Levi (Prairie Grooms, Book Five) (17 page)

Everyone stared at him. “Oh, my goodness!” Samijo cried. “Apple shoved
Deputy O’Hare
into the safe!”

“She sure did,” Tom said with a smile.

“And he did live, right?” Ma asked.

“Oh, sure. Doc Drake pulled him out of that safe a coughin’ and a sputterin’, but he was no worse for wear.”

“But what happened to Apple?” asked Samijo.

“Ah, well,” began Tom. “She felt so bad after what she done, and was so sure she’d killed the outlaw, that she ran away.”

“What?” whispered Ma in shock. “Why didn’t she stay to find out?”

Tom stared at her then smiled. “If’n you were Miss Apple, and you were that upset, what would you have done?”

Ma swallowed and looked at the checkered tablecloth. “Probably gone to find me a hole to crawl into. I guess I’d a felt mighty ashamed of myself, not to mention stupid.”

Tom nodded. “And that’s exactly how Apple felt.”

“But Deputy O’Hare didn’t die,” Samijo pointed out.

“No, he didn’t,” agreed Tom. “But you know that, and I know that; but poor Apple, well, all she knew was that she’d probably just killed a man.”

They sat in silence at his words, until Rose spoke. “Poor Apple.”

“Yep, poor Apple,” Tom said and looked at his wife. “Because when Bran O’Hare finally got some air back into his lungs, he went after her, mad as a rattler!”

“Did he catch her?” Calvin asked, eyes wide.

“Oh, yeah, he caught her; and in more ways than one. But that, my friends, is another story.” Tom looked at each of them and smiled. “Good night.”

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 October for the next installment of Prairie Grooms, to find out (along with the rest of the Weaver clan) what happens next when Bran O’Hare catches (quite literally) his English Mail-Order Bride! In the meantime, if you love Kit Morgan’s books, check out her alter ego—Geralyn Beauchamp’s titles!

Time Masters Book 1, The Call

Time Masters 2, The Prophecy

Coming soon to audio! The Prairie Bride Series! Be watching in October for these fun books audio books at audible.com, amazon.com and iTunes.