Charlene Sands by The Law Kate Malone

she whispered quietly, saying nothing else. She took his emptied glass into the house and never came back outside. It was better this way, he thought honestly. He’d finish her fence and be done with it. At least he didn’t have to gaze into her beautiful eyes and ache from need when she got real close. He knew what he was up against. She wouldn’t back down, and neither would he.
    And in the end, no one would win.
    Kate entered the Cable Brothers Livery later that afternoon with Cole’s words still ringing in her ear. It was his duty as sheriff to uphold the law, she knew, but Kate couldn’t see how opening the Silver Saddle would be breaking the law. As soon as she’d obtained the copy of the town ordinance, she’d sent it to a good friend of her mother’s back in Los Angeles. Mr. Robert Pendicott was the finest attorney-at-law in the city. If anyone could find a way around the ordinance, Kate believed it would be him. She was placing all of her faith in him and holding back nothing. Time, moneyand energy would go into the rebuilding of the saloon and Kate was finally ready to begin.
    Months ago, when her mama was alive, they’d placed an advance order for a long polished mahogany bar, two stained-glass windows with identical Silver Saddles etched in each and, as a safety precaution, an iron front door. Kate’s mother insisted on spending the extra money for iron-shuttered doors as protection against fire. It was becoming a common but expensive practice of saloon owners, as added insurance against wayward flames. They’d also ordered shiny brass spittoons, a large gilded mirror and the piano, too, was coming from the East.
    Kate heard voices in the back of the livery and, as she walked further inside, was surprised to find Patricia Wesley speaking with Jethro Cable. She stopped and stood by a post, allowing them to finish their conversation with privacy. “And next time I rent a horse, I’d like one that doesn’t try to buck me every chance he got.”
    Kate noted Jethro’s face flame with color. He yanked his hat off and ran a hand through his golden hair. “Miss Wesley, you’ve got to treat a horse with a certain respect. If you show him respect, he’ll show you the same.”
    “Are you saying I don’t know how to ride, Mr. Cable?”
    “No, no. What I’m saying is that you…well, yes, I suppose I am. A riding lesson is just what you probably need.”
    “Ha!” Patricia’s voice rose to an uneven pitch. “I’ll have you know that I was trained by the most prestigious stable in all of Boston. The groomsman said I had a knack with horses.”
    Jethro laughed right in her face. “Is that so?”
    “Yes, that is so.” Patricia removed her fancy suede riding gloves and tapped them into her hand. “Don’t you believe me?”
    Jethro shook his head. “Don’t rightly matter if I do or not. Truth is, those horses back East are most likely gentled to riders and they put fancy English saddles on them. I don’t suppose you’ve ridden one of these here regular saddles since you were a girl.”
    Patricia’s unyielding expression mellowed and she bit her lip. “Well, I suppose that could make a difference.”
    “It surely does.”
    Patricia filled her lungs with air and continued her admonishment. “Still, the horses you rent out should be more gentle.”
    Jethro didn’t back down. He brought his face close so that he looked down his nose at her. “And the rider should treat the mare with more regard.”
    “Good day, Mr. Cable.” Patricia turned abruptly, an exasperated look on her face, and began walking away.
    “I’ll put the charge on your father’s bill, Miss Wesley,” Jethro called out to her.
    Kate hoped Patricia would continue on in a hurry to get away and pass her by, but instead she stoppedwhen she noticed Kate just inside the livery. “Hello, Mary Kathryn,” she said in greeting.
    “Good afternoon, Patricia.” Kate thought to tell her to call her “Kate,” but decided she really