Sundown Read Online Free PDF

doorframe.  The afternoon sun gleamed down his broad shoulders, bouncing off his silver star, which perched precariously on his vest.  Shifting a boot, he made his way toward his desk. 
    “My daughter has finished.”  He clipped his wintry voice firm and decisive.  Standing next to Arabella, he placed a supportive hand on her shoulder.  “Perhaps it’s best you find someone else to interrogate.”
    Arabella lifted her chin. 
    She met Jack’s skeptical gaze.  Starring long and hard, he strummed his thumb against the edge of the desk.  With one hand, he brought his palm down on the desk none too lightly, and then pushed back from his seat.  With bare-knuckles, he leaned over, casting one last daunting look.
    “Very well.”  Jack nodded.  The guarded man slid his hat over his head and sauntered toward the jailhouse door.  There, he paused.  Looking past his shoulder, he fixed his heated gaze on her and continued with warning.  “God forbid you’re hiding something.  For your sake, I should hope the hell it is not true.  Sheriff, we’re finished for now.”  
    Arabella watched as the tr oublesome Pinkerton agent exit ed the jailhouse door.  She listen ed to the echo of his heavily booted steps as they slowly dissipated, leaving behind a wary stillness.  After a long moment’s silence, Wyeth cleared his throat and pulled his hand away from her shoulder, heading for the door, he paused.
    “Whatever happened between you and that fugitive dies here and now, do you understand?”
    Arabella held her breath. 
    By answering her father, she admitted nothing but the truth.  Instead, she stood to her feet and dusted her skirts before following him to the door. 
    Outside, the v ibrant sky rolled back like a royal blue carpet.  Gazing at its vast wondrous expanse, the warmth of the afternoon sun grazed her face, soothing away the worry she felt etched there.  Feeling her heart constrict, she heard an inner voice chastise her imprudent sense of reason. 
    You little fool . 
    Luke Shelton took more than just her innocence. 
    Yes, he was an outlaw who had stolen her heart.  Splintered with regret, she realized she had no choice, but to move on. 
    A nearby bell chimed.  Caught off guard, Arabella set aside her troubled thoughts and spied a small group of women standing at the schoolhouse steps.  T hey waited for her, of course.  Picking up her pace, she followed her father with increasing dread.
    “ You’d best w atch out for Mamie Har tley.”  Wyeth instructed.  “She’s not one you can trust .  As for the rest of the town council, you’ll find them very agreeable.”
    Arabella nodded her head thankful for her father’s advice.  The town council came forward.  Everyone was smiling save for one woman whose eyes roved ov er her like a suspicious feline.  No doubt, the insufferable woman was none other than Mamie Hartley.
    After greeting each council member, she and her father followed the elders into the church where refreshments waited.  Eurilye Martin, the banker’s wife, offered her a generous plate of scones and a teacup of lemonade. 
    “Lemons are hard to come by these days.”  Eurilye smiled.  “But we thought it entirely acceptable since this is such a special occasion.  Sundown hasn’t had a schoolmistress for a while now.”
    Arabella nodded her thanks.  Nervous, she found a bench, taking her seat expectantly.  Her father sat down beside her, sharing an assured smile while she sipped at her lemonade.  Slowly, the council took their seats.
    “Miss Gentry, we’d like to welcome you to Sundown.”  Mamie Hartley forced a brittle smile.  Clasping her hands, she came closer until she stood a few feet away.  “I think it’s best if we get right down to business.  There are a few questions the council would like to ask you.”
    Arabella nodded her head.
    “What would you like to know?”
    “How long had you been teaching in Maryland?”
    “Four years at a local