NotoriousWoman Read Online Free PDF Page B

been
engaged to back when she’d been stupid enough to consider marrying.
    She gripped the reins tighter and gave them a shake. Buck
and Alice reluctantly picked up speed and then settled back into their plodding
pace.
    “Didn’t you think Mr. Madden is one of the most handsome men
you’ve ever laid eyes on?” Jolie asked.
    Kate took a moment to respond, as her initial reaction was
to snap out a reply and her sister did not deserve her irritation. “I’ve met
better and I’ve met worse,” Kate replied honestly. Jake Madden was easy on the
eyes but she wasn’t about to admit it to her sister.
    One thing was for certain. No good-looking wrangler was
going to complicate her life.
    “I think he likes you,” Jolie continued with a sassy smile.
She tucked the hair blowing frantically back inside her bonnet.
    “What put such a notion in your head?”
    “He couldn’t stop grinning when he was talking to you.”
    Jake Madden. Kate exhaled, some of her own hair
whipping into her mouth. She tried to push it out with her tongue before she
gagged on it.
    “Why do you say such things?”
    “You know I’m right.”
    Kate hadn’t missed Jake’s smile. She’d call it half-cocked,
if anybody was asking. “A man is liable to do and say anything to make an
impression.”
    “You’re such a grump, sis.”
    Kate winced. “I’m just being cautious.”
    “The new hire is going to work out just fine.”
    Jolie was so certain but Kate wasn’t so easily cowed. “He
acts like he has the world by the tail.”
    “Maybe he does.” Jolie slumped in her seat and sighed. “Do
you always have to be so hard on everybody? He’s going to help us out, Kate,
and we could really use him since you fired Mack. Not that Mack didn’t have it
coming. He was nothing but a gambler and cheat.”
    “I’m happy you agree with me about something.”
    “Oh, I do. Hiring Jake Madden might be the best decision
you’ve ever made.”
    “That’s not what I meant.”
    “Oh, really?”
    Kate wondered what Jolie had up her sleeve. “Keep your high
opinion of the man, but if you ask me, he’s no different than the rest.”
    “You can be cautious all you like but I intend to welcome
him to the ranch with open arms if I have to. What other choice do we have?”
    Jolie made a good point.
    “I’m sorry,” Kate said. She hadn’t missed the sadness in her
sister’s tone. Pa’s passing had taken its toll on them both. “All I’m saying is
don’t get your hopes up. I have a strong feeling Mr. Madden won’t be with us
for long.”
    Jolie sighed. “You don’t know that for sure.”
    “You heard him. He left the Purdy spread with roundup just
around the corner.”
    “At least you can be friendly,” Jolie said. “No need to
scare him off for no good reason.”
    “We can’t let folks take advantage of us either.” For just a
minute, Kate wished Jolie was not so innocent, that she understood the ways of
the world the way Kate did.
    “What would people think if they heard the way you talk?”
    “They can think what they want,” Kate shot back. “We’ve got
a ranch to run.”
    Jolie kept her mouth shut tight. The sparkle had gone out of
her. Kate blamed herself. She hated being so ornery.
    Part of her was a little jealous of Jolie’s ability to find
the best in everyone she came across. Kate didn’t have that luxury.
    “You win. I’ll be extra nice to Mr. Madden but you’d better
learn it’s in a man’s nature to show an interest in every female he comes
across. Don’t think it means anything more than him being a man.”
    Her sister giggled. “What’s wrong with inciting a man’s
interest?”
    “Nothing,” Kate had to admit. Unless he’s a cheating,
moneygrubbing bastard.
    “Good,” Jolie said. “I’m glad you see it my way.”
    “Don’t pin too many hopes on him,” Kate said after a few
minutes of reflection.
    “You just watch. He’ll work out just fine.” Jolie continued
to sing the man’s praises.
    Kate