The Reluctant Hero by Lorraine Heath Read Free Book Online Page B

twitched. “You’re the most question-asking person I’ve ever met.”
    â€œIf you’d willingly carry on a conversation, I wouldn’t have to prod you with questions.”
    â€œI need some supplies.”
    She sighed. Supplies. Specific was obviously not in the man’s vocabulary.
    He held the door open, and she preceded him inside. It was typical of a general store, offering almost everything a person could think of.
    â€œMorning, Matt,” the man behind the counter said.
    â€œTom. This here’s Miss Jackson—”
    â€œThe writer?” Tom asked, perking up. He came out from around the corner, wiping his hands on the white apron that circled his substantial girth. “I heard you were in town, and gonna write a story featuring the sheriff here. I’ll tell you there ain’t a finer man in all of—”
    â€œTom?” the sheriff barked.
    Tom peered over at him. “Yes, sir?”
    â€œShe doesn’t need to hear all that. We’re just here for a lock.”
    â€œBack of the store, bottom shelf.” Tom turned back to her. “Ma’am, it is an honor and a privilege to have you in my store. I have one of your books over here, just waiting to be bought. Would you like to see it?”
    â€œI’m sure she’s seen her books,” the sheriff said.
    She scowled at him. “It’s always exciting to actually see one in a store.” She turned back to Tom. “I’d love for you to show it to me.”
    â€œRight this way.”
    She glanced back at the sheriff. “Holler at me when you’ve got all your supplies. ”
    She fell into step beside Tom. “Do you sell a good many dime novels?”
    â€œYes, ma’am, especially when the cattle drives come through.” He stopped at a shelf on the far side of the counter and puffed out his chest. “Right there, ma’am.”
    She had a sneaking suspicion that he’d moved her book to the top of the stack as soon as he’d heard she was in town on the off chance that she might just happen to come through.
    â€œDo you know yet what you’re going to write about Matt? What kind of story it’ll be?”
    She shook her head. “Right now the idea is just a seed.” Glancing back over her shoulder, she couldn’t see the sheriff. She’d promised him only that she wouldn’t ask the townsfolk questions about him. She turned back to Tom. “I’m trying to gather some information about the day the bank robbers came through.”
    Tom shook his head like a buffalo on the range. “It was a sad day in this town. They killed Josh Logan before anyone knew what was going on. They came out of the bank shooting, guess they figured to scare people off, so they could hightail it out of town. But Matt didn’t hesitate. He just rushed toward ’em, rifle ablazing. Don’t know how he managed to be so accurate considering he was sick as a dog that day.”
    â€œSick?”
    â€œYes, ma’am. Saw him out behind the bank some time later, shaking like he had a terrible fever, puking up his insides, something violent. I fetched the doc right away. He couldn’t do nothing for the dead men, thought he needed to see—”
    â€œWe had a bargain.”
    Rage slithered through the voice that had spoken, nearly stopping Andrea’s heart. Considering that Tom had gone as white as a sheet and was pressing his fist against his chest, she had a feeling that he felt the same way.
    She twirled around, then stepped back. The sheriff’s anger was palpable, and it was terrifying to be on the receiving end of that heated glare.
    â€œI gave you my word that I wouldn’t ask any questions about you, and I didn’t. I asked about the bank robbery,” she said, amazed that her voice came out as calmly as it did.
    â€œYou’re splitting hairs.”
    â€œI need information that you’re not willing to