Arriving From Arkansas (The Pioneer Brides 0f Rattlesnake Ridge Book 1) by Elisa Keyston & Sweet Promise Press

Author:Elisa Keyston & Sweet Promise Press [Keyston, Elisa & Press, Sweet Promise]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mail-Order-Brides, The Pioneer Brides 0f Rattlesnake Ridge, Historical Romance, Women's Fiction, Victorian Era, 19th Century, Forever Love, Bachelor, Single Woman, Love Possibility, Frontier-Pioneer Era, Cowboy & Western Romance, Hearts Desire, American West, Clean & Wholesome, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Cross Country Travel, Multi-Author Collection
Publisher: Sweet Promise Press
Published: 2019-05-03T04:00:00+00:00

* * *

“What was all that about?” Garrett asked as Pierce entered the sheriff’s office. “Grant said there was a gunshot out by the old mine.”

Eli Pierce sighed, not answering until he’d taken off his hat, his jacket and his gun belt, hanging them each on the hooks behind his desk. Then he straightened his muted blue paisley waistcoat and turned. “Where is Grant, anyway?”

“I sent him over to the stables. Told him Bart Jenkins was raising a commotion,” Garrett answered.

“And was he?”

“Not that I’m aware of. But knowing Grant, he’ll find some infraction or other along the way and be dealing with it for the next hour.”

Pierce smiled and sat down at the swiveling wooden chair behind his desk, leveling his gaze on the short, wide man across from him. From the look of him, Liston Garrett had never wanted for much. But still he was always looking for more. “Miz May’s new cook was poking around out in the hills outside the mine.”

Garrett cursed under his breath. “And the gunshot?”

“Jim McCullough shot a rattlesnake that was about to take a bite out of the young lady.”

“It’s a shame he didn’t let it go ahead and strike her. That would be one less problem for us to deal with,” Garrett grumbled.

Pierce’s eyes widened almost theatrically. “Why, Mr. Garrett, what a thing to say,” he said, his voice sardonic. “What ever could Miss Lane have done to provoke such ill will?”

“She was fishing around in the town records with that Sam Langhorne last week. It could be just a coincidence, but now the survey of the miners’ camp from fifty-nine is missing.”

Pierce sat forward in his chair his brows furrowed. “Now that is a problem. You think Miss Lane took it?”

“I didn’t say that. I just think we need to keep an eye on her. And what was that other fellow’s name? McCullough? I don’t know a McCullough.”

“You wouldn’t. He’s a federal marshal. Deputy marshal, rather. He’s working undercover out at the mill, under the name of Griffin.”

Garrett let out a hiss of a breath. “A federal marshal?”

“Relax,” Pierce said lazily, holding up a placating hand. “He’s not interested in our business. He’s here on a case of his own. I met with him this afternoon to touch base. He should be on his way within a week or two. Nothing needs to change.”

“But if he’s poking around out in the hills—”

“He’s not. He was only there because Miss Lane was.” Pierce had been with them all of twenty minutes and he could already see that McCullough was following her around like a puppy on a leash.

“So we just need to keep Miss Lane out of the foothills,” said Garrett.

Pierce nodded. “I’ll tell Grant to patrol that area more frequently, keep trespassers away.”

Garrett placed his hands on Pierce’s desk, leaning forward to look at the sheriff eye-to-eye. “My nephew doesn’t know anything about our… business, does he?”

Pierce snorted. “Of course not. He would never approve. Grant may be a lot of things, but a lawbreaker he isn’t.

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