Montana Sky Christmas: A Sweetwater Springs Short Story Collection by Debra Holland Page A

sheriff for our town.” He grimaced. “Wouldn’t have thought finding one would be so difficult.”
    Ah … the people of this town aren’t just grateful, they’ve been courtin’ me! Since K.C. had never been courted before, not even by Charles who’d been her best friend since they could first ride, the idea gave her a warm feeling in her gut. Before Mr. Carter even popped the question, K.C. considered her answer, tempted to put down roots in a new town that wasn’t full of the memories of Charles.
    They don’t know I’m a woman . The thought deflated all her good feelings. The only reason she was a sheriff was because her father had been the sheriff of Grant Hills. Then after his death, the corrupt man who’d taken his place had given the Tasen gang free rein. K.C. had taken matters into her hands, and the grateful citizens of Grant Hills had pinned the badge to her shoulder.
    But these people didn’t know her history, wouldn’t have any reason to let a woman be sheriff. For a moment she debated living a lie. K.C. bet she could do it too, but the truth would get out some way, and, anyway, she wasn’t the lyin’ type.
    Although part of her protested, she held up a hand to stop Carter. “Before you go any further…” Slowly K.C. raised her hands, unwound her scarf, and took off her hat. Her braids spilled over her shoulders. She placed her hat on the table.
    Identical expressions of shock crossed each of their faces, and K.C. braced for what would come next. It’s not as if it matters , she told herself. You have a place in Grant Hills that suits you just fine.  
    Mrs. Carter was the first to recover. With a laugh, she grabbed hold of K.C.’s hand. “How marvelous. You’re a woman. I’ve never heard of a female sheriff.”
    I’ll bet the men won’t think it’s so marvelous.  
    Reverend Norton frowned. She wondered if the preacher would think she was going to hell for doing a man’s job, considering all it involved.
    Carter, though, looked thoughtful. “I have. Read about one in Wyoming…” He stopped to think for a few seconds, then shook his head. “Wasn’t Grant Hills, though.”
    She shrugged, not knowing who he meant.
    Carter sent a look to the minister that K.C. couldn’t interpret. “We broke tradition with hiring a married lady schoolteacher,” he said. “What do you say we go a step farther, Reverend Norton?”
    The minister stroked his beard. “We’ve been looking for someone of good character. Someone who wouldn’t chase the womenfolk, who’d uphold law and order. Seems to me she’s proven herself on all counts.”
    Now it was K.C.’s turn for shock. “How do you know I have a good character?” she demanded.
    The reverend gave her a gentle smile that softened his severe face. “You took off your hat.”
    “That’s right,” Carter seconded. “You could have chosen to hide from us. I, for one, would never have expected to find a lady underneath what I took to be a man’s exterior.”
    Mrs. Carter shook her head, causing loose brown tendrils to tumble around her face. She studied K.C. as if seeing her with new eyes. “I can see the woman now. However you had me fooled.” She glanced at the door between them and the prisoner. “I suppose it’s necessary.”
    K.C. nodded, relieved she understood.
    Carter smiled at his wife, before turning back to K.C. “Do the people of Grant Hills know?”
    “Yes,” K.C. said. “I grew up there. My father was the sheriff before me. He taught me everything I know about being a sheriff.” She paused to think. “Cept what I’ve learned on the job.”
    Mrs. Carter’s brown eyes widened. “Have you killed a man?”
    K.C. thought back to the Kasen gang. To stalking and picking them off one by one. To the final shoot out that took out the leader. “More than one, ma’am.”
    Carter rubbed his chin. “I could see you knew I was about to ask you to take the job and that you wanted it. You’ll have to cultivate more of a poker