Free Cassandra Austin by Callyand the Sheriff Page B

eyes narrowed.
    Andrew shifted uncomfortably. “Mr. Lafferty, I’m here to see if you would consider hiring the girl to help out here.”
    Lafferty shook his head. “A feed store’s no place for a gentle lass like that one, Sheriff. Around all the dust and dirt, rough men comin’ in and the like. It wouldn’t do, sir. Not for one like Cally.”
    “She’s a little rough herself, sometimes,” Andrew argued. “I think she’d like it better than the other prospect I’ve gotten.”
    “No, Sheriff. The girl deserves somethin’ grand. I’d think on it, I suppose, if I be needin’ the help. Good luck with her, though. I’m sure you’ll find just the thing for Cally.”
    Andrew wanted to argue further, but Lafferty had already turned and started toward the back of the shadowy store. With a sigh, he stepped into the sunlight. The Gwynns were still his best hope.
    “When was the last time you talked to her, Sheriff?”
    Both Gwynn sisters had come to his office this time. Noella looked coldly down her long, thin nose as she spoke, never mind that Andrew was a good eight inches taller than she. Easter wrung her chubby hands in front of her wide frame, and looked distraught.
    “Two or three days,” Andrew said, blinking away the sudden picture of Cally in the white gown. The vision came to him often enough, especially this time of the evening when the girl used to visit her father. He didn’t need anyone to remind him of his last visit to the farm. “She promised to meet you next time she was in town.”
    “When will that be?” asked Noella.
    “We can’t hold this position forever, you know,” Easter added.
    “I’m afraid I can’t make any promises. She’s been…well, she’s still grieving. We have to give her time to realize what’s best.”
    “She’s being stubborn,” stated Noella, nodding down at her sister.
    “As stubborn as that mule she rides,” agreed Easter.
    Andrew hadn’t noticed that Cally’s mule was particularly stubborn, but otherwise he had to agree. “She is somewhat—independent.”
    “Don’t worry. We’ll snap that out of her soon enough,” declared Easter.
    Andrew cringed. The more he listened to the sisters, the less he liked them. He wished he had some other choice. No one else needed a scruffy girl with a stubborn streak, even if she could cook and clean and care for animals—even if she had adorably childish freckles, startling red-blond hair, expressive emerald eyes and full, soft lips. He shook his head to clear it.
    Noella was talking again. “We’ve almost decided to go out to that farm and bring the girl in ourselves.”
    Andrew pictured the shotgun leveled on the two ladies. “I’m not sure that would be wise.”
    The outer door opened, and Andrew excused himself, moving to greet a young boy as he entered. With his back to the ladies, he allowed a grin to surface. It certainly wouldn’t be wise, but it might be fun.
    “Telegram for you, sir,” the boy said, handing a folded sheet to the sheriff and waiting for the coin he knew he could expect.
    “Thanks, Taylor,” Andrew said, resisting the urge to ruffle the boy’s hair. At the advanced age of eleven, that would be insulting.
    “You want I should wait for an answer or anything?” Taylor asked hopefully.
    “Shouldn’t you be home for supper?” Andrew grinned as the boy scuffed one toe on the floor before turning to leave.
    When Taylor had left the office, Andrew unfolded the sheet and scanned it quickly. Instantly forgetting his guests, he read it through more carefully. It was from his old boss, Federal Marshal Kenneth Yates. Wade Terris and Parker Stedwell had escaped from the penitentiary in Leavenworth. He gazed at the pictures on the wall. Terris, with his wide scarred face and squinting eyes, and Stedwell, almost dapper in his derby hat, stared back at him. The safecracker and the forger. Were they partners now?
    Andrew had taken part in the apprehension of both, and remembered their vows of