Silver Heart (Historical Western Romance) (Longren Family series #1) by Amelia Rose Page B

coherently.
                  I moved so I could see through a crack in the door, in time to see the Sheriff raise both hands to shoulder level, palms out.  "I know what Seth has said and I know what young Mr. Longren says and I'm inclined to believe the latter.  Given both are hotheads, still, Matthew has never shot anyone – "
                  "And Jason Seth has," Matthew said angrily.
                  "Peace, boy.  He's already in custody and I'm here for you to swear out a complaint.  Then it's up to the judge, when he comes through the circuit, t'marry your brother and his wife, and decide for or against you in this matter."
                  I could only see Matthew's profile but he didn't look mollified.  Still, what more did he want?
                  "There are other Seths," Matthew said.  "How do we know another won't – "
                  "Because the others don't have a bone to pick with the Longrens, that's how," the Sheriff said.  He was a big man, easily over six feet all, with a barrel chest, thick arms, and a hat he hadn't removed.  His hands looked strong and capable and the gun on his belt, deadly. 
                  I remained where I was, out of sight.
                  "I've talked with Jason's brothers.  They want no part of this, nor his sons, neither.  But there's a slight matter of breach of contract, and that I need to know about."
                  Again, that pang of jealousy, misplaced and inappropriate.  I bit the inside of my cheek.
                  "There was no promise and therefore, no breach," Matthew said and he sounded weary, pained, and sulking.  "Bess is a nice girl, we went once to the theater and another time to a picnic.  Not alone," he added quickly.  "There were other couples and if I saw her other than that, it was in the market or on the street.  I went to school with her, Sheriff.  She's a nice girl but I don't want to marry her."
                  Or anyone else, just yet , the sentence seemed to finish itself.
                  "She know that?" the Sheriff asked.
                  "Damned if I know," Matthew said angrily and was shushed by Hutch.  "Well, I don't.  We never even talked about it to that extent."
                  The Sheriff pounced.  "To what extent?"
                  Matthew, het up, waved his arms, then grabbed his leg.  "To any extent."
                  "All right, all right."  Again, with the hands up, peacefully.  "Look, he'll be out in a couple days.  For all we say, once he calms down, it's probably going to be before that because being behind bars isn't doing much for his temper.  Can you just steer clear until this blows over?"
                  "Who says it's going to blow over?" Matthew said, as Hutch said, "Yes, he can.  He can't even walk.  Shouldn't be too hard to hobble him to the bedpost."
                  What I could see of Matthew's face scowled.
                  "Also," the Sheriff said, as if justice had been dispensed with the curtailing of the victim's freedom, "Heard your new wife came into town yesterday."  This was to Hutch.  "Patched up your brother here."
                  "Bride-to-be," Hutch corrected.  "She's a midwife."
                  "Fine by me.  Just don't let her get on the wrong side of Doc Horton, see?  We need him here to patch up those not having babies."
                  I let the kitchen door slide shut.  I had no intention of going to the mines and advertising my services for every incident but when the doctor was unavailable, I needed to be able to help.  Being a midwife meant I had medical training, nursing primarily, but I could still help when needed and what's more, midwifery paid. 
                  I'd come from a home without money into