Seth (Prairie Grooms, Book Three) Read online

  Constance grimaced, got comfortable, and then eyed her sister. “Those buckskins helped me save my husband. I think they’re my new favorite item of clothing.”

  “Save him?” Eloise asked. “How did these disgusting things help you save him?”

  “I could never have ridden into town in a dress. Well, perhaps I could, but my skirts would have impeded my getting here in time.”

  “We’re plumb glad you did!” said Sally. “Get here in time, that is. So is that handsome husband of yours. Now, I’ll go see what I can dig up for you to wear.”

  Constance smiled, closed her eyes, and groaned again.

  Eloise sat in a nearby chair, and leaned toward her sister. “Was it horrible? Did they harm you in any way? You were so concerned about Ryder earlier, I didn’t ask.”

  “They tied me to a post in the barn; that was it.”

  Eloise gasped. “However did you manage to escape?”

  “Ryder cut me loose.”

  “What? How did he manage to escape?”

  “He busted up the chair they tied him to. Eloise, please, I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”

  “I apologize; I shan’t upset you again. It must have been a horrible experience. Oh, but when I think what it must have been like to be rescued by your husband … how romantic!”

  Constance opened one eye, glared accordingly at the dreamy expression on her sister’s face, and then closed it. “I suppose I’ll come to see it that way one day.”

  Eloise bit her bottom lip. She had so many questions! She tried to imagine what it would be like if she’d been the one tied to a post, her husband trussed up in the house with a snake bite, his life draining away, and then, to suddenly be rescued by him! Oh, the heroics!

  She then thought of Seth, and the softness of his voice as he spoke to her during tea. It was their first time being alone, (save for the presence of Sally hovering nearby as chaperone) and she found him to be quite the gentleman. In fact, other than his country speech, which she found quite charming, he could almost pass for a real gentleman. Almost.

  “Are you hungry? Mrs. Upton is making you something.”

  Constance opened her eyes. “I’m not sure I can eat, but I’ll try. Right now this bath is all I want.”

  Eloise nodded and glanced around the room. She felt excited, relieved, frightened, all at the same time. “Do you think Colin and Harrison will ride with the posse?”

  “I have no idea. Why would they?”

  “I heard Doc Drake telling Doc Waller that the sheriff was gathering men, and mentioned Colin and Harrison.”

  Constance scooted up in the tub enough to look at Eloise. “They use the locals? What if Ryder goes?”

  “Or Seth?”

  Constance shook her head. “I don’t think you’ve any worries on that score; I can’t see Seth going.”

  “What do you mean? He’s a man, isn’t he? Why shouldn’t he go?”

  “Don’t get the idea that I think any less of him if he doesn’t. He’s just the right sort for you; he should stay.”

  Eloise stared at her sister, mouth half-open. The right sort? Was she saying her betrothed wasn’t man enough to go? He wasn’t some dandy after all … was he? Her mind went back over the last couple of weeks, all the way back to the day she first spied him sitting behind the hotel’s front counter. He was always clean, he smelled nice, and his hair was never out of place. He was a bit clumsy when it came to communicating sometimes, but all in all he was … oh dear … just dandy?

  Two

  Colin fetched Eloise from the hotel, made sure Constance was settled in her room, and then drove her home. She sat next to him and chewed her bottom lip, as she fretted over her sister’s words. He’s just the right sort for you …

  The Duke of Stantham made the match himself, and thought she and Seth would suit. Was she happy with his decision? Of course she was. Seth Jones was as close to home as she could get in Clear Creek. The hotel was magnificent and would be their home, and she would have beautifully appointed rooms to live in after they married, so what was the problem? Why was her stomach in knots?

  “Are you and Harrison going to accompany the posse?” she suddenly blurted.

  “Not this time,” Colin said. “If they come back, and the men are too tired to go out again, we might take a turn at it. But by then, those blasted outlaws would be long gone. The real question is, will they come back?”

  “Come back?!”

  He looked at her. “I’m afraid so. It’s happened before.”

  “Oh, dear me!” she said, a hand to her heart.

  “Don’t worry, Cousin. Harrison and I will see you’re kept safe. In fact, I’ll talk to Ryder about staying in town for a few days, just until the posse gets back.”

  “Really? Oh, that would be wonderful!”

  Colin smiled at the sound of delight in her voice. “They’ll head out at first light. Too dark see anything tonight. By the time they got to Ryder’s place, it would be night-fall.”

  “Are you going back into town tomorrow?”

  “Yes.” He glanced at her. “I suppose this means you want to go?”

  She nodded.

  “I say, is someone wanting another spot of tea with her betrothed?”

  She blushed. “If I happen to see him in passing, it would brighten my day. But I want to see Constance, and find out how Ryder is doing.”

  “I’ll not keep you from them. Belle and the rest of the family will probably come, too. Besides, you have a wedding dress to sew.”

  “Yes, don’t remind me.”

  “What’s the matter? Don’t you want to get married?”

  “Oh, I do! But it’s the sewing part; I … well … if only I were better at it.”

  Colin laughed. “You’ll get there. I’d practice my cooking, if I were you.”

  “Whatever for?”

  “Well, you are going to be married,” he pointed out.

  “Colin, I hardly see the logic in learning to cook. I’ll have Mrs. Upton at my disposal, and what am I going to do with that enormous kitchen? I’ll get lost in it!”

  Colin threw his head back and laughed. “Let me share something with you, Cousin. Men like it when their women cook for them. What better place to learn, especially when you do have Sally Upton at your disposal.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but it would be nice if she did the cooking and I did … oh, dear; what am I going to do in that place?”

  “Help run it, what else?”

  “Yes, but what does that entail, I wonder?”

  Colin shrugged. “Cleaning, dusting, making beds?”

  “What?” she squeaked out. “You’re describing the duties of a … a scullery maid!”

  Colin rolled his eyes. “When are you going to get through your pretty little head that you are no longer in England?”

  “I know I’m not, but it … oh, blast! At times I wish I were.”

  Colin smiled at her. “Trust me; you’ll get used to it. You’ve only been here a few weeks. It doesn’t happen overnight.”

  Eloise sighed. “England seems so long ago … the balls, teas, and musicales. I scarce remember what they were like.”

  Colin sighed. “Good; then you won’t miss them.”

  She glanced at him, then beyond to the prairie and a magnificent sunset. It was a beautiful sight; peaceful, serene, and for a moment, she understood why Colin, Harrison, and Duncan loved it so much. But they’d lived here for ten years, and she was still getting used to it. Perhaps things would be easier once she and Seth were married and settled into their new home. Of the three sisters, she was blessed with being able to live in the most civilized setting and with the most civilized man. Yet, a part of her envied the rugged charm of Penelope’s husband, and the raw, yet gentle, masculinity of Constance’s Ryder. They were men built for hard life on the prairie, and could easily survive. Seth popped into her head, his well-groomed appearance and gentleness was sought after in London; she should be happy that she was g
etting just what she wanted. But was he made of the same stuff that August and Ryder were? Did he choose to work in the hotel because he didn’t like farming or working with animals? Was it because he didn’t like getting his hands dirty? Could the man even use a gun? Would he be able to rescue her the way Ryder had Constance, if—heaven forbid-- she was ever in a similar situation?

  She shivered. No matter, she didn’t want a man that was so … well, manly. They were wild, untamed, and broke things, usually one’s best tea service. What would she do with such a man?

  She adjusted herself on the wagon seat, sat up straight, and watched the prairie roll by as she continued to convince herself that she was getting exactly the kind of husband she wanted.

  * * *

  Seth bent to the floor, got on his knees, and reached under his bed. He pulled out a long, shallow, metal trunk, and hefted it onto the mattress. He stared at the bulky thing, not wanting to raise the lid, for he knew the memories would come. There’d be no help for it.

  He took a key out of his pocket, inserted it into the lock, and opened up his past.

  He stood and stared at the contents.

  Weapons.

  The trunk was full of them.

  He picked up a revolver and turned it over in his hand. The weight was familiar and felt good; its smooth steel body fitting his hand like … like what? An old glove? Or in this case, a better term might be, old love.

  He stared at the rest of his belongings in the trunk. A huge knife and scabbard were there, a pair of folded buckskins, some moccasins, more guns, and finally, his gun belt. He’d not worn it in a very long time; not since coming to Clear Creek. He and Ryder had come to the tiny speck of a town to get away from the violence of their youth. True, they were still young men. But in the last ten years, they’d seen more than any man ought to see in a lifetime. Death had haunted their steps for ages it seemed, and twice it had almost caught up with them. For Ryder, this was the third time …

  Seth set the gun down, and turned to his dresser. He pulled out a pair of workpants, the ones he’d worn while working on the hotel, then an old shirt and a pair of boots. He changed quickly, and donned the gun belt. It didn’t take him long to load his guns, and, putting on his hat, he left the hotel in search of the sheriff.

  He found him in his office, speaking with Henry Fig and Bran O’Hare. “Great Scott, Seth, is that you?” Sheriff Hughes asked as he entered.

  “Sure is. I’m here to join the posse.”

  The three lawmen glanced at one another. “Can you shoot, lad?” asked Bran.

  “Good enough. I can hit things, if that’s what you mean,” answered Seth.

  “Well, we can use all the help we can get,” said Sheriff Hughes. “But ya gotta understand son, this ain’t no picnic we’re going on. This can get mighty dangerous.”

  “I can handle it.”

  Henry looked him up and down. “What makes you think that? You sit behind a desk all day.”

  “I didn’t always sit behind a desk, Henry.”

  Bran eyed him. “Let him come; we can use him.”

  “He’s getting married any day now,” Henry pointed out. “You don’t want to make your bride a widow before you even get to marry her, do ya?”

  “Henry,” the sheriff began in a scolding tone. “We need the help … but …” he turned to Seth. “He does have a point. How’s your brother holding up? Do you think he’s up to coming with us?”

  Seth fought the urge to roll his eyes. Everyone always thought Ryder was the better shot, the better tracker, the finer horseman; and all based on appearance. “I know he wants to, but like you say, it depends on how he’s feeling. Why don’t you go on over to the Wallers’ place and ask him?”

  “Bran, you want to take care of that?” asked Sheriff Hughes. “If Ryder can go, maybe Seth here ought to stay.”

  “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself, Sheriff.”

  “Just the same, if Ryder can go … I think you’d better stay. Maybe we can use you the next go-around if we don’t catch them this time.”

  Seth silently counted to ten. He’d played his part of the bumbling brother so well that no one understood how capable he was. But he couldn’t say it. “Speak with Ryder; but if he goes, I go.”

  “I’ll go talk with him now,” said Bran. He grabbed his hat off the desk and left.

  “When ya getting married?” asked Henry.

  “As soon as this business is over,” said Seth. “Like you said, I don’t want to leave a widow behind.”

  Sheriff Hughes let out a weary sigh. “Don’t rightly know how long this might take, son. The more I think on it, the more I think you should stay. I know Ryder can track; he’ll get us by.”

  Seth stared at the wood floor, and again counted silently to himself. He’d not had to deal with his temper for a long time, but when it was becoming more obvious that someone had intentionally tried to kill Ryder, it was hard to keep it at bay. “I’ll speak with Ryder myself.” With that he turned and left the sheriff’s office.

  He marched down the street to Doc Waller’s house, eyes straight ahead. Should he let them know what he was? Where he’d been? Or keep it to himself? He and Ryder had a fresh start here, a new life. What would it cost if folks found out that after being raised by Indians and doing some tracking for the Calvary, they hunted men down for a living? In the past, no one thought much of their bounty hunting, until they found out they went after men who could be brought in either dead or alive. And the Jones brothers were known to bring their men in dead.

  He reached the Wallers’, and knocked on the door. Grandma answered. “Well land sakes, another visitor? I’m gonna start charging a penny to open this door!”

  Seth laughed. “I’m here to see my brother.”

  “What else? C’mon in, he’s getting a visit from the deputy.”

  Seth walked in, and went straight to the patient room in the back of the house. Bran was sitting in the chair next to the bed. Even though Seth had seen Ryder a couple of hours ago, his color was better than before, and his eyes were clearer. Whatever sort of concoction Doc Waller had given him, it certainly had done the trick. “Ryder, we need to talk.”

  “Don’t start with me, Seth. You know I want to go.”

  “I don’t care how good you look. What if ya fall off your horse or something?”

  “I ain’t gonna fall off my horse!”

  “Your wife might have something to say about you goin’. I ain’t married yet, but you are.”

  Ryder sighed. “Didn’t we already have this talk?”

  “Maybe so, but … it wouldn’t be fair to them pretty gals if somethin’ happened to both of us. You should stay.”

  “I have a better idea!” Bran interjected. “How about you both stay! I’ll track.”

  The brothers stared at him. “You can track?”

  “Yes, I can track. Did a lot of it in Texas.” He shook his head. “Besides, I haven’t got a woman to worry about like you two. Doesn’t matter if something happens to me.”

  Seth and Ryder stared at him. Bran O’Hare was a handsome man; both were surprised he wasn’t married. Maybe there were fewer women in Texas than in Clear Creek. Who knew? “That set well with you, Ryder?” asked Seth.

  Ryder grimaced, not out of pain of any kind, but frustration. “I hate the thought of leaving Constance, but … what about Cutty?”

  “I’m sorry to have to say this,” said Bran. “But he’s probably dead by now. A drifter like that isn’t any use to a gang of outlaws. Who knows why they took him.”

  Ryder rubbed his face with his hands. “I gotta know.”

  “I’ll track them; don’t worry. If we’re able, we’ll bring them in, or as many as we can. It all depends on their numbers. We’ve got seven men; that’s it. All single men, except for Henry. The rest haven’t any family to leave behind.”

  Ryder let out a weary sigh. “Hunt them down, and bring ‘em in.”

  Bran nodded. “I will. You rest, ta
ke care of your wife. Stay in town a few days, or until we come back.”

  Ryder nodded and looked at Seth. “I guess we sit this one out.”

  “For now,” Seth added. He wanted to go, but began to realize that Bran was right. He and Ryder both had something to live for. Not that the other men in the posse didn’t, but it was sometimes a selfish thing to run off and put one’s life in danger, knowing how much it would hurt a loved one if they were killed. Bran was a lawman and it was part of his job. Seth and Ryder weren’t. They were volunteers …

  Bran left them and went back to tell Sheriff Hughes what they’d decided. As soon as he was gone, Seth sat next to his brother. “I could go by myself.”

  “Are you plum crazy? What about Eloise?”

  “Ryder, someone tried to kill you.”

  “Don’t ya think I … oh, I don’t know, I can’t think right now.”

  “You’re tired. I’ll go so you can rest. You’ve had one heck of a day, little brother.”

  Ryder nodded. “We’ll find out what happened. Go out to my place, will ya? Take a look around.”

  “Good idea. I’ll go as soon as I can.”

  Ryder stared at him. “Seth, did we do the right thing, gettin’ ourselves mail-order brides? When Sadie Cooke asked, I didn’t think twice, but now …”

  “You’re the one who’s married; you have more to lose.”

  “Yeah, but you could be married by the end of the week.”

  Seth nodded. “I know. But there’s no turning back now.”

  “What’s the matter, don’t ya like Eloise?”

  “That’s the problem. I like her a lot. I don’t know what I’d do if someone threatened her.”

  “You’d most likely do the same thing I would if someone tried to hurt Constance.” Ryder said as he looked away. “Kill ‘em.”

  Seth watched him a moment. “It’s a good thing none of them harmed your wife, then.”

  “Yep, a real good thing …”