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this is our long-lost sheriff, Brandon Crawford. All the citizens of Y Knot are going to be more than happy he’s finally returned.”
    “Glad to make your acquaintance,” Morgan said, taking his outstretched hand. “Sheriff, you say?” Morgan Stanford’s gaze noted the absence of any star pinned to his vest.
    Brandon reached up and fingered the spot where his star usually sat. “Haven’t had a chance to pin on my badge. But good to meet you. You’re working for Hayden and Norman? That’s a darn good job. You’re lucky to land it.”
    June nodded. “That’s because Morgan is family. His sister is Hayden’s new wife. Morgan filled in when Norman’s leg got broke when his steam contraption blew up and Hayden needed help.” She gazed up at Morgan with a silly smile on her face. “There’s a lot that’s happened since you’ve been gone.”
    “So I keep hearing. Hayden’s wife?” Brandon took off his hat and wiped his brow. “Are you kiddin’ me? First Holcomb and now Klinkner. What in the blazes went on in my absence?” He stared into the rafters for several seconds. “Seriously, I’m dumbfounded.”
    “It all started with that advertisement that ran in the paper a few months back, springtime. The one about the mail-order brides. First, Chance sent for one. Then Ina liked Evie so much, she sent for one on the sly for Hayden. You should have seen it around here, Brandon. All heck broke loose.”
    Brandon went over to a stool and sat down. “I’m sorry, I just had to sit. What in God’s name did Hayden do when he found out? I’m surprised he didn’t send her back.”
    Morgan stiffened abruptly. “That’s my sister you’re talking about.”
    “Sorry. Forgot that fact. It’s just that I know Hayden and he’d be the last person I’d figure to be set up with a woman.”
    June stepped between the two well-matched men and put a calming palm on Morgan’s chest. Here was another reason to be dumbfounded. He’d never known the feisty blacksmith to have a relationship with anyone before.
    “Heather is beautiful, Brandon. You’ll know her when you see her by her glossy black hair. She looks a lot like Morgan, but prettier.” She laughed, and the man finally cracked a smile. Maybe they would end up friends after all.
    Brandon stood and secured his hat back on his head. This night was turning out to be darn entertaining. He’d make a visit out to the mill tomorrow morning and say hello to Ina and Norman. Hayden too.
    “I best be on my way,” he said. “I want to take a quick walk down the street before everyone heads for home.” He shook Morgan’s hand again. “I didn’t mean any disrespect to your sister, Stanford.”
    Morgan Stanford’s expression softened. He was as tall as Brandon and looked as if he’d been to the school of hard knocks, the same as him. “No harm done. I guess I’ll see you, then.”
    “Good night, June.”
    She looked content, Brandon thought. Taking over her father’s business after he’d passed on was the best thing for her. She seemed truly well suited to running the livery and forge, as well as living in Y Knot.
    Why couldn’t he do that? Just be satisfied with his position here? Especially now that Charity had finally agreed to be his wife.
    Perhaps the letter in his pocket was a rejection of his application for deputy marshal. That would sure simplify his life if the decision were made for him. Hope for that and hope that he’d gotten the job warred for space in his heart. A deputy federal marshal. Something he’d visualized since the day he met James Timberlake, the marshal who’d caught and killed the man who murdered Brandon’s parents. His parents dead—all for three dollars and a horse and buckboard. The outlaw would have killed Brandon too if his pa hadn’t pitched him from the careening wagon.
    He’d never told a soul about that, not even Charity. Still, after twenty-one years the memory remained raw and hurtful. Maybe if he’d been in the