Free Seth (Prairie Grooms, Book Three) by Kit Morgan

all.”
    “ What?” Eloise said in shock.
    “Yep, looks like Ryder’s friend isn’t what he seems.”
    “ I don’t believe it,” said Eloise. “Poor Ryder; to think someone you’ve known and trusted has turned on you, tried to kill you… I can’t imagine what your brother must be feeling right now.”
    “ He’s upset, I can tell you that. He got real quiet when I left to come back here. That means he’s mad as a rattler.”
    “ Can you blame him? And what about poor Constance? To think that man was in their house with them for days and days…”
    “Ryder doesn’t believe me and thinks Cutty is innocent. In fact, if I know my brother, he’s gonna set out to prove it.”
    Eloise gaped at him. “How can he not believe you? You’re brothers. I dare say, when my sisters and I have a disagreement, we still trust each other’s judgment for the most part.”
    “Maybe that’s because you’re womenfolk. Men don’t think that way,” he said as he buttered a biscuit.
    “I say, how can you eat at a time like this?”
    “It is time for tea, isn’t it?” He poured himself a cup and took a sip. “Don’t worry; once Ryder goes out to his place, looks around, and sees that I’m right, he’ll come to his senses.” He looked at her. “In the meantime, we have more important things to think about.”
    Eloise could only stare at him. “But Seth, how are you so sure it was Cutty?”
    He looked at her, leaned across the table, and took one of her hands in his. “Because darlin’, my instincts never lie.”

     
     
    Seven
     
    “ Who’s in charge of the games this year?” Colin asked later that evening at the dinner table.
    “ Fanny Fig, Sadie answered.
    “Fanny ?” he said. “I hope she does as good a job as Mrs. Mulligan. We’ve been awfully spoiled the last few years.”
    “ I’m sure Fanny will do just fine. Don’t worry about it,” said Sadie.
    Eloise picked at her food. She’d been thinking about what Seth had told her that afternoon, and it bothered her to no end. Belle noticed the way she poked at her supper and frowned. “What’s the matter, Eloise? Is the chicken not to your liking?”
    Eloise look at her across the table . “Oh, no, the food is fine. I’m just not very hungry.”
    “ Did something happen between you and Seth today?” asked Sadie. “I noticed how unhappy you looked when you left the hotel.”
    “Seth took a ride out to Ryder’s place,” explained Eloise. “He said he found clues that make him believe the man, Cutty, was behind everything.”
    “What do you mean, behind everything ?” asked Harrison.
    “He told Ryder that from the looks of it, his vagabond friend tried to kill Constance, not to mention Ryder himself. But Ryder doesn’t believe him.”
    “I daresay,” said Colin. “He’s going to have to come up with some proof, otherwise what’s the sheriff going to do? So far the only thing Cutty’s guilty of is trying to help Ryder; well, that and smelling bad.”
    “Yes,” agreed Eloise. “But Seth seems to think otherwise.”
    “Has anyon e heard if the sheriff has made it back yet?” asked Belle.
    “ No,” said Harrison. “And I, for one, am beginning to worry. They should have returned by now.”
    “Stop your worrying, brother, ” said Colin. “They’ve only been gone two days; I’m sure will hear something soon.”
    Eloise continued to pick at her food. “I certainly hope so; Constance isn’t speaking to me.”
    “ Why not?” Sadie asked.
    Eloise sighed . “Because she believes that Ryder is right, and I believe that Seth is right, so naturally, she isn’t speaking to me.”
    Belle and Sadie looked at one another. “That’s no reason not to speak to you,” commented Belle.
    Eloise straightened in her chair. “On the contrary, it most certainly is. After all, they’re married; of course she’s going to side with her husband.”
    “ She’s made a good point, you know,” said Harrison.
    “ A wife siding with her