The Accidental Lawman Read Online Free PDF Page A

empty chair up close to his. Without preamble, she dipped the rag into the water and wrung it out. She paused for a moment and stared at the washrag. Her brow knit for a moment and then the frown was gone. She lifted the washrag to his cheek.
    “This might sting.” She leaned closer, intent upon his cheekbone.
    “I can take it.”
    “That’s right. You’re the sheriff.”
    “What’s that got to do with it? Ow!” He jerked back when she touched the warm water to the swollen spot beneath his eye.
    “You’re the new town hero and all.”
    “You know as well as I what really happened.”
    “I heard you try to explain.” She gently patted and dabbed. He could tell she was trying to be as gentle as possible. Looking thoughtful, she paused for a moment and met his gaze. “Do you plan to take this seriously?”
    He reared back. “You said it was just a scratch. Should I ask for a mirror?”
    “It is a scratch. I was referring to your new position as sheriff. Do you plan to take it seriously?” She seemed very interested in his answer.
    “Everyone led me to believe there was nothing to do, that nothing ever happens here in Glory—nothing that requires a full-time sheriff.”
    “Until now.”
    “Until now.”
    They fell silent. She opened what proved to be a jar of salve.
    “What is that? It smells awful.”
    “Sweet oil salve. Of all the towns in Texas, how did you choose Glory, Mr. Larson?”
    “No newspaper.”
    “A wiser man might have realized that’s because there’s no news.”
    “There’s always news, Miss Hawthorne. Life’s unfolding drama can be most interesting. It’s all in the telling. Life is news.” His voice trailed off into silence.
    She hesitated before applying the ointment to his cut. He stiffened and drew back when her fingers touched his cheek.
    “Will your family be joining you?”
    “My family?” The words lodged in his throat.
    She nodded. “Do you have family?”
    Tricia and their stillborn son. They’d been his life, his hope, his joy, until God saw fit to take them both.
    “Mr. Larson? Are you all right?”
    He didn’t realize he’d closed his eyes. He snapped them open. “I’m fine.”
    “Hold still while I smear this on your cut. It may sting a little.”
    A little was an understatement. The minute the ointment hit his torn skin, he almost bit through his cheek trying not to yell for mercy.
    “What’s in there?”
    “Linseed oil, sweet oil and a couple of secret ingredients.”
    She leaned close and blew gently on the stinging cut. He found himself staring at the crown of her head, at the crooked part in her glossy auburn hair. Tricia would have never gone out in public unless her hair was perfectly coiffed and she was dressed in style.
    Amelia Hawthorne, on the other hand, looked like she’d thrown herself together without thought. Her hair was a disaster. The cuffs of her blouse were frayed. Her skirt, spattered with Mrs. Cutter’s blood and missing a good portion of the hem, had seen better days long before this morning.
    “There.” She sat back, satisfied with her work. If she realized he hadn’t answered her question about family, she deftly let it go.
    “What do I owe you?” he asked.
    “Owe me?” Her face went bright red. “Why, nothing.”
    “You must not make much of a living doctoring if you don’t charge for your services.”
    “It’s just a scratch. In a way, I feel responsible.”
    “I ran into you.” They both said the same thing at once.
    Hank chuckled for the first time in forever. Amelia didn’t.
    He stood up and dug a dollar from his vest pocket and set the coin on the table. “Is that enough?”
    “More than,” she said softly.
    “Are you sure you’re all right, Amelia?” Perhaps she’d been far more shaken than she’d let on earlier. After all, a gun had gone off right beside her. Perhaps she’d beenthinking of the near miss when he caught her staring across the land a few minutes ago. For whatever reason, she was