The Runaway Bride by Noelle Marchand

concentrating on a puzzle. “Oh, and you were really depressed once she and Lawson starting courting. You tried to hide it, of course, but you were still living with us so I noticed. Right now, your face is turning red. The only reason you’d be embarrassed was if it were true—”
    Nathan tried to hide his chuckle as Sean held up a desperate hand. “Ellie, please stop talking. I get it. Thank you.”
    She sidled closer to him. “I could help you, you know. I’m a very experienced matchmaker.”
    “Ellie,” Kate groaned. “I don’t think this family can survive another round of your matchmaking.”
    “Nonsense! It’s because of my matchmaking this family has survived. Need I remind you of how you met Nathan?”
    A general groan filled the air.
    Ellie took that as a yes. “If I hadn’t convinced Sean we needed to mail order a husband for Kate—”
    “—and then proceeded to marry us by proxy without my knowledge,” Kate reminded with the lift of her chin.
    “Y’all never would have had the chance to meet,” Ellie continued as if Kate hadn’t spoken.
    Nathan gazed down at his wife with a smile. “Or fall in love or really get married or have three beautiful children.”
    Kate grimaced as her shoulders gave a little shiver. “Now, that’s a scary thought.”
    “See?” Ellie poked Sean in the side, causing him to jump. “Don’t worry, big brother. I can help you, too.”
    “Please, don’t.” He ignored her calculating smile to ask Nathan, “So I have your approval if I decide to court her?”
    “I’m not sure you need it, but you have it.” Nathan smiled. “You have always been a responsible person. We trust you.”
    Maybe you shouldn’t, he immediately thought. He looked at Ellie, Kate and Nathan. They looked so cautiously hopeful and so unsuspecting of what was really going on. He could tell them now. He should tell them now, but he didn’t want to utter the words that would shatter their perception of him. He’d spent most of his life convincing everyone that he was the strong, dependable one who had everything figured out. Now he was the one who’d messed up, and there was no way to fix it. Finally, Kate left to round up her children and the moment was lost.
    * * *
    Sean had almost forgotten his offer to help out the telegrapher with his problematic customer when Peter stepped into his office the next afternoon. Sean motioned to the chair across the desk from him. “That fellow giving you trouble again?”
    Peter nodded, then shook his head. “Not exactly. I just thought you should know I found out the reason the other fellow hasn’t responded to any of Calhoun’s telegrams. He was a wanted criminal who was caught and placed in jail. He’s been accused of murder and robbery.”
    Jeff rose from the deputy’s desk to join them. “That sounds like your customer is keeping some pretty bad company.”
    “It sure does. I found out today that the man escaped from jail. That marauder, murderer and outlaw is on the loose, and he already has a contact here. He may be headed this way. You’ve got to protect the citizens of Peppin.”
    Sean was quiet for a moment, then he nodded. “That’s my priority, Peter. I don’t have any jurisdiction outside of this town, so I can’t keep that man from traveling toward us on the rail line. Should he come here, I promise I’ll arrest him. Unless that happens, the only thing I can do is keep my eyes open.”
    The man nodded. “I guess that’s all I can ask.”
    “I’d like to see a wanted poster of the outlaw. Can you ask them to send one to me?”
    “Certainly.”
    “Let me know if you come across any other evidence, and I’d be happy to take a look at it.”
    “Oh, don’t you worry.” The man grabbed his hat to leave. “I’ll let you know the minute I hear anything slightly suspicious.”
    “Do you think this is serious?” Jeff asked as he took the seat Peter had just vacated.
    “I don’t know, but we need to treat it as such.”