The Accidental Lawman Read Free Page B

insisted.
    “A very courageous one, I might add,” McCormick said.
    Hank looked into the expectant faces of those around him. He avoided looking at the woman beside him.
    “I’m not your man. Sorry.”
    “Sometimes God has plans for us other than the ones we’ve chosen for ourselves. Why not agree to serve on a temporary basis? Today’s event was an aberration. This is a nice town filled with nice people.”
    “Try it, just for a month or two.” The storekeeper’s head bobbed like a chicken’s.
    Hank knew all about how much God could forever alter a man’s future. Hadn’t God done enough to him in that regard already?
    “What I still don’t understand is, if this is such a safe town, why do you need a sheriff? And why me?”
    “The Comanche were our major threat and they have settled down some over the past couple of years. We’ve never had an attempted bank robbery here before—so in that respect, this is a safe town. As far as why you? You’ve already proved yourself. Besides, it would be a good way for you to get to know everyone in Glory. There will be plenty of time to establish your newspaper,” the good reverend finished.
    “Why today? Why the rush?” Hank wanted to know.
    The preacher looked thoughtful. “I believe God brought you here, to this spot, this very morning, to do what you did. And you served His purpose well. I believe you are the right man for the job.”
    Hank sighed. He turned to the woman beside him andfound her watching him with a dubious expression. Only she knew that he wasn’t the hero the crowd made him out to be. Only she knew the robber had tripped over them on his way into the bank. All Hank had to do was pin him to the floor and keep him there.
    At the moment, the young woman was trying to finger comb the tangles out of her hair—without much success.
    When their eyes met, she leaned close and whispered, “Why don’t you just say yes and get it over with?”
    “But…”
    “Give it a week or two and then resign. Just do something . I need to get home.”
    He thought about what the preacher had just said. He didn’t for one minute believe he was brought here by some divine notion to save the day, but he did know how easily God could upset a man’s plans. Glory was a one-horse town at best. Taking on the job of sheriff would, no doubt, be something he’d do in name only—unless the good reverend was trying to deceive him—which seemed highly unlikely.
    Today’s event was an aberration. This is a nice town filled with nice people.
    As he looked into the guileless eyes of the preacher, he trusted that the man wasn’t intentionally lying. Reverend Brand McCormick truly believed Glory was a peaceful place.
    “All right,” Hank said, ignoring the sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
    “But only for a couple of weeks. Just until you find a replacement.”

Chapter Two
    T he wind had died down by the time the crowd inside the bank broke up and Amelia walked back home. Surrounded by a split-rail fence, the small log-and-stone house set off by itself on the far end of town, was the first real home she had ever known.
    Nine years had passed since she’d finally convinced her father to put down roots. They’d settled in, looking forward to living a good life, if not a wealthy one. The citizens of Glory were thrilled to have a doctor in their midst. Everyone sought out Doc Hawthorne for what ailed them.
    Amelia planted a medicinal herb garden and honed her apothecary and homeopathic skills. Her knowledge of herbal remedies was a gift from God that she never took for granted. She assisted her father whenever he needed a nurse. They were not rich, but finally they were settled and life was good.
    Two years later, shortly after her twentieth birthday, she’d lost her father to a bout of fever. Though she had no formal medical training, she knew far more than most newly turned-out physicians. She thought she would assume her father’s place as Glory’s unofficial