Read Chase (Prairie Grooms, Book Four) for Free Online Page A

Levi nodded. “What a shame,” said Levi. “I sure do feel sorry for that little gal, whichever one was his.”
    “ Well, I wouldn't worry too much,” said Preacher Jo. “There are plenty of other men in this town that would be happy to take on a wife. I don’t think Sadie will have any problem finding her a match.”
    Levi brushed dirt from his clothes . “I’m not so sure about that, Chase here says they’re just like the last batch that came to town.”
    “ You mean, more of the Cookes’ cousins?” asked Preacher Jo.
    Chase nodded. “Yep. I've seen and heard them, they’re as English as they come. Pretty though.”
    “ Yeah, but like I said before,” said Levi. “What's behind those pretty faces?”
    “ Whatever sort of skills they lack, gentlemen, I'm sure they can be taught,” said Preacher Jo. “Now, how about some lunch? I'm sure Annie has fixed something for us by now.”
    “Sounds good to me, preacher,” s aid Chase.
    “Me too,” said Levi. “I could do with some of your wife's cooking.”
    “ Do you think this batch of women know how to cook?” asked Chase.
    Preacher Jo laughed. “Like I said before boys, whatever sort of skills they lack, can be taught.”
    “ Only if they're smart enough to learn,” said Levi.
    “ Well now, the last batch didn't exactly have straw for brains,” said Chase. “And since they're all related, I'm sure these are just as smart as the others.”
    “ Yeah, that's what I'm worried about.”
    “ You haven't a farm to take care of Levi,” said Preacher Jo. “Nor do you have any livestock to worry about.”
    “ You're right I don't. Not yet anyway, and I don't want a wife who is going to be terrified of feeding the pigs or any other stock we might end up with.”
    Chase eyed him out the corner of his eye as they walked back to Preacher Jo’s house. “What's the matter with you? Last week you were all fired up about getting a mail-order bride.”
    “ I know,” said Levi. “I guess chasing after outlaws all week has soured my thinking.”
    “ What you boys need is a good hot meal, a hot bath, and some sleep. Annie and I will provide the hot meal. You can take care of the rest yourselves,” consoled Preacher Jo.
    Levi slapped him on the back. “We’ll do that preacher. And thank you for feeding us. I know it will make me feel better. I guess there's just something about chasing after outlaws and coming up empty-handed that makes me cranky.”
    “ The same goes for having to bring back a dead man,” added Chase.
    Preacher Jo stopped and looked at them. “None of us knew Sam very well, but well enough to give his death meaning. I suggest the two of you concentrate on getting through the day. Save everything else until tomorrow.”
    The two men gave him a solemn nod of agreement and continued on their way. Both kn ew that even though they’d bury Sam Jamison today, tomorrow, his death would still be with them.
     
    * * *
     
    “Why do we have to attend this?” complained Apple. “It's not like any of us knew the man.”
    “ Because our cousins didn't want us left alone at the Triple C,” explained Lena.
    “ We wouldn't have been alone,” argued Apple. “We would have been with each other.”
    Lena shook her head at her sister’s logic . “You do recall the fact a man was killed, don't you?”
    “ Of course, we’re at his funeral, aren’t we? But the event did take place miles from here. It's not as if it happened in our cousin’s backyard.”
    “ I'm afraid that around here, one's backyard could well include miles and miles,” explained Fina.
    Apple began to fidget in her chair. Lena reached over and tapped her on the shoulder. “Will you stop ?” Apple blew a strand of hair out of her face and stilled. They were seated  by the rest of the Cooke family at the grave site, waiting for the local preacher to begin the service.
    “ Well folks,” a male voice called out. “Let's get started.”
    Lena and her sisters stared at the