Snowbound with the Sheriff. Lauri Robinson

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      Chapter One

      Southern Montana

      December 1886

      Spring Valley’s Main Street was only a few blocks long and from where he stood outside Svenson’s Dry Goods, Chayston Williams could see a mile or more up the road where nothing but a sea of bright white snow left from last week’s storm met his searching gaze.

      Irritated, Chayston spun around and stomped back inside. Stationed next to the stove, he waited while Lars assisted a customer—ElleDee Scott and her brood of youngsters. When the woman and her children, all boys with black hair who looked just like their father, gathered up their packages, Chayston walked over and opened the windowed door.

      “Thank you, Chayston,” she said, “Merry Christmas.”

      He had nothing to be merry about—this year, Christmas was just another day to him—but he responded in kind before closing the door behind her.

      “Wire said the stage left Cedar Grove this morning, right after the train arrived,” Lars said with his deep brogue.

      “I know.” Chayston checked the watch clipped to his pants. “Which means Riley should have been here an hour ago.”

      “No telling how bad the road is,” Lars offered. “Stage hasn’t come through since the storm.”

      Chayston glanced out the window at the sky again. The nuisance of all this sat like lead in his lungs. He had even less desire to haul the General’s new bride all the way out to the ranch in the middle of the night than he did during the day. It was ludicrous—a man ordering a bride. But the General had, and he’d bade Chayston to see her to the ranch.

      A Christmas bride, no less. That really gulled him.

      “’Course, others have,” Lars said. “The Johanssons were in town this morning.”

      “That’s only five miles out.” Chayston buttoned up his coat and checked the leather strap securing his holster to his thigh. “I’m going to ride out that way.”

      “If you’re not back—”

      “I’ll be back,” Chayston interrupted. The stage had to be somewhere between Spring Valley and Cedar Grove. The twenty miles through the pass was always slow going, and all this snow could make it treacherous.

      That’s all he needed—to deliver a body to the General instead of a wife.

      In no time, he had his horse saddled and they headed out. Buster was more than happy to leave his stall after being cooped up most of the week and tossed his head as they took off up the street.

      Chayston could relate. Had he known the amount of paperwork that went along with being a sheriff, he might not have taken the job. Then again, considering the way he’d been railroaded, he couldn’t say no.

      Just like last year, when he hadn’t had a choice at all. He’d been on the verge of taking a bride, had even bought a ring to give her for Christmas, but it turned out his bride-to-be had been in love with another man. His best friend, Seth Johansson. He sure hadn’t seen that coming. Becca hadn’t hinted toward it either. But she and Shep were married now. With a baby due shortly.

      The road was clear and the five miles to the Johansson place went by relatively swiftly. Chayston hadn’t planned on stopping, but Seth saw him coming and ran out to meet him.

      “Stage is late,” he said.

      “No telling how bad the pass is,” Seth replied. “No traffic’s come through since last week’s storm.”

      Chayston nodded. He and Seth had gone to school together, along with Willis, Becca’s older brother. It hadn’t been until two years ago, when she started working for Lars, that Chayston noticed Becca had grown up.

      “I’ll saddle a horse and ride out with you,” Seth offered.

      “No, СКАЧАТЬ