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handsome man on the other side of the grave with a Bible in his hand. That was Clear Creek's preacher?
    “Sam Jamison doesn't have any kin that we know of,” continued the preacher. “So I guess those of you gathered here are the closest thing to family there is for poor Sam.”
    Lena and her sisters listened as the town preacher carried on about their cousin’s hired hand. He'd come to the Triple C only a year ago, and in that time, became one of their most trusted and responsible hands. Lena stared at the simple pine box that held the body. Had he been a young man, or an old, weathered cowboy? What could have happened to his family? She continued to ponder these things when her eyes wandered to the two men seated at the head of the grave. They were the same two that came to the Triple C early that morning to tell the Cooke’s their man had been shot. The one she was familiar with, Chase Adams, stared at the grave, his brows furrowed, his jaw tight. She wondered what he was thinking as she studied him. His hair was a light brown and he wore it extremely short. He wasn't as tall as Colin or Harrison, nor as broad, but she could tell he was a strong man. When he carried Apple into the parlor that morning, he lifted her as if she were nothing. True, her sister was small, but he swung her into his arms as if she hadn’t weighed more than a sack of sugar. His shirt-sleeves had been rolled up at them time, and she'd notice the strength of his forearms and hands as he gently lay Apple on the settee. When he bumped into her as he stood, she felt his back, a hard wall of solid muscle, come against her. She'd never been that close to a man before, and was shocked and even a little scandalized with herself when she didn't move away. But for some reason, in that scant amount of time, his presence made her feel safe. It was a strange feeling, one she’d never felt before, and so chalked it up to being overly tired from her travels and recent arrival. After all, what else could it be?
    “ Let us pray,” said the preacher as he bowed his head.
    Lena blinked at the words. Had she been so caught up in thinking about Chase Adams that she didn't even hear the preacher's eulogy for poor Mr. Jamieson? Apparently so, as it was quite obvious the service was over.
    His prayer done, the preacher looked at the tiny gathering and smiled. “Annie has some refreshments up at the house. Why don't you have some before you head on back to the Triple C?”
    “You're too kind, Preacher Jo ,” said Harrison. “We'll do that.” He stood, pulling Sadie up with him, their baby in her arms. Lena watched as Colin and Belle followed suit and also stood, as did Imogene, her eyes glued to the grave in front of her.
    “ Cousin Imogene,” said Lena. “Are you all right?”
    “ Such a pity that the first event we attend in this town is a funeral.” She looked at Lena. “I was so hoping it to be one of your weddings, particularly yours, as you are the oldest.”
    “ I don't think it matters what order we get married in. One wedding is as good as the next, isn't it?”
    Imogene smiled at her. “Things are much better when there is order involved. I think you should be the first, followed by Fina, and then Apple.”
    “ If you say so, cousin. I will not dispute it.”
    “I think that knowing things are to be a certain way, will make it easier on you and your sisters,” said Imogene.
    “I will inform the others then ,” said Lena. “Including Sadie and Belle.”
    “ You do that,” said Imogene as the little group headed toward the preacher's house.
    They gathered in the parlor and soon Annie, the preacher's wife, was serving pie and coffee. Lena found an empty chair and sat while Apple went to get her a plate.
    “ How are you holding up?” a voice spoke beside her. She looked up; it was Chase Adams. He took off his hat and peered down at her. “Not exactly the thing you want to have to deal with your first day in Clear Creek, is it?”
    “