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

husband. The wounds on his head were still healing, inflicted by … oh the humiliation of it all … a chicken.
    Still, Thackary was no quitter, and could always take a stab (no pun intended) at Constance Sayer, now Mrs. Jones. If it weren’t for one small problem: Thackary liked Ryder Jones. In fact he always had, and if it weren’t for Ryder helping him out over the last year or so, he’d be dead.  He fed him, patched him up the first time he came tumbling down the hills (quite literally) from the caves, and allowed him to stay on his place until he healed. He’d broken two ribs and almost a leg, and if not for Ryder’s kindness and medicinal expertise, Thackary never would have made it.  He felt he owed Ryder something, so taking his wife from him made him feel guilty. Who would have ever thought?
    This of course made things more difficult. Perhaps if he could get the girl alone long enough, he’d have a chance to do the deed and make it look like an accident. He’d certainly set the stage for it already with the chat he’d had with Ryder the day before. But getting her alone wasn’t going to be easy, making it look like an accident even harder. Then having to put up with Ryder’s broken heart might do him in. Besides, he couldn’t very well be around when it happened. Folks might start putting two and two together and that could land him in jail.  Worse, someone might recognize him and figure out that ol’ Cutty was really Thackary Holmes. Then he’d really be in trouble! No, best leave this to the experts in the field of elimination. Which, of course, posed yet another problem. Who?
    Thackary continued to gather eggs for Ryder. Perhaps he could accompany them t o town, hang around the saloon, and catch some snippets of gossip as to who was coming and going through town. Hmmm, there was talk of cattle rustlers in the area. Maybe they’d be willing to help. But once a deal was struck, how was he going to pay them? He might have to part with … no! No it was too precious! He’d found it in the caves and knew it had to be real gold. He’d need it if he ever got the chance to return to England. But his gut told him to stay in America for a time, let things settle down.  England would be the first place the law would look for him and expected him to return to his homeland. They’d charge him with kidnapping, attempted murder, and who knows what else! 
    Thackary straightened, his back popping with the effort, and put the eggs he’d gathered into a small sack.  He’d give them to Ryder, and the kind fellow would cook them up just the way he liked them.  He’d have coffee ready by now as well. Thackary’s stomach growled at the thought, and he turned to leave the barn. A structure he himself helped put the finishing touches on.  He’d never used his hands for such a task before, and it made him feel as though he’d accomplished something.
    That settled it then. He’d not do so a vile a thing to Ryder as murder his wife.  He’d  have someone else do it! Just as he did with the Cooke brothers several years before …
     
    * * *
     
    Constance had a few cooking lessons from Belle and Sadie, but none were as fun and educational as the one Ryder gave her that morning. He not only showed her how to properly fry an egg, but explained things about chickens of which she had been totally ignorant.  There were all kinds of different chickens, and some better than others. It all depended on what they were used for. Her new husband knew a lot of thing she didn’t, and was very good at telling her how everything worked. He also showed her how to make coffee and grind the beans until she got the hang of it.  He then showed her how much water to use and how the coffee pot worked, and to her surprise and delight, it all turned out wonderful. She even made eggs for Cutty, who ate them with relish. Of course from the looks of the poor wretch, he’d eat anything with relish!
    “I know you haven’t felt well,