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Shaking her head, Joa
Myron was short and round. He had penetratingly blue eyes, a courtly ma
“How late am I?” Joa
“Not at all,” Myron said easily. “The ladies were so enjoying their pre-lunch cocktails that they’re only just now settling into the dining room. If you’ll come this way, Sheriff Brady, I can take you directly to your place.”
As soon as Myron led the way into the dining room, Maria
“What happened to Marliss Shackleford? I thought doing the introduction was her job.”
“So did I,” Maria
After their telephoned confrontation the night before, Joa
A waitress bearing two loaded salad plates stood waiting for Joa
Linda Kimball leaned her stout frame in Joa
“That’s fine,” Joa
“And how are things out at the sheriff’s department this morning?” Linda asked. “Hopping, I presume.”
“You could say that,” Joa
“Don’t worry about it,” Linda said. “Most of the ladies have never been here before. The social hour gave them all chance to explore. I think even nondrinkers like me were getting a kick out of prowling around. Makes me feel like somebody dropped me somewhere smack in the middle of the Cotswolds.”
When Linda turned away to speak to the person seated on her left, Joa
Linda stood up and tapped her water glass with a spoon calling them to attention. “Good afternoon, ladies,” she said with a smile. “Please stand for the invocation. Reverand Maculyea?”
With the invocation and flag salute over, the luncheon began in earnest. In years past, Joa
“Have you heard anything more from Jeff?” Joa
A cloud seemed to pass over Maria
“Don’t worry,” Joa
Maria
“You’ll work it out,” Joa
“But that’s not how we pla
Maria
“Welcome to parenthood, Mari,” Joa
“Not until they’re home,” Maria
Just then Linda Kimball rose to her feet and once again called the group to attention. “Ladies today we have as our guest the newly elected Sheriff of Cochise County, Joa
“Unfortunately our first vice president, Marliss Shackleford, is ill today. Substituting for her and making both the Introduction and the official presentation will be our second vice president, the Reverend Maria
Before Maria
“Most of you know the series of tragedies that, by for of circumstance, vaulted Joa
“I’ve heard it said on occasion that she became a sheriff without really meaning to. In a way, that’s true. She set out on the very ordinary bath of becoming a wife and mother, but when she reached a fork in that road, she knew which path to follow.
“Those of you who haven’t yet seen the women’s club’s display at the Cochise County Justice Center may not know that it consists of a series of framed pictures-formal portraits, if you will-of all Joa
“When Sheriff Brady gave us the snapshot she wanted us to frame and use, her chosen pose sparked some controversy. And so, before I make the official presentation, I’d like to ask Joa
To a roomful of warmly welcoming applause, Joa