Free Lady Outlaw by Stacy Henrie Page B

trees, slashing at branches with her free hand and muttering under her breath.
    Will blew out a sigh. “Sorry she got mad. Just like I said.”
    “I thought that went rather well,” Caleb said with a smirk. “At least she’s allowing us both to go. We can still ask your grandmother if she wants to join us.”
    “I bet she’d like that.” Will’s expression brightened. “I’ll ask her first thing when we get back.” He headed away from the creek.
    Caleb followed at a slower pace. He wasn’t thrilled about the ride back to the ranch. So much for not ruffling feathers. He’d even entertained the thought of kissing her a few moments ago.
    Shaking his head at his folly, he reminded himself that he knew better than to allow another woman into his life right now. He hadn’t completely let go of his feelings for Liza yet, and then there was the guilt he still had over his bounty-hunting days. He’d done things he wasn’t proud of, things he’d done to avenge someone he loved.
    No, love and courting were out of the question. They only made a man do foolish things.

Chapter Seven
    J ennie watched from her bedroom window as Caleb drove the wagon away from the ranch Sunday morning. Her grandmother sat next to him on the seat and Will lounged in the back. Even from a distance, Jennie sensed their enthusiasm.
    Dropping the curtains into place, she turned abruptly from the sight and folded her arms tight against her body.
    It’s all his fault, she thought, her thumbnail meeting her mouth. If Caleb hadn’t showed up to “save” her from the stage bandits, if she hadn’t foolishly hired him, everything would be the same. She wouldn’t be so edgy and self-conscious all the time, and the family certainly wouldn’t be trotting off to church.
    He wouldn’t have been staring at my lips yesterday, either. Try as she might the memory of Caleb rinsing her hair and watching her mouth, even for a moment, made her pulse speed up in a way that had nothing to do with her anger.
    With everyone gone, she left her bedroom and tromped loudly down the stairs, her footsteps echoing in the empty house. Her irritation cooled a little when she found the plate of breakfast food Grandma Jones had set on the back of the stove for her.
    Jennie ate slowly, trying to decide how to occupy the next several hours. There were numerous ranch chores to be done, but there was no rush. The family usually rested for a bit on Sunday anyway and she didn’t see the need to change that habit now.
    She washed her few dishes, grabbed a book from the parlor and went out on the porch to read in the sunshine. Though early still, the air already felt pleasant.
    A single chapter took her much longer than it should have as her mind skipped back and forth from the story to what people at church might say about seeing her family come to services again for the first time in years. Finally Jennie tossed the book onto the rocker and walked to the barn. She could at least ride out to check on the cattle.
    She had the saddle on Dandy and was cinching the straps tighter beneath the horse’s belly when the barn door creaked. With quick fingers, Jennie reached for the pistol tucked into the waist of her breeches. Maybe the family had changed their minds about going to church, but she wasn’t taking any chances.
    “Going somewhere, love?”
    Nathan stood at the barn entrance, his own horse crowding the doorway behind him.
    “As a matter of fact I am,” she said, frowning. She put away her gun, placed her foot in the stirrup and climbed into the saddle.
    “Where to?” Nathan swung onto his horse and they fell in step beside her as she and Dandy rode from the barn.
    “I’m off to see my cows.” She smiled when Nathan gave a disdainful snort. “You’re back sooner than I expected.”
    He nudged his horse close to hers and took her hand, rubbing it against the dark bristles of his face. “Missed me that much, huh?”
    Jennie cringed at his touch and firmly removed