The Firecracker Gets Her Man Read Online Free Page A

lied about her, and she would be within her rights to file charges against you and take you to court. I will be happy to be her witness too, as would her father. You are a fool, Sheriff. I don’t know how you got that badge, but I mean to see to it that you don’t keep it.”
    “I ought to lock you in jail, you worthless bastard.”
    “More slander. I work, and I am certainly not a bastard.” Lance stepped toward him. “I think you should leave, Sheriff. You won’t get your questions answered before morning, and I don’t think the good doctor would want to have you sitting in his parlor thinking the way you do about his daughter.”
    “You don’t have the right to tell me to leave.”
    “Actually, I do. Now git!”
    The sheriff made the mistake of going for his gun, and then blinked in shock as Lance was so fast the sheriff didn’t have time to clear his holster. Lance took his gun. “I suggest you leave before I lock you in your own jail.”
    “There’s got to be a paper out on you!” he muttered.
    “Afraid you won’t find one, but looking for it will occupy your time. In the meantime, stay away from Miss Waterford.”
    Lance enjoyed getting rid of the obnoxious sheriff and he sat and waited patiently for the surgery to end. He wanted to talk to the patient before the sheriff had a chance to bungle things. Finally, he decided he needed something to do, so he wandered inside to the parlor, where he allowed temptation to take control. He sat down at the piano and ran his hands lovingly over the keys. The piano was in tune, and it sounded beautiful. It made him think of his sweet Ma, and he started playing, caught up in the music, and soon he was singing his Pa’s favorite hymn. He was unaware anyone was with him until the applause started. He whirled around, his face red at the thought of being taken unaware by an enemy. Thankfully, it was Caleb and Rachel standing there, smiling.
    “I knew you would have a splendid singing voice, Lance!” Rachel said with glee. “I’m so happy I am right!”
    “I am embarrassed at being caught out,” he admitted.
    “Don’t be embarrassed of a gift of music, Lance. We love to hear people sing. My wife was very musical and she encouraged us to be too.”
    “How is your patient?” Lance purposely changed the subject.
    “He woke once, and it sounded like he was asking for his wife. I put him out again before he could rip out his stitches trying to get up.”
    “He was trying to rise?” Lance asked, frowning.
    “Yes, fighting with Papa,” Rachel admitted.
    “Do you suppose he could have been traveling with his wife and was jumped and he was shot trying to protect her?” Lance was on his feet. “I’m going to see if I can do some scouting and try and learn something. Do you know where the area is that Maynard found him?”
    “Yes, I can show you,” she offered.
    “No,” he firmly stated. “You need to stay here with your papa, Rachel. I have a gut feeling that Jared Cane is behind this shooting. Besides, I made the sheriff mad earlier. I told him I was a friend of yours, and that you saved my sister from dying in childbirth. I don’t normally lie, but that man is an imbecile. Do not see him without your father with you. He thinks you’re a fallen woman and I don’t trust him not to try and force himself on you. I’m sorry to be so blunt, Rachel. I know it isn’t true, and I told him Doc wouldn’t let him inside his parlor if he was slandering you.”
    “You’ve got that right. Thank you for dealing with him. Rachel, the man is a fool; I think we can best help Lance by doing as he says and giving the sheriff smoke to deal with.”
    “Very well, Papa. I will obey you. I want to help all I can.”
    “You are helping, Rachel. Thank you for your efforts,” Lance told her with a smile, and then, to his shock and her surprise, he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Gosh, I didn’t know I was going to do that! I meant no offense, Rachel. I think