Pony Express Mail-Order Bride. Rhonda Gibson

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       Chapter Four

      “Do all these brothers and sister have names?” Bella asked as she wiped the food from the dishes.

      “As a matter of fact, they do. I’ll start with the oldest and work my way down to the youngest. Jacob, Andrew, Clayton, Thomas, Noah, Benjamin and, lastly, Joy.”

      Cara walked to them. “Bella, go sit down and enjoy your coffee. I’ll do these dishes. After all, you did most of the cooking this morning and gathered the water.” She held her plate and the boys’.

      “I can help,” Bella answered. “The job will get done faster with more hands and then we can all three enjoy another cup of coffee.”

      Philip went to the table and gathered the remaining dishes. He set them on the counter. She wondered if he would always be this helpful.

      “Aunt Bella, can we be excused?” Caleb asked.

      She glanced at her nephews. “Are your hands clean?”

      Both boys looked down at their fingers and nodded.

      “Then I suppose you can.”

      They scooted off their chairs and hurried into the sitting area, where their toy horses awaited them. Caleb rushed ahead and handed Mark his toy. Bella heard Philip chuckle and turned to face him.

      At her inquisitive look, he said, “Caleb reminds me a lot of Benjamin.” Philip shook his head.

      “How so?” Cara asked. “If I remember right, they don’t look anything alike.”

      Philip shook his head. “Not in looks but in actions. Ben is always looking out for Joy.”

      Bella had to admit that Caleb tried to look after Mark. Unfortunately, she’d learned really quickly that the little boy didn’t care much for his older brother bossing him around. “Yes, but Mark doesn’t always want his help.”

      They finished the dishes. Cara excused herself and left them sitting at the kitchen table nursing cups of warm coffee. Bella looked into the dark liquid and inhaled its rich fragrance.

      “You are a very good cook,” Philip said, complimenting her.

      She looked up at him. “Thank you. I love to cook and bake.” Bella twisted the cup in her hands. She’d always dreamed of someday owning her own café and serving fresh desserts. Her gaze moved to the boys. But now that dream was gone.

      Philip chuckled, drawing her attention again. “Well, that’s good, because I like to eat.”

      Bella smiled. “Most people do.”

      The door came open with a bang and John Turnstone entered the room. He pulled off his coat and looked around. Cara came from the bedroom with a bright smile on her face. “Did you have a good ride, dear?”

      “I did.” He walked across the room and hugged his wife tightly.

      Bella pushed her chair back and walked to the stove. She avoided watching the other couple’s greeting. Instead she asked, “John, would you like a cup of coffee?”

      “That sounds wonderful.”

      She poured the rich liquid from the pot and then turned. John had walked to the table. “So what do you think of your special delivery?” he asked Philip.

      Philip grinned. “I like it.”

      Mark and Caleb came into the kitchen, too. “What’s a special delivery?” Caleb asked, climbing into the nearest chair.

      Bella felt her cheeks flame to life. She watched as Philip scooped up Mark and tickled him.

      “You two are,” he told the two boys.

      Bella sat the mug in front of John.

      Cara stood beside his chair, smiling at the boys and Philip. She patted her husband’s shoulder. “Would you like something to eat?”

      His gaze moved to the stove, where the pan of leftover bread sat. “I’d love a couple of those biscuits.”

      “With sausage?” Cara asked, heading to the stove.

      “Yep, that sounds good.” John picked up his cup and took a swig of the coffee. After he swallowed, John said, “That ride home was a cold one.”

      “I figured you’d get here later today.” Philip grinned.

      John shook his head. “Naw, I wanted to get back here.” He grinned at Cara as she handed him his plate with two sausage biscuits.

      Philip looked to Bella. “What do you think? Ready to head out?”

      “Yes, but how are we going to get there? I mean, I didn’t bring a horse or a buggy with me and you came in on a Pony Express horse.” Bella couldn’t imagine the boys having to walk in that cold wind. It might have calmed down, but ten or fifteen miles was a long way for the two little boys to have to walk.

      “I’ve been thinking about that and was hoping John and Cara would allow us to borrow a wagon and horse.” He looked to John. “I can have it back to you in a couple of days.”

      John had just taken a bite of the sausage biscuit. His eyes widened and he looked to Cara. He chewed with pleasure.

      Cara laughed. “Nope, not my biscuits. Those are from this one.” She pointed at Bella.

      John swallowed. “You can borrow whatever you want as long as this little lady will give my wife the recipe for this bread.” He held out the half-eaten biscuit, as if there was any question to which bread he meant.

      “What do you say, Bella? Want to give away your recipe?” Philip grinned at her. Was that pride she saw in his eyes?

      Bella turned her attention to Cara. “I’ll be happy to give you the recipe.” She whispered loud enough for everyone to hear, “The secret ingredient is lard.”

      John roared with laughter. “Best tastin’ lard I ever had the pleasure of eating.”