Canceled-Order Bride (Sons Of A Gun Book 1) by Brenda Sinclair

Author:Brenda Sinclair [Sinclair, Brenda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: frontier small town, escaping marriage, mail-order bride, independent young ladies, grieving lost parents, vengeful situation, rancher and ranch life
Publisher: Brenda Mae Sinclair
Published: 2020-03-14T18:00:00+00:00

* * *

Jackson strode up the wooden steps leading to the sheriff’s office in the jailhouse, with Daniel following on his heels. The small windows on either side of the door showed light glowing from within. Perhaps they’d be lucky and find Deputy Snow here. Better yet, maybe Sheriff Robertson had returned with word about their pa.

Jackson yanked open the door, crossed the threshold, and promptly felt his jaw drop. There stood his father with Sheriff Robertson, their heads together over a bunch of papers strewn across the lawman’s desk.

“Do you mind telling me what you’re doing?” Jackson demanded.

Two gray-haired heads whipped up. AJ waved off the question and he and Carl returned their attention to the papers in front of them. One appeared to be a large map, and the others resembled scribbled notes and hand drawings.

“Mrs. Sheridan found your letters. We’ve got a pretty good idea why you left the ranch,” Jackson said.

“Either you’re out to prove you’re innocent. Or you’re high-tailing it somewhere because you’re guilty.” Daniel finished their accusations.

“Are you a murderer, Pa?” Jackson added, standing hands on hips.

“Your father told me everything. Murderer… that’s the plumb craziest thing I’ve ever heard,” the sheriff scoffed.

“Not according to this letter,” Jackson offered, digging the blackmailer’s letter out of his pocket.

AJ’s expression clouded. “You boys got no business stickin’ your noses into this.”

“He told me about the blackmail. Of course, not until I arrested him and threatened to send for the circuit judge.” The sheriff stuck out his hand. “Let me see the dang letter.”

“There’s another one also. From years ago.” Jackson handed them over without another word. He waited, watching the sheriff’s expression change from curiosity to surprise to outright shock during the reading of them.

Jackson reckoned his pa should be in a cell, especially if the sheriff had arrested him. Instead they appeared busily working together on something. And where had the sheriff found his father? More importantly, Jackson couldn’t help worrying if they were doing the right thing, placing their faith in the local lawman. If his pa faced a noose because of…

“Sheriff Robertson, how did you know Pa left town?” he demanded.

“I… I was warned he might be planning to leave town out of the blue. And that AJ wouldn’t tell anyone what was going on,” the sheriff admitted.

“Lily done it,” AJ scoffed. “Dang interferin’ woman! She requested the sheriff keep an eye out since I might be planning to leave. Of course, Carl promptly told half the men in town to watch for anything suspicious concerning A. J. McLennon. That dang Sam Perkins saw me leaving the ranch and figured I had no reason to be heading north.”

Jackson caught himself smiling as he heard the tale concerning Lily’s forethought. He’d never been more proud of her and the sneaky move he hadn’t thought of himself. Sneaky but effective. He wanted to thank her with kisses that would make her knees buckle. And his best friend, Sam, had his hand in it also. Having friends certainly paid off.

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