Wistful in Wisconsin

Wistful in Wisconsin
Yours Truly: The Lovelorn Series
Marisa Masterson


Wistful in Wisconsin
This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.
The book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. All rights are reserved with the exceptions of quotes used in reviews. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without express written permission from the author.
Wistful in Wisconsin ©2020 Marisa Masterson
Cover Design by V. McKevitt
http://www.virginiamckevitt.com
Editing by Amy Petrowich
Formatting by Christine Sterling
1st Ed.


Table of Contents
Wistful in Wisconsin
Dedication
Chapter 1 The Chase
Chapter 2 The Purpose
Chapter 3 The Remembering
Chapter 4 The Surprise
Chapter 5 The Accusation
Chapter 6 The Wedding
Chapter 7 The Visitor
Chapter 8 The Election
Chapter 9 The Prisoner
Chapter 10 The Boss
Epilogue Autumn
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About this Series
Sneak Peek
Books by Marisa Masterson
About Marisa Masterson


Wistful in Wisconsin
Lilah Levitt made a terrible mistake when she answered a job advertisement for a hotel in Idyll Wood, Wisconsin. Kidnapped and carted off to a brothel in the North Woods, she barely escaped being abused. If not for Sheriff Fred Sittig, her situation would have been tragic.
No matter how often he tried to reason with Lilah, Sheriff Sittig could not get her to realize that she didn't love him. She was only grateful. After all, what would a beautiful and talented young woman want with a backwoods sheriff who could hardly read or write.
Unwilling to leave Idyll Wood, desperate to win the sheriff's love, Lilah Levitt writes a letter to the Lovelorn column for advice. The answer might shock them both and shake up the town of Idyll Wood in the process.


Dedication
To Becky Penberthy-Hovde
She wrote a letter and found love through an advertisement. Here’s to you, cousin.


Dear Lovelorn,
I dearly love newspapers. When a box arrived with oranges from California, I found your column in a newspaper packed amongst the fruit. You’re my last hope for advice on what to do.
How do I convince a man we’re in love? I’ve seen how he looks at me. I’m sure that’s longing in his eyes. Except, he either turns away or looks right through me.
Because of his heroism, saving my life in fact, the man is convinced that I am only grateful. Deluded, he called me before I returned to my home in Chicago.
Please, how can I open his eyes to the fact that we make a perfect couple?
Sincerely,
Wistful in Wisconsin
 
Dear Wistful,
Are you sure he returns your love? That he only needs a nudge? Be absolutely positive about that before you act on my advice.
To help your begrudging beau to see you as a couple, you need to be a couple. So, find out where he will be and when. Appear there and, as much as possible, attach yourself to him.
Prove he needs you. Take him some of your cooking or knit him a scarf. Remaining modest, fill a practical need for him to demonstrate how fitted you are to be his wife.
Above all else, be cheerful and attentive. Encourage him to share without burdening him with any concerns.
Yours Truly,
The Lovelorn


Chapter 1
The Chase
Hair stood on the back of Sheriff Fred Sittig’s neck. He wouldn’t look up. He willed himself to keep his eyes on the wanted posters in front of him.
Shoot! He couldn’t resist. Some instinct told him to find the eyes that watched him.
A pert little nose pressed against the only window of the sheriff’s office. Hands shielded the woman’s eyes so she could see into the building. A fog suddenly covered the window until a sleeve diligently wiped the cold glass.
It was her. Again! Even with the cool March sunshine behind her, he recognized that brown head. Especially with the sunlight bringing out that faint tint of red in it.
When she saw him look her way, the woman waved, flapping her mitten wildly like someone chasing away mosquitos. Fred also waved, but not in greeting. He was gesturing for her to go away. As usual, she mistook his meaning.
Her lips lifted, the grin spreading across her entire face. Then, she disappeared from the window.
Good! Maybe she finally got the message to leave him alone. It would be too much to hope. The woman always seemed to be wherever he went.
Sure enough, he was doomed to be disappointed. The door of the office eased slowly open with an elfin face appearing around it.
Not a bad looking face. If only he weren’t seeing so much of it lately. With a sigh, Fred stood to greet his visitor.
She moved into the room, her head slightly downturned. Nevertheless, he could see her sparkling eyes and the curl of her full lips as she grinned.  He wondered if she were trying to be flirtatious or demure. Whichever, she didn’t quite pull it off.
Lilah Levitt lifted her head and faced the sheriff. “Good morning, Fred.” Here, she paused, waiting. When he didn’t return the greeting, only the slightest wisp of a frown flitted across those red lips.
Watching closely, he caught sight of it. Fred wanted to see her reaction. It was, of course, the only reason he was staring at her lips. At least, that’s what he told himself.
At his attention, a dimple appeared