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"It's the middle of the day," she said, and opened the door "The sheriff's office is a place of business It's not as if I' to a ?"

Before she lost the little courage she had, she stepped out into the afternoon and turned right

Her ankle-high buttoned shoes clicked on the wooden planking in front of her store The boardwalk continued to the stage office, then came to an abrupt end ten feet from

the butcher shop Fro started again in front of the sheriff's office

Spring was alrip on her skirts and pulled the out her path to avoid the worst of the puddles and a still-steaecoach horses With a quick prayer for the state of her shoes, she stepped daintily across to the planking several feet away

A couple of farmers nodded as she passed the, hoping no one would ask where she was off to

When she reached the safety of the wooden sidewalk, she staet rid of the loose round Her heart thundered loudly She raised her chin slightly, trying to ignore the fear that fueled the pounding in her chest and loves

She approached the one-story wooden building Ts flanked the door They hadn't been washed in weeks, so she couldn't just peek inside and find out if the man in question was the Justin Kincaid she had known Besides, she scolded herself, it wasn't see on others She would siood citizen could She would see for herself, then leave

"Afternoon, Megan"

She spun toward the voice Mrs Greeley, the butcher's wife, strolled by her

"Good afternoon" Megan aluilt "