Read Online Castillo's Fiery Texas Rose by Tessa Berkley - Free Book Online Page A

they ambled over.
    Hearing them, Gentry paused. “Morning, Sheriff.” He nodded in Trace’s direction. “What can I do for you today?”
    “Morning, Caleb. I was wondering if we might have a word with you.”
    “Sure.” His brow puckered. “Anything the matter, Sheriff?”
    “Got some news that will not sit well being said on the street. Mind if we step inside?”
    The clerk’s eyes widened. He glanced over to Trace, and blanched as his eyes focused on the badge.
    “Let me introduce Marshal Castillo. Trace, this is Caleb Gentry.”
    Trace held out a hand. “Pleased to meet you, Mr. Gentry.” The man grasped his hand and gave a firm shake.
    “Likewise,” Caleb replied. “Come on inside.”
    He stepped out of the way, and Trace followed Sheriff Weston inside.
    “Mind the boxes. Day before yesterday’s freight took precedence, so we had to unload the wagons of what was already on there. Daniel, I mean Mr. Thornton, said to store it under lock and key until he returned. Best lock and key is here in the office.”
    Trace glanced at the wooden crates with open sides. Very different merchandise from the sample he had stashed away in his saddlebag.
    “Won’t you have a seat?” Gentry gestured toward the chair.
    Trace let Rand take the seat, choosing instead to lean against the post. “What’s so special that you have to keep it locked up?”
    “Well, I’m not rightly sure. Mr. Thornton would know. Most of our freight heads out to Fort Ewell, and he was headed there with an important shipment. He should be back by week’s end. What can I do for you?” The clerk took his seat behind the desk.
    “You say you had to unload the cargo for the trip he was making?” Rand questioned.
    The clerk nodded. “Yeah, we got the government shipment in, and Mr. Thornton didn’t want to keep it overnight. We made a quick switchover. Took most of the morning, even with Moe’s help. Miss Thornton didn’t like it one bit.”
    “Why?” Trace questioned.
    “She was on her way to visit a friend at the fort. You know women.” Caleb chuckled. “Always getting themselves worked up over a schedule. She wanted to be there in two days, tops.”
    Trace gave Weston a hard glance. The sheriff shifted in the chair, ignoring his implication.
    “So it takes two days to get to Fort Ewell from here?”
    “Yes, sir, Marshal. Mr. Thornton and his sister had the two new wagons and the best teams. They should have made great time.” He glanced worriedly between the two law officers. “Say, is something wrong with the Thorntons?”
    Trace waited for Rand to speak up.
    “You could say that.” After a deep breath, Rand told the startled clerk what had happened.
    “Sorry to hear that,” he murmured. “Is there anything I can do for Miss Thornton?”
    “You can help us catch the killers.”
    “Yes, Marshal, of course.”
    “I’d like for you to find us the manifest for the shipment to the fort,” Rand said.
    “Anything else?”
    The sheriff nodded. “I think it might be best to close the office for a few days. Let Miss Thornton get on her feet.”
    “Yes, yes, of course.” Caleb nodded. “You reckon I should ship out the rest of this stuff?”
    “I think that’s a good idea. Get it ready, and I’ll send an escort with you.”
    “I’ll put a sign in the window. You know, the Thorntons are good people. Moe might be a bit slow, but they were good to him. Took him on when others didn’t want to.”
    “Thank you, Caleb.” Rand held out his hand, and they shook.
    Caleb turned his gaze to Trace. “You plan to help the sheriff catch who did this?”
    “I’m going to do my best to bring them to justice,” he replied.
    “I’m glad to hear that. Daniel deserves it. So does Moe.”
    With pleasantries exchanged, the two lawmen made their way to the front porch of the freight office. Hearing the door shut and lock, Rand turned toward Trace. “You look like hell.”
    “Hard sleeping in a chair.” Trace rubbed the back of