Seth (Prairie Grooms, Book Three) Read online

  Eloise and her sisters watched as a heavy, thick rope was thrown across the water to the team on the opposite side. Colin, Harrison, Doc Drake, Tom Turner, Mr. White, August and Ryder made up the team across the creek. The other team was made up of Wilfred, Seth, Chase, and Levi (who’d just arrived, having been relieved of their guard duty by Mr. Turner and Mr. Van Cleet), Logan Kincaid, Sheriff Hughes, and Harvey Brown.

  “How did I not see Ryder and August before?” Eloise muttered to herself.

  “Oh account they’re as light on their feet as I am. You and your sisters are all in a heap of trouble!” teased Seth from his place near the rope. “Now stand back, darlin’. This could get messy.”

  Eloise quickly moved away, as did the other women. Doc Waller waited until the team on the other side of the creek pulled enough rope over to be able to work it. Once the rope was ready, Doc called for quiet. The townspeople went still and silent.

  “Now as we all know,” Doc called out. “Every year since we've had this contest, whichever team has Mr. Berg on their side always wins. But this year, Mr. Berg isn't here!”

  The townsfolk murmured and looked at each other. Eloise wasn't sure if they missed the man or not. But as she studied the people, she noted the look of sadness in their eyes, and concluded that they did, indeed, miss their Mr. Berg.

  “That said,” shouted Doc. “May the best team win!” A cheer went up as he continued. “Gentlemen, pick up your rope!” The townspeople cheered and clapped louder as the men on each side of the creek picked up the rope, and gripped it. Doc took his gun out and raised it in the air. “Ready?”

  All eyes turned to him. The two teams prepared themselves, some digging their heels into the dirt.

  “Set!”

  The men of both teams began to lean back, their weight already making the rope grow taut …

  “Go!” shouted Doc as he fired his gun.

  Cheers and shouts mixed with grunts and groans, as the men on both sides of the creek pulled and strained against the opposing team. Eloise and her sisters had never seen such a display of strength, and marveled as the men pulled, each team gaining ground by a few feet, only to lose it in seconds. Across the creek, Colin was the first man on the rope, Harrison just behind him. On their side, Wilfred Dunnigan was the first on the rope, followed by Chase, the blacksmith. Unfortunately, the first two men on the rope of both teams were the ones most likely to fall in and get a good dunking.

  The cheering continued as the two teams battled it out. “Land sakes!” complained Grandma. “This could go on forever!”

  “I think you're right,” agreed Mrs. Turner. “Without Mr. Berg, they’re all evenly matched!”

  “Wilfred!” yelled Mrs. Dunnigan over the din of the crowd. “Do something!”

  “Quiet, woman!” he yelled back.

  Mrs. Dunnigan grumbled something Eloise couldn't hear, and stomped off. She laughed at her retreat, and then returned her attention to the contest. Penelope and Constance were so intent on the action that they had to hold on to each other for support. Eloise began to wonder if either side was going to win, and if Doc Waller would declare a draw. But what did she know? Maybe they would let the two teams pull until one or the other tired out.

  Then it happened…

  With a groan, Wilfred gave one last tug of the rope, drew in a big breath, and yelled, “Hey, Colin! You’re pregnant!”

  Colin’s eyes widened as his mouth fell open. It was all it took. The rope slipped through his hands, and when he tried to regain his grasp, he lost his footing.

  He fell face-first into the creek, Harrison right behind him.

  The crowd broke into riotous laughter as the two men sputtered to the surface and gasped for air. “Wilfred!” cried Colin. “What the bloody…” He spit out a mouthful of water. “…bloody … oh, blast it! What do you mean I’m pregnant?!”

  “That's cheating!” choked Harrison as he, too, spit out water. “We win by default!”

  “I say, but he’s right!” Colin said as he finally got his feet under him and stood in the chest-high water. “Calling out such lies is cheating!”

  Eloise and her sisters turned to look at Belle, who stood, white as a sheet. “Uncle Wilfred! What have you done?” she hissed under her breath.

  Some of the men helped Colin and Harrison out of the creek. As soon as his feet hit dry ground, Colin marched right up to Wilfred. “Gads, man, but what were you thinking?”

  Wilfred shrugged. “Just stating the obvious,” he said.

  Belle buried her face in her hands and groaned.

  Of course, it was a well-known fact that at this point everyone in town knew she was pregnant; except, Colin and Harrison. The townspeople went silent. What followed was yet another tale of Clear Creek that would be passed down from generation to generation…

  Fourteen

  The townspeople were silent for but moment before they turned to Colin. He stood angry and sopping wet, staring at Wilfred like an idiot.

  Unable to stand it any longer, the townspeople burst into laughter as one loud chorus. Colin and Harrison stared at them in shock before they exchanged the same look. “What the bloody…” muttered Colin.

  “Now don't go gettin’ all uppity,” said Wilfred.

  “I'd say we have every right to be angry,” shot back Harrison. “You cheated, plain and simple.

  “And to say such an outlandish thing; why, you ought to be ashamed of yourself!” Colin chastised. “I most certainly am not pregnant!”

  Wilfred smiled at him. Colin took in the look, and ever so slowly, his eyes widened. Wilfred, at this point, positively beamed. Colin quickly glanced at his wife, who slinked her way behind Mrs. Mulligan.

  Harrison watched everything with interest, especially Belle. “I say, brother,” he said tapping Colin on the shoulder. “But have you spoken to your wife lately on the subject of children?”

  “What?” said Colin as he looked at him and caught his smirk. His face paled as comprehension dawned. “Good Lord! It can't be!”

  Wilfred burst into laughter, as did the rest of the townspeople. Belle was suddenly nowhere to be seen. Harrison craned his neck to find Sadie amidst the crowd, but saw no sign of her either. Eloise also glanced around, looking for the two women. She knew Colin was going to be upset that Belle hadn't told him. Especially since it was obvious that the whole town knew!

  Colin grabbed Wilfred. “Good Lord, man! Are you telling me that I'm really pregnant?”

  “I certainly hope not!” Wilfred said and laughed. “That would be somethin’ now, wouldn’t it?”

  Collin's mouth dropped open in shock. His eyes darted about, searching, but there was still no sign of his wife. He turned and grabbed the nearest person, who happened to be Mrs. Dunnigan. “Tell me! Tell me it's not true!”

  Mrs. Dunnigan, ladle in hand, smacked him on the head with it. “Unhand me, you idiot! And ask your wife!”

  Colin let out a strangled squeak, let her go, and took off like a shot through the crowd in search of Belle. Harrison, meanwhile, stood in open-mouthed shock. His eyes became glassy, and the people gave him a wide berth. They all remembered what happened when Harrison found out Sadie was pregnant.

  “Harrison?” asked Wilfred as he waved a hand in front of his face.

  Harrison suddenly let out a loud whoop. “We're going to have a baby!”

  The crowd around him roared with laughter. “What are you so excited about Harrison?” someone in the crowd asked. “It's not your baby!”

  “It's a Cooke, isn't it? That still counts!” he called to the crowd. They laughed in response, and the men near him slapped him on the back in congratulations.

  Eloise stood off to one side as she watched and listened to the people of Clear Creek share in the Cookes’ news. If this had been London, people would be appalled at the less- than-dignified display.

  She sighed, and realized that she was thankful this was not London. Eloise had discovered over the last few weeks that here, in Clear Cre
ek, she was free from the constraints of London society and the ton.

  Two arms came around her from behind, but she didn’t jump or yelp in surprise. She knew it was her husband. “How do you feel after fighting the good fight?” she asked him.

  “Just fine, darlin’. I could do with another piece of pie, though. Want to share one?”

  She turned around and looked up at him. His eyes held the same look as before, the one that made her want to melt into him. “I'd like nothing better, Mr. Jones.”

  He smiled at her. “You know what, Mrs. Jones?”

  “What?” she asked in a soft voice.

  “I think you're gonna like being married,” he said with a smile and a wink.

  She raised both brows at that. “Oh, really? What makes you say that?”

  He pulled her close. “You'll find out later tonight.” He kissed her, not caring who saw. Not that anyone was looking, the people were still too busy slapping Harrison on the back and congratulating him on being pregnant … in spirit, anyway.

  A wild scream suddenly rent the air, and Colin rushed back into the crowd. “It's true! I am pregnant!” he said as his arms flew up in the air. The laughter that followed was contagious. Some people were actually bent over, and gasped for air from the exertion of it.

  Mrs. Dunnigan hit Wilfred with her ladle. “Now see what you've done!”

  “I ain’t done nothin’. Besides, he'd have found out sooner or later anyway.”

  “You should've let Belle be the one to tell him,” she scolded.

  Eloise stepped out of Seth's embrace and went to the couple. “I say, but you would never see anything like this in London. I'm glad my cousin found out this way; it's so much more exciting!”

  “Well, I suppose if you think so,” said Mrs. Dunnigan. “Then it's all right.”

  “So, you’re not going to hit her with your ladle, too?” asked Wilfred.

  Mrs. Dunnigan let out a loud harrumph and stomped off. Eloise giggled at her retreat. “How long have the two of you been married?” she asked.

  “Not long enough,” he said. “The day she stops clobbering me with that ladle of hers is the day we’ve been married too long.”

  Seth and Eloise burst into laughter. “She's certainly a feisty one,” he told Wilfred.

  “That she is,” he sighed. “But I wouldn't have her any other way.” He slapped Seth on the back, winked at Eloise, and went after his wife.

  Seth took Eloise by the hand and gazed at her. “So, are you going to find something to hit me with, too? If you do, make sure it's something soft.”

  “I shan’t strike you,” she said. “But I'm sure I can find something to annoy you with, many times over.”

  He pulled her close. “It's just you and me now darlin', and I'm sure we’ll find lots of things to annoy each other with throughout the years. But I’m also sure we’ll find lots of things to make each other happy, too.”

  She could tell he wanted to kiss her again, but the people were beginning to disperse and head back to the picnic area. Many stopped to congratulate them on their marriage, and comment on her beautiful dress. No matter; she was sure there'd be plenty of time for kisses after the picnic ended. The thought made her blush.

  Seth saw it, and kissed her on the cheek. “Let's go get us some pie.”

  * * *

  Several more hours went by, during which time more games were played, laughter was shared, and Colin Cooke thanked everyone for not telling him about the baby until today. “I'd probably have been out of my mind with worry,” he told Seth as they stood in the shade of “His Majesty”. “Come to think of it, I may not even have let her come to the picnic!”

  “She's tougher than she looks,” Seth told Colin. “Just like Harrison's wife.”

  “Yes, my brothers and I have been truly blessed with the women in our lives,” said Colin. “As have you.”

  Seth nodded his agreement. “Mine might not be as hardy or as tough, but that's okay with me. I'm tough enough for the both of us.”

  “I'm sure you are, old chap, just as I'm sure my cousin will be well-suited to working alongside to you in the hotel.”

  Seth sought his wife, and spied her in the meadow with Mabel Turner. They were chatting away as women do, as Mrs. Turner, her hands waving every which way, was telling her a story. Several small children stood in awe, and listened to her. The scene was very peaceful, and Seth breathed a sigh of contentment. Today a new life began for him; a new life with a new bride.

  “I say, but what's that silly grin you're wearing?” asked Colin.

  Seth looked at him. “That, my friend, is the smile of a thankful man.”

  “Then you won't mind if I join you in it,” he said.

  “Not at all; go right ahead.”

  “Sheriff Hughes appeared out of nowhere, and blocked their view of the women. “Have either of you seen Chase or Levi?” he asked. “They mentioned something about strangers in town, and I want them to ride back with me.”

  “Strangers?” asked Seth. “Were they planning to stay?”

  “Not rightly sure, son,” answered the sheriff.

  “Perhaps I'd best get back to the hotel, just in case,” he said.

  “I do believe Chase and Levi are eating, again,” said Harrison. “After all, bachelors have to take advantage of home cooking when it's offered.”

  Sheriff Hughes laughed. “Don't I know it!”

  “Why don't you fix yourself a basket to take back to the sheriff's office?” suggested Seth. “While you do, I'll go fetch my bride. We'll go back to town with you.”

  “That's a fine idea: I think I'll do that. I'll meet you at the top of the trail by the wagons and horses.”

  “You don't have to wait for us; we won't be far behind you,” said Seth.

  “People are starting to gather their things,” Harrison pointed out as he joined them. “I guess it's time to start cleaning up. It was a fine day, gentlemen, was it not?”

  “Except for the unexpected dunking, of course,” added Colin.

  The four men laughed, shook hands, and set off, each in a different direction to gather what they needed. The sheriff was hoping there was still some fried chicken left, while Seth hoped that Mrs. Turner had finished her story so he could pull Eloise away.

  As luck would have it, Mabel Turner was indeed done telling her tale, which allowed Seth to gather Eloise in his arms, and steal a kiss. “You ready to go home, Mrs. Jones?”

  Eloise glanced around. “Do you mind if I say goodbye to Constance and Penelope first?”

  “Not at all, but I did tell the sheriff we’d follow him back to town. Chase and Levi told Sheriff Hughes that some strangers rode into town. They might need rooms at the hotel.”

  “My goodness! You mean to tell me there are guests in the hotel tonight?”

  “I'm afraid so, darlin',” he said. “Are you disappointed?”

  She looked away, not sure what to tell him. It was their wedding night, and she knew what was to come, what he'd expect of her. The thing was that she was looking forward to it. “By Jove, I do believe I am.”

  Seth stared at her, and if she didn't know any better she'd say he had tears in his eyes. “Trust me, darlin'; this won't be the first time there’ll be guests in the hotel. We’ll just have to get used to it, though I was kind of hoping to have the place to ourselves tonight.”

  “It would make it special, wouldn't it?”

  Seth looked at her and nodded. “We best get on back then. The sheriff will be waiting.”

  “Is there truly call for concern?” she asked. “Strangers have come into town before, have they not?”

  “Sure, but you just never know out here who a man really is, until you get to know him.”

  Her face softened. “Do I know you?”

  He flinched at her words. “No,” he said. “But you will. And I'm looking forward to getting to know you, too.”

  The scold was gentle, and she blushed as she realized that he was letting her off eas
y. Of course she didn't know him, nor did he know her; but like he said, they would get to know each other and have the rest of their lives to do it.

  They crossed the small meadow to the food tables, where Constance and Penelope helped some of the other women pick things up. “We’re heading back to town,” Eloise told them.

  “Well then,” said Constance with a giggle and elbowed Penelope in the ribs. “Do have a wonderful evening.”

  “Constance! For Heaven’s sake,” said Penelope. “Control yourself!” She looked at Eloise, and smiled. “Like she said, do have a wonderful evening.”

  Eloise blushed crimson. “There may be guests at the hotel.”

  “Tonight?!” her sisters said in unison.

  “I'm afraid so,” said Eloise.

  “Stop it, all three of you! You're embarrassing me,” teased Seth.

  Constance and Penelope laughed, turned to Eloise, and hugged her. Once the goodbyes were done, Seth and Eloise gathered their things and headed for the trail that led up to the wagons and horses. It took them a while, considering the load they each had in their arms, but once at the top, they put everything in Seth’s wagon and were off. The sheriff had been waiting for them, and had found Chase, but hadn’t seen Levi. “What else did they say?” the sheriff asked Chase as they rode alongside Seth’s wagon.

  “Not enough to figure out what they’re doin’ in Clear Creek,” he answered.

  “Is there a wagon train camped south of town?” the sheriff asked.

  “Not that anyone knows of,” Chase told him. “I hate to say it, but I hope they're just passing through. They don't look like the type you'd want hanging around for long.”

  “None of them mentioned staying at the hotel?” asked Seth.

  “No, these seem more the type to camp out on the prairie,” said Chase.

  “Didn't Cyrus relieve you to come join the picnic?” the sheriff asked.

  “Sure did,” said Chase. “If the strangers did want to stay at the hotel, then I'm sure Mr. Van Cleet could help them.”