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

to go get a load of supplies from the Murphy Station. Be back in three hours. Until then, it’s all yours. The shelves need dusting and there are a few things in the backroom that need to be put out. Before that, though, there’s an order I want you to write up.”
    “All right.”
    He nodded at Sarah and left.
    “Oh, good. I can order the material for my wedding dress.”
    Sarah squealed and clapped her hands together. “When did he propose?”
    “He didn’t. But he will.” Daisy glanced at the paperwork, then held one small sheet up. “Hey, Sarah, see this. Doc wants to order a microscope!”
    “So?”
    “Honey Beaulieu uses a microscope to detect evidence.” Daisy put the paper back on the counter.
    Sarah raised one eyebrow. “Honey Beaulieu is a fictional character. They don’t really use microscopes. Why on earth would you need such a thing?”
    “I heard about this new thing—they’ve done it in England , and New Mexico , too. It’s called fingerprinting. Everything you touch has the marking of your finger on it, whether you can see it or not. And each person’s print is unique.”
    “I don’t believe it.” She pressed her index finger onto the countertop. “And just what use is such a thing?” She stared intently at the spot she touched, then pressed her finger on another spot.
    “Believe it.” Daisy picked up a pen and an order form. “Oreana is going to have a modern law enforcement agency. Fingerprinting can be used to identify criminals like the robber who held up Iris’s bank. For instance, if I can lift a print off this counter, and match it to your finger, I’d know you’re the one who robbed the store.”
    “But I didn’t rob the store!” Sarah snatched her hand back, as if the counter had suddenly become fiery hot. “See, that’s where you’re wrong. People touch things every day. That certainly doesn’t mean they’re criminals. Why, the next thing you know, they’ll be wanting to fingerprint every man, woman, and child in the territory.” She took a deep breath. “If it worked, of course, which I highly doubt. At any rate, it’s sure no way to capture a husband.”
    ‘Ah, but I have the silver coin that Iris’s robber dropped. If they find who did it, the fingerprint on it will convict him. Surely the marshal will be so impressed that he’ll propose. And I’ll have my dress made and waiting.”
    “It is if he’s—”
    Sarah tugged on Daisy’s dress sleeve and pointed out the window. “Look at that man!” She sighed. “My stars, he’s handsome. I wonder if he’s married.”
    “You don’t even know—”
    The bell on the door tinkled and Daisy sealed her lips.
    The man took a couple of steps into the store and stopped. A big man, he stood about the same height as the marshal, but not nearly as honed by hard work. He smiled at her, and she took a step back, even though the counter separated them.
    “What can I get for you today?” she asked.
    “I’m here to see Miss Daisy Gardner.”
    She tilted her head to the side, trying to think why a stranger would have business with her. “That would be me, but you need to talk to my father about ordering things.”
    “Nope, the telegram said Miss Daisy Gardner.” He offered his hand for her to shake, but she didn’t take it.
    “I’m Miss Gardner.”
    “I’m Sidney Adler.”

Chapter 4
     
    Daisy stared, slack-jawed, as the man claiming to be Sidney Adler dug a ragged piece of paper from his vest pocket and gave it to her.
    She glanced at it, but didn’t need to read past the first line. It was her telegram to the Sidney Adler, hiring him as Oreana’s marshal.
    Criminey! Two men who claimed to be marshal.
    “Uh, I have to go home,” Sarah said as she hurried out the store.
    Deserter , Daisy muttered under her breath. Schooling her features, she tried to think of a response to the man who stood before her. He looked pleasant enough, but she did not want to marry him—not after seeing the marshal, or