Pony Express Mail-Order Bride. Rhonda Gibson

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СКАЧАТЬ to the bank. “Good morning. I should have thought to come get fresh water for the house before heading to the barn. Here, let me take that,” Philip offered, setting one of his buckets down and reaching for hers.

      She smiled and shook her head. “No, thank you. I’ve got it.” Bella took a step up the bank, her eyes downcast.

      Was she having second thoughts about marrying him? Or was she feeling shy this morning? Philip hurriedly filled both buckets and then hurried after her. “How are the boys this morning?” he asked for something to say.

      Bella glanced at him. “They were still asleep when I left the house.”

      “Oh.” He tried to think of something more to say. Philip cleared his throat. “If it’s all the same to you, as soon as John gets home, I’d like to head for home.”

      “Home?”

      Philip ducked his head against a cold blast of wind. “Yes. My family’s home is the Young farm that is one of the Pony Express home stations. It’s about ten miles from here. I’d like for you to meet my family before we get married and move to the relay station.”

      She nodded, also fighting against the wind. “That sounds nice. Do you have a large family?”

      He grinned. “You could say that. Why don’t you go on inside with the water and I’ll be in as soon as I get the animals taken care of. We can talk then.”

      Bella shivered and clutched the front of her tan coat tighter about her. “Sounds good.” She walked to the house at a fast pace.

      Philip hurried through the remainder of his chores. Once done, he returned to the house. His boots pounded on the steps of the porch. The wind continued to pull at him as he opened the door. Warmth washed over his flesh, sending prickles into his face.

      “Breakfast is almost ready, Philip,” Cara said, scraping scrambled eggs onto five plates.

      His gaze sought out Bella’s. Compared to Cara, Bella was tall. The two women were as different as night and day. Cara’s hair was bright red, while Bella’s was sunshine blond. Cara’s green eyes were sharp and Bella’s blue eyes were soft. Bella’s voice was quiet with a gentleness that seemed to soothe, whereas Cara’s held an Irish brogue that tickled the ear.

      Yes, they were different. He hoped that physical appearance was the only difference. Cara was as kind as a kitten. So far, Bella seemed to have the same trait.

      Bella smiled at him. A soft pink filled her cheeks, reminding Philip that he was staring. He grinned and winked at her. The pink in her face burst into flames and turned bloodred. Philip couldn’t help but chuckle.

      Cara laughed. “Hang your coat up, Philip, and stay awhile.” She carried the plates to the table. How she balanced them so well, Philip had no idea.

      He did as she said. “It sure smells good.” Philip walked toward where the boys were seated at the table. “You men mind if I sit between you?” He pulled out the chair.

      They both shook their heads. Their hair stuck up in all directions. They wore pajamas on their small bodies. “Bella usually sits between us,” Mark said, playing with his fork.

      “Does she now?” Philip arched his eyebrow at the boy.

      Caleb scratched his head. “Yep.”

      He looked to Bella. She had moved to the stove and was pulling out a pan of fresh biscuits. “You can sit there. I’ll sit on the other side of Mark.” Once she’d placed the pan on the top of the stove, Bella motioned for him to sit.

      Philip sat and waited for the women to join them at the table. Mark wiped at the sleep in his eyes, while Caleb yawned. When the women were seated, Cara asked him to bless the meal and he did.

      The boys immediately began eating. They shoveled the food into their mouths as if they feared it would be their last meal. He remembered seeing other small children, half-starved, eating their first meal at the orphanage and his heart went out to the two small boys.

      Bella softly said, “Slow down, boys. There is plenty of food.”

      Caleb swallowed hard. “For now.”

      Philip laid his hand on the boy’s shoulder. Looking deep into Caleb’s eyes, he vowed, “You boys will never go hungry again.”

      “They have never gone hungry,” Bella said, her voice shaking. “I’ve always made sure they’ve had something to eat.”

      He turned to look at her. “I didn’t mean to imply that you haven’t done your best.”

      She lowered her head, but not before he saw that her eyelashes were damp. “And I didn’t mean to snap.”

      Cara broke the silence that had formed around the table. “Philip, do you reckon John will be home today?”

      “Probably. I’m sorry he took my ride.”

      Cara laughed. “Not me. He needed a break from this place. Even if it is only for an overnight adventure.”

      Philip nodded. He knew what she meant. A relay station was a place where the riders exchanged horses, unlike the home station, where they would stop and start their runs. A home station meant just that, home. John didn’t ride unless a rider couldn’t continue. He was pretty much stuck at the station, day in and day out. That was one of the reasons Philip and Thomas continued to ride for the Pony Express after they’d taken over the relay station on the other side of Dove Creek.

      Bella looked from him to Cara. Confusion filled her eyes. Her forehead crinkled. “Why would he be glad to be gone?”

      Philip answered. “Relay stations can be very lonely. I’m sure John is enjoying being at the Young home station. My brothers are probably telling him all kinds of stories.” Philip bit into the most delicious biscuit he’d ever tasted—and his adoptive ma’s were pretty good. Last night’s had been good, but this one seemed to melt in his mouth.

      Understanding lit up Bella’s face, then remembrance. “Oh, you said you’d tell me about your family.” She smiled.

      He savored the buttery bread for a moment longer before swallowing. “I did, didn’t I?”

      She nodded her agreement.

      Philip smiled. “Well, I was adopted when I turned twelve. John Young and his wife, Rebecca, not only adopted me, but also six other boys. Plus, they had a little girl of their own. So all together I have six brothers and a sister. Sadly, John passed away, but not before he signed all us boys, except Benjamin, up to be Pony Express riders.”

      “How come Benjamin didn’t get to be a rider?” Mark asked around a mouthful of eggs.

      “Don’t talk with your mouth full, Mark,” Bella scolded in a gentle voice.

      The little boy ducked his head. “Sorry,” he muttered.

      “Because he’s only eight years old. Oh, I take that back. He just had a birthday, so he’s nine now.”

      “I’m sorry for your loss,” Bella said. She stood.

      Philip СКАЧАТЬ