Free Tried and True (Wild at Heart Book #1) by Mary Connealy

encroaching. Now let’s go look at your maps.” Coulter moved toward the door.
    With a sudden lack of good sense, Aaron reached out lightning quick and grabbed Coulter’s wrist. “I’m closed. I’ll be back in the office later.” After he’d ridden out to Kylie’s for a talk. “Check back then.”
    Coulter wrenched loose and for the first time really looked at Aaron, who added, “It’s too bad someone has to put their hands on you to get your attention. No one’s going to file a homestead claim while I’m locked up, so nothing’s going to change while I’m gone.”
    Squaring off in front of Aaron, Coulter glared at him. This wasn’t a man used to hearing no. And on the rare occasion someone had the nerve to tell him no, Coulter wasn’t likely to accept it.
    Well, he’d be hearing it today. Then Aaron’s normal good sense warred with his annoyance, especially when that good sense told him nothing Coulter was asking for was illegal or even immoral. A whole lot of Aaron’s irritation was coming straight from the way Coulter had looked at Kylie and said, “Maybe it’s time I took a wife.”
    Aaron knew good and well that he could ride out to Kylie’s another time. It wouldn’t change a thing. Withoutglancing at his pocket watch, he knew it was close to noon. “Come and eat with me, Coulter, or sit and have coffee while I eat.”
    Aaron tucked the leather pouch holding Kylie’s papers into his inner suit coat pocket, and they crackled with every move he made. He wished now he’d made those changes before there was a chance of Coulter seeing them. Because if he saw them in their original form, he’d have all he needed to accuse Kylie of fraud and get her thrown off her land. And by law Aaron would have to take Coulter’s side.
    “I can listen while I chew, and I can tell you what I know about homesteading boundaries without my papers and maps in front of me.”
    Coulter didn’t want to come along. He wanted to get in that office and start buying up range land he considered his. Aaron had a feeling Coulter was going to be mighty unhappy when he saw all the homestead claims dotting his property. The Wildes were by no means the only ones.
    Aaron would just as soon have this fight on a full stomach.
    Finally, maybe because Aaron held Coulter’s gaze like an equal, or because Coulter knew it was the best offer he was going to get, or because he was just plain hungry, Coulter quit his glaring and turned to walk down the few steps to the street and go with Aaron to Erica’s Diner.
    Kylie’s papers rustled with every step Aaron took.

    “Why do you persist in tending these smelly sheep, Shannon?” Bailey wrestled one of them toward the pen. They weren’t interested in being herded.
    “A sheep saved her life, Bailey.” Kylie had a spring lamb under each arm. She looked down at the one in her right arm, and it looked up and tried to nuzzle her. Kylie didn’t mind them so much, but she drew the line at kissing. “You’re wasting your time trying to talk her out of loving them today.”
    They really were cute little things. Stupid and high-smelling, but Kylie understood why a person—her softhearted sister to be exact—might get attached to them.
    “You’re always wasting your time, not just today.” Shannon had tamed them too well. They nearly had to be picked up one at a time and carried into the barn, which she did every night. It was only midafternoon, but due to her nearly drowning, Shannon was worn out. Kylie and Bailey had stayed to help with the sheep.
    Shannon had changed into dry clothes, and they’d eaten an early dinner Kylie had thrown together. When Bailey had wondered aloud if Shannon shouldn’t leave the sheep out overnight, with the wolves and cougars, Shannon had asked for help getting them penned.
    “Ramuel himself saved my life.” Shannon almost dropped the small ewe she had in her arms when she pointed to the white ram Bailey pushed along. The fluffy critter was still dark