Ryder (Prairie Grooms, Book Two)

by Kit Morgan

  After being treated by Grandma, they crossed the street to the mercantile. Constance looked for Ryder as they made their way up the mercantile steps, but saw no sign of him. He must still be speaking with the blacksmith. She returned her attention to the task at hand as the bell above the door rang announcing their arrival.

  "Hello there! Aren't you a ..." Fanny Fig stopped and looked Constance up and down. "...er, pretty picture?" Her last words came out a squeak.

  Constance hadn't thought to fix her hair while at Grandmas, and once again unconsciously reached up and touched her messy locks. "It was a windy ride into town."

  Grandma glanced at her and smirked, then looked at Fanny. "What brings you to town again today. Weren't you here earlier?"

  "I was, but I've been so muddled with this rustler problem that I plumb forgot the flour! You know how these things upset me."

  "Why don't you let the Sheriff and your husband worry about the rustlers?" Grandma chastised. "Besides, rustlers come and go, and you don't own a cattle ranch. It's the Cookes that need to be worried."

  "Oh Grandma, don't tell me not to worry, you know I'll do it anyway!"

  Grandma leaned toward Constance. "Fanny always was the worst sort of fussbudget. It's amazing Henry still has all his hair with the way she talks."

  "Has his hair?" Constance whispered back.

  "What I mean is, he hasn't pulled it out yet."

  Constance stifled a giggle as Fanny's attention was drawn to Mrs. Dunnigan coming through the curtained doorway to the storefront. She took up her post behind the counter. "What do you need now, Fanny?"

  "I forgot flour."

  Mrs. Dunnigan scrunched up her face and narrowed her eyes at the woman. "Maybe if you'd stop talking long enough to look at your list, you wouldn't forget what's on it!"

  "Hush, Irene. You know how upset I am! Why, I'm liable to go home and eat a whole pie!"

  "You do that you'll get fat!" Mrs. Dunnigan shot back.

  Constance couldn't help but smile at the exchange. She'd seen Mrs. Dunnigan and Fanny Fig go a few friendly rounds with each other while the ladies sewing circle frantically worked on her wedding dress. Mrs. Dunnigan looked at her, as if she'd just remembered the fact. "What happened to you? Ya look terrible."

  Mrs. Dunnigan was never one to mince words.

  Constance sighed. "I caught a chill yesterday, and of course a cold followed. Grandma gave me something for my cough though."

  "What ya come all the way into town then for? You should be home in bed!" Mrs. Dunnigan scolded.

  "Yes, you should be home in bed!" Fanny added with a curt little nod.

  "We needed supplies," she offered.

  "Well then come on over here and give me your list," Mrs. Dunnigan huffed.

  Constance wavered, and looked to Grandma. "I ... I don't actually have a list ..."

  "What?" Mrs. Dunnigan said in exasperation. "No list?"

  Fanny acted as if she might faint. "No list! Whoever heard of such a thing!"

  "Like it helped you!" Grandma quipped.

  Fanny made a little "harrumph" sound and spun toward the counter. "What about my flour?"

  "I'm waiting for my husband, he has the list," Constance stated matter of fact as she stepped to a display table containing bolts of fabric. "I'll just peruse your wares until he arrives."

  Fanny turned to look at her. "You don't have to talk all fancy you know."

  Constance raised her brow at that. "This is how I talk all the time."

  "Seems to me you're talking like ... well like you're better than the rest of us." Fanny said as she squared her shoulders.

  Grandma snorted. "Fanny Fig, stop it! Just cause you don't speak proper like Constance and her sisters doesn't make us think any less of ya. I babble like an idiot and people still love me."

  "That's true," Mrs. Dunnigan put in.

  Constance glanced from one woman to the next. She couldn't decide whether to laugh or cringe at the conversation. Thankfully, Ryder came strolling through the door, and she didn't have to do either. Instead she turned to her husband and took in his wide grin.

  "Guess what, Sugar? We got ourselves a new wagon!"

  Her heart leapt in her chest. She'd never thought a wagon could make her so happy. "Ryder! That's wonderful!" she exclaimed with a smile to match his own. Until she remembered he didn't have much money. "Doesn't a wagon cost a lot?"

  Grandma groaned at the question and smacked her on the arm.

  "Ouch," Constance said and rubbed where she'd been struck. "Why did you do ... oh. Yes. I forgot."

  "Quick like too. From now on, mind what I tell ya, child. Take advantage of what I got."

  "What's that?" Constance whispered.

  "Experience," Grandma huffed, and went to the counter.

  Constance watched as she began talking to Mrs. Dunnigan and Fanny before she turned to Ryder. "I'm sorry, I should trust you in these matters."

  He studied her, his smile faded now, and nodded. "A man can't feel like a man til his wife trusts him." He closed the distance between them and looked into her eyes. "You trust me enough to get what I think we need for now?"

  She could feel a deep blush of embarrassment creep up her neck and into her cheeks. She nodded her answer and said not a word for fear of saying the wrong thing again.

  "Good," he said. He took her by the upper arms and kissed her. Constance heard a gasp behind them. "That worked," Ryder snickered.

  "What?"

  He rested his forehead against hers as he chuckled. "I like getting that Fanny Fig all riled up. It's so easy."

  "Ryder Jones!" Constance whispered. "You should be ashamed of yourself."

  "I should be," he said as his shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. "But I ain't."

  It was all Constance could do not to burst out laughing with him. That would never do. Her sister Penelope would be appalled. Eloise would probably laugh with her. She sighed at the thought.

  "What's the matter, Sugar?"

  "I was thinking of my sisters. I do wish I was able to see them."

  "You just saw them yesterday at the weddin'."

  "I know, but I don't know when I'll see them again."

  "Leave em a note. Wilfred will see they get it."

  "That's a wonderful idea!"

  He took her by the hand and led her to the counter. "Mrs. Dunnigan, do you have some paper Constance could use?"

  "And something to write with," added Constance.

  "I got a list here too," said Ryder.

  "One thing at a time!" Mrs. Dunnigan barked. I only got two hands." She reached under the counter and pulled out a piece of paper, a pencil, and handed it to him. Ryder gave them to Constance then in turn gave Mrs. Dunnigan his list. She snatched it from him and began to read. "How you gonna pay for all this?" she asked.

  "I got money," he said with a grin.

  Mrs. Dunnigan eyed him in disbelief. "I don't give store credit ya know."

  "I said I got money, Mrs. Dunnigan." To prove it he pulled a wad of money out of his pocket. Mrs. Dunnigan's eyes got wide as saucers. "You didn't sell that horse of yours did you? I thought you were gonna breed him."

  "Sure am. Now about my list?"

  She looked at him in confusion, as did Constance. Apparently she wasn't the only one privy to the fact her husband had few funds available to him. So where then, did he get the cash in his hand?

  He caught her look and pulled her into his arms. "You trust me?"

  She swallowed, and nodded.

  "Then why don't you go over there and pick out something pretty to sew into a dress."

  Constance glanced to the display table that housed bolts of fabric. "Ryder ..."

  "Don't Ryder me, I got the money. Now go pick out some fabric. You're gonna need it."

  "But Ryder ..."

  "Didn't you hear what I said? Good grief woman, we ain't been married a day and you're arguin’ with me!"

  "It's not that, it's ... I can't sew."

  He stared a
t her, as did the other women. "She's right," Grandma said. "That child can't sew worth beans."

  Ryder looked to Mrs. Dunnigan who gave him a sour expression and nodded. Fanny gave him her signature curt little nod. "Oh, I see," he said. "Well, I guess you can do your dress makin' with the ladies sewing circle. Give ya a chance to see your sisters."

  Constance threw her arms around him without thinking, and kissed him on the cheek. "Oh thank you! You've made me so happy!"

  He grabbed at his hat before it fell off, and hugged her back. "Well, let's see what else I can do to make ya happy!"

  They spent the rest of their time in the mercantile getting some much-needed supplies for the cabin. Kitchen towels, a tea kettle and tea (Constance was ecstatic at that) soap, candles, sugar, flour, jerky, lard, candy, (Ryder had a horrible sweet tooth) an extra lantern, oil, blankets, and a pair of boots for Constance. She tried them on and thought she'd died and gone to Heaven. They were much more comfortable than the shoes she owned, ones not fit for life on a ranch. She decided to wrap them up and store them for social functions, like dances or weddings. In fact, she'd be able to wear them when Eloise and Seth got married.

  "Why don't you keep those on, Sugar?" Ryder said as she walked around the mercantile to try them out.

  "Yes, I agree."

  "He pulled a bonnet down from a shelf and put it on her head. "There, now you look like a rancher's wife."

  She smiled, and then stared at the growing pile of goods on the counter as one question still burned in her mind. Where did he get the money? But she dare not ask him. It was like Grandma said, let him tell her, don't pester him about it. Trust him.

  He paid Mrs. Dunnigan and watched as she wrapped up their purchases in brown paper. Constance felt as if she'd just had Christmas and suddenly realized how much she'd taken her life and the things she had back in England for granted. She and her sisters were always clothed in the latest fashions. They had food a plenty, shoes, books, lessons, carriages, servants, a cook ... she could go on and on. She never thought she'd be so happy for an ugly pair of boots, or oil for a new lantern. And blankets, she mustn't forget the blankets. If Ryder's cabin was this cold now, what would it be like in winter, even with the proper windows? She shuddered at the thought as Ryder began to gather up their packages.

  "Help me, will ya, Sugar?"

  She began to gather what she could as Ryder jerked his head toward the door. "I parked the wagon right outside."

  "You did?" she asked in surprise.

  "Yep, didn't think you'd want to carry all this down to the livery. Thanks for all your help Mrs. Dunnigan. See ya later!"

  Grandma waved at them and smiled, then elbowed Fanny to do the same. She'd been standing there watching their every move in silence. She raised her hand and gave them a weak smile and wave of goodbye. If Constance didn't know any better, she'd say the woman was jealous, but of what? Ryder didn't have much to be jealous of as far as Fanny would be concerned. Belle Cooke had told Constance and her sisters that Fanny and her husband Henry had a nice little place not a half-mile out of town. Pretty as a picture it was. If that was the case, then what could it be?

  She pushed the thought aside as she stepped out onto the boardwalk and took in the sight of their brand new wagon. "Oh Ryder, it's beautiful."

  "Yeah, they always are when they're new."

  Banjo was hitched to it, Othello tied at the back. She followed Ryder down the steps to the wagon where they loaded everything in the wagon bed. Just as they finished, the sound of booted feet clomped down the boardwalk. Colin Cooke sauntered toward them, chewing on a piece of straw. "Mighty fine wagon ya got there, Ryder," he said with a wink.

  "Why thank ya, Colin. I think so."

  "Mighty fine horse ya got tied to it too. I'll be seeing him soon," he added.

  Constance looked between the two men, wondering at the remark.

  "I'm sure Harrison will be looking forward to paying you a visit too. Maybe even before I do. Oh, and I'll be sure to deliver the message to Logan." Colin gave them both a dazzling smile before going into the mercantile.

  "What was that about?" Constance asked.

  Ryder grinned. "Well, I made myself a little business transaction with Colin. Caught him talking with Chase and got myself an idea in my head so strong, I just had to do it."

  "What sort of an idea?" she asked, he voice hesitant.

  "The Cookes have been waitin’ to breed some of their mares to Othello. I plumb realized that he's ready, and told Colin. So, we struck a deal, and he paid me in advance. Either he or Harrison will bring his mare out tomorrow if'n she's ready to have a little romance."

  Constance giggled at the thought, but knew what he meant. "So that's how you got the money."

  "Yep, all it took was some spit and a handshake."

  "Ohhhh," she grimaced.

  Ryder laughed. "It's how things are done around here, Sugar. Now, let me help ya up."

  She smiled at his light hearted mood. He was happy, and she could tell he felt proud of himself for the business transaction he'd worked out with the Cooke brothers. Grandma was right, things did go better when she didn't press him and just let him handle it.

  She let out a long breath once she was seated and waited for him to climb up beside her. 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 ya 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, and 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, darlin’. Heck, they’d take one look at Harriet and die laughin’.”

  Constance furrowed her brow in confusion. “Where does she go?”

  “Not far, she’s around her somewhere. She’ll need milkin’. I’ll teach ya how.”

  “Me? Milk a cow?”

  “Sure, that’s gonna be one of your chores, Sugar.”

  She paled. She never imagined she’d be milking a cow. She’d spent enough time living at the Triple C the last couple of weeks to assume it was part of the ranch hands duties … and oh … right. They didn’t have any ranch hands. She glanced down at her own hands and sighed. “Oh, dear me …”

  “But I’ll milk her tonight while you get supper ready,” he said with a smile.

  She shook off a chill and forced a weak smile in return. “Of course.” Her voice wasn’t much stronger than her smile. She was going to have to face the cold hard facts. She was going to have to work, and work hard. But that’s not what bothered her. What bothered her was the fact she had no idea what she was doing!