Free Kate's Outlaw (Steam! Romance and Rails) by E.E. Burke Page A

stare made Kate shiver. “He doesn’t strike me as the type to be swayed by his mother.”
    “He wouldn’t harm someone under her protection. It’s disrespectful,” Jake declared.
    Kate didn’t want to test the theory. “Do you think he’ll follow us?”
    “Maybe. But don’t worry. I’ll keep you safe.”
    He’d said that earlier, right before he’d kissed her and nearly undressed her, then brought her home to the mother of a man who wanted to kill her. Unaccountably, she believed him. So why wouldn’t he believe her ?
    She sighed with frustration. The other pig-headed men in her life never listened to her either. Not Henry, certainly not her father. Still, Jake was different. He had listened. He’d disagreed, but he’d given her argument a fair hearing. He’d shown interest in her opinions and respect for her ideas. She was sure she’d gotten through to him, but he was too stubborn to admit it. Or maybe his resistance was rooted in distrust. After all, she represented the things he hated—whites and wealth. Only, he didn’t act as though he hated her. He was probably as confused as she was about this unexpected attraction between them.
    Jake guided the stallion across a shaded creek. Cool droplets kicked up by the horse’s stride splashed her ankles. The aromas of earth and water mingled with the intriguing male scent she’d come to associate with him. Without thinking, she pressed closer.
    His stomach muscles tensed. He seemed acutely aware of every touch, every look she gave him. She longed to run her hands over his stomach and chest and revel in amazement at his response. Somehow it seemed they’d been made for each other.
    Kate trembled at the thought. That couldn’t be. Everything she’d been taught would argue against such a match. Not to mention the obstacles created by being on opposite sides of a very nasty battle. And what did it matter, anyway? He was returning her.
    Defeat weighed her down. She stiffened her spine. When had she ever given in that easily? If he took her back, nothing would be resolved. Not for her. Not for Jake. He didn’t realize it, but he’d done her a favor by bringing her into his life. If she could convince him to help her put an end to this feud between his people and the railroad, then her time out here wouldn’t be wasted. She would’ve done some good.
    So how could she get him to change his mind about letting her help? She had hours, actually the whole day, to get to know him better before they reached the worksite. What she learned might give her an idea. He obviously cared deeply for his family. There had to be others she hadn’t met.
    “Do you have a…” she forced out the last part of the question. “A wife, children?”
    “I’m not married.”
    Relief swept through her, followed by a ridiculous surge of hope, which was tempered by the thought that he was related to a man who wanted to kill her. “Do you live with your aunt?”
    “Not anymore. I stay with my uncle and help him with his business.”
    This was good. Jake did something beside break into railcars.
    “What sort of business?”
    “He trades things.”
    Kate worried her lip. There had been numerous thefts of equipment and supplies. Were Jake and Charley responsible for those? “Does he do much trade in…railroad ties?”
    “Horses and livestock, mostly.”
    She couldn’t see his face, but she’d swear he was smiling when he answered. “What about your parents? Are your mother and father still alive?”
    “My mother died when I was born. My father left.” He clipped the last word, making it clear his parentage wasn’t a topic he wished to discuss.
    Her heart ached for him. She’d been to orphanages, seen yearning in the eyes of the children, had wanted to gather them up and take them all home with her. Who had cared for Jake? Cared about him? “Did you have a permanent home growing up?”
    “I had many homes with my aunts and uncles. That’s the way of our people. A