The Lonely Lawman and His Belle by Lilly Inman

Author:Lilly Inman [Inman, Lilly]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Pothole Press
Published: 2020-04-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Joseph’s knees and hips ached as he climbed down from his horse. He gazed up at the stars as he stretched. Still no further forward with this criminal gang. The Marshall had sent another letter. Joseph’s insides squirmed.

He looked towards the house. They’d left a light on in the kitchen.

Taking care to let the door close softly, he entered the kitchen and found he was not alone. Isabelle sat at the table, opposite the door. She looked up from the newspaper she’d been reading.

“Oh, you’re back. Hey,” she said softly. “I wondered when you might get home.”

He grunted a greeting and went to the stove, serving himself from the pot. Steam rose from the plate as he slung his vest on the table.

“Thanks for heating this up for me. Forgot how nice hot food was,” said Joe in between two mouthfuls.

Isabelle smiled. “You know, I can help you more. Re-heating your meal is one thing, but why don’t you let me work with you on the case? We could go over your notes together tomorrow, if you’d like.”

Joe looked up at her, curious. “You… want to work on the case?” He raised his eyebrow. Now there’s a funny idea.

“Sure. Why not?” Isabelle fidgeted with the Sheriff badge from his vest.

Joe laughed into his plate. “You want to work on the case. It’s not like some of your stories, you know. There’s some real hard stuff in there. This place isn’t like Philadelphia. Too many men think they can get away with being on the wrong side of the law out here. Real criminals. Real crime.”

He took a great gulp of water and pushed away his plate, yawning and rubbing his eyes.

“Look at you, you’re exhausted. Why can’t I help you? We could be partners.” Isabelle grinned, shining his sheriff badge on her sleeve. She pinned it onto her blouse. “How do I look?”

“Real pretty. Now pass that over.” Joe feigned disinterest but couldn’t ignore the feeling that rose in his chest as he saw her proudly sporting his badge. He shook his head, chuckling to himself, and carried on eating.

“I am here to become your partner, Joseph.”

He looked up in surprise at the sudden sternness of her voice, then looked away quickly, unsure what to say.

“You can count on me for support.”

“Thank you, miss.” Joe brushed her off and drank from his cup. She rolled the badge across the table, impatient.

“You can tell me anything.”

Joe continued wolfing down his meal, avoiding her eyes.

“I know about your parents, Joe.”

Everything stopped. Joe sat back in his chair. That familiar pain in his heart crept back inside his chest.

The look on Isabelle’s face made it clear to him that she’d gone too far and she knew it. “I — I’m sorry,” she stuttered.

Joseph cast his eyes down, his expression firm. “My parents are gone and they aren’t coming back.”

Isabelle reached across the table to touch his hand but he drew back sharply. He shot her a dark look and left the room.

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