The Marshal's Little Girl Read Free

“It’s just that we don’t often get women traveling alone, and Red Horse Gulch can be… unfriendly to strangers.”
    Her smile was patronizing. “With a big strong sheriff like you running the town, I can’t imagine that anyone could ever be anything but law-abiding.”
    “Ma’am, I can’t be everywhere at once. And a young woman carrying a large amount of cash…”
    “Who says I have a large amount of cash?” Her eyes narrowed.
    “I just saw…”
    “Whatever you saw isn’t your business,” she said, her tone now guarded and defensive. “And unless it’s against the law for me to be in your town, we have no other business here. So good day.”
    Gage felt his jaw clench. She was right; he had no reason to question her. But what was she doing with that pile of money? For a moment he stared at the door she’d suddenly slammed in his face, and then he stalked from the boardinghouse, not stopping to bid Mabel good day as he left to head back to the auction house. His eyes scanned the dusty interior for Mack, who ran the place. He saw him seeing out the last of the crowd and walked over.
    “Hey, Mack,” he said. “That lady who bought that colt…”
    “Yeah, pretty thing,” the old man said. “The horse is pretty, too.” He slapped his knee like he’d just said the funniest thing in the world.
    Gage tried to keep the impatience out of his voice as he continued. “Yeah,” he said. “I need to see the paperwork on that sale.”
    Mack grew serious. “Why, sheriff? Something wrong?”
    “I’m not sure. Maybe. Probably not. I just like to follow up when I have a hunch.”
    “And you got one?”
    Gage nodded and Mack walked over to worn leather satchel and leafed through receipts for what seemed like an excruciating amount of time before finally pulling one out.
    “Here you go, sheriff,” he said.
    Gage took the paper. “Wilhelmina? What kind of name is that?”
    “New one on me,” Mack said. “Fancy.”
    “Yeah, she’s fancy all right.” Gage glanced at her signature, neat and sprawling. Wilhelmina James. A woman, traveling alone. A woman with money, who not only wrote but signed her name with as bold a stroke as any man.
    “She paid you cash?”
    “She did. And she left orders to have the horse shipped to Texas by train. Paid for that, too.”
    Gage handed the paper back to Mack and considered the situation. Red Horse Gulch wasn’t known for much, and wouldn’t be known for anything if it weren’t for Cliven Smith’s horse farm. His thoroughbred horses often ended up in racing stables, and the colt this woman bought had drawn the attention of locals and out-of-towners alike. In fact, Wilhelmina James’ new colt was one of the most expensive horses Cliven had ever produced. The fact that the horse was already broke to saddle made it all the more desirable.
    “Did she say anything else? Like who she might be buying for?”
    “Nope. All I know is that she’s taking the stage out in three days, and taking the horse with her to meet the train. From there, it seems they’re both heading to Texas.”
    “Three days, huh?
    “Yep.”
    Gage glanced back toward the boardinghouse. He had a suspicious feeling about this little girl with the big name. He wasn’t sure why, but he planned to keep a sharp eye on Wilhelmina James until she left.

Chapter Three
     
     
    Wilhelmina James stuffed the last of the cash she’d picked up from the table back into the carpetbag. She was furious with herself. What had she been thinking, opening the door with the money in plain sight? But then again, she’d been expecting Mrs. Crane, not some tall sheriff.
    Sheriff Gage Chandler. He made her nervous as hell.
    Keep your distance. Don’t draw attention to yourself. Tip generously and carefully; it will buy you protection. Avoid the law.
    Hadn’t Simon made it clear to her? Her chest tightened in panic over what she would face if she returned having failed in her task. How long would it take for that