The Marshal Meets His Match by Clari Dees

Author:Clari Dees
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Published: 2013-01-05T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Meri’s breath froze in her throat. Had he really come to ask her to accompany him to the picnic? Her—Meri McIsaac? The old maid of Little Creek?

Hope sparked then an appalling question doused it. After those two men had shot at her, Marshal Cameron had said she wasn’t to go riding outside of town alone. Had he simply decided it was part of his job to escort her to the picnic—a way to keep an eye on the troublemaker? Had her father asked him to take her since he was staying home?

Her father cleared his throat, reminding her Marshal Cameron was still waiting for an answer. She swallowed the lump of mortification that stuck in her throat, and it hit her stomach like a cannonball. “Thank you, but I’m not going to the picnic. I don’t want to leave Faither alone.” At least her voice didn’t sound as embarrassed as she felt.

“Ach. I don’t need a babysitter, lassie. Frankly, I could use a break from yer frantic cleaning, and so could ye. Ye’ve worked yerself to a frazzle this week. Now it’s time for a little fun.” He looked at Wyatt. “When will ye be here to pick her up?”

“But…” Her feeble protest was lost in the continuing conversation.

“I’ll be here about ten o’clock in the morning. That should give us plenty of time to get there before the meal at noon. When do you want your daughter home, sir?”

“Have the lass home before dark.”

“Yes, sir.”

They stood and shook hands as if they’d completed a business transaction. Apparently, her suspicions weren’t far from the mark. Dazed, she watched them walk out of the room toward the front door. “Wait! Don’t I have some say in this?” she demanded, scurrying to catch up.

Both men replied in unison, “No.”

“Why do I get the feeling I’ve been ambushed?” She sounded peeved, but it was better than melting into a puddle of humiliation.

Wyatt laughed as he stepped outside and off the porch. “See you in the morning.”

As he loped his horse away, Meri turned to her father and took a deep breath. “Why—”

He held up his hand. “Ye need a break, and ye wouldn’t have gone on yer own. Don’t forget, ye’ll need to make something for the dessert auction.” McIsaac turned to go in the house.

She stopped him. “Did you ask him to take me?”

The surprise in his eyes was genuine. “Wheesht, lass. Why would I need to ask the man to escort me beautiful daughter to the picnic? He’s smart enough to have the idea for himself. Now, if ye’ll excuse me, I’m wee bit tired. I think I need to lie down.” The twinkle in his eye belied his plea of fatigue as he left her standing on the porch.

* * *

Meri threw the third dress across her bed in frustration. She was working herself into a dither over what to wear to the picnic.

You’re being ridiculous, Meri!

Running downstairs, she found Barnaby exiting her father’s study.

“Can I do something for

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.