Free The Marshal's Ready-Made Family by Sherri Shackelford

couldn’t even imagine. Most of the townspeople spurned the saloon workers, but Jo understood a thing or two about being different, and she always made a point of exchanging conversation when they met. She and Beatrice had even become friends over the past year.
    “Jo.” Beatrice’s cautious gaze darted over the crowd, searching for any sign of censure. “Are we still meeting tonight?”
    “Same as always. I’ll work up some examples this afternoon.”
    Beatrice wanted a job as a telegraph operator, but feared her boss would fire her if he discovered her plan. Since she still needed her place next to the saloon, Jo met with her after dinner three days a week. Beatrice’s work didn’t begin until after dark, which gave them plenty of time for their informal lessons.
    “I just wondered.” The auburn-haired woman’s gaze turned mischievous. “Since things have changed and all.”
    “Nothing has changed,” Jo assured her. “You’ll be a full-fledged operator in no time. Why would you think something was different?”
    Beatrice winked. “I heard the marshal was having dinner at the McCoy place last night.”
    Jo hustled Beatrice deeper into the darkened passageway. “What else did you hear?”
    “I didn’t hear anything. It’s just that’s he’s all any of the girls talk about these days.” The older woman patted her auburn hair. “I might just want that handsome marshal to rescue me from outlaws.”
    She giggled like a schoolgirl, and Jo’s eyes widened.
    “Beatrice. You sly thing. You’ve got a crush on Marshal Cain.”
    “I may be older than you, but my eyes work just fine.” Beatrice wiggled her index finger. “If I were five years younger, that man wouldn’t know what hit him.”
    “There are other men more handsome,” Jo teased. “He’s a bit rough around the edges.”
    “He’s got honest eyes.”
    Jo pictured the marshal’s rugged face and warmth flooded through her. He did have honest eyes— compassionate and earnest. She’d only known two other men with eyes like that—Jack Elder and her pa. Mr. Elder had married Elizabeth, the woman whose late husband had robbed banks. Jack was a good man and a good father. As far as she could tell, he was a good husband, too. His wife, Elizabeth, certainly adored him.
    Unbidden and unwelcome, elusive longings tugged at Jo’s heart again. Everything had seemed so simple a few years ago, but Marshal Cain’s presence had muddied the waters. It was easy staying single when there was no one who caught her fancy.
    Glancing behind her, Jo searched the street. Satisfied no one was paying attention, she faced Beatrice once more. “I asked the marshal to marry me.”
    “You did not!” Beatrice’s eyes widened into twin saucers. “What did he say?”
    “He said maybe.” Jo huffed. “That’s how people say no when they don’t want to hurt your feelings.”
    The amusement on Beatrice’s face instantly faded. “Well, it’s his loss. That’s what I say. Did he tell you why not?”
    “Not really. Just some nonsense about things in his past that I wouldn’t understand.”
    “That doesn’t seem so bad.” Beatrice tugged her lower lip between her teeth and studied Jo. “Maybe we just need to butter the biscuit a little.”
    “What on earth are you talking about?”
    “You know.” Beatrice touched Jo’s sensible bowler hat. “Put a little sauce on the pudding. A little gravy over the turkey. Sweeten the pot a little.”
    Certain her friend had lost her senses, Jo stared blankly.
    Beatrice rolled her eyes. “Fix yourself up. Buy a new dress and let me cut your hair. We’ll have a wedding in no time.”
    “No.” Jo huffed with dawning understanding. “Absolutely not. He likes me the way I am or not at all. I didn’t let Percy win at marbles so he’d like me better, and I’m not changing for Marshal Garrett Cain. He likes me the way I am or not at all.”
    “I’m not saying you need to change. Just spruce up the package a