Page 7 of The Marshal's Bride
“I’m sorry, Marshal Davis. What did you say?”
When did he come to be sitting beside her? She glanced around to see June had moved the pram closer to the grassy plot, and was playing catch with the children while Sadie napped in the shade. Justine could feel the heat from his leg radiating through the thin fabric of her summer skirt, and he wasn’t even that close to her!
Six months,she thought.Jacob hasn’t been cold in the ground for six months!
His blue eyes bore into hers. He was determined to press this.Why did June even say anything?
“I asked you which building it was that you wanted. You would not have gone to see the banker and said, ‘Oh, whichever you’ll allow me to have.’ So?”
Justine chewed her lip nervously. “Oh. It was the blue one right next door to the mercantile. Mrs. Arden said that if I bought that building, we could put a door between the café and the mercantile. It would drive more business in both directions. Customers could move from one shop to the next without having to go back outside.”
“Then I’m sure you’ll reach your goals. Please let the sheriff, or I know if we can be of help.”
Her eyes narrowed as she watched Sam stand up. It wasn’t like him to let a topic drop. Not this abruptly. What was he up to?
“That’s it?” Her hands flew to her mouth, wishing she could recall the words immediately.
“I heard you tell Mrs. Hardin that you intend to speak with your cousin. I am simply letting you know that if you run out of probable avenues, remember that I am offering ours as well.” He tipped his hat and waved to June, who tossed the ball to Colton and returned to the bench she’d vacated.
Glancing back at Sam, Justine noticed he was just shaking hands with Weston Chapman at the boardwalk.
“How did your conversation go?” June asked, sitting down on the bench.
Justine had continued to watch the men before they made their way over to the marshal’s office.
“I’m not sure.”
“Did Sam say anything?”
Justine’s eyes flew to her friend. “Sam?” June raised her eyebrow and Justine shrugged her shoulders. “Not really.” She stood and gathered the few items she’d brought to the small park. “I need to get Hope back home for lunch and a nap.”
“We should go too. I promised Ranger and Uncle Hiram I’d bring the boys by to see the horses.”
As they walked back towards the livery, Justine’s eyes traveled towards the sheriff’s office. Weston Chapman and Marshal Davis sat on the porch sipping coffee and laughing.
They could be talking about the weather, Justine admonished. When she glanced back once more, she noticed the lawman’s eyes following them.
So why did she think they were talking about something more?
Chapter Three
Sam knew that walking away from Justine would cause her brain to scatter. In the short time he had known her, he was becoming familiar with how the young widow’s mind worked. When she didn’t have enough time to reflect on the matter carefully, she usually refrained from engaging in an argument with him.
Instead, she would shrink away and find something to distract herself from the topic. Worst case, she would leave his side, ending their time together. This time, however, he was in control of the conversation, and it was nice to see Justine unnerved for a change.
He knew if he cut the conversation short, she wouldn’t have time to process the information. When he spied Weston Chapman near the mercantile, it gave him the opportunity he needed to slip away.
Weston owned one of the largest cattle ranches in Flat River and rented land from some of the smaller farmers. He believed in giving back to the community. Right now, Sam needed Weston to give something to him.
Information.
If Weston didn’t have it, Sam knew Ingrid, Weston’s wife, would. She knew everything that went on in town. Sometimes before the town did.
“Sam!”
“Weston, it’s good to see you.” Sam reached out and shook the rancher’s hand. “What brings you to town on this weekday? Everything all right out at the ranch?”
“Things are good. Ingrid had some errands to run, and I had some horses to drop off at the livery. How is the Widow McGuthry?” Weston gave a pointed glance at Justine, and Sam rubbed at the back of his neck.
