Much Ado About Marshals (Hearts of Owyhee) (2011) Read Online Free PDF

tell him she wouldn’t marry him if he stood on his head and juggled cow pies with his feet.” Bosco chuckled and shook his head. “That poor sumbitch don’t have a chance.”
    “You’re mistaken,” Cole snapped. “He’s sweet on Daisy. I heard him practically propose.” Then a thought struck that quickened his heart. “Did Iris see you?”
    “Don’t suppose so. She never said nothing.”
    The door opened and Cole gritted his teeth, knowing his fate was about to be sealed. Mr. Gardner walked in holding a Bible, followed by the doctor.
    Then Daisy—ahh, what a sight. Cole smiled at her and she responded with a slight nod. His blood stirred. She could almost make him forget this dratted mess. But one look at Mr. Gardner, with a Bible in one hand and a star in the other, spoiled his entire fantasy journey under her skirts.
    She placed the meal box on the table beside his bed and tucked a dishtowel around it. “This will keep your supper warm until after you’re sworn in.”
    “Thanks, miss.” He admired the dip of her waist, then forced his mind back to the business at hand.
    Cyrus Gardner greeted Cole with a nod, and Cole felt guilty about having lewd thoughts about the man’s daughter. If only they wouldn’t force him to tell the lie of his life, he’d be a happy man.
    “Doc, prop him up,” Gardner ordered. “We’re ready to start.”
    Cole sat up and the doctor stuffed pillows behind his back.
    “That good enough?” Doc asked.
    “It’ll do,” Gardner replied, “but you better get a vest on him or he might holler when I stick this badge through his shirt.”
    Doc rifled through Cole’s things and gave him his vest. Bosco tugged at his own, showing a little more self-importance than he deserved. Cole pulled the leather vest on, wishing he could think of some way to avoid lying.
    Mr. Gardner stepped forward. “Raise your right hand.” He waited until Cole complied. Cole’s hand felt heavy as a boulder, but, against his better judgment, he raised it and placed his left hand on the Bible.
    “Do you solemnly swear to uphold the laws of Oreana , Idaho Territory, and the United States of America ?”
    Cole took a deep breath. “Are you sure you want me to be your marshal? You haven’t even checked my background. Hell—” he glanced at Daisy, “excuse me, miss—” then addressed her father again, “you don’t even know if I am who you think I am.”
    Gardner waved the Bible at him. “Quit babbling and answer.”
    With a little plea for forgiveness from the Big Man Upstairs, Cole knew he had to go through with it. “Yes.”
    While Daisy’s father attempted to stab Cole in the heart with the dad-blamed star, Bosco hopped forward. “Me, too!”
    “Your turn is coming,” Mr. Gardner said, tilting his head in concentration. Cole dared not breathe for fear of getting poked as the mayor’s shaky fingers forced the pin through his vest.
    “I’ll hook it,” he volunteered.
    Gardner grunted and took a smaller star out of his pocket. “No use wasting breath, since you already agreed.”
    Bosco held the vest away from his chest so the shaky mayor wouldn’t have quite so good a target as he had with Cole—one of the smarter things Cole had seen Bosco do in a long time.
    “I’ll be on my way, now. Gotta say some words over the Arthur baby.” Mr. Gardner tipped his hat. “Daisy, don’t you stay a minute longer than it takes to get that food out of the box. There’s three single men here, and it just doesn’t look right.”
    “Yes, Dad.”
    Her father left. Cole enjoyed the grace of Daisy’s hands as she unwrapped the box and opened it.
    Bosco inhaled loudly. “Mmmm, that smells plumb tasty.”
    Daisy glanced up at him. “I, ah, need to get more food. I was only expecting Doc and the marshal.”
    “Don’t mind me. I just ate at Widder Courtney’s.” He patted his belly. “Chicken, taters, and raisin pie. Whoo-wee—that’s some woman!” He picked up his hat. “I best go on