Charlene Sands Read Online Free PDF

like a copy of that ordinance, Cole.”
    Cole’s expression changed, a hint of anger marring his handsome face. He followed her to the front door, a frown pulling at his lips. “You’ll have it tomorrow.”
    “I’ll be working on the Browns’ place in the morning. Will you bring it by there?”
    Cole nodded and opened the door for her. “Kate, listen,” he began, but Kate dashed down the steps before he could finish his sentence.
    “Tomorrow, Cole.”

Chapter Three
    M rs. Gregory set a plate of eggs and bacon out for Cole and poured him a cup of coffee. Meggie sat at the kitchen table facing him, wearing a loose-fitting flowered nightdress, stabbing at her oatmeal with a frown.
    “Eat up, little missy,” Mrs. Gregory encouraged, bringing the bowl a bit closer to entice his daughter. Meggie was having no part of it.
    “I don’t like oatmeal,” she announced solemnly.
    “Meggie, take a bite or two—for Daddy?”
    Cole witnessed the stark determination in his daughter’s eyes. She might have Jeb’s late wife’s blond hair and coloring, but she certainly didn’t have her accommodating qualities. That could only mean she had a streak of the infamous, stubborn Bradshaw nature.
    “One bite, Daddy,” she said, lifting the spoon up to her mouth. After that taste, she shoved the bowl away, causing Mrs. Gregory to pucker her wrinkledmouth. He knew Mrs. Gregory didn’t rightly approve of Cole’s indulgent ways with Meggie, but Cole felt somewhat justified. The child had lost a great deal already in her young years of life. She’d lost both of her parents and was subjected to being raised by a man who knew little about children. Cole knew no better way to make it up to the child than to let her have her way once in a while. Right or wrong, it was the way of it.
    “Would you like me to bring the little miss down to the jail for lunch today, Sheriff?”
    Often Cole enjoyed spending his afternoon meal with Meggie, but today he had too many things to do. “Not today, Mrs. Gregory.” He turned his attention to Meggie, who was staring up at him with wide, expectant eyes. “But Daddy will come home extra early this afternoon and we’ll do something fun.”
    Meggie’s face beamed with delight and Cole was grateful his daughter hadn’t been overly disappointed about not visiting him at the jailhouse. It was one of her favorite things to do. “Can we go to the creek?”
    “That’s a fine idea, darlin’.”
    Meggie jumped down from the ladder-back chair and ran over to him, lifting up her arms. Cole’s heart swelled with pride and love and he reached down to deposit the child onto his lap. She hugged him tight around the neck. “I love you, Daddy.”
    He kissed her forehead, wiping wayward locks of wheat-gold hair off her face. She was born of Jeb’sblood, but she was his daughter now, through and through. “Love you too, Megpie.”
    Meggie chuckled.
    Cole set her down and swatted her bottom. “Off you go, now. Get dressed. Daddy’s got to get on to the jail now.”
    Cole watched as his daughter left the kitchen, then stared up at Mrs. Gregory, who was tapping her foot at him. “That child has got to learn to mind. I love her dearly but I can see the writing on the wall, I can. She’s not going to mind you or me at all when she gets a bit older.”
    Cole ran a hand down his face. He knew Mrs. Gregory was right, so he gave her the same answer he always did. “I’ll work on it, Mrs. Gregory.” With her staring down at him the way she often did, Cole felt as if he was back in Miss Ashmore’s classroom, getting a stern talking-to. It didn’t matter that he was sheriff of this town, that he’d become respected in the community or that he was raising a child now, her admonishments always managed to put him in his place.
    “That child needs a mother,” she muttered, removing the plates from the kitchen table and bringing them to the sink.
    Kate’s image pushed into his thoughts. She’d been all he could