Chase (Prairie Grooms, Book Four)

by Kit Morgan

  She returned his smile, went to Apple, and took her in her arms. “There, there now, why don't we go visit Grandma Waller? Cousin Imogene is.”

  Apple sniffed back her tears. “Cousin Imogene is reading to that man.”

  “What man?” asked Fina.

  “Ryder’s friend, the one Doc Waller is taking care of. She liked reading to him the other night, and so she’s doing it again. Sadie said that's why she wanted to come to town with us today.”

  “I'd say that's mighty nice of your cousin to be reading to old Cutty,” said Logan. “My Fred was thinking of doing that, but she's been too busy.”

  “Who is Fred?” asked Apple.

  “His wife,” offered Levi.

  “Your wife's name is Fred?” Apple asked in disbelief. “I thought her name was Susara.”

  “It is,” said Logan. “But I like calling her Fred.”

  “That's horrible!” said Fina with a grimace.

  “What's so horrible about it?” asked Levi.

  “For one, it's most improper,” Fina shot back. “What lady in her right mind would allow her husband to call her Fred?”

  “Mine would,” said Logan with a smile.

  “Susara is such a pretty name. Why don't you call her that?” asked Apple.

  “I think Fred fits her,” added Levi.

  “Susara is mighty pretty,” agreed Logan. “But Fred was the best horse I ever had, so I figured it was fittin’ to give his name to the best thing that ever happened to me. My wife.”

  Fina stared at him in shock, and then laughed. “That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!”

  “Can't a man call his wife what he wants? As long as it don't hurt her feelings of course,” said Levi.

  Fina glared at him. “And what would you call me, sir? You do know we’re to be married.”

  Levi looked taken aback, but only for a moment. He looked Fina up-and-down, studying her, and tilted his head this way and that, until he came to some conclusion. “Well let's see now, what do I call you other than Miss Sayer?”

  “Felicina!” bleated Apple.

  Fina groaned. “Apple, did you have to?”

  “Fella… what?” asked Levi with a half-smile.

  “Fella …cina,” Apple told him as if he were daft.

  Levi's half-smile turned positively devilish. “While I like the first part, I'm not so sure about the second.

  “What?!” cried Fina.

  “Fellaaaaa,” Levi said, his voice low, drawing the word out.

  “My name is not Fella,” protested Fina.

  Levi looked at Logan. “What do you think? I think Fella suits her, don't you?”

  “That ain't the name of a horse, is it?” asked Logan.

  Fina's eyes widened. “Well, I never!”

  Levi grinned. “We mean no offense Fella, we’re just teasing you, that's all. A pretty girl like you ought to be teased and have fun with it.”

  “And if I called you an overgrown ox, would that be considered teasing?” asked Fina in a huff.

  “Are you trying to insult me, Fella?” he asked as his eyes brightened.

  “You might as well give up now, Miss Sayer,” suggested Logan. “Levi here, he loves to tease.”

  “Well, I'd say he's met his match on that score,” announced Fina.

  “Let the games begin!” Apple added with a smile.

  Fina turned to her. “I'm glad to see you're happy about something.”

  “Of course,” she said. “This is going to be fun to watch. Besides, it will entertain me until Sadie finds me a proper beau.”

  “Then I pray she finds one as soon as possible,” Fina said in a flat tone.

  Levi laughed. “What's the matter, Fella, you don't want us to entertain your sister? I'd say it's a might fine thing to brighten a person's day.”

  Fina stared at him. His eyes had changed and were no longer mischievous, but instead held a glint of sympathy in them for Apple. Fina lowered her own eyes to the floor as she realized his concern for her sister. She looked at him and offered a smile. “I suppose if it's for Apple, then I can make myself fit for the task.” She arched an eyebrow at him in challenge.

  His devilish grin was back. “I accept. But for now, I must be getting back to work.” He tipped his hat, gave a slight bow, and winked at Fina. “Until we meet again, Fella, I bid you adieu.” He headed for the mercantile doors just as Lena and Chase burst through them.

  “Good grief!” Logan said as he jumped out of the way. “Where's the fire?”

  “Oh, thank heavens,” said Lena as she looked at her sisters and tried to catch her breath. “I’m so glad you're here!”

  “Why?” asked Fina. “What's happened?”

  “We’re to be married!” Lena said as she held up her hand locked in one of Chase’s.

  Apple sighed. “Tell us something we don't know.”

  “We're getting married today,” said Chase. “Right now. We were heading to Preacher Jo's when Lena saw the Triple C's wagon. We thought we’d come in here and see if you were in town.”

  “Yes, and now you can come to the ceremony!” added Lena, her face flushed with happiness.

  “Married?! Today? But what about being married at the barn raising?” asked a flustered Fina.

  “I'm afraid we can't wait,” explained Lena. “We've agreed to get married today. Please, won't you come?”

  Fina and Apple exchanged a quick glance, then looked at Logan. “What would Harrison and Colin say?” Fina asked.

  Logan shrugged. “I guess they'll be disappointed no one’s getting married at the barn- raisin’. The town was looking forward to a weddin’.”

  Lena's face clouded with disappointment. “Oh, yes, Jefferson explained it to me.” She looked at Chase. “He said that after everything that's happened here in Clear Creek, the town needed something happy to cheer them up. Everyone was counting on our wedding to do the job.”

  He looked at her, then stroked her cheek with a finger. “I want to make you my wife. Today. That leaves your two sisters to make the town happy.” He looked at the rest of them. “Maybe I'm being selfish, but all I know is, I can't wait to make Lena my bride.” He looked back to her. “Right this very minute.”

  “Then what about the barn-raising?” asked Apple.

  Wilfred, quiet all this time, cleared his throat. Every one turned as he came out from behind the counter. “Seems to me there can still be a weddin’ come Saturday,” he drawled, and then eyed Levi and Fina.

  “Are you thinking me and Fella here,” he said with a toss of his head at Fina, “ought to get hitched at the barn raising this Saturday?”

  “That's what I'm sayin’,” said Wilfred as he rocked toe to heel a few times.

  “That would solve everything,” said Apple. “Lena and Mr. Adams get married today, and Mr. Stone and Fina on Saturday.” She put her hands behind her back and stood proudly as she looked at everyone. “I think it's a fine idea.”

  “Not a moment ago, you didn’t want either one of us to marry so soon! And what about what I think?” asked Fina in a rush.

  “Let alone what I think,” added Levi.

  “What do you think?” asked Chase.

  Levi stared at Fina with an expert eye. An expert of what, she had no idea. But that's how he looked at her. “I think,” Levi drawled. “That Miss Fella and I have but a few days to get to know one another before we get hitched.”

  Fina gasped, collected herself, and glared at him. She then tossed the look at Apple, who stood and smiled sweetly back. “Very well then,” she said before she gave her attention back to Levi. “Let us… get acquainted.”

  Levi gave her that same, unsettling devilish grin. “I'm looking forward to it…” He leaned toward her. “Fella …”

  The Weaver Farm, 1871

  “Woo wee!” laughed Benjamin. “The sparks are gonna fly between those two!”

  “Yeah, I can’t wait to hear what happens next!” added Calvin.

  Tom sat, a sati
sfied look on his face. “Tell me boys, do ya still have aches in yer bellies?”

  Benjamin and Calvin looked at one another. “Now that ya mention it, yeah,” said Benjamin.

  “Great! Now ya went and made it worse!” Calvin complained.

  “He didn’t make it worse,” said Arlan. “He’s trying to teach you boys something.”

  “What?” asked Calvin.

  Tom looked at Arlan. “I’d say your brothers are almost ready to start courtin’.”

  “Yeah, but not marrying. I think they need a couple more years.”

  “Oh now don’t go sayin’ that,” Benjamin lamented. “I can’t take puttin’ up with a belly ache for that long!”

  Tom laughed. “It gets worse, but Arlan’s right. You’re gonna have to get a few things done before takin’ on a wife. Same as all of Clear Creek’s prairie grooms.”

  “We already got a house,” countered Calvin. “Ma says that after we’re married, our wives can live in the big house with us.”

  “Where else would they live?” asked Arlan. “The barn?”

  Benjamin rolled his eyes. “You know what he meant.”

  Tom laughed. “I’m not just talkin’ about a place to live. There’s other things.”

  “Like what?” asked Calvin.

  Tom leaned his elbows on his knees. “Like being in the right state of mind, so your heart can open up to a woman.”

  Benjamin and Calvin looked at one another, then stared at Tom.

  Tom sighed. “Maybe I’d better tell you the tale of Levi Stone and Fella.”

  The twins laughed at the name.

  “Feisty Fella to be exact,” he added.

  “Not now, we gotta have breakfast, and get some work done,” said Arlan.

  The twins groaned in protest.

  “Later tonight then?” suggested Tom.

  “We thought you was leavin’,” said Benjamin.

  “Nah, we can stay a little longer,” said Tom. “You boys get your work done today, and we’ll meet up again this evening, how’s that sound?”

  The twins nodded, though reluctant, and both stood. “Feisty Fella,” mused Calvin. “Why on earth would a man name their intended somethin’ like that?”

  Tom smiled. “Because she was.”

  The End

  About the Author: Kit Morgan, aka Geralyn Beauchamp, has been writing for fun all her life. When writing as Kit Morgan her books are whimsical, fun, inspirational sweet stories that depict a strong sense of family and community. When writing as Geralyn Beauchamp, her books are epic, adventurous, romantic fantasy at its very best.

  Be watching in September for the next installment of Prairie Grooms to find out (along with the rest of the Weaver clan) what happens next when Levi Stone gets more than he bargained for with his English Mail Order Bride! In the mean time, if you love Kit Morgan’s books, check out her alter ego—Geralyn Beauchamp’s titles!

  Time Masters Book One; The Call

  Time Masters 2, The Prophecy