Chase (Prairie Grooms, Book Four) (22 page)

His devilish grin was back. “I accept. But for now, I must be getting back to work.” He tipped his hat, gave a slight bow, and winked at Fina. “Until we meet again, Fella, I bid you adieu.” He headed for the mercantile doors just as Lena and Chase burst through them.

“
Good grief!” Logan said as he jumped out of the way. “Where's the fire?”

“
Oh, thank heavens,” said Lena as she looked at her sisters and tried to catch her breath. “I’m so glad you're here!”

“
Why?” asked Fina. “What's happened?”

“We’re
to be married!” Lena said as she held up her hand locked in one of Chase’s.

Apple sighed
. “Tell us something we don't know.”

“
We're getting married
today
,” said Chase. “Right now. We were heading to Preacher Jo's when Lena saw the Triple C's wagon. We thought we’d come in here and see if you were in town.”

“
Yes, and now you can come to the ceremony!” added Lena, her face flushed with happiness.

“
Married?! Today? But what about being married at the barn raising?” asked a flustered Fina.

“
I'm afraid we can't wait,” explained Lena. “We've agreed to get married today. Please, won't you come?”

Fina and Apple exchanged a quick glance, then looked at Logan. “What would Harrison and Colin say?” Fina asked.

Logan shrugged. “I guess they'll be disappointed no one’s getting married at the barn- raisin’. The town
was
looking forward to a weddin’.”

Lena's face clouded with
disappointment. “Oh, yes, Jefferson explained it to me.” She looked at Chase. “He said that after everything that's happened here in Clear Creek, the town needed something happy to cheer them up. Everyone was counting on our wedding to do the job.”

He looked at her, then stroked her cheek with a finger. “I want to make you my wife. Today. That leaves your two sisters to make the town happy.” He looked at the rest of them. “Maybe I'm being selfish, but all I know is, I can't wait to make Lena my bride.” He looked back to her. “Right this very minute.”

“
Then what about the barn-raising?” asked Apple.

Wilfred, quiet all this time, cleared his throat. Every one turned as he came out from behind the counter. “Seems to me there can still be a weddin’ come Saturday,” he drawled, and then eyed Levi and Fina.

“A
re you thinking me and Fella here,” he said with a toss of his head at Fina, “ought to get hitched at the barn raising this Saturday?”

“That's what I'm
sayin’,” said Wilfred as he rocked toe to heel a few times.

“
That would solve everything,” said Apple. “Lena and Mr. Adams get married today, and Mr. Stone and Fina on Saturday.” She put her hands behind her back and stood proudly as she looked at everyone. “I think it's a fine idea.”

“Not a moment ago, you didn’t want either one of us to marry so soon! And what about what I think?” asked Fina in a rush.

“L
et alone what I think,” added Levi.

“
What
do
you think?” asked Chase.

Levi stared at F
ina with an expert eye. An expert of what, she had no idea. But that's how he looked at her. “I think,” Levi drawled. “That Miss Fella and I have but a few days to get to know one another before we get hitched.”

F
ina gasped, collected herself, and glared at him. She then tossed the look at Apple, who stood and smiled sweetly back. “Very well then,” she said before she gave her attention back to Levi. “Let us… get acquainted.”

Levi gave her that same, unsettling devilish grin. “I'm looking forward to it…” He leaned toward her. “
Fella
…”

The Weaver Farm, 1871

“Woo wee!” laughed Benjamin. “The sparks are gonna fly between those two!”

“Yeah, I can’t wait to hear what happens next!” added Calvin.

Tom sat, a satisfied look on his face.
“Tell me boys, do ya still have aches in yer bellies?”

Benjamin and Calvin looked at one another. “Now that ya mention it, yeah,” said Benjamin.

“Great! Now ya went and made it worse!” Calvin complained.

“He didn’t make it worse,” said Arlan. “He’s trying to teach you boys something.”

“What?” asked Calvin.

Tom looked at Arlan. “I’d say your brothers are almost ready to start courtin’.”

“Yeah, but not marrying. I think they need a couple more years.”

“Oh now don’t go
sayin’ that,” Benjamin lamented. “I can’t take puttin’ up with a belly ache for that long!”

Tom laughed. “It gets worse, but Arlan’s right. You’re
gonna have to get a few things done before takin’ on a wife. Same as all of Clear Creek’s prairie grooms.”

“We already got a house,” countered Calvin. “Ma says that after we’re married, our wives can live in the big house with us.”

“Where else would they live?” asked Arlan. “The barn?”

Benjamin rolled his eyes. “You know what he meant.”

Tom laughed. “I’m not just talkin’ about a place to live. There’s other things.”

“Like what?” asked
Calvin.

Tom leaned his elbows on his knees. “
Like being in the right state of mind, so your heart can open up to a woman.”

Benjamin and Calvin looked at one another,
then stared at Tom.

Tom sighed. “Maybe I’d better tell you the tale of Levi Stone and Fella.”

The twins laughed at the name.

“Feisty Fella to be exact,” he added.

“Not now, we gotta have breakfast, and get some work done,” said Arlan.

The twins groaned in protest.

“Later tonight then?” suggested Tom.

“We thought you was
leavin’,” said Benjamin.

“Nah, we can stay a little longer,” said Tom. “You boys get your work done today, and we’ll meet up again this evening, how’s that sound?”

The twins nodded, though reluctant, and both stood. “Feisty Fella,” mused Calvin. “Why on earth would a man name their intended somethin’ like that?”

Tom smiled. “Because she was.”

The End

About
the Author:
Kit Morgan, aka Geralyn Beauchamp, has been writing for fun all her life.  When writing as Kit Morgan her books are whimsical, fun, inspirational sweet stories that depict a strong sense of family and community. When writing as Geralyn Beauchamp, her books are epic, adventurous, romantic fantasy at its very best.

Be watching in September for the next installment of Prairie Grooms to find out (along with the rest of the Weaver clan) what happens next when Levi Stone gets more than he bargained for with his English Mail Order Bride! In the mean time, if you love Kit Morgan’s books, check out her alter ego—Geralyn Beauchamp’s titles!

Time Masters Book One; The Call

Time Masters 2, The Prophecy