Gabriel's Lady (Leisure Historical Romance) by Hubbard Charlotte

Author:Hubbard, Charlotte [Hubbard, Charlotte]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781477833322
Publisher: AmazonEncore
Published: 2009-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

Gabe stepped off the sidewalk and into the sunny street wearing the biggest grin he could ever remember. Just like that, he was Judge Gabriel Getty!

Michael Malloy must have said some astounding things about him because the committee had hung on his every word—as though they’d decided to hire him before he even walked in. Most of the men remembered him from when he was a kid coming into town with his uncle, George Clark. To a man, they admired his credentials. Through yet another minor miracle, Arthur Bancroft had telegraphed them a sterling reference, as had Miss Agatha Vanderbilt.

“We had a case in progress when Judge Ratcliff passed on, and public sentiment’s running high to have it resolved,” the mayor informed him. “Since Judge Prescott has a…family connection, you’ll understand our need for a level headed, progressive, and unbiased man on the bench for Prescott versus Prescott. Can you start tomorrow?”

Curiosity got the best of him. “What sort of a case is it?” he asked, noting the committee members’ taut expressions.

“A building on Texas Street has been reopened as a sporting establishment, after the Missionary Society believed they had purchased it,” the mayor replied. “Hannibal Prescott has a…former wife in both camps.”

So Gabe had been sworn in, and he’d come out with a thick sheaf of notes from the court’s reporter. He had a new career and a case to hear, and had been treated to dinner, all within twenty hours of arriving in Abilene. Tomorrow he was to set a date for the trial to reconvene.

He was ready to rush back to the Triple M, but the telegraph office beckoned him. Quickly he sent off his appreciation to Miss Vanderbilt, and then a note of thanks to Arthur Bancroft, as well. It pleased him that his former partner and father-in-law had bestowed a blessing on his new life—probably ignoring his wife’s strident objections.

Gabe stopped by the bank, too, to open himself an account, and then to cash a check on behalf of Sol Juddson. The bank teller, a wiry fellow with a prominent Adam’s apple, already knew he’d been appointed as the new judge. “Nice doin’ business with you, sir!” he’d chirped as he passed the money from his window.

Sir! Now if that didn’t make him feel old!

But he needed to assume an air of wisdom and maturity, didn’t he? Gone was Gabe Getty the junior partner and son-in-law. All who entered his courtroom would address him as “Your Honor” now, even though he wasn’t yet thirty. His eyeglasses had always given him a scholarly look, but maybe Solace’s suggestion about a beard wasn’t such a bad idea….

As he rode back to the ranch, he wondered how to deal fairly with the two young women who were vying for his affections—that situation seemed even more complicated than hearing testimony from a madam and a missionary. He wasn’t sure he should embark on any romantic relationship so soon. Too many questions had been left unanswered about his wife…too many emotions were still left untended.

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