Owen (The Chapmans Book 1) by Christine Sterling

Author:Christine Sterling [Sterling, Christine]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2020-06-16T16:00:00+00:00

Owen looked at the young woman sobbing on the couch. As soon as he brought her in, Marmee whisked the hysterical woman into the sitting room. The woman couldn’t speak, so Owen tried to fill in as many details as he could.

“The only thing I know is her name is Elenore and she came here to marry Frank Hartman.” Owen ran his fingers through his hair. It was getting longer. Perhaps Penny could cut it before she left to return to Denver and her husband.

“Oh, my land,” Marmee said, taking Elenore in her arms and rubbing her back. “What a terrible ordeal.”

Owen watched the young woman sob as Marmee tried to console her. His brothers were extremely interested in finding out about Elenore when Max arrived with her in the wagon. He had never seen them move as quickly as they did to help her into the house and unload her trunks from the wagon.

Owen pinched the bridge of his nose. He needed to check on the horses and close the barn for the night. It wouldn’t do to have coyotes spook the horses, or a hungry cougar come down in search of an easy meal. The entire afternoon had been spent dealing with Frank. And now this.

He looked at Elenore clinging to Marmee’s arm. He wasn’t any good at consoling a woman. He could barely handle his sisters when they got upset over something.

He looked around, but it appeared his brothers had quickly vacated the room when the crying started. Thinking of his horses, Owen turned to follow.

“Don’t leave,” Marmee demanded, pointing to a vacant chair.

“I need to go…”

“You are the only one she knows. Now sit.”

Owen paused and looked at his mother. Her lips were pursed, and her curls bobbed from underneath her cap. When she demanded something, everyone listened. There was going to be no break for him.

“I’ll be right back,” he said. He went to the door and gave a sharp whistle, followed by two short ones. Oliver poked his head around the corner. “Can you and Everett water the horses and make sure they are set for the night?”

Oliver shrugged. “I guess so. What are you doing?”

Owen flicked his head toward the room. He watched Oliver make a silent “O” with his mouth and then turn away. He heard his brother call for Everett and the door opened, slamming as his brothers headed out.

As he turned back into the room he nearly fell to the floor, his feet tripping underneath him as Penny and Alice pushed him into the room to see their visitor.

“Caleb told us that a woman claiming to be Frank’s fiancé is here,” Penny said sitting in the chair before Owen had a chance to sit down. At Penny’s words, the woman cried harder.

“Shhh, shhh, now,” Marmee said patting Elenore’s hair. “She’s been through a terrible ordeal.”

Alice snorted. “Not as bad as old Frank.” Elenore wailed louder.

“Alice Louise Chapman!” Marmee said. “You stop that right now.” Alice had the grace to look sheepish.

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