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Purdy was involved.”
    Jake nodded, running his fingers over his belt. He hadn’t
been with the Purdy outfit long enough to have heard the whole story. “That
explains why she didn’t think much of my working for the Box T.”
    “Reckon so.”
    “The Purdys don’t strike me as a murdering clan.”
    “Me neither but no one has been able to convince Kate.”
    Jake was beginning to understand her better, what she’d been
through and what the future held for her and her sister.
    Sheriff Poole’s attention shifted to a gorgeous woman who
sauntered out of the mercantile, twirling a parasol.
    “Mrs. Poole, this here is Jake Madden.” The sheriff cast her
a smile. “Jake, this is my wife.”
    The sheriff’s wife surveyed him in a way that made Jake
wonder if he didn’t have his breakfast stuck in his front teeth. “Haven’t seen
you around here before,” Mrs. Poole said, “and I never forget a face.”
    “That’s right, ma’am.” He tipped his hat. “I joined up with
the Purdys about six months back. I’m out of Galveston by way of Santa Fe and a
few other places.”
    “This is your first visit to Tucson?”
    “Yes ma’am.”
    “Well then, welcome, Jake. I sure am pleased you’ll be out
at the Crowley place helping those girls.”
    “Yes ma’am.”
    Folks around here were naturally wary of strangers, Jake
reckoned. He didn’t blame them. They’d learn Jake was a man who could be relied
on.
    She regarded her husband with eyelashes fluttering. “I’ll be
down at the jailhouse. Don’t you keep me waiting.”
    The sheriff shifted his stance. “I’ll be right along.”
    Jake watched her walk away, but respectful like. He was
smart enough not to make an enemy of the sheriff.
    “You didn’t stay very long at the Purdy place.” The sheriff
wasn’t done with his questions.
    “No sir.” Jake decided to confide in him. The sheriff wasn’t
a man who could be fooled by a string of half-assed answers. “Me and the boys
have a wager. I intend to tame Miss Kate Crowley and make her into a
sweet-tempered woman. They’ve bet two thousand dollars I can’t.”
    Sheriff Poole chuckled then slapped his knee. In fact he
laughed so hard, tears shone in his eyes. “If that don’t beat all.”
    Jake was gratified the sheriff would not oppose him. “Of
course, I’ve got my work cut out for me.” He didn’t want taming Kate to sound
too easy. The sheriff might have a notion himself to get in on the betting.
    The sheriff gave him a fresh assessment. “Son, you’re a bit
cocky but I like you.”
    “Is their spread in trouble?” Jake asked, taking advantage
of the sheriff’s good mood.
    “According to the local gossip, the girls are about broke,
but you won’t get Kate to admit as such.”
    “Those two are due for a break,” Jake said sincerely. “I’m
good at punching cows and know a thing or two about horseflesh.”
    “You’ll have plenty to do.”
    “I’ve never shied from hard work if that’s what you’re
thinking.”
    Sheriff Poole adjusted his gun belt. “As long as you
understand what you’re up against.”
    “Yes sir. I appreciate the advice. There’s not a job I can’t
do.”
    Mrs. Poole popped her head out of the jailhouse. “Jed, quit
your palaver and come on in here.”
    “The wife beckons,” the sheriff said without a trace of
regret.
    Sheriff Poole ambled across the street to his office, his
gait slowed as he favored his right leg. When he reached the jailhouse, Mrs.
Poole met him on the steps.
    She looked as happy as a flea on a hound. Jake figured the
sheriff was a lucky man.
    Jake also had the impression the sheriff hadn’t told him
everything.
    Tucson suited him. It was a typical town with wide streets
baked hard by the sun. A couple stores for provisions on every block, twice as
many saloons. The folks who’d lingered on the boardwalk watched him with
curiosity. A good many of them were frowning, no doubt wondering who he was and
why he’d been talking with the