Everett Read online

  Everett (the Chapmans #4)

  This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are all products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblances to persons, organizations, events, or locales are entirely coincidental.

  The book contains material protected under International and Federal Copyright Laws and Treaties. All rights are reserved with the exceptions of quotes used in reviews. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage system without express written permission from the author.

  Scriptures quoted from the King James Holy Bible.

  All books titled or quoted in this story belong to their respective authors.

  Everett (The Chapmans #4) ©2020 Christine Sterling

  Cover Design by Virginia McKevitt, Black Widow Books

  Editing by Carolyn Leggo and Amy Petrowich

  www.christinesterling.com

  1st Ed, 9/2020

  Table of Contents

  Preface

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Leave a Review

  Now Available!

  Read all of Christine’s Books

  About Christine

  Everett

  She wants the adventure of a lifetime; he needs to heal old family wounds. If they are going to help each other, they cannot fall in love along the way.

  Polly Phillips is headed west to help her best friend get married. She dreams of leaving the confines of the city behind and embracing cowboys, horses and sky bluer than anything she had ever seen. Why, she even might try to snag a husband for herself! How lucky that she runs into a group of cowboys when her stage breaks down at the edge of Flat River. What she didn't count on was her first introduction to Everett Chapman being wrapped in his arms as he carried her to town.

  Everett has no time for a city slicker, especially one trespassing through his property and issuing commands like a general. It doesn't matter how pretty she is, or how he would like to keep her quiet by kissing her lips. As the youngest son, he is the last hope in healing a family conflict going back for nearly thirty years. When he is being pushed to marry the neighbor's daughter, Annamae Hartman, how can he concentrate on courtship, when every thought is consumed with the pretty blonde from the south?

  When Annamae goes to Polly for help catching a husband, is Polly delivering the other woman into the arms of the man Polly loves? Can the attraction between Polly and Everett be pushed aside to help the Chapman family heal? Will Polly find the adventure she wants, even if it isn't the one she was seeking?

  License Note

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  -- Christine Sterling

  Get Free Books

  Join the Chat, Sip & Read newsletter to stay updated with new releases, access to exclusive bonus content, and more!

  Join the CSR newsletter here:

  www.christinesterlingbooks.com

  Acknowledgements

  Jesus, for lifting me up when I felt I was at the bottom of the pit. Psalm 27.

  To my love and better half, Daniel. Thank you for cheering me on through the ups and downs of writing and being my reference for all things firearm related.

  My three beautiful daughters, Rebecca, Nora, and Elizabeth, who are my WHY for writing.

  I couldn’t do this without my team. My proofreaders, Carolyn and Amy; my newsletter queen, Amber, my Social Media gal, Rose and my amazing cover artist, Virginia. This is the best team an author could have!!

  Dedication

  For my Chapman Street Team, who was instrumental in cheering me on to the finish line and finding all my mistakes. I love you!

  Thank you to the Chapman Street Team for making this entire series possible!

  These amazing individuals read each chapter of this book as it was being developed and provided such amazing feedback! I appreciate every single one of you!

  Alice Kimes

  Amy Petrowich

  Ann Ferri

  Dolores Howard

  Jocelyn Logan

  Laura Park

  Lauren Sorgaard,

  Marcia Montoya

  Paulette Marshall

  Rhonda Myers

  Sandra White

  Sandy Sorola

  Sue Krznaric

  Theresa Baer

  Zona Fannin

  www.thechapmansaga.com

  Preface

  To: P. Phillips

  Peach Bottom Road

  Atlanta, Georgia

  August 1872

  My dearest Polly,

  I received your last letter, and I beg your forgiveness for my delay in responding. So much has happened since I wrote to you about my arrival in Flat River.

  As you are aware, the Chapmans took me in after facing such a horrendous rejection as I endured with the Hartman Family. The man who rescued me, Owen, is now the one that holds my heart. I cannot imagine my life without him. He is the most honorable man I’ve ever met. I know if you met him, you would see how truly honorable he is.

  The entire family is like this. I have never met a family that cares so much for each other, and even the strangers they take in. Owen and I are to be married, but I insisted that we wait until all the family can celebrate with us. That means you, my dear friend.

  Although I know that my beloved parents may not be able to make the journey, I insist that you travel out to be with us. I cannot wait to introduce you to my new family.

  Mrs. Chapman goes by the name Marmee and she is as dear to me as my mother. Weston Chapman has accepted me as a true daughter. I now love them as if they were my parents. I’ve never had brothers and they are certainly different than I am used to.

  If I were to have had brothers growing up, I would love for them to be just like Oliver, Caleb, and Everett. They now refer to me as their sister! And there are three Chapman daughters, Marianne (who I have yet to meet), Penelope (you would love her, Polly – she reminds me of you and doesn’t miss a trick), and dear Alice, who is the youngest.

  I feel so much a part of the Chapman family that it is hard to believe I arrived here just a few months ago. And to know that I will truly be a Chapman once Owen and I exchange vows, it is almost too much to bear.

  I can’t believe that I lost the man I was supposed to marry and found instead, the one I was meant to marry. How much happiness can one heart hold?

  None of the brothers are married. Would I be wishing too much if you were to become my true sister by taking the name Chapman?

  Life is completely different out here. Everything seems to be in preparation for winter. There is no idle time as every single task has a purpose. Marmee told me that the family is stuck indoors together from December to March. They only go out to check on the livestock or repair farm equipment.

  I have been helping Marmee putting up the harvest. Imagine that! Me, a banker’s daughter from Atlanta making apple butter and jams from the last fruits of the season.

  I do have to admit that I do not like crushing the wild grapes that grow by the creek, however there is nothing so sweet as a dollop of fresh jam on a biscuit warm from the oven. It is rat
her tedious work. Not as tedious as churning butter. I swear, my arms will soon be as large as some of the cowhands in the field.

  Alice has been helping us. She is a shy girl. Something happened to her, but she hasn’t opened up to me yet and I feel it isn’t my place to ask.

  Penelope, the older Chapman daughter, returned to Denver. That is where her husband lives. I wouldn’t be surprised if she returns with some exceptionally good news before Thanksgiving. I do hope that the entire Chapman family will be here by Thanksgiving. I look forward to meeting Marianne.

  I would like to say I miss Atlanta, but honestly, other than you, my dearest friend, there is nothing there that would compel me to return. Not even my own parents, as much as I miss them. I know they are quite content with their lives, and I couldn’t imagine Father out here among the longhorns and cow pies. Did you know that they use dried chips to light the fires in the winter?

  I laughed when Marmee first suggested we go collect the chips that had dried in the sun. But then I realized that it was an integral part of the life out here. I guess there is something to be said for having that many cattle. There will never be a shortage of chips.

  Oh, Polly, I wish you were here with me. I know you would take this all in and we could have wonderful memories of Nebraska together. There is so much to see and do.

  I do hope you can be here in time for our wedding. After all, you promised.

  When you do come, take the train to Grand Platte and then the stage comes directly to Flat River. Once I hear when you might arrive, I will let Marshall Briggs know so that he can keep an eye out for your arrival.

  I miss you so much, my dear friend.

  I eagerly await your reply.

  Your loving friend,

  Ellie

  PS ~ If you can get the cake recipe from Mrs. Bailey, I would like to have that as the wedding cake. It is much nicer than plain vanilla and buttercream.

  Polly Phillips traced the script lovingly with her finger. Ellie was her best friend since childhood and had left to marry a man she didn’t know. Polly thought it sounded so romantic, traveling that distance for love.

  She gave a little laugh as she read the postscript. Mrs. Bailey was known for her sponge cake, filled with cream and jam. It would be a wonderful wedding cake for Ellie.

  Polly folded the letter and placed it in the nightstand. She had to plan. It was now September. The letter had taken nearly five weeks to get to her. She counted on her fingers, working backwards from Thanksgiving.

  Between helping Mrs. Brooks with the wedding clothes, begging the recipe from Mrs. Bailey, preparing her own trunk, and traveling to Nebraska to be there before the wedding, Polly knew she had less than two weeks to be westbound.

  Her best friend was getting married!

  She gave a squeal and did a little dance as she headed out the door to start on what needed to be done.

  Chapter 1

  October 1872

  Everett Chapman sat on his horse, Shadow, as he waited for his men to saddle up.

  He opened and shut his fingers trying to get his hard leather gloves to give. Even a bit of room would mean his fingers wouldn’t feel like they were falling off. The leather wasn’t giving at all. They had been repeatedly drenched and were now permanently shrunk. They’d be a good pair for Alice, Ellie, or even Willow.

  Alice was his sister; Willow was his sister-in-law and Ellie was engaged to the oldest Chapman son.

  If Owen ever got off his duff and married her.

  As the youngest of the Chapman brothers, Everett was a man of action. His brothers, it appeared, would take their sweet time when it came to making decisions.

  But not him.

  Twins Owen and Oliver were the oldest Chapmans.

  Then came Michael who had died in a gunfight.

  Everett subconsciously clenched his hand, wincing as the dried leather cut into his skin.

  After Michael came Caleb.

  Everett and Caleb were close; but not as close as Caleb and Michael were. Everett didn’t think Caleb would ever get over losing Michael. When they would be watching the cattle and sleeping under the stars, sometimes Caleb would share his thoughts, but he rarely talked about what happened.

  Everett was born three years later. Then followed his sisters. Twins Marianne and Penelope and then Alice arrived. They were alright as far as girls went. Why they could even lasso a calf if the occasion called for it.

  But now…

  Everett sighed.

  The house was being taken over by a group of women that were not his sisters. His mother was in heaven. Everett gave a little smile thinking of his mother.

  Ingrid Chapman, or Marmee as she liked to be called, took care of anyone who graced the Chapman door. Everett’s memories of growing up were filled with trying to catch Marmee’s attention. As the youngest of the five sons sometimes he felt he was invisible. When the girls were born, he went to less-than invisible. He would swear the only time Marmee called his name was when she was yelling at him.

  At twenty-seven years old, Everett still shuddered when Marmee yelled. She didn’t do it often, but still…

  Now all her attention was on the three women that lived at the house. Marianne and Penelope lived in Denver, so that left Alice and the two strangers that became part of the family.

  First, it was Ellie. She traveled from Atlanta to be a mail order bride for Frank Hartman. When Frank was found dead, Owen brought Ellie home so Marmee could take care of her. Owen was insistent that Ellie returned to Atlanta. When the time came closer for her to leave, instead of counting down the minutes for her to go, Owen was instead planning on how he could make her stay. Now, he was following her around like a lovesick cow, writing her letters, and professing his love.

  Everett liked Ellie, he truly did. She was finally able to help Owen find love again after he was left at the altar. What he didn’t like was all the emotions running through the house. Most of which were oversentimental.

  Emotions made Everett uncomfortable.

  But not as uncomfortable as a bunch of women running around the ranch.

  Shortly after Ellie arrived, a woman named Willow appeared at the ranch. She ran away from an abusive situation and was rescued by Oliver. They were married within a week so Ollie could protect Willow from the man pursuing her. She was still very guarded, but she made Ollie happy, and that was all Everett cared about.

  Thank goodness Caleb had the sense not to get married. He and Everett could remain bachelors and take over their father’s cattle business. Everett looked at the cattle in the small pasture to the side of the barn. There were five hundred head that Everett had to get to the southern pasture before winter.

  Caleb left in June to ride to Texas to look over the cattle their father, Weston, had purchased. Something must have happened on the trail back to Nebraska as Weston traveled to Owl Canyon to meet the cattle drive and escort the herd the rest of the way home.

  Everett didn’t understand why the cowboys couldn’t bring them back to Flat River. He knew Jimmy, the scout, was with them; as well as Slim who had worked for the Chapmans since he was a young boy and Tot, who ran the chuckwagon that fed the hungry men.

  Weston returned a few days prior, followed by a group of exhausted cowboys. Some were just hired for the cattle drive from Texas to Nebraska. Others were offered permanent positions to stay on at the ranch. They seemed to be a good group of honest men.

  The one person that didn’t return home was Caleb.

  Weston didn’t say much when he arrived, just that Caleb had been injured and would be home as soon as he can. Marmee wanted to go to Owl Canyon to stay there and take care of Caleb, but Weston said that Caleb was in good hands.

  Everett was a little annoyed that Caleb hadn’t returned. So now, Everett oversaw a group of thirty stockmen and thirty-five hundred head of cattle.

  The three thousand bovines that Weston had purchased, coupled with the five hundred they currently had, were going to make the Chapmans ranc
h one of the largest cattle ranches in Nebraska. There were also fifty horses, but those went to Owen and Oliver as they had recently started to breed horses.

  The cattle had been divided into different lots and then let loose to roam and feed in large pasture areas. This was the last group that needed to be escorted. Once they reached the southern pasture, the cattle would stay there until spring when they would be rounded up to separate the calves and mothers from the rest of the herd.

  The southern pasture had a large barn filled with enough hay and feed for the winter months, plus several outbuildings where the cattle could escape the harsh weather. The cattle were from Texas and not used to the colder weather a Nebraska winter could bring. They would quickly develop thick coats that would protect them from the colder temperatures.

  The weather wasn’t the issue for the cattle. It was making sure they had enough to eat. If the animals couldn’t find enough food by grazing, or the hay ran out, then there was a real possibility the ranch would lose part of the herd.

  Everett tugged on the leather covering his fingers. He needed to get the gloves off before his fingers were too sore to work. Biting the tip of the glove, he managed to loosen it enough so it slid off his hand. Shoving the glove into his pocket, he started to tug on the second glove. He managed to take it off just as Smokes, one of the lead cowboys that worked on the ranch rode over.

  “I think we are almost ready, boss,” Smokes said. The cowboy’s real name was Henry Jacobs, but he was given the nickname Smokes because he could always be found with a cigarette hanging from the corner of his mouth.

  Everett nodded. “I need to find a pair of gloves that fit. I’m not riding up there without a pair of gloves.”

  “You headed back to the house?”

  Everett nodded his head. “I think Pa has a spare pair.”