Charlene Sands Read Online Free PDF Page A

through this area, robbing farms and ranches up past the north end of the creek. They hit Jeb’s farm, killed his wife and took everything they could lay their hands on. Jeb went after them, shot one of them dead, but wound up with a bullet in his belly. I found him bleeding out on the range. There was nothing I could do to save him. We both knew he was dying. He made me promise to keep Meggie for him. Wouldn’t have it any other way, anyhow, but Jeb had to hear me say it. I promised my brother I’d raise his young daughter all proper like, just the way he wanted. That’s what I intend to do.”
    “Did you ever find the men who killed them?”
    Cole nodded. “Turns out they were three brothers named Sloan. Jeb killed the one. We caught up with another a few days later. He was tried and convicted. We never found the third man, but I swear one day, I’ll find him.” A cold look stole over Cole’s face then, making him appear older and more the man that he was now than the boy she’d once known so well.
    Shivers ran down her spine. Cole sounded so determined. Suddenly the dangers of his vocation became clear. He was the sheriff, the person responsible for the safety of the town.
    Violence hadn’t hit Crystal Creek in such a way since the gold strike. Back then, she remembered many a story her mama told of people willing to stab their own kin in the back for an ounce of gold.
    “It’s been peaceable here ever since, Kate. Folks like it that way.”
    Kate ignored Cole’s attempt at persuasion. “I’m truly sorry to hear about Jeb and his wife, Cole. Seems that we both lost someone close.”
    “That we did,” he admitted, searching her eyes carefully.
    He made her nervous with the way he was watching her. Kate turned away and walked about the room. Frilly yellow window curtains filtered the sunlight, embroidered pillows sat snugly on the sofa and a fine Irish lace tablecloth draping the dining table were among many feminine touches about the room. “How do you manage with the child?” she asked cautiously.
    “I have a housekeeper. She comes during the day and watches Meggie for me.”
    Kate nodded, hating the relief she felt that Cole hadn’t married. “Kate?”
    She whirled around to face him. “I’m here to see a copy of the ordinance, Cole. You do have one, don’t you?”
    He was ready to answer when a soft knock at the door brought his head around. “Excuse me. I’ll be right back.”
    A few seconds later, Kate came face-to-face with Patricia Wesley. She hadn’t laid eyes on the banker’s daughter in years, but the girl was now a lovely young woman. Dressed elegantly in a fine silk ivory gown, and with her dark hair pulled up into the latest fashionable style, Patricia Wesley spoke of refinement and taste. “Hello, Mary Kathryn. I’d heard you were back in town.”
    Kate peered at Patricia, then at Cole, who was steps behind her. Patricia sidled up closer to Cole once he’d finally made his way into the parlor. “Patricia returned to Crystal Creek a few months ago,” Cole explained, his expression unreadable.
    “Yes, I spent several years in Boston, visiting relatives and attending finishing school.” She glanced at Cole then. “But I’m back to stay now. As a matter of fact, that’s why I’m here, Cole.” She turned her back on Kate and put a possessive hand on Cole’s arm. “Father and I enjoyed having you to dinner so much last week, he’s offering another invitation for tomorrow evening. He really enjoys your Meggie. He says she reminds him of me, when I was her age.”
    “Well,” Kate said quickly, “I’d better let you two make your plans.” Kate tightened her hold on her handbag and moved toward the front door.
    “It was nice seeing you again,” Patricia offered a bit too sweetly for Kate’s liking. Patricia had always been one to turn her nose up at Kate in school.
    “Goodbye, Patricia.” Kate stopped right in front of Cole and looked straight into his eyes. “I’d