West

"Yes, Miss Josie, they do for infractions of violence. We are one of the only frontier towns that's peaceful, for which we can thank the half-breed Sheriff."

The same sheriff that wanted a word with me. The sight of the noose gave me the creeps, and the warning about who issued hangings didn't help. "How often does he hang people?" I asked.

"Every Saturday at noon."

My mouth dropped open. "So often?"

"The sheriff is serious about his duty. He hangs white men, black men and red men, even a woman who killed her husband."

"Wow."

Nell nodded seriously. "Your father no longer attends the hangings, but most of the town does. The saloons offer free beer that day."

Never expected a hanging to be an excuse for a party. "So there's a trial, right? It's not just one man deciding to hang people?"

"There are always trials and appeals, unless the crime has enough witnesses or was too terrible to await a trial. The sheriff hangs every man involved in a scuffle with the Indians, red, white, slave or mixed. No trial."

Any thought I had about wanting to see the sexy sheriff was gone. Instead, my mind turned to ensuring we never crossed paths again.

"We are to find you a new bauble or jewels or finery for a dinner this evening. Your father insists," Nell said cheerfully.

From gallows to jewelry. It was all in a normal day here. I shook my head. "I didn't bring any money," I said.

"He gave me your purse. Find what you like, and we will get it. There is nothing here you cannot buy."

"How much did he send?"

"One hundred dollars." Nell whispered the amount then looked around to make sure no one else overheard.

"Is that a lot?" I asked in the same tone.

"Child, please! It is more than most of these men will make in a year!"

"Wow," I murmured. "Can my father afford this?"

"Of course. It's pocket change to him."

I should definitely thank Carter for sending me to John. If John considered a year of a man's wages pocket change, I understood why every landowner was in town to court me.

In suits, bowties and some with top hats. I studied those we drove by, curious about their dress and mannerisms. A couple of them bowed while nearly everyone stopped what they were doing to stare.

"None of them are particularly handsome," I mused. I was never much a fan of beards, and most of the men here had them.

"They are not," Nell agreed. "You can find a much wealthier man when we head to the city."