Cutty (Prairie Grooms Book 8) Read Online Free PDF

drifted to his ears and his heart leapt in his chest. Imogene! He ran to the livery’s open doors and sure enough, there she was. He watched Jefferson Cooke helped her down and set her on her feet. “Imogene!” he said, starting to run, then catching himself. “Er … finally decided to come to town, eh?”
    “If you think I came into town to see you, you old coot, then you’re quite mistaken.”
    “Well, if you ain’t here to see me, then why are ya?”
    “Can’t a lady come to town and get a few things?”
    “Like what? Ya got all ya need out on that ranch!”
    Jefferson openly gawked at the two. “Tarnation, but you two have got it bad! Why don’t ya just get hitched?”
    “Hitched?” Imogene huffed. “Why, I wouldn’t marry that man if you paid me a thousand dollars!”
    Jefferson reached into his pockets as if digging for money. “I’m afraid I’m a little short, but I’m sure me and the boys could get enough cash together …”
    Imogene smiled at his joke, then looked at Cutty. “How have you been … old man ?”
    “Don’t call me that!”
    “Why not? It’s true.”
    Cutty thought of his new white hair and cringed. “I ain’t no older than ya and ya know it!”
    “Oh, let’s not stand here arguing. It’s more fun to do it in the hotel over tea, don’t you think?”
    “Fine, let’s go,” he huffed and offered his arm. She took it with a smile. “Silly old coot.”
    “Crotchety old woman. C’mon.”
    Jefferson watched them cross the street and head to the hotel. “What a pair,” he said with a shake of his head. “I hope after they get married they don’t live at the ranch. None of us’ll have a moment’s peace.”
     
    * * *
     
    Cutty ordered tea and biscuits, then turned to Imogene after Mrs. Upton returned to kitchen. “I … I’ve missed ya.”
    Imogene smiled. “I rather missed you, too.”
    He fidgeted in his chair. “So are ya still mad at me?”
    She put a hand to his cheek. “No. I can’t stay mad at you, even if you are an old fool.”
    “I ain’t a …” He reached up and put a hand over her own. “… then again, yer right, I am. I don’t know what you see in me.”
    “Right now I see a man struggling with what to do.”
    Cutty gazed at her. She could read him like a book. Of course, considering how many books she’d read to him while he recuperated from his burns, she should. He could read her too, and noticed the light in her eyes. “What is it?”
    “I’ve been thinking,” she said, letting her hand fall away. “You do understand why it’s best we not marry yet?”
    “I suppose.”
    “You know I have your best interests in mind, along with Newton and Nettie’s. How can I help you?”
    Cutty could only stare. “You wanna help?”
    “Of course I want to help, you silly man. This is too big for you to face alone. But I’m not sure how.”
    His eyes darted to the kitchen door and back. He leaned toward her and lowered his voice. “I came up with an idea how to spend more time with Newton, like I did with Nettie. I need to get to know him better before I tell ‘em anything.”
    “Why, Cutty, that’s a splendid idea. How are you going to do it?”
    “Well, Ryder’s gonna build a house and asked if I’d help. So I’m gonna ask Newton to help too.”
    “Maybe that’s why Constance is having the family to dinner,” she mused.
    “What do ya think? It is a good idea?”
    “I just said so, didn’t I? It’s wonderful – except that I won’t see you as often.”
    “I know it has its drawbacks,” he said. “But we both know I gotta see this done.”
    Her eyes softened, melting his heart. “I’ll help you any way I can – if it means not seeing you for a time, then so be it. Besides, I think it will do you good to spend time with your son.”
    “Ya could come out to Ryder’s place for a few days …”
    “I’ll do nothing of the kind. “You know very well there would be no place for me to sleep – I’m too old to bed down