, sucking on her lower lip.
“You’ll have your answer in a few days, I reckon,” Jake
said.
“What if he doesn’t recover?” Her gaze met his. The exertion
brought color to her face. Her eyes, framed by her coal-black lashes, shined
with a luster that twisted his gut every which way.
“You’ll have to do something about replacing General
eventually,” Jake said. He believed in speaking plainly. “He’s up in years and
due for retirement.”
“I’ve been doing some thinking about that and you gave me
some good advice,” she replied, her attention on the bull as he cooled off in
the far corner of the corral. “We’re short on cash so he’ll have to do for now.
After we sell off some of the herd, maybe then we can think about getting a
younger bull.”
Jake had to wonder what had just gone on between the two of
them. She’d asked his opinion and he’d not minced words. There hadn’t been any
temper, no drama at all. They talked as if they were partners.
Jake liked this unexpected change in attitude and
congratulated himself. It had taken him only two days to bring her around to
his way of thinking. She recognized his abilities and experience as a cattleman
with appreciation.
At this rate, he’d be back at Purdy’s spread collecting his
winnings by the end of the week.
“Black bulls are the best,” Jake said, sharing his
experience. “They sire heavier calves.”
“I hear that breed costs.”
“You heard right.”
She pulled off her gloves. “I’ll have to sell quite a few
head in order to afford purchasing new stock.”
He could see doubt creasing her forehead, hear her hesitation.
“Then you should consider sharing one of Purdy’s prime bulls.”
“Sharing? Do you really think Purdy would help us out?”
“In exchange for a percent of the calves born next year, he
might.”
The idea had merit but Kate didn’t jump for joy. “Why do you
think Mr. Purdy would be interested in such a business proposition?” she asked.
Evidently, her mistrust ran deep. “I think he could be
persuaded.”
“I can’t ask Silas Purdy for any favors.”
“It wouldn’t be a favor. Old Man Purdy will welcome the
opportunity. It’s a good deal for him.”
“Why would Mr. Purdy take such a risk?” she asked.
Jake rested his boot on the bottom rail of the corral.
“There’s no certainty in ranching. Purdy knows this as well as any man. Having
stock up here at your place is like insurance.”
She shook her head, having made up her mind. “I want to stay
with General for now,” she said. “He’s served the ranch a number of years now.
I can depend on him giving us a herd of fine, healthy calves.”
“It’s your decision,” Jake answered but he was ticked.
She didn’t want to be beholden to the Purdys or anyone else,
most likely. She’d have to expand her thinking if she hoped to survive.
Neighbors helped neighbors in these tough times and Kate didn’t have to be the
exception.
Her steady gaze took him in. He wanted to bed her in the
worst way…but good sense kept him from acting on his druthers.
“I’d better go find some wood to repair this chute,” he said
and then cleared his throat. He didn’t want to leave just yet.
“I guess I’d better get going,” she said softly. “Jolie will
be wondering where I am.” Her breathing slowed, a hint of a smile gracing those
lips. She stepped close enough that the tips of their boots touched.
He stepped back. “I guess you’d better.”
“I like the chute. We’ll have an easier time branding those
calves.”
“Yes ma’am,” he said, regret giving him a bellyache. The
rest of him fared no better.
“Was there something you wanted to say?”
“It’ll keep.” He tore himself away from her fiery eyes and
started for the shed.
Chapter Seven
When it rained, it poured.
Or at least that was how it seemed to Kate. As she watched
out the window, fat raindrops pounded the ground, making muck out of the road.
Splatters on the tiled roof sang out with each drop,
ping, ping, ping, ping
…
Thank goodness for Jake’s chute or they would’ve been weeks
further behind than they were already. Luckily, it hadn’t taken Jake long to
repair the chute from General’s demolition and they’d branded all the calves
Jake had rounded up. Those nearly grown calves now resided in the fenced-in
pasture, grazing on sweet grass, fattening up for sale.
As soon as the rain stopped, she and Jake would head back to
the prime grazing in the foothills and find the rest of the stragglers.
If the rain let up any time soon.
The rain had come late this year and she didn’t begrudge the
downpour. It would bring life to the grass, crops, her gardens and the trees,
not to mention fill the well and their water-collection buckets. Perhaps with
the change in weather, there would be a change in fortune for the ranch.
Staying in the house was driving her
loco
. Jake spent
his
spare time in the bunkhouse. The lantern had been lit. A wisp of
white smoke rose out of chimney of the wood-burning stove.
What was Jake doing? She’d dearly love to find out. Why
didn’t he come up to the house? Why did he put her in such agony?
It’d been three days since they’d made love in the kitchen.
Hard work and long days had them falling into bed early, dog tired. And alone.
She hadn’t imagined the spark—more like a bolt of lightning—that
hit them every time they were together. Why did he cool his heels in the
bunkhouse? Had he changed his mind about her?
Kate let the curtain fall into place and turned away from
the window. Jolie was singing again as she worked in the kitchen.
She only sang like that when she was off daydreaming. And
there was usually only one thing she daydreamed about—Caleb Purdy.
For sure, Jolie didn’t know what she was doing or who she
was getting involved with. Just yesterday, Jolie’d run across Caleb Purdy in town
and had invited him to dinner despite Kate’s objections. She’d been cooking up
a storm ever since.
Yes sirree. Kate was about ready to go out of her mind.
She heaved a sigh. Jolie had hauled out the good china and
had set the fancy dining-room table their pa had brought all the way from St.
Joe. She dusted and polished the furniture to a mirror finish. Kate sighed,
remembering how they’d all sat around the table laughing and joshing when Pa
was alive. Neighbors and strangers alike were welcome and those had been good
times.
The entire house glowed from Jolie’s attention. She made a
much better housekeeper than Kate. When her sister landed a husband, he’d be a
lucky man.
Kate would live with cobwebs as lacy curtains and tumbleweed
for furniture. She’d much rather be outside riding her spread, tending to
stock, working in her garden…flirting with Jake. She was an Arizona rancher
with generations of fine stockmen in her blood. She couldn’t imagine any other
way of living.
She wouldn’t let the ranch fail.
She chewed her lower lip and examined a hangnail. Ranching
was hard on a woman. She didn’t mind the endless work but she’d like to be soft
and cuddly like a lady from town at least once in a while. She curled her
fingers into her palms so she wouldn’t have to see them any longer.
Why was it that Jake Madden brought out this side of her?
Did he prefer women who were more domesticated? Maybe that was the reason for
the sudden change in him. She’d march out to the bunkhouse and ask but she
feared his answer.
She turned back to the window just in time to catch the
subject of her musings as he saddled his horse. What the heck was he doing now?
His Stetson was pulled down low, shielding him from the
rain, and a lasso was tied at his pommel. His rain-soaked duster was unbuttoned
but showed off the ample shape and size of his shoulders. He’d catch cold if he
wasn’t careful. She shook such a notion from her mind. Jake Madden could very
well take care of himself.
Did he really plan on catching more cattle today? Without the
help of her and Jolie?
Of course he did. Jake wasn’t a quitter or a slacker. He’d
get up and work if he had to trudge through six feet of mountain snow. Why did
she have to admire him? There were plenty of men like him. The territory bred
these kind of men—strong, rugged and individualistic—like the terrain.
There was a magic about him that was different than any man
she’d met. Perhaps that was what had drawn her to him.
She should be out there with him. Helping him tend the
ranch. With all the work to do, he shouldn’t have to do it all alone.
Kate jumped up and pulled on a poncho and her flat-brimmed
hat. “Jolie, I’m going to help Jake find some more cows up in the hills.”
Jolie popped her head up from the oven door. “How long will
you be?”
“As long as it takes.”
“Well, don’t forget Caleb is coming for supper.”
Kate could smell the apple pie baking. “How could I?” she
said. In case she sounded too much of a scold, she added, “I’m sure Caleb is in
for a treat.”
“He does love my pies.”
Kate nodded. Caleb’s interest in Jolie was too obvious, and
on more than one occasion Kate had witnessed the heat generated when they were
together. It wasn’t her pie that Caleb was after.
Kate tucked her whip in her waistband and slammed out of the
house. Jake swung onto his mount and gathered the reins. As she ran across the
yard, she called out his name so he wouldn’t take off.
He heard her and looked in her direction.
“Where are you going?” she asked churlishly. She sounded
like a jilted lover and she cursed herself.
“I remember seeing some cows south of here. I’m going to
round them up and bring them to the corral.”
“I’m coming with you.”
Jake peered down at her, the brim of his hat dripping. He’d
for sure noticed her commanding tone and he frowned. He wasn’t the kind of man
who liked to take orders. What man did?
“I don’t think you coming along is such a good idea,” he
said. “Let me handle the cattle in the rain. You run along and do something
ladylike inside the house.”
Kate bit back her curt response. He didn’t want her coming
along but it was too late. She’d made up her mind.
“Jolie’s up to her ankles cooking dinner. She has the meal
all under control.” She flashed him a smile. It was the first time she’d done
so since that first night—less than a week ago—when he arrived.
“You’ll get soaked to the skin,” he said.
“No more than you. Besides, you may come across more cows
than you expect, more than one person can keep track of. Least I can do is ride
drag, make sure those cows keep moving.”
A raindrop clung to the tip of his nose until he wiped it
away. No doubt about it. He was a fine specimen of a man, and her insides
stirred with a longing she could no longer deny.
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt,” he told her. “Saddle up.”
Kate suppressed a shout for pure delight. “Thanks. I won’t
be a minute.”
What was she thinking? She didn’t need his permission.
She ran to the stables and hurried as she saddled her mare.
She would show Jake she could hold her own ranching.
Kate rode a dun mare, a good cutting horse she could rely
on. The rain had finally stopped but the ground was slippery. They rode at an
easy pace over the hills until they found the herd of cattle in a pasture
hidden in a pretty valley. To complete the picture, a rainbow filled the sky.
She paused and took in the scene. Was this a sign her luck had changed?
The cattle were fat from a summer’s grazing and would bring
a good price. Kate could’ve danced a jig. There were at least a hundred head.
“You go around the left side and I’ll get behind them and
push ‘em forward,” Jake said. “Edge them toward this trail. With any luck,
we’ll get all of them going in one direction. If we can get one to head on
home, the rest will follow.”
She nodded and headed in the direction he’d told her. She
picked her way over the muddy ground until she reached a good place to start
the herd moving.
It wasn’t as simple as it sounded to convince livestock to
move on the trail that led to the ranch. The cows weren’t in any particular
hurry. Several decided to bolt in the opposite direction, their minds made up
to stay put. She whooped and hollered and cracked her whip. The surly beasts
began to bawl but they joined the others.
They were able to round up more cattle than the previous
days combined and Kate was close to busting with pride.
“We’ll put them in the home pasture and brand them all
tomorrow,” Jake said, cheeks red from exertion.
She laughed. The two of them had done a good day’s work.
“They’re a good weight,” she said.
“Not good enough, in my estimation.”
She didn’t miss his disapproval. He’d like her to give the
cows a few more months to grow fatter for a better price. But she couldn’t
wait. Not with her debt piling up. She had to sell the herd now, make some
money and get the bills paid in full, else there wouldn’t be a ranch come
spring.
“There’s some young ‘uns that need to be castrated.” She
wanted him to appreciate how she had learned what needed to be done.
“Whatever you say,” Jake answered. He tipped his hat and
with a quick word to his horse, headed to the corral. He opened the gate and
she drove the cows inside. Jake closed the gate after the last cow came
trotting in.
“I don’t know about you but I’ve worked up an appetite,” she
said.
Jake dismounted. “Don’t count on me for supper. I’m going to
town.”
“Your friend Caleb has been invited.”
“Jolie told me about him coming over but I reckon he’ll be
busy.”
“Doing what?”
“Courtin’.”
She rode up alongside him and snorted. “Just what do you
need to do in town that’s so important?” She sounded like a nagging wife.
“None of your concern,” he shot back.
The strength of his response shocked her. What had she said
to put his back up? Suddenly the wetness of her poncho sank into her clothes. A
combination of cold, sogginess and sadness left her shivering.
“I wish you’d stay.” She spoke sincerely.
He cast her a crooked smile. “I’ve been working for the
Crowley spread all week and I’m about half drowned. I’m taking a night off.”
She’d no claim to him, other than as his boss. That was
abundantly clear, otherwise he wouldn’t run off into town for entertainment.
Apparently, whatever they’d shared meant nothing to him. Not that she’d ever
believed there was anything more between them than an enjoyment of sex play.
It was the second lie she’d told herself since he’d arrived.
Let him go
, she told herself. He hadn’t made any
promises. All the same, she was disappointed. She’d hoped he’d join them for
dinner so she wouldn’t be outnumbered.
“Are you tired of me?” She grabbed the pommel and slid to
the ground.
“No, darlin’.”
“Then explain to me why you prefer the company of those
saloon dollies.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“Then why are you going?”
His lip curved upward in a sneer. Her mouth dropped open.
She’d never seen him angry, hadn’t considered it possible she could rile him.
“You don’t own me, Kate.”
As if she’d really believed such a thing! “I do not think
that at all. I invited you because Caleb Purdy is your friend.”
“I’ll catch up with Purdy later.”
She tried to think what she’d done to put him in such a foul
temperament and came up with nothing. “As your employer, I establish the days
off and you’re two days early,” she told him, her anger building. “I’ll expect
you for dinner.”
He stared in disbelief.
She gathered her reins and held her mare by the bridle.
Despite Jake’s chilly stare, she swore steam rose from him. This was a side of
him she didn’t like one bit.
“What I do after the work is done is my affair.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes ma’am. That’s the way it’s gonna be.”
Kate snapped her mouth closed. She had nothing further to
say to him. He had gone and put her in her place. And boy if it didn’t strike a
chord.
Damn him.
She snapped the whip. The tip connected with the soggy
ground. Her mare jumped.
“Put that away before you hurt somebody,” Jake said.
“Like hell I will.” She threw him the reins.
He headed for the barn, leading the two horses, spurs
ringing. She should go after him and apologize but she couldn’t. He’d provoked
her. If she didn’t need him so badly, she would’ve fired him.
Why did they always lock horns? She couldn’t say but this
time he’d overreacted to a simple question. Was he headed for the Blue Belle?
She’d like to know. Didn’t she have that right?
If those ladies working in the saloon were more appealing,
she should consider herself lucky she and her foreman hadn’t gone any further
than they had.
Ugh! Better she find out now what kind of man he was before
it was too late.
Damn him for making her care.
Jake put the two horses in separate stalls as he stewed in
his own juices. He’d left Kate angry and ready to give him both barrels of her
righteous opinion. He wasn’t about to take any of her cantankerousness.
Rascal was frisky and prancing like a billy goat.
“What the hell’s the matter with you?” he asked the horse as
he yanked on the reins. The animal fought the bit. “I guess that makes two of
us,” he said. Being with Kate would test any man’s patience and his was about
used up.
After giving both horses a good rubdown and a measure of
oats, Jake led them into the corral and turned them loose. Carrying his saddle
on his hip and the bridle over his shoulder, he headed straight for the
bunkhouse. He didn’t want another run-in with Kate this evening.