Horse With No Name by Alexandra Amor Read Free Book Online Page A

school teacher tended to stick her nose in where it
didn't belong, at least when it came to Merrick's job as the sole
officer of the law for hundreds of miles.
    He was floundering. His reaction to her just
now in the livery was overblown, and he knew it. But he was lost as
to how to deal with her. The one person he thought could help him
was his mother. But it would take too long to explain everything to
her in a letter, post it and wait to receive her advice back in the
mail. The answer might not reach him for six months.
    It was his job to understand people. He'd had
to develop that skill quickly when he'd left the farm. He would not
have survived the long trip across the prairies and then over the
Rocky Mountains if he had not learned how to read people; how to
know their intentions almost before they did. His job as a police
officer depended on this skill as well. He considered it one of his
strengths. And yet, Julia...
    He needed immediate help and there was only
one person he felt even remotely comfortable broaching this subject
with.
    Merrick paced on the gentle hill for a few
more moments and then made his decision. He charged back down
toward Main Street and leapt up onto the sidewalk. In a few long
strides he was at the Mitchell's door. He pulled it open and
marched inside with such force that Betty Mitchell startled and
nearly dropped her broom.
    "Good heavens, Constable Merrick. You gave me
a fright."
    But she was smiling, as usual. The Mitchells
both seemed to have two of the sunniest personalities in the
west.
    "Sorry. Sorry, Betty." Merrick pulled the
door closed behind him with more care and turned to her, taking his
hat off.
    "What can I help you with?" Betty walked over
and leaned the broom on one of the low glass counters that formed a
U-shape around the store.
    Suddenly Merrick was shy. He couldn't just
blurt out his problem. Besides, what was it, really? Was he angry
with Julia or worried about her? He needed another moment to gather
his courage.
    Stalling, he said the first thing that came
to him. "I need some twine."
    "Twine? Right.” Betty walked through a gap in
the countertops and reached for a basket on one of the shelves that
lined the store walls on every side. She fished around in the
basket and came up with a ball of twine slightly smaller than her
fist. "Will that do?"
    "That's fine." Merrick was still trying to
collect himself, trying to find the right phrasing for his
question. Betty was moving too efficiently. He needed more time.
"And some, uh, some of those strawberry preserves you had the other
day."
    "Certainly." Betty made her way around the
back of the counter, aiming for a different set of shelves. "You
haven't gone through that other jar already have you?"
    Damn this woman and her excellent memory. He
had just bought a jar of preserves two days ago. "This one is a
gift." Merrick winced inwardly, not sure this reasoning would hold
up. He felt like a criminal who panics at the first line of
questioning.
    "A gift," Betty put the glass jar on the
counter and set his twine down beside it. "That's lovely. Who's it
for?"
    "Walt Sheehan." The name was out of Merrick's
mouth before he knew what he was doing.
    Curiosity now appeared in Betty's eyes, and
the corners of her mouth turned up just slightly. "One ball of
twine and one jar of preserves for Mr. Sheehan. Anything else?"
    They were standing face-to-face now, Betty on
one side of the counter and Merrick on the other. The store was
empty but for the two of them. And it was nearly five o'clock,
closing time, so Merrick doubted anyone else would barge in on
them. He had a clear path, and might not get another moment like
this. If he could just figure out a way to capitalize on it. Betty
watched him thinking, the look of amusement still making her eyes
twinkle.
    "Constable Merrick!"
    Merrick jerked like someone had touched his
back with a hot poker. Christopher Mitchell appeared from the
storeroom behind the retail part of the store. He had