Much Ado About Marshals (Hearts of Owyhee) (2011) by Jacquie Rogers Read Free Book Online

just one of the marshal’s kisses. She was going to like being married to him!
    Bosco skulked down the street, hiding from the two men in question. At least, that’s what she thought he was trying to do. Everyone in Oreana could see him peering around posts and darting behind horses, then peeking again. She sighed, glad the marshal seemed to be doing better, for she certainly didn’t think the town could bear too much of Deputy Kunkle’s brand of peacekeeping.
    And Honey Beaulieu would have to wait, because right then Daisy needed to put on some dry clothes and wash the horse slobbers off her face.
    She slogged down the street. As she passed the confectionary, Sarah came out.
    “Oh, my stars! Look at you!”
    Daisy dabbed at her bonnet and smoothed her sodden dress, thankful for the accident. Otherwise, she had no doubt that Sarah would guess she’d been kissing the marshal. “I had a little accident.”
    “I guess you did!” She giggled, putting her gloved hand to her mouth. “The Lost Manhood Restorer must have worked better than we thought.”
    “Very funny.” Daisy shot her a scowl. “If you must know, I tripped over Deputy Kunkle’s big feet and fell into a water trough.” She started walking again. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get into some clean clothes.”
    Sarah tagged along. “Oh, no you don’t. You’re not getting rid of me until you tell me every detail. Heavens, I haven’t even seen the marshal yet. Maybe I should visit him myself.”
    Gritting her teeth, Daisy suppressed a reminder that the marshal was hers . “Come along if you must.”
    “I must.” Sarah grinned, showing her perfect white teeth. “I wouldn’t miss the look on your mother’s face for the world.”
    Daisy hadn’t even given her mother a thought. Maybe she should go to Aunt Grace’s house instead. But no, she didn’t have any spare clothes there. She had to go home—to sneak into the house to dry off and change before she faced her mother’s wrath. “All right, you can be my decoy.”
    With a little skip, Sarah caught up with Daisy. “Tell me your plan!”
    To avoid being seen, they took the back way to the Gardners ’ house. When they got there, Sarah went to the front door and knocked, and when Daisy saw her mother answer the door, she slipped in the back door and ran upstairs to change.
    She charged into her bedroom and shed her clothes—shawl, dress, and undies flying everywhere. With a firm tug, she cinched up her spare corset, yanked on clean clothes, and jabbed her soggy hair back into a bun. Then she raced down the stairs, taking the last three at a commendable ladylike pace.
    Her mother and Sarah still chatted. Hallelujah , she’d made it undetected!
    “What have you been up to, young lady?” her mother called without even turning around.
    Rats. She’d been detected. “Just errands.”
    * * * * *
    A week passed and the marshal looked better, meaning “healthy,” of course, every day. “Mama, Sarah and I are going to the confectionery.” And walk by the marshal’s office to get there, which put a hop in her step, for certain.
    “Not so fast. Your father needs you to spell him at the store. He’s been looking for you.”
    “I’ll get right over.” Daisy rushed to the front door and grabbed Sarah’s arm. “C’mon, we’d better hurry.”
    Sarah giggled and hurried to keep up. “I have this feeling that your marshal’s feeling just fine. He certainly has you in a fuss.”
    “I am not. He’s been up and dressed every time I visit, and he did seem in better health today.”
    Sarah still giggled while they crossed the street to Gardner ’s Mercantile. “You’ve found yourself a beau, haven’t you? It’s so romantic.”
    “It’s not romantic, it’s practical planning. And don’t hex it,” Daisy answered as she opened the door.
    “About time you got here, little lady!” Her father peeled off his apron and threw it on the counter, then shrugged on his jacket. “I have