Free NotoriousWoman by Annabelle Weston Page A

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.
    “You looked so peaceful,” Jolie replied with a
conspiratorial smile.
    Kate snorted and checked the clock. “It’s after six.”
    “Don’t you worry,” Jolie said. “Jake’s got everything under
control.”
    “That’s what I’m afraid of.” Kate shrugged on her vest.
    “Where are you off to? You haven’t had any breakfast.”
    “I’m going to feed the chickens.”
    “I’ve already taken care of them.”
    “Then I’ll