Ryder (Prairie Grooms, Book Two) by Kit Morgan Read Free Book Online Page A

his. The only problem was, he couldn’t cook either, nothing fancy anyway. He did make a mean flapjack, and his biscuits and stews were pretty good. Hmmm, just in case he’d better add beans to his growing list of necessities. He could teach his bride how to cook those and they were filling to boot.
    When he got to the h ouse Constance was standing over the kitchen table washing her face. She’d found his pitcher and washbowl under the cot, and he wondered if she spied the gift he prepared for her. He’d forgotten about giving it to her last night, the storm had kept him too occupied, but now was as good a time as any. “Mornin’ Sugar. Ya feelin’ better?”
    She looked at him and gave him a weak smile. “A little. My ribs hurt. I’ve never coughed and sneezed so much before.”
    “A chill will do that to ya. Today should be different.” He went to the cot, bent down on one knee, and reached underneath. “I got somethin’ for ya.”
    She turned as he stood, and went to him. “You do?”
    “Yeah, I meant to give it to ya yesterday when we got home, but plumb forgot. I’m sorry.”
    “Apologies are not necessary, I didn’t know you had anything for me.”
    He held up a small leather pouch. “It ain’t much, but it’s very special to me.”
    “What is it?”
    He opened the pouch. “Hold out your hand.” She did, and he turned the pouch over to release the contents.  A necklace and ear rings spilled into her palm, and she gasped in delight at the pretty things.
    “Ryder, they’re beautiful! Where did you get them?”
    “They were my mother’s. I’ve been savin’ em for when I got me a wife one day.  He took her left hand in his. “I know the ring I gave you yesterday ain’t much. Heck, these are a lot fancier. As soon as I have money, I’ll get ya a nice one.”
    She shyly reached up and touched his chest. “And for you too. You should have a ring.”
    “Maybe we shouldn’t a gotten married so soon, but …” He pulled her into his arms. “I’m sure glad we did.” He held her then, her body soft and warm against his. “I’ll take us into town today, and we’ll get a wagon,” he whispered against her hair. “How does that sound?”
    She nodded against his chest, and slowly put her arms around his waist. He smiled at the action and closed his eyes. “Ya sure feel nice in my arms, Sugar. I could stand here holdin’ ya all day.”
    “You held me all night,” she whispered.
    He kissed the top of her head, unable to help it. “I sure did. Had to keep ya warm so ya wouldn’t get any sicker. The cold can take a person right quick if’n they ain’t strong.”
    “Take them?” she mumbled against his chest.
    “Uh-huh. Kill em right quick.”
    She pushed herself away and looked up at him. “ Kill them?”
    He shrugged. “It can be a hard life out h ere on the prairie,” he said and ran a hand through her loose hair. “But I’m gonna see to it ya stay strong. Do ya understand what I’m sayin’?”
    “I think so.” She turned her face away and looked at the stove. “Are you hungry?”
    “I’m near to starvin’. Here, let me show ya how I like my eggs.” He took her by the hand and led her to the stove.  “This here is easy to learn. I only like em one way.”
    Ryder kissed her on the cheek, and then proceeded to teach his wife how to properly fry an egg.
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Five
     
    Thackary Cuthbert Holmes hated to work, but when push came to shove -- and wanting to live another day was definitely a shove – the despicable dandy could be spurred to do things he normally wouldn’t do.  Like change his plans to outright murder the Sayer sisters one by one, to having someone else do the job.  He’d failed at his first attempt, and would be a laughing stock within the ranks of villainy should anyone find what happened when he tried to vanquish Penelope Sayer. Now that she was Mrs. August Bennett, the woman was well protected, and by not just her