A Sensible Arrangement by Tracie Peterson Read Free Book Online

I’m really sorry, but perhaps you could get me out of here without having to speak to them?”
    â€œI can’t see that happenin’ now.” He frowned. “Why don’t you just tell them you came to Colorado to visit friends? Don’t say anything about marryin’ me.”
    She threw him a grateful smile. “Thank you, Jake. If it got back to my sister before I could write to tell her, she’d be hurt.”
    â€œMrs. Olson! Mrs. Olson!” the men called to her.
    The crowd parted, and all faces turned to Marty. She swallowed hard and waited as the gathering closed in on her.
    â€œWe understand you fought off the attackers with your own gun,” one man said, giving a quick doff of his hat.
    By now Jake had moved away from Marty and she stood alone. She glanced around for some sight of him and found him sandwiched between several curious onlookers. Marty looked back to the man who’d just spoken.
    â€œI did.”
    â€œTell us what happened,” another reporter urged.
    â€œWe were attacked, and I helped to defend the stage,” she said as though it were something she did every day.
    â€œHow many were there?”
    She shrugged. “I only saw two.”
    â€œOne of your traveling companions mentioned there being at least a dozen,” the man said. The crowd seemed to hang on to his words.
    Marty smiled and repeated, “I only saw two.”
    â€œAnd did you kill those two?” the reporter asked.
    â€œWho can say? I fired my gun. Like my brother-in-law taught me, any time you draw a weapon, you have to be ready to use it, and you have to be ready to accept the consequences. I may have killed a man.”
    â€œMay I quote you on that?” the man asked, writing furiously on a pad of paper.
    â€œOf course,” Marty said with a shrug.
    â€œAnd then you nursed the unconscious driver and staunched the flow of blood from his associate’s wounds—no doubt saving their lives—before risking your life to handle the fear-struck team and bring the coach and passengers to safety?” the first reporter questioned in rapid fire.
    They made it all sound so dramatic, and while it had been a most anxious moment in Marty’s life, she hardly saw the need to write it up in such a way. She had no chance to reply, however.
    â€œMrs. Olson, where are you from and what brought you to Denver?” This question came from a new man, who looked to be acting in some sort of official capacity. He eyed her with marked intent.
    â€œI beg your pardon?” Marty asked in return.
    The man touched the brim of his hat. “The name is Haggarty. I’m one of the owners of this stage line.”
    â€œI see. To answer your question, I hail from Texas and am here in Colorado visiting friends.”
    â€œWill you be staying with your friends here in Denver?” the man asked. “I may have need to speak with you regarding this matter.”
    Panic struck Marty. What should she say? She didn’t want to explain that she planned to be married as soon as she could get away from this interrogation. Realizing that everyone was watching and awaiting her answer, Marty shook her head.
    â€œI . . . my plans are uncertain. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I must arrange for my things. Once I’m settled with my . . . friends here, I can send word so that you can get in touch, should you have further questions.”
    â€œMrs. Olson, we’d like a picture.” The first and most annoying of the reporters took hold of her arm and moved her through the crowd back to the stage. “I wonder if you would climb back into the driver’s seat—and hold your gun like you’re firing it?” He looked at her with great anticipation. “Maybe over your shoulder like this.” He acted out the pose he wanted.
    â€œI should say not,” Marty replied, rather appalled at the thought. “I only wish to get my