Seth (Prairie Grooms, Book Three) Read Online Free PDF

as a tremor of fea r went up her spine. The Cookes were taking extra precautions in case the outlaws came back to the area. She suddenly felt much safer in town than out of it.
    “Fannie, Penelope, Constance , Mable, and the Upton sisters,” answered Mrs. Mulligan.
    “Well, no sense waiting for them,” said Grandma . “Let’s get started. Who knows when they’ll show up?”
    “You’d best take your seat,” Seth whispered into her ear.
    She shivered again. But this time, it wasn’t out of fear. She could feel the heat come into her cheeks, and prayed that no one noticed. “When will I see you?”
    “I’ll try to dr op in later, see how you’re doing with that pretty dress of yours.” He patted her hand, and then let go her arm.
    She stood, not wanting to move. The warmth of his body was comforting, even though the morning was warm. “I look forward to it.”
    “Stop your whispering over there, child!” Grandma scolded. “And come help us. It is your wedding dress we’re working on!”
    Eloise turned a bright red, gave Seth a small curtsy, and hurried to an empty chair between Annie and Belle. Seth smiled at her, tipped his hat, and left the mercantile.
     
    * * *
     
    “And then the blasted bird pecked poor August on the head. It was a frightful thing to watch, but at least the little beast didn’t draw any blood!”
    The women stared open-mouthed at Penelope’s tale, before gathering their wits again. “I’d take that thing out and shoot it!” said Mrs. Dunnigan.
    “Oh, we couldn’t do that,” said Penelope. “Clyde’s like part of the family now, and he did …”
    “Save your life,” Eloise finished. “Yes , we all know about Clyde’s heroics. Too bad he wasn’t a dog.”
    “I don’t know ; I think having an attack chicken is rather novel, don’t you?” Penelope asked.
    Eloise giggled. “Just so long as no one eats him. Why did he attack August, anyway? I thought Clyde liked him.”
    “We’re not sure . He was chasing the hens to get them out of the barn so he could clean it. Maybe Clyde didn’t like him going after his … er … wives.”
    Constance snorted. “What’s that bird going to do if you eat one of them?”
    “Oh , perish the thought, sister! We use them for eggs,” said Penelope.
    Grandma laughed. “You three sure are fun to listen to. I don’t think I’ ve had as much fun since Mr. Berg and the others left town.”
    They’d been working for hours, and Eloise was beginning to wonder if Seth was ever going to come back.
    Seth … she smiled as she realized that she’d ceased thinking of him as ‘Mr. Jones’. And why should she? They were to be married in a matter of days.
    “What are you smiling about, Miss Sayer?” asked Annie.
    Eloise looked at her, and blushed.
    “I bet I know,” said Belle in a teasing tone.
    Sadie smiled and shook her head. “Stop teasing and keep working. We’re almost done!”
    Belle giggled, and winked at Eloise . She then put her sewing in her lap, and stretched. Sadie watched her closely, as did Constance, but said nothing. Eloise in turn, watched them both. “What is it?”
    Sadie and Belle’s heads both popped up. “What is what?” asked Sadie.
    “I don’t know,” Eloise said with a shrug, you were looking at each other rather funny. I thought perhaps something was wrong.”
    Sadie and Belle exchanged a quick look. “No, nothing wrong here,” said Belle.
    “Oh, very well. I was just curious, is all. One never knows in this place,” said Eloise.
    Grandma stopped her stitching and eyed Belle and Sadie. She looked each one over carefully, before she returned to work, her eyes flicking to each of them now and then.
    Constance, unable to help herself, snorted.
    “Oh! Now I know something’s afoot!” said Eloise. “She only snorts like that when she’s highly amused, or privy to information Penelope and I don’t have!”
    Sadie sent Constance a glare , and then quickly returned to her sewing. “Maybe she was