Lauri Robinson Read Free

after the town’s most prominent citizens, and all of Blue Spring knows that would be the McBrides.”
    “It would?” Hannah’s knees began to wobble.
    “Oh, yes. Why they practically own the town. And rightfully so. They founded it.”
    “The McBride brothers founded Blue Spring?” She reached out to stable her stance by resting one hand on the nearby tree. The spindly trunk swayed beneath her touch.
    “Well, no. Their parents did, along with the Hollingsfords.”
    “Birdie’s family?”
    Abigail rolled her eyes to the sky. “Yes, but Birdie’s son, Evan, well, let’s just say he’s about as far from a prominent citizen as they come.”
    “But he’s the town banker.”
    “Only because his cousins are the McBrides.”
    Hannah leaned harder on the small tree. Why is it nothing in her life could go smoothly? The last thing she needed was to butt heads with another man who owned a town. That’s what had made her become a criminal. She pressed her other hand to her forehead.
    Abigail didn’t seem to notice the anxiety rippling her body and continued talking, “It will have to wait until after the wedding, of course.”
    “What?”
    “The naming ceremony. It will have to wait until after the wedding. Then the council will have to approve my requests.”
    “Who’s wedding?”
    “Mine and Adam’s of course.”
    For some reason her stomach fell. She was afraid to glance down, it might be laying on the ground near her feet. “You’re marrying Adam McBride?”
    “Well of course. He’s the only one left.” Abigail clucked her tongue in disgust. “Calvin married that widow from Texas who does little more than ride a horse all day, and Jake married Emma Binns even though he promised her father he’d never touch her again after that incident at his homecoming party.” A tight smile pulled her lips together. “But it has all worked out for the best. Being the sheriff, Adam is a more appropriate husband for me.”
    “Really.” Hannah should be happy, if the sheriff was active with wedding plans, maybe he was too busy to worry about her. Then why did she have this sick, sinking feeling? She pushed away from the tree. “Excuse me, Miss Christenson, but I need to get back to the boarding house.”
    “Oh, well, yes, I have things to do, too.”
    “Good day,” Hannah said as she hurried away from the woman.
    “Toodle-doo, Mrs. Stewart. I’ll be sure you’re invited to the wedding. It could be any day now.”
    Hannah made no outward sign she’d heard. Her stomach was back and threatening to erupt.
    ****
    Adam waved at Andrew Colfax as he entered the bank.
    The young man, with glasses thicker than a Mason jar, lifted a hand in greeting from behind the bar-encased teller counter. “Hello, Sheriff.”
    “Is he in his office?”
    “Yes, sir. Mr. Hollingsford is in his office.”
    Adam strolled across the room. “How’s your new wife doing?”
    Andrew turned the color of beet juice. “Oh, fine, sir, thank you.” He gave a nervous glance about the empty room before he added, “She thinks we might be expecting.”
    “Well, congratulations. You didn’t waste any time did you? The wedding was just last month wasn’t it?”
    Even the tips of Andrew’s overly large ears glowed red as he stuttered, “T-t- three m-months.” He swallowed. “We were married three months ago, sir.”
    Adam paused at the door. “Oh, was it that long ago?”
    The man nodded.
    Time had seemed to stand still since Hannah Stewart had come to town. “Oh, well, give Sarah my congratulations as well,” he said absently as he pushed open the solid oak door.
    “I thought I heard your voice.” Evan Hollingsford relaxed against the high-back, leather chair and threw the pencil in his hand onto the desk top.
    Adam closed the door, half of his mind wondered what else he’d missed while focused on Hannah. He shook his head, tossing the cobwebs about and walked to the chairs in front of Evan’s desk. “Yeah, it’s