Pony Express Courtship. Rhonda Gibson

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      “Is this the first time you’ve been to town?” Rebecca’s soft voice drew him like bees to honey.

      He nodded. “Yes. It’s not quite what I expected. Dove Creek sounds so pretty.”

      A soft chuckle came from deep in her throat.

      “Ma says that all the time,” Benjamin said from the back of the wagon.

      Seth glanced over his shoulder at the little boy. He was sitting beside Joy and they’d been looking at a picture book most of the way to town. “She’s right.”

      Benjamin nodded as if they’d come to a profound agreement and then turned his attention back to his sister and the book. Of all the siblings, those two looked most like brother and sister.

      Bromley hadn’t told him anything about the family, other than their pa had died and that Mr. Russell and Mr. Young had made an agreement before the Pony Express had even been constructed. Seth’s orders were to swear in the boys by having them say the Pony Express rider’s oath and teach them what would be expected from them as Pony Express riders.

      He flipped the reins over the horse’s backs and continued down the hill. The sooner they got to town, the sooner they could get home. He didn’t like leaving the other two boys at the house any more than Jacob did, but without a bar, the animals were out in the open and needed protection from not only Indians and bandits, but also other wild animals.

      Seth felt the restrained movement as Rebecca shifted on the seat beside him. His gaze moved in her direction and caught the profile of Jacob, who sat beside his mother. The boy’s jaw was clenched and his eyes directed straight ahead. Rebecca had rested a slender hand on her son’s leg in silent comfort.

      Returning his attention back to driving, Seth inwardly sighed. He and Jacob would have to sit down and talk about the boy’s attitude. Seth was sure there was more to it than just not wanting to leave his brothers behind.

      “Would you drop Joy and me off at the general store?” Rebecca asked.

      His gaze moved over the town. There was just a dirt road, and plain wooden-faced stores lined the streets. Smoke billowed from the top of each one and the smell of pine teased the air around them. At least they could warm up a bit before they started the long trek back. The church sat on the hill to the right side of them and he could tell by the children playing in the yard that it also served as the town school. Why weren’t the smaller Young children in attendance?

      Since it really wasn’t any of his business, Seth chose to answer Rebecca’s question instead of asking one of his own. “We can do that.” He directed the horses down Main Street and continued to study the dusty town.

      A saloon stood tall at the far end of the settlement. Not that he’d ever go there, but he knew the boys were of an age that they might be tempted. Seth mentally made a note to talk to the boys about such places, after they repeated the oath. As their boss he didn’t want them coming to town and getting drunk. Best to nip that sort of behavior in the bud. It would not be allowed.

      He pulled the wagon up in front of the general store and hopped down. Seth turned to help Rebecca down but Jacob assisted her, his gentleness evident in the way he held her hand until she got her balance. Clayton had climbed out of the wagon and helped Joy down, as well. Benjamin scrambled over the side.

      “Whoa! Where do you think you’re going?” Seth asked, moving to block the boy’s descent.

      Benjamin jerked away from him. “To help Ma.”

      “Not today. I need every man’s help to load lumber and nails.”

      Benjamin’s little chest puffed out. “I get to help?”

      “You’re one of the men,” Seth said, walking back to the front of the wagon.

      He grinned as Benjamin whispered, “Did ya hear that, Ma? I’m one of the men.”

      At least he’d made good points with one of the Young men.

      * * *

      Rebecca took Joy’s small hand within hers and entered the general store. A bell rang out announcing their arrival. She inhaled the onslaught of scents that greeted her. Spices and leather fought the strongest for her attention. Colorful burlap flour bags lined the middle shelf, right at eye level, and she ran a hand over them, her mind zipping along with plans for Joy’s next dress. The material proved soft to the touch and Joy loved to spin around, showing off the big flower design.

      Joy’s hand tightened on hers as if giving a warning and she looked up. The owner of the general store, a mountain of a man, approached them. She glanced down at her daughter, wondering if Joy felt the same sense of unease she herself did around him.

      “Hello, Mrs. Young. What can I help you find today?” He kneeled down in front of Joy. “How are you today, Miss Joy.”

      As was her custom, Joy hid her face in Rebecca’s skirt. She mumbled, “Good.”

      He held out his large hand. On top of his palm rested a lemon drop. “I’m glad to hear that.” His big brown eyes looked up at Rebecca. “Cat got your tongue today?”

      Rebecca felt her ire rising. The man never did or said anything out of place; but he constantly made her feel uneasy. She handed him her list. “Hello, Mr. Edwards.” She patted Joy’s back. “Go ahead and take the candy, Joy.”

      Joy tentatively took the candy and popped it into her mouth. Around the sweet she said, “Thank you.”

      Mr. Edwards laughed loudly and stood. “See, that wasn’t so hard.” His gaze moved to the list and he whistled. “I see the men running the Pony Express pay you well.”

      The list was longer than usual but Rebecca didn’t really understand why he assumed that Mr. Russell gave her the money for the items. Still, she didn’t correct him. She’d let him think what he wanted.

      John had left his family in good financial stability. Thanks to his wisdom with money matters and his inheritance, she and Joy would never have to work a day of their lives. But it wasn’t enough to give the boys money to start their lives. John had said the Pony Express would give them the money they needed and open doors for each of them. She prayed it would be so.

      Once more Rebecca felt the store owner’s brown eyes focused on her. “The church picnic is this Sunday. Would you like me to come out to the farm and escort you and the children to it?”

      He’d never been so bold before. Rebecca’s hand fluttered to her chest. What would her older boys think of Mr. Edwards calling them children? She focused on the best way to reject him. “Thank you, Mr. Edwards, but that won’t be necessary.”

      Something flashed in his eyes before he turned away from her. “You might reconsider—I hear the road bandits are becoming bolder. I’m sure they wouldn’t have a problem taking a single woman’s wagon and any cash she carried from her and a passel of kids.”

      Did he think she and the boys were helpless? Heat filled her face and boiled through her blood. If so, was he threatening her?

      She took a deep breath to calm herself. Experience had taught her to carefully consider her words before speaking. Her father-in-law, on the other hand, had often said СКАЧАТЬ