I’m really excited to have these two stories released in one volume, since it’s how I think of them–intertwined. Originally released in the Lassoing a Groom & Lassoing a Bride anthologies, these stories take place at the same time—exactly the same time.
That timing, I admit, was an accident. I was writing WANTED: THE SHERIFF, Matt & Martha’s story, and suddenly, in the middle of it, a young woman was brought to Martha’s brother, the doctor, for treatment. While Matt & Martha were busy making calf eyes at each other, Dr. Franz discovered the love of his life. And pretty Rebekah Snow Redman turned out to be a fireball in spite of her fragile appearance.
A RIVER’S BEND DUO
Wanted: The Sheriff
Martha Bittner may be considered a spinster at twenty-seven, but she’s not planning to stay that way. For four years, she’s wanted the sheriff of River’s Bend, Missouri, to notice her as more than a friend and a really good cook. With the first annual spring dance only weeks away, Martha decides to announce her intentions — and declares the sheriff a wanted man.
Sheriff Matthew Tate always thought he was better off a bachelor. Growing up in Boston society, where marriage is a business transaction and wealth his greatest asset, he’s learned to distrust all women’s intentions. None of them even catch his eye anymore — until pretty Martha Bittner tells him exactly what she wants… and he wonders why he ever resisted capture.
No Less Than Forever
Doctor Franz Bittner is satisfied with his life as it is. He has a good practice in a place where he is respected, in spite of his German birth. He has good friends and enough income to provide him with a few comforts. A wife would only complicate things. Then a tiny blond stranger is pulled from the river and everything changes. With one smile she captures his attention—and steals his heart.
Rebekah Snow Redmann barely survived her abusive husband’s attack. Though she was given to him to pay her father’s debts, she’d rather die than go back. Then she ends up in the care of the handsome local doctor and he stitches up more than her wounds—he mends her soul. With him, she discovers everything that she believes she can never have…a love that will last forever.
Tracy Garrett
www.TracyGarrett.com
“Oliver Fisher Winchester was born on November 30, 1810 in Boston, Massachusetts. Although raised on a farm, Winchester eventually became a carpenter, and by 1830, he was a construction supervisor in Baltimore, Maryland. While in Baltimore, he entered the dry goods business, and after several years, Winchester became a manufacturer of men’s shirts in New Haven, Connecticut. This venture proved to be sufficiently profitable that he began to extend his business interests.
nchers’ Association was formed in 1926 to set standards for the industry and attract visitors to the various ranches. The Burlington Railroad assisted by printing special maps highlighting dude ranches in Wyoming and Montana. Postcards flourished showing dudes at play in the West. 
means for supplying them with fuel and lumber. In the absence of firewood, cow and buffalo chips became a precious commodity for providing fuel to cook by and heat homes. This “prairie coal” burned well and surprisingly produced an odorless flame. Some people owned a hay burner stove, that was outfitted with a firebox and cylinders that were filled with twisted hay. The hay was quickly consumed and required constant tending. 
If only there were more trees. Or any trees at all.
tained from the Homestead Act of 1862 in exchange for planting one quarter (40 acres) of the property with trees. Once they proved that they had a successful crop of trees the government would issue them the title to the land. Initially the regulations required one quarter of the 160 acres to be planted with trees and cultivated over a period of ten years. In 1878 this was reduced to ten acres over an eight year period due to the extreme hardships on the Great Plains such as prairie fires, grasshopper plagues, and drought. On each of the 10 acres 2,700 trees (27,000 total) were to be planted with a stipulation that 675 (6,750) of them would thrive. About 20% of hom
esteaders filed a tree claim. But many were abandoned as people used the land free of rent and taxes for years and then moved on. There were other abuses such as land speculation and fraud. In 1891 The Timber Culture Act was repealed. Nevertheless, millions of trees were planted and although it did not result in great forestation, the Great Plains was transformed into a landscape that is now dotted with trees.
er than the manufacturer.
pwards to reload. Each barrel then held one round, and a cam on the hammer alternates between top and bottom barrels.
n of the barrels so you can see the difference for the cartridges. The .22 is quite a bit heavier because there’s more steel.
The famous Remington derringer, sold from 1866 to 1935, was designed with a second barrel on top of the first. This meant two shots instead of one, without much more weight to carry around. On this two-shot pistol, the barrels pivoted upward for reloading.
And do you know how this gun changed history? It was the weapon used by John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln in the Ford Theater on April 14, 1865.
