Excerpt
Daniel clenched his hands at his sides at the mention of the very sore subject. He lowered his voice and said, “Knowing her folks, they must have thought she did have one.” He drew in a frustrated breath. “Jennie has something of a mind of her own. She’s been spoiled all her life. Does what she pleases most times.”

He studied the scarred wooden counter, feeling anger surging through him at the reminder of the wire he’d received two days ago. He’d barely slept a wink since, worrying over the many things that could happen to her as she traveled. His brothers, Ben and Caleb, hadn’t helped any with their constantly checking on him, constantly telling him how foolish he’d been to marry such a headstrong female. What did they know about love? That it could come up all of a sudden and trap a man before he knew what he was doing.

They had met six months ago when he’d reluctantly gone back East on family business. He’d never been so drawn to a woman. Jennie Gardner had stolen his heart almost from the second they’d been introduced at a party given by his parents. After a whirlwind courtship that surprised both families, they had gotten married a month later, just before he had to return to his job as sheriff of Dryfork, Kansas. She had tried to get him to stay there and they’d argued about it. He’d asked if she wanted out of the marriage, but she’d said no. He’d left her there with her parents, planning to get his ranch house ready for a wife, and planning to come back for her. If she didn’t change her mind and decide to stay in Boston. She hadn’t changed her mind. Nor had she waited for him there.

His thoughts shifted and without really meaning to, he said, “I got a letter yesterday, which she’d mailed over a week ago. Jennie claimed that she didn’t want to be a bother to anyone, including an escort. And she saw no sense in my going all the way there and turning around to come back here. She said she was perfectly capable of getting herself to Dryfork.”