Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell

myself. ’Sides, Doc Stevens is good as it gets ’round these parts. If he thought it was Ben’s heart, I’m liable to take his word for it.” The sheriff’s gaze appraised Justin. “What’re your plans now?”
    “I’m not sure. I came expecting to meet Travers, but with him gone, I can’t just go out to the ranch.”
    “You got a point there.” The sheriff leaned back in his swivel chair and stared at the ceiling. “Let me think on this.”
    Justin got to his feet and slapped his hat on his head. “Toby’s apt to be awake, and I promised Miss Alice not to be long.”
    The sheriff’s chair came forward. “I’ll be in touch. Think I’ll talk to the reverend, if you don’t mind. He and Ben were good friends.”
    “As long as he keeps it to himself. No way of knowing what direction the trouble came from.”
    Ramsey stood and stepped around his desk. “No worries there. The reverend knows how to keep his mouth shut.” He stretched out a work-hardened hand. “Dealing with folks’ lives day in and day out in a small town teaches you that much.”
    Justin shook the sheriff’s hand and then headed toward the door. “Let’s hope he can shed some light on it.”

Chapter Eight

    Alex stepped into Cramer’s roomy dry goods store situated on the corner across from the bank and glanced around for her friend. The front counter was empty, but Elizabeth’s voice drifted up from the end of an aisle. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
    “It’s just me, Elizabeth. Take your time.” Alex walked to a table covered with bolts of fabric and fingered a blue-sprigged muslin. While she preferred men’s pants on the range and for horseback, she wasn’t completely averse to dressing up when necessary. She didn’t like to think of herself as vain, but the glints of admiration she got when visiting Auburn went a long way toward dulling the pain caused by the catty tongues of the women in Last Chance.
    Elizabeth emerged from the household goods aisle with Sarah Ramsey on her heels. The sweet-faced wife of their sheriff was a favorite to all, and one of the few women who always tried to draw Alex into the feminine circle in town.
    “Alexia, how wonderful to see you.” Sarah’s beaming smile crinkled clear up to her eyes. “What brings you to town this fine day?”
    “I’m hoping to talk Elizabeth into sharing a meal with me at the hotel.” Alex raised her eyebrows at her friend and smiled.
    “I’d love to. I’ll join you for dinner when I finish Sarah’s order. Want to wait for me, or should I join you there?”
    “I’ll wait. I’m not in a hurry.”
    Sarah Ramsey placed her handful of items on the counter and reached for her small reticule. “I won’t keep you girls. How much do I owe you, Elizabeth?”
    Elizabeth rang up the spool of thread, two pounds of sugar, and four yards of calico. “That’ll be one dollar.” The ding of the cash register and clink of the silver dollar dropping into the tray filled the quiet store. “Have a good day, and thank you for coming.” Elizabeth walked Sarah to the door.
    After the older woman stepped outside, Elizabeth flipped the sign on the door. She removed her apron and shook it then walked back to the tall wood counter and hung it on a hook. “I’m so glad you stopped, Alex. I’ve been thinking about you all morning.”
    Alex linked arms with her tall, willowy friend and smiled. “I’ve so much to tell you, but first things first—I’m starved.”
    Elizabeth drew the shade, pulled open the door, and locked it behind them. The street was quiet this time of day, as the miners only came to town on occasional trips and typically headed for the dining room next to the hotel or the saloon. New Caledonia mine lay a short distance from Last Chance, and Alex noticed a scattering of miners seated in the little dining room when she and Elizabeth walked through the door.
    She nodded at a big bearded man seated across from a tall, angular woman at a small table just