Wyoming Lawman Read Online Free Page B

her a look he’d often used in the pulpit. “It’s about time you showed a little faith—both in God and in people.”
    Pearl had no assurance Matt Wiley wouldn’t laugh ather note, but she had walked with the Lord as long as she could remember. “All right. I’ll do it.”
    â€œGood.” Tobias glanced at the wall clock. “I’m going to finish that nap.”
    As he left the sitting room, Pearl went to the secretary, opened the drawer and removed stationery, an inkwell and an elegant pen. She positioned the paper on the blotter, filled the well and wrote the note. Both formal and friendly, the wording struck her as just right and she blew the ink dry. On a whim, she added a P.S., then sealed the note and checked on Toby. Satisfied he’d stay asleep, she took the note to the front desk before she could change her mind about asking a “what if” of her own.
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    The instant Matt set foot in the sheriff’s office, his friend and partner, Dan Cobb, held up two envelopes and grinned. “Here you go, Romeo.”
    Scowling, Matt snagged the letters. They were both written on ivory stationery and sealed with white wax. One displayed his name in a script he recognized as belonging to Sarah’s teacher. Miss Carrie Hart taught the youngest girls at Miss Marlowe’s School, and she frequently sent home glowing notes about his daughter. They often chatted when he met Sarah after school, and they’d become casual friends.
    The other letter displayed pretty writing that said, “To Deputy Matt and Sarah.” Pearl must have gotten the hair ribbons.
    Fighting a smile, he dropped down on his chair and started to open the letter from Pearl. As the seal popped, Dan’s chair squeaked. Matt looked up, caught his friend staring and scowled. “What are you looking at?”
    Dan grinned. “Looks to me like a couple of pretty ladies have their eyes on you.”
    Matt had no interest in ladies, pretty or otherwise. He held up the first envelope. “This one’s from Carrie Hart. She’s Sarah’s teacher.”
    â€œI know Carrie.” Dan sounded wistful. “I see her at church.”
    Matt saw a chance to take a friendly jab. “Judging by that hangdog look, you’re sweet on her.”
    â€œWhat if I am?”
    Matt huffed. “Beware, my friend. Marriage isn’t what it’s cracked up to be.”
    â€œThat’s your opinion.”
    â€œIt’s the voice of experience.” He’d never forget quarreling with Bettina, how she’d cried when he’d left to go with the Rangers. He’d felt guilty for leaving and even worse the times he’d stayed.
    Dan wagged his finger at the second envelope. “Who sent that one?”
    â€œNone of your business.”
    â€œSure it is,” Dan replied. “We’re partners.”
    Matt considered the deputy his best friend, but he didn’t want an audience when he read the notes. He gave Dan a pointed stare. “Don’t you have some outlaws to catch?”
    â€œNo, but I hear you had a run-in with Jasper.”
    â€œUnfortunately, yes.”
    The quarrel especially rankled because he hadn’t been on duty when Jasper summoned him. Matt wore his badge and gun all the time, but he’d taken the morning off to be with Sarah. Last night she’d fussed about his long hours, so he’d promised to spend the morning with her. To his chagrin, she’d wanted to play dolls. Matt wasn’t much on dolls, so he’d suggested a tea party with real cake at Madame Fontaine’s bakery. Halfway to the shop, Jasper had waylaid him and Sarah had run off.
    Matt told Dan everything except the part about Sarah’sbraids. Neither did he mention his trip to the dress shop. After choosing the ribbons—all the blue ones he could see—he’d arranged for a delivery to Pearl, then left Sarah eating cookies with Madame Fontaine