Free Bushedwhacked Groom by Eugenia Riley Page B

boy,” Cole directed him, heaping his own plate with more pancakes. “You need to regain your strength.”
    “Sir, I’ve already had three of everything.”
    “Pa, is he gonna ride with us today?” asked Matt.
    “Naw. This boy needs a little more mending time before we show him the range.”
    “Bet he’s a pure greenhorn,” jeered Vance.
    Now Lucky felt compelled to defend himself. “I’ll have you know I’ve been working the Flying T for three years now, and rode my grandparents’ spread before that.”
    “Flying T?” scoffed Matt. “Never heard of it.”
    “All right, boys, leave Lucky in peace,” scolded Jessica.
    Matt was about to protest when Molly came dancing in the back door with a basketful of flowers. “Ma, I got done feeding the chickens early so I picked some black-eyed Susans for you.”
    A stunned silence fell as every member of Molly’s family regarded her in amazement. “Daughter, what are you doing all scrubbed and starched so early in the day?” her father asked.
    “Are you implying I don’t bathe?” she shot back impudently.
    “Ain’t you coming with us to the range today?” Cory asked his sister.
    Molly preened, then winked at Lucky. “Naw. Now that I’m an affianced lady, I’m gonna stay here and help out the womenfolk.”
    While Lucky muttered to himself, all of Molly’s broth ers broke up laughing. “You, a lady with a fiancé!” scoffed Zach. “Might as well be Vance or me putting on airs and a frilly dress.”
    “Do you boys have some peculiar notions you haven’t told us about?” she mocked back. Amid chuck les, she turned to her mother. “Ma, you and Grandma can use my help today, can’t you? I mean, with Uncle Billy, Aunt Dumpling and the cousins due here at high noon.”
    “Noon?” put in a confused Lucky. “I thought you said those folks were coming for dinner?”
    Everyone but Jessica stared at Lucky in mystification. “Lucky, dinner here is at noon and supper at five o’clock,” she pointed out tactfully.
    “Ah, yes, dinner,” Lucky replied with a scowl. “Come to think of it, I can remember my grandma sometimes used to refer to lunch as dinner, too.”
    “And of course you’ll join us, Lucky?” Jessica added graciously.
    “‘Course he will,” retorted Molly before Lucky could speak.
    “Molly” scolded Jessica, “let the man answer for himself.”
    While Molly scowled, Lucky smiled at Jessica. “I’d be honored to join you for dinner, ma’am.”
    “Wonderful,” she replied, turning to Cole. “And you men bear in mind you need to be back by eleven-thirty to scrub up.”
    The boys exchanged conspiratorial looks, then Vance whined, “Ma, do we gotta be here? Zach, Matt, Cory and me sort of had other plans for this afternoon.”
    “And what are those?” their mother asked.
    “Ma, it’s a secret,” put in Cory with a self-conscious expression.
    Jessica’s eyes danced with amusement. “Very well, boys. Just clear this clandestine mission with your father.”
    “Yes, ma’am,” chanted the brothers in unison.
    “You boys aren’t aiming to go rob a stagecoach or a train, are you?” demanded Cole with a suspicious look.
    “No, sir,” Matt denied vehemently. “Didn’t we already tell you we’re not involved?”
    “Then where are you bound this afternoon?”
    Miserably, Matt replied, “We’ll just—we’ll explain it to you while we’re riding out to the range, all right, sir?”
    “Very well,” conceded their father.
    Molly gave her brothers a dubious glance, then turned to her mother. “So, may I help out you and Grandma?”
    “Of course Ma and I would be happy to have your assistance, dear,” Jessica responded.
    Molly beamed. “And while I’m at it, I’ll just keep an eye on old Handsome here.” She winked at Lucky.
    Everyone else laughed, and Lucky sorely wished he was up to riding the range.

 
    Chapter Seven
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    After the men left, Lucky lingered over a third cup of coffee. He had to