Free Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell Page B

other day.”
    Justin removed his hat, running his fingers along the wide brim. “That’s what I’d like to talk about.”
    “Ah-huh.” The sheriff peered from under shaggy brows and wagged his head toward the still-open door of his office. “Come inside.”
    They crossed the threshold in silence, and Justin waited till the door shut behind them. “Thanks.”
    Ramsey motioned with his head toward a chair and took the wooden one behind his desk. A loud squeak emanated and he winced. “Keep meanin’ to oil that, but I never think of it when I’m up. How’d you find things over at Miss Alice’s?”
    “Nice lady. Offered to watch Toby so I could talk to you. Good food, too. I’m beholden to you.”
    The sheriff flashed a broad smile. “That woman sure can cook. My missus and I stop by there ’bout once a month and take a meal with her. Gives my Sarah a break from cookin’. Now, what’s on your mind?”
    Justin ran his fingers through his hair, wondering where to begin. The letter from Travers residing in his hip pocket was a constant reminder of why he’d come, but the need to move slowly had kept him silent until now. Sheriff Ramsey struck him as a fair man and a decent judge of character, based on the way he’d sized up the situation at the church. Travers hadn’t indicated where the trouble lay, but Justin doubted that the man sitting across from him played a part in it.
    He leaned forward and met the sheriff’s interested gaze. “First, I need to tell you that Benjamin Travers sent for me. He asked that I not make that known, but I believe I can trust you. I don’t know the area or where Travers lives, and I figure you’ve the right to know why I’m in town.”
    Ramsey’s chair protested again as his weight shifted forward and his eyes bored into Justin’s. “Travers, you say. Ben Travers sent for you? Why?”
    “That’s between him and me. If he cares to tell you, fine. All I need is some direction to his place.”
    “Afraid he can’t tell me anything. Or you, for that matter. Ben Travers is dead.”
    Justin jerked up, nearly toppling his chair. “Dead. What do you mean? I have a telegram from him. He sent it a month ago.”
    “’Fraid his heart gave out. At least, that’s what Doc Stevens thinks.” Sheriff Ramsey crossed his arms and leaned back. “He just invite you out for a friendly visit?” He tipped his head at the vacant chair and waited until Justin settled back down.
    “Travers said his ranch was in trouble and thought someone might be threatening his life. He asked me not to let anyone at the ranch know he’d sent for me. Said someone named Alex wouldn’t appreciate interference.”
    The sheriff frowned and pulled at his mustache. “True, Alex is a mite strong-willed. Strange Ben didn’t mention anything to me. You sure of your facts?”
    “Yes. I kept his telegram.” Justin shook his head, hoping to clear it of the shock that burrowed its way into his mind. “I can’t believe Ben’s dead.”
    Carl Ramsey sobered. “You say Ben told you the ranch was in trouble?”
    Justin nodded and waited. The serious look on the older man’s face indicated that his mind appeared to be mulling over a problem.
    “He say what kind of trouble?”
    “No, sir. I figured he’d tell me more when I arrived. He just asked that I get here quick.”
    The sheriff stretched out a leathery hand and smiled. “Care to let me read that telegram? If people ask questions about what you’re doing here, I can answer honest as to your intentions.”
    “Guess it couldn’t hurt.” Justin pulled the creased and worn missive from his pocket and handed it over, watching the inscrutable expression on the sheriff’s face. “Sheriff, I know it’s an awfully bold thing to be asking when you hardly know me, but do you think his death might be more than it appears?”
    Ramsey shrugged and shook his head. “I’d not go that far, leastwise not yet. There wasn’t a mark on Ben’s body; saw him