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

She still had so much to learn, and wondered how Penelope and August were getting along. And what about Eloise? She'd probably be married sometime next week, depending on when her dress was done.  As far as she knew, the ladies sewing circle hadn't started it yet.  Speaking of which, when was the next meeting? "Wait!"
    Ryder cocked his head to one side. "Now what's got y a all excited?"
    "Eloise's dress! I have to find out when the sewing circle is meeting."
    "You fixin' to have to come to town for that?"
    "Of course, they were all kind enough to work on Penelope's dress and then mine. I want to be able to help with Eloise's. Besides, I need the practice."
    He raised his brows at that. "You got me there, best go find out. Cutty!"
    Cutty popped out of nowhere.  He came up to the wagon and grinned. "Woo wee!  Look at this!"
    "Go on into the mercantile and ask Mrs. Dunnigan when the next ladies sewing circle meets, then let's go."
    "Me? Go speak with that old bat?" Cutty said as his face twisted up in horror.
    "Yes you, and be quick like," Ryder told him. Cutty grumbled and kicked at the ground before he made for the mercantile. "Don't worry, he'll find out for us," Ryder said as they watched him go inside.
    "He's coming back with us?"
    "Of course, he's gonna help me put the windows in. Colin or Harrison will bring the panes out for me on one of their trips to see Othello. Colin’s inside ordering em for me now."
    "My, you have been busy."
    "Yep, as a bee Mrs. Jones."
    "How long will Cutty stay and work?" she asked, wondering how often she should expect the drifter’s company on their ranch.
    "Oh, until I get done. Probably stay the week, then he'll come into town, get a few things, and be on his way."
    "I see."
    "Don't worry none, he doesn't stay long, and he'll sleep in the barn."
    She said nothing, and instead wondered why she suddenly had an unsettled feeling, as if she didn't want anything to disrupt Ryder's happiness. Not that Cutty would, but she began to wonder if she didn't feel a little jealous of the old codger.  But why?
     

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Seven
     
    The trip home was uneventful, and Constance wished she would have seen either Eloise or Penelope in town, but from the sounds of it, she’d see them soon enough at the next meeting of the ladies sewing circle.  A good thing too, she not only missed her sisters, but she really did need the practice! She failed miserably at sewing buttons onto her own wedding dress, not to mention Penelope’s, and wasn’t very good a getting her stiches straight either. But Mrs. Mulligan, the saloon owner’s wife, told her it was all a matter of time and practice.  The meeting was to be in three days, and she couldn’t wait! Until then, she’d have the pleasure of seeing Colin or Harrison Cooke out at the ranch tomorrow, and if she were lucky the next day as well. She hadn’t realized she feared being by herself until now. She’d been surrounded by her sisters and the rest of her family or other people all her life. To be suddenly thrust onto a ranch miles from town was unnerving, but she’d get used to it. Like learning how to sew, it would just take time.
    It took longer to get home than it did to get to town, an d by the time Ryder brought the wagon to a stop, it was almost supper-time. Constance gulped at the thought. Was she going to be put in charge of it? Presumably so, as she was now the woman of the house. “Oh dear Heavens.”
    “What was that, Sugar?” Ryder asked as he set the brake.
    “Nothing.”
    Cutty climbed down from the wagon as Ryder helped Constance. “I’ll help ya get all this unloaded, boy. Then go find the cow.”
    “Oh, yes, she’ll need milkin’. Thank ya, Cutty.”
    “You have a cow?” Constance asked.
    “Yeah, but she wanders off a lot,” Ryder told her.
    “Aren’t you afraid of the rustlers?” she asked with alarm.
    He laughed. “Ain’t no rustlers gonna come all the way out here for one measly ol’ cow,