Read Online A Rich Man for Dry Creek / a Hero for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad - Free Book Online Page B

though that settled everything.
    â€œI’ll be back,” Robert said as he started to walk toward the door. “Just tell that sheriff to get back here.”
    â€œBut he can’t go.” Mrs. Buckwalter repeated the words to Jenny as they watched Robert go through the barn door. A gust of cold wind blew in as the men stepped outside.
    â€œI’m sure he’ll be fine.” Jenny echoed her son’s words for the older woman’s benefit.
    â€œBut this isn’t like him.” Mrs. Buckwalter looked at Jenny. “He’d told me he was a changed man, but…” Her voice trailed off. “I thought he meant he was going to move back to Seattle or take up watercolors or get engaged or something sensible—not take off looking for men with guns.”
    Jenny tried to smile reassuringly. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

Chapter Five
    J enny left the cell phone with Mrs. Buckwalter and walked over to the refreshment table to see how much coffee was left in the big pot. She had a feeling punch wouldn’t be enough for the men when they came back.
    â€œThe sheriff’s coming back as soon as he can,” Mrs. Buckwalter reported as she joined Jenny over by the table. “Which probably won’t be soon enough to do any good so I called in some of the other authorities around.”
    Jenny looked up. “I didn’t know there was anyone else around here but the county sheriffs.”
    Mrs. Buckwalter grunted. “There’s some fool FBI agent riding around on a horse.”
    â€œOn a horse!”
    â€œAnd his boss is here in some kind of a Jeep. They both travel a bit unconventionally I’m afraid but—”
    â€œI don’t care if they get here in a flying saucer,” Jenny said as she lifted the smaller pot of coffee to start making the rounds. “Just as long as they get here fast.”
    â€œYou’re really worried, aren’t you?” Mrs. Buckwalter looked at Jenny as though she were seeing her for the first time.
    â€œOf course.” Jenny blushed. “Anyone would be.”
    â€œBut you’re particularly worried about my son.”
    â€œOnly because I know him a little better than the others.”
    â€œI see.” Mrs. Buckwalter started to smile. “You know, I’ve never known my son to kiss a woman on the cheek before.”
    Jenny grimaced. She didn’t need a reminder. If she ever had any illusions of being irresistible, that kiss certainly dampened them. It wasn’t a passionate kiss. A Boy Scout could have done better kissing his grandmother. “I think he’s just trying to be democratic. Being a regular Joe.”
    Mrs. Buckwalter looked up questioningly.
    â€œI mean Bob. He wanted me to call him Bob. I think he’s trying to be one with the people or something. And he focused on me because I’m—” she straightened her shoulders “—because I’m of the class that works for a living.”
    â€œWell, there’s nothing wrong with working, dear. I haven’t raised Robert to be a snob.”
    â€œNo, but I can’t imagine he has many friends who scrub vegetables for a living. I mean, sure he knows people who work, but they’re probably stockbrokers or lawyers or something classy.”
    â€œMy dear, you’re a very classy chef. I dare anyone to make a crème brûlée that surpasses yours,” Mrs. Buckwalter said indignantly. “But I don’t think it’s that at all. I’m beginning to think it’s something quite different. He did ask me if I’d brought the family album with me. I was thinking it was because my anniversary would have been next week if my husband had lived. Robert knew I’d have it with me for that day.”
    â€œOh, I’m sorry.”
    Mrs. Buckwalter smiled wistfully. “My husband’s been gone a long time now, but the album brings it all back to me. All three