Free To Love and to Cherish by Leigh Greenwood

knows what people want because she’s known them all her life. You’ve never been on your own, you don’t ride, and you don’t know the first thing about cows. I didn’t know anything about laying out a town, but I had Colby to help me. Who would you have?”
    Jared . The name came unbidden.
    â€œI have to do something. It’s not just the money. I can’t live the rest of my life under Norman’s thumb. I’m not sure I can last the next month.”
    â€œI’ll try to think of something. Maybe Colby will have some ideas.”
    Laurie shrugged. “All he can think about when he gets back from one of his trips is you and the children.”
    Naomi grinned like a lovesick schoolgirl. “I suspect he’s going to have another baby to think about before long.”
    Laurie was excited for her cousin despite being envious of her happiness. “Does he know?”
    â€œI didn’t begin to suspect until after he left on this trip.”
    Naomi had three children and a husband she adored. Sibyl wasn’t in love with Norman, but she had a precious daughter everyone in town was determined to spoil. What did Laurie have? A house that didn’t feel like it was hers, and a dead husband who had managed to find a way to ruin her life from the grave. No matter what she had to do, she wasn’t going to let that happen.
    ***
    â€œThere’s a woman driving up to the house,” Steve announced when he came into the kitchen. “A damned good-looking one, too. What does she want coming here?”
    Jared nearly stumbled over his own feet getting to the front door. He got it open in time to see Laurie Spencer drive into the ranch yard. He scrambled down the steps to tie her horse to the hitching post and help her down from the buggy.
    â€œI didn’t expect to see you back.”
    â€œI didn’t expect to be back, but I am. Can we go inside?”
    He was so shocked he hadn’t realized he was standing staring at her. “Of course. Would you like some coffee?” he asked once she was settled in the parlor.
    â€œPlease. It’s rather cool out today.”
    â€œThere’s some on the stove. I’ll be right back.”
    Steve was standing in the hall, his jaw dropped so low it practically touched his chest.
    â€œKeep your eyes in your head and your mouth closed,” Jared told Steve. “She’s not some trollop to be ogled by a horny boy.”
    â€œYou were doing some ogling yourself,” Steve shot back. “The way you stumbled getting to the door, I’d think you hadn’t been walking more than a week.”
    â€œWe don’t get many female guests, especially not ones like her.”
    â€œWe never had one like her,” Steve declared. “There ain’t a female at the fort who can touch her. Who is she? What’s she doing here?”
    Jared searched for a coffee cup that wasn’t chipped or cracked. “Her name is Laurie Spencer.”
    â€œIs her husband that sidewinder who wouldn’t give you a loan?”
    â€œThat’s her brother-in-law. Her husband has just died, and she’s looking to invest some money. I’m hoping she’ll invest it in our ranch.”
    â€œWhat does a woman like that want with a cow ranch?”
    â€œI don’t know, but I intend to make it sound like the most wonderful place in the Territory. Now I’m going to take her this coffee before it gets cold. You keep out of sight.”
    â€œIf she’s thinking about investing in the ranch, I should meet her. This is my ranch, too.”
    Jared had to agree with Steve, but he would have preferred to introduce the boy later. He didn’t know why Laurie had changed her mind, but she didn’t look happy about it. It might not take much to cause her to change it again.
    â€œGive me fifteen minutes. If she agrees to give us the money, I’ll introduce you. If not, there’s no point in