The Marshal's Ready-Made Family
A MARRIAGE OF NECESSITYGentlemen don’t court feisty straight-shooters like JoBeth McCoy. Just as she’s resigned to a lifetime alone, a misunderstanding forces the spunky telegraph operator into a marriage of convenience. Wedding the town’s handsome new marshal offers JoBeth a chance at motherhood, caring for the orphaned little girl she’s come to love.Garrett Cain will lose guardianship of his niece, Cora, if he stays single, but he knows no woman could accept the secrets he’s hidden about his past. The lawman can’t jeopardize Cora’s future by admitting the truth. Yet when unexpected danger in the small town threatens to expose Garrett’s long-buried secret, only a leap of faith can turn a makeshift union into a real family.
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A Marriage of Necessity
Gentlemen donât court feisty straight shooters like JoBeth McCoy. Just as sheâs resigned to a lifetime alone, a misunderstanding forces the spunky telegraph operator into a marriage of convenience. Wedding the townâs handsome new marshal offers JoBeth a chance at motherhood, caring for the orphaned little girl sheâs come to love.
Garrett Cain will lose guardianship of his niece, Cora, if he stays single, but he knows no woman could accept the secrets heâs hidden about his past. The lawman canât jeopardize Coraâs future by admitting the truth. Yet when unexpected danger in the small town threatens to expose Garrettâs long-buried secret, only a leap of faith can turn a makeshift union into a real family.
âGetting hitched solves all your problems.â
Yep, she was JoBeth McCoy, problem solver to the world.
Garrett circled the room and sank onto a chair before his empty dinner plate. âNo. This is crazy.â Elbows on the table, he cradled his head. âIâm sorry. I donât know what I was thinking. Iâm not myself lately.â
He was hiding something, she was certain. She had a feeling she knew the source of his reluctance.
No matter the personal cost, sheâd pry the truth from him. âWould you say yes if someone else asked?â She fought the rough edge in her voice. âBecause there are plenty of other ladies in town.â
Marshal Cain bolted upright. âThis is the rest of my life. Youâre the only one Iâd even consider.â
âOooâ¦kay.â
That was a decent response, right? He hadnât exactly explained why heâd choose her over someone else, but Jo guessed that was about as good an answer as she was going to get. While she might have hoped for something more revealing, at least he was still considering her suggestion. He hadnât outright refused her yet.
SHERRI SHACKELFORD
A wife and mother of three, Sherri Shackelford says her hobbies include collecting mismatched socks, discovering new ways to avoid cleaning and standing in the middle of the room while thinking, âWhy did I just come in here?â A reformed pessimist and recent hopeful romantic, Sherri has a passion for writing. Her books are fun and fast paced, with plenty of heart and soul. She enjoys hearing from readers at [email protected], or visit her website, at www.sherrishackelford.com.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
â1 Peter 4:8
To Barb, Jenn, Deb, Donna, *lizzie and Cherylâotherwise known as the Friday Night Critique Ladies. Thank you for the friendship, the knowledge, the occasional argument, the food and the laughter. We always come back to laughter, donât we?
Iâm a better writer for the group.
Iâm a better person for knowing each of you.
Contents
Chapter One
Cimarron Springs, Kansas
1881
JoBeth McCoy knew Marshal Garrett Cainâs life was about to change foreverâand all she could do was sit with his young niece until he heard the tragic news about his sister.
The towering double doors behind Jo and five-year-old Cora creaked open, and Reverend Miller cleared his throat. âYou can send in the child now.â He held out his hand for Cora. âMarshal Cain has been informed of his sisterâs passing.â
Her heart heavy, Jo stood, then hesitated in the dappled sunlight. A soft breeze sent pear blossoms from the trees on either side of the shallow church steps fluttering over them like fragrant snow petals.
Cora rose and snatched Joâs hand. âWill you go with me?â
A riot of flaxen curls tumbled merrily around the little girlâs face, but her Cupidâs-bow mouth was solemn beneath her enormous, cornflower-blue eyes. Cora clutched a paper funnel filled with lemon drops in her left hand. Her battered rag doll remained anchored to her right side.
Jo met the reverendâs sympathetic gaze, grateful for his almost imperceptible nod of agreement. He was a squat, sturdy man in his middle fifties with thinning gray hair and a kind smile.
The three of them stepped into the church vestibule, and Reverend Miller directed them toward his tiny, cluttered office. Jo paused as her eyes adjusted in the dim light.
Marshal Cain sat on a sturdy wooden chair before the desk, his expression grim. Her heart skittered, but she swallowed back her nerves and forced her steps closer.
His eyes were red, and the tail end of a hastily stowed handkerchief peeked out from his breast pocket. As though embarrassed by his tears, he didnât meet her gaze. Instead, he focused his attention on the petite fingers clutching Joâs waist. He didnât stand or approach them, and for that Jo was grateful, especially since Cora cowered behind her.
