"No! But I don't stop to help manywomen."
"And I guess the only women you worry aboutare saloon girls." She scathed.
"Your wrong, I never worry about them.Because they can take care of themselves. They are hard women,Kate. A man doesn't go to a saloon girl for love."
"Then what does he go for?"
"Maybe I'll tell you sometime." Hewinked.
"Really?"
"Really," he smiled sexily at her and whatthat smile did to her body she couldn't understand. Every nerve inher body seemed to come alive. Just like that kiss, it was sopowerful, so beautiful she would relive it for a long time to come.It was the first time a man really kissed her back, and she'dremember it all her life. She didn't know what possessed her tokiss him, but she was very glad she did. Because she suddenlyrealized it was different than any she'd ever experienced, ofcourse that wasn't much either.
"Well, I'll learn. And why did you decide tocome help me?" She asked her tone a bit sharp.
"Dickens, he ask me to."
"You owe him something?"
"He saved my life once, a few years back. Igot caught in a high rising river in a wagon. I almost drown, wouldhave if Dickens hadn't come along, threw me a rope, and pulled meto safety. A man doesn't forget something like that."
"He is a good man." She smiled at himnow.
"Yeah, he is."
"Maybe what you ought to learn is how torope a husband." He told her harshly.
"I've had a husband; it didn't do any good!"she frowned.
"Well, you better consider it, because youwon't make it alone out here." He insisted. "And even if you sell,it probably won't be enough to keep you going any length oftime."
"Tell me something, truthful…"
"What?"
"If I was a saloon girl, would you come seeme?"
"Sure," he smiled, then grinned into hersparkling, blue eyes. "I'd come see you, maybe kiss you, then I'djerk you out of there over my shoulder."
"Why," She stared at him with surprise."Aren't I allowed to make a living for myself?" she fumed.
He shook his head and laughed, "Not thatway, honey. Not that way."
She bit her lip. When he called her honey,she felt her whole body react to that word. No one had ever talkedsweet talk to her. She wanted to ignore everything he said, but ittouched her heart. And he didn't even realize it.
When he didn't say anything more, she tookthe reins out of his hands and whipped the mule to go faster.
It was a long ride and they didn't talk therest of the way.
Chapter Nine
But the horse rancher seemed to enjoymeeting Kate too. Frank Campbell. He invited them in to talk overthe deal.
Frank spent most of his time looking at Katewhile Wes tried to make a deal with him about the hay. Kate wasstill angry with Wes and wasn't paying any attention to therancher.
Kate didn't want to flirt with the man, eventhough he was good looking with thick dark blonde hair, and amuscular build. He had light green eyes and a big smile when helooked at her.
Kate was friendly but not overly and after awhile they settled on a price and he gave them some other names ofranchers in the area that could use the hay.
He offered them some coffee and theyagreed.
"I'd offer tea, but I don't have any at themoment." He smiled at Kate.
"That's all right, I prefer coffee, keepsyou awake." She smiled.
"So are you new to this area?" He askedKate. "I mean, I haven't seen you in town."
"No, I've been here a year." She informedhim as she accepted the coffee.
"Really, then why haven't I seen youaround?" he asked.
His smile told her he was paying attentionto everything she said. It reminded her of Jim, he used to be thatway too.
Wes jumped into the conversation, "She andher husband bought the old Miller farm."
"Husband, oh, I’m sorry, I assumed you wereunmarried. The Miller farm, huh?"
"My husband was killed by a cougar not longago." Kate informed him.
"A cougar? Good God, did they get thecat?"
"No, not yet."
"Damn, that's bad news. Glad you told me. Hecould be anywhere about by now. I'll have to inform my hands. MaybeI'll go after him, myself."
"Wes wants to go after him too." Kateinformed him.
"Well, he needs putting down if he's taken ahuman life, that's for sure. I'm terribly sorry about yourhusband."
"Thank you," Kate said demurely.
They spent an hour there and then drove backto the ranch.
"Well, I guess that went well, huh?" Wesasked.
"Better than I expected, yes." Kateagreed.
"He was mighty interested in you." Wesremarked.
"I thought he was just being friendly."
"Yeah, I almost didn't get the deal sowedup, he was so friendly." Wes said and glanced at her.
"Don't be silly, he was probably married."Kate laughed.
"I don't think so. A man doesn't look at awoman like that if he's married."
"Like what?" she frowned at him.
"Like he wants you."
His words stunned her. He was right, thatwas how Jim had looked at her too.
"Well, doesn't matter, I'm not interested inhim."
"Oh, why not?"
She glanced at him as though he should know,"I'm supposed to be in mourning for my husband." When Wes looked ather rather strangely, she continued. "Just because I wasn't in lovewith Jim, doesn't mean I shouldn't act it. Jim hasn't been deadthat long. He deserves my respect for the dead, don't youthink?"
"I wouldn't wait too long, if you want thatrancher."
"I don't. Besides I'm—"
"In mourning."
Her head jerked around to stare at him. "Ibeg your pardon."
"Sorry, I'm out of line. Anyway, glad to getthe hay sold." Wes changed the subject.
"Yeah, me too." She nodded.
When they got back, she pondered over howWes had acted. The way he talked, he sounded almost jealous. Butthat couldn't be. He wasn't interested in any permanentrelationship. He'd practically told her so.
Still she remembered that kiss and it madeher blush once more. How had she been so bold?
But was that Frank interested?
No, she wouldn't be getting into that kindof relationship again. If she ever married again, it would be forone reason, and one reason alone—love!
Frank was handsome enough and his place wasnice, so she figured he made good money. But before she did anyserious contemplating of men, she would study on
