The Texan's Reward Read Online Free PDF Page B

he wanted and
    was wil ing to give to the partnership. Jacob would have been forced to strangle any man who had shown up
    with flowers and candy.

    He smiled, guessing how Nell would have reacted to such a fool.

    Jacob always sized up his opponent. Randolph Harrison had a straightforward look about him except for the few
    moments he’d squirmed in the sheriff ’s presence. He didn’t want love any more than Nell claimed to. He would
    be a hard worker, Jacob guessed. Probably better with figures and management than Jacob could ever be. Nel
    didn’t need a fast gun or a good tracker now. She didn’t need him.

    Jacob dumped the last bucket of hot water over his head. Apparently, Nel didn’t want him running her ranches
    any more than the idea appealed to him.

    “But,” Jacob mumbled aloud, “Nel deserves more than a man with granite in his gaze.” Hel , Jacob thought, she
    deserved more than even he could offer. She wanted respectability. She wanted marriage. He could give her
    that as well as Harrison.

    Jacob hurried. He scrubbed his body raw, dressed in the only clean clothes he owned, then rushed Jessie
    through both a haircut and shave. In less than two hours he was back in the saloon ready to pick up Harrison and
    go back to Nell’s. They might be far too early for supper, but that would give him time to talk to Nell. If she was
    still asleep, he’d wait.

    He walked through the bar twice, even checking under the tables in case Number Twelve had taken to drink
    after he left. But Harrison was nowhere to be found.

    The barmaid walked past him, smiling at the change in his appearance. “Evening, Ranger.” She flirted, brushing
    his clean jawline with the tips of her fingers. “Want some company now? You sure do smel good.” She rubbed
    the tip of her nose along his throat. “Dalton, I swear you’re one fine-looking man when you take a notion to be.
    We could go upstairs for a spell. Just spend some time together, with or without clothes.”

    “No, thanks.” Jacob removed his hat and acted as if they were just passing time. “You wouldn’t happen to know
    if the man I was having a drink with earlier went upstairs?” Harrison hadn’t looked all that interested in finding
    entertainment for the afternoon, but maybe he’d changed his mind after Jacob left. The girls here considered
    themselves barmaids by profession, but a few didn’t mind earning extra money if the opportunity presented
    itself.

    She shook her head. “He left a few minutes after you did. I was standing by the door and noticed he rode out
    toward Fat Alice’s place.” She giggled. “Hope he knows that house isn’t in business anymore.”

    Jacob shoved his hat on. “I’l remind him right before I kill him.”

CHAPTER 5
    NELL TRIED TO PAY ATTENTION, BUT RANDOLPH HARRISON had been talking for an hour, and al the numbers
    were starting to melt together in her brain. At first, she’d been impressed at how he researched and planned out
    details of organizing her ranches. The idea of having a team of men who moved from place to place when
    needed to help a smal stationary group at each property made sense. The hands assigned to just one ranch
    would learn that place and how to run the most cattle on that land, while being able to pul in help when
    needed. She also liked the idea of not having to be constantly hiring and laying off cowhands. When times were
    slow, the team could move from ranch to ranch doing needed repairs or building and improving each property.

    The way Mr. Harrison had it figured, when the extra men were not needed, he’d have a list of things that could
    be tackled at any time, like adding extra wells and building new fences and corrals. When they were needed,
    they’d move in fast, in a large enough number to solve any problem before it got out of control.

    “More tea?” Gypsy asked for the fourth time. She appeared so pitiful trying to stand stil beside the tea set. The
    old woman preferred wearing