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causing her
to be unpredictable. “Why would I trust anybody who worked for Silas Purdy?”
    “Ma’am?” He’d figured the Purdy name would make an
impression. He’d figured wrong.
    “You heard me. Silas Purdy is nothing but a snake.”
    Jake scratched his stubble. Did the woman have any friends
at all?
    “I bet you’ve done some bronco riding,” Jolie said, moving
the conversation to safer ground.
    Kate glanced at her sister, her mouth open to reply. He
could only guess what she was about to say.
    He flexed his hips forward for her benefit. “I gave a
mustang or two a righteous ride for their lives.”
    Kate huffed. “I suppose you want me to hire you because of
your skills busting wild horses?”
    Jolie colored slightly.
    He played his trump card. “If you have doubts about me then
I’ll leave you two ladies.”
    “No, Mr. Madden, please,” Jolie pleaded, grasping her hands
together.
    He’d won her over but it was Kate who needed to be
persuaded. He understood her problem. Two ladies would have to be careful about
who they hired on. Especially as they were alone.
    Could there be another reason Kate had such a stick up her
backside? Jake reckoned she was scared. Her tough exterior did a bang-up job
hiding her fear.
    Jolie frowned for the first time. “Come on, Kate. Give Jake
a chance. Mr. Purdy only hires the best.”
    “If he’s so good, why did he leave the Purdy ranch?”
    Both girls stared at him. He had a lie ready for this
eventuality. One his mama would’ve believed.
    “There’s only room for one foreman at the Purdy ranch and
I’ve got ambition to better myself.”
    Kate’s face softened a mite—but not too much. She was a
prickly woman, he decided, who couldn’t afford to appear weak.
    Still, she hesitated, putting all she’d learned about him in
perspective, he reckoned. She was mighty suspicious and had every right to be.
Convincing her to hire him would take more doing than he’d figured.
    “How do I know you’re telling the truth?” She crossed her
arms.
    “Do I have the face of a man who’d lie to you?” He winked,
hoping to get on her good side with a little playfulness.
    Her cheeks colored up pink, one of the prettiest sights he’d
ever laid eyes on. Blushing made her less like a tigress and more like a
kitten, which could be part of the problem.
    Kate came across as though she needed to be in charge.
Apparently she couldn’t tolerate anyone else making decisions. He would let her
be the one on top…for now.
    “Maybe you never worked for Mr. Purdy.”
    “What’s the name of Silas Purdy’s dog?” Jolie spoke with
desperation.
    “His bitch or his heeler?”
    “His heeler.”
    “Lucky.”
    Her frown melted. “That’s right, Kate. The hound is called
Lucky.”
    Kate chewed her lower lip. “I guess you are who you say you
are. I will still pay a call on Silas Purdy and ask for his opinion of your
work.”
    Jake planted his hat back on his head. “I wouldn’t have it
any other way.”
    Silas would give him a bang-up reference. He was party to
the bet and had a sawbuck riding on the outcome. Jake would give the cowhands a
full accounting of what he’d be up against. Kate was definitely a woman in need
of taming. She was more than a shrewish rancher’s daughter. She carried a whip
and wasn’t shy to use it.
    “Room and board is included, Mr. Madden, with your pay.” She
gave him a figure that, while low, would be sufficient.
    “Sounds plenty to me, Miss Crowley,” Jake answered.
    “And you’ll sleep in the bunkhouse.”
    “Kate!”
    Kate ignored the protest. “When can you start?”
    He nodded in the direction of the saloon. “As soon as I
clear the trail dust from my throat.”
    She placed her fists on her hips and stared him down. No doubt
she meant to disagree. “I don’t tolerate drunkenness from anyone who works for
me.”
    “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” He settled his thumbs
inside the waistband of his blue jeans and gave her a lazy