Misty's True Love (Mail Order Brides of Pioneer Town, Book 2) by Ruth Hartzler Page A

Misty said,
astonished by what she was hearing. “You think I stole that? I have
never even seen that necklace before in my life!” she said, her
voice growing slightly louder as she rose to her feet to join the
others.
    “ This cannot be,” Indiana
said, shaking her head profusely. “I can personally vouch for Miss
Fields. Why, she was in my family’s service for years and had
access to many an item of valuable jewelry.”
    The sheriff raised his hands in a
placating manner. “It might very well be a misunderstanding, or at
the worst, a false allegation, but we need to take the accusation
seriously until we discover otherwise.” He turned to address Misty.
“I mean, as far as I know, it could have fallen into your purse or
something of the sort. It’s unlikely, but anything could have
happened, and it’s not for me to decide what. Unfortunately,
however, I will have to take you into custody until the district
judge comes to town in a few days. The decision on what happens
next will fall to him.”
    “ Are you saying that she’s
under arrest?” Indiana said, her voice shaky. “This is
preposterous! Miss Fields would never steal from
someone!”
    “ I understand that, but
until the accusations are proven unfounded, we need to go through
the necessary steps. Only the judge has the power over this
situation now. I’m sorry,” he said, walking over to Misty with his
hand extended. “Please come with me.”
    As Sheriff Baker led her away, Misty
looked back in terror at Indiana. She was standing there helpless,
her face riddled with sadness. Her friend said nothing as they
walked out the front door toward uncertainty, but Misty knew that
Indiana wouldn’t rest until the truth was known—or at least that’s
how she hoped it would be.
    “ Sheriff, may I say goodbye
to Indiana first?”
    “ Yes, if you can do it from
here,” he said.
    Misty looked at Indiana. “I am certain
this was a set-up.”
     
     

Chapter 14

    The afternoon was somewhat chilly, but
it wasn’t nearly as cold as how Cody’s skin felt. Goosebumps were
forming on his arms, as he walked up the steps to his mother’s
home. He shrugged it off, assuming that the cool breeze was at
fault. With a gentle knock, he waited patiently until the door
opened, revealing Bradford’s welcoming smile. “Good morning, sir.
May I take you to see your mother?”
    “ Yes, please,” he said to
the butler, nodding all the while. “I heard that she was looking
for me. Is something the matter?”
    “ I’m afraid I know nothing
of such things, sir. I believe you will need to speak to your
mother about that,” Bradford said, leading Cody toward the drawing
room.
    As they walked in, he saw his mother
sitting by the fireplace, sipping from a cup of tea. In one hand
she held the teacup, but in the other was a small piece of paper.
At first, she continued reading from it, not paying any mind to the
butler and her son. He knew that Bradford was just being courteous
by waiting instead of interrupting her, but if she had sent for
him, then something had to be wrong. In order to inform her that
she had visitors, Cody cleared his throat, garnering a sincere look
of shock from his mother.
    “ Oh, I hadn’t noticed you,”
she said, gently placing the items that she held on the table as
she stood to greet Cody. “Bradford, send a maid with more
tea.”
    “ Of course, my lady,” he
said, bowing slightly before walking off.
    “ So, may I ask what is
going on?” Cody said, intent on figuring out what nobody else was
telling him.
    For a moment, it looked like she was
about to speak, but then his mother stepped backward, feeling for
her chair with her hands. As she sat, she pointed over at the sofa,
signaling for Cody to sit across from her.
    After doing as she had asked, he
leaned forward in his seat, interlocking his fingers together.
“Mother, please, just let me know whatever it is that’s on your
mind.”
    She paused briefly, but for the first
time since