The Heiress and the Sheriff Read Online Free PDF Page A

she wasn’t worth bothering about. Besides, she’d rather ask a stranger on the street for help than ask that man.
    â€œGabrielle! Great—you’re up and all ready to go!”
    At the young woman’s voice, Gabrielle swung around from her spot at the window. Maggie Fortune stepped into the room.
    Relief flooded through Gabrielle. “I’m so glad you came! The doctor has released me and I need a ride to some sort of shelter. Would you mind dropping me off?”
    The dark-haired young woman walked over to Gabrielle.“I would mind very much. I wouldn’t think of allowing you to go to a shelter.”
    Gabrielle’s brow puckered with confusion as she looked at the other woman. Maggie Fortune was casually dressed in white slacks and a red blouse, but Gabrielle could see her clothes were expensive, as was her wedding ring and the rest of her jewelry. She was obviously well-to-do. Surely she wasn’t going to suggest that Gabrielle go with her!
    â€œI have to do something, Ms. Fortune, until I get my memory back. And so far it’s no better than it was yesterday.”
    â€œCall me Maggie. Does your head feel any better?”
    Gabrielle nodded. “It still aches, but the throbbing isn’t fierce like it was yesterday. The doctor read my brain scan this morning, and he says there is no serious injury.”
    â€œBut what about your memory? Can’t he do something about that?”
    Gabrielle grimaced. “He believes it will gradually come back to me on its own after my brain gets over the shock of the accident. That’s why, for now, I’ve got to find a place to stay.”
    â€œOf course you do. That’s why you’re coming out to the Double Crown Ranch with me.” Gabrielle opened her mouth to protest but Maggie was waving her hand before she could utter one word. “Don’t argue, Gabrielle. I’ve already talked it over with my husband and father-in-law. They and the rest of the family want you to come. We all feel guilty about putting you in this awful situation.”
    Feeling suddenly weak, Gabrielle walked over to the bed and sank down on its edge. “I—don’t know what to say. From what you said, the whole thing was an accident. I certainly don’t hold you or your family accountable.”
    Maggie smiled gently at her. “I told them all that youwould feel this way. And I also assured them I wouldn’t come home without you.”
    â€œBut…I’m sure I’ll be able to stay a few days at a shelter. And by then I’ll probably remember everything and be able to go home. If not, I can surely find a job somewhere.”
    Maggie shook her head. “You can’t work in your condition. You need time to recuperate.” She walked over to Gabrielle and gently squeezed her shoulder. “I promise—my family is nice. And the ranch house is so big you won’t possibly be in the way. Now get your things and let’s go.”
    Gabrielle suddenly chuckled and held up her empty palms. “I don’t have any things. Whatever I had with me must have burned in the car.”
    â€œOh, my goodness! I wasn’t thinking. You poor thing, you don’t even have a toothbrush. Well, never mind, we’ll go shopping for whatever you need.”
    â€œOh no! I—” Gabrielle’s words halted as a knock sounded on the door.
    Both women turned to see Sheriff Grayhawk entering the hospital room. Today he was dressed more like a lawman. A revolver in a hand-tooled, leather holster was strapped low on his waist. His shirt was khaki with a sheriff’s department emblem on the sleeve. On the pocket over his heart was a shiny round badge with a star in the center.
    Gabrielle had thought he looked tough yesterday. Today, he was formidable.
    â€œHello, Wyatt,” Maggie greeted him.
    Not bothering to remove his black Stetson, he nodded at the woman, then planted a direct stare on