A Pony Express Christmas. Rhonda Gibson

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СКАЧАТЬ Molly, alone, having fun and not facing the future. Cowardly, maybe, but at least for a little while she’d be happy.

      The little girl tugged on her arm, drawing her attention. Leah scooped the child up and opened the door. She looked both right and left. Not seeing anyone she closed the door behind them and hurried to the stairs. The main rooms were empty and they managed to escape out the front without Mrs. Frontz seeing them.

      Leah sighed as she lowered the child to the ground. Now what? They couldn’t stand in the front yard, because who knew when one of those pony express riders would come swooping in. She grabbed Molly’s hand and headed to the side of the house, away from the barn and the possibility of being seen from the kitchen.

      It was quiet on this side of the house. Apple trees formed a small orchard and Leah smiled. Snow was already piling up against the house and Molly danced around trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

      “How about we build a snowman?”

      Molly rushed back to her and nodded.

      They worked together as the snow fell swiftly. The call of “Rider coming in fast!” carried to them but neither paid any mind.

      Leah knew they were far enough away from the front of the house that they didn’t need to worry about the rider. The snow was a wet snow and packed well. It continued to come down and both she and Molly were wet. They stepped back to study their snowman. Molly pointed to the smallest snowball on top of the other two. She then pointed to her eyes, nose and mouth. Her small head cocked sideways as she looked up at Leah.

      “Yes, he needs a face,” Leah agreed.

      The little girl nodded and then pointed to her own hat-covered head. Now where would she find a hat? Leah wondered. “I agree. He needs a hat.”

      Leah recognized Jake’s voice before she turned around to see him leaning against the house.

      “That’s a nice-looking snowman you have there, Molly.”

      She nodded and pointed again at the place where its face should be. As if she thought that wasn’t enough, Molly also pointed at her face.

      Jake’s chuckle warmed Leah’s insides. How long had he been standing there? His eyes still held a hint of sorrow but she saw affection for Molly in them, too. That was good. Leah had been afraid he’d tell her he couldn’t or wouldn’t take his niece.

      She watched as he walked forward with two stones and placed them where the snowman’s eyes should be. Molly tapped her nose with a gloved finger.

      He nodded. “Yep, still needs a nose.” He took Molly’s gloved hand and walked over to the trees where he broke off a small stick and returned. Jake held it out for Molly to take and then lifted her to put it into place.

      When he returned her to the ground, Molly looked up at him and grinned. Did she realize that Jake was her uncle? Did he resemble her father enough for the little girl to put the two together? Leah didn’t know.

      Molly’s brown eyes turned on her and she pointed to her lips.

      “I’m not sure what we can use for his mouth,” Leah confessed, looking about. The ground was covered in snow. Maybe they could dig and find a few stones to create the lips.

      The little girl frowned. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she ran for the house.

      Leah started to follow her but Jake’s warm hand on her arm stopped her.

      “She’s just going into the house.”

      She turned to face him. “How can you be so sure?”

      Jake laughed. “Didn’t you see the look on her face? She thought of something she has and went to get it.”

      “Oh.” Leah rubbed her cold hands together. Earlier she’d been too busy to notice the cold but now with Molly gone, and aware she was alone with a stranger, Leah began to feel uneasy. With the thin gloves and even thinner coat she was beginning to feel chilled to the bone, too.

      “I hope Mrs. Frontz didn’t give you a hard time after I left,” Jake said, blowing on his own gloves to warm his hands.

      Leah felt a moment of embarrassment. “No, I didn’t give her the chance. Molly and I went up to our room after you left and then we sneaked outside while she was in the kitchen.”

      “I’m sorry. I should have stayed and explained to her what was happening.” Sorrow filled his warm eyes again.

      Leah reached out and touched his arm. “It’s all right. She didn’t come right out and ask me what we’d discussed. I wouldn’t have told her if she had. She’ll understand soon enough.” She didn’t need to tell him that it was his responsibility to tell his employers about Molly, not hers.

      Jake nodded. “Yes, I plan on telling everyone this evening before supper. But, I’d like to talk to Molly about it first.”

      “That would be best.”

      He seemed pleased at her response. “I hope you don’t mind but I’ve asked Mrs. Frontz if we can have lunch in private.”

      Leah turned big eyes on him. “I’m not sure that is such a good idea.” She rushed on before he could stop her. “I know you mean well but I want to be with you both when you tell Molly who you are. Right now, I’m the only person she trusts. I’m not comfortable sending her off alone with you. She might think I’ve abandoned her and I can’t have that.”

      Leah heard the conviction in her voice and realized she’d not let Molly face her future alone. She squared her shoulders and waited for Jake to argue.

      A grin filled his face. “I’m glad you care so much about her.”

      “I do.” Leah’s stomach growled just as Molly came running around the corner.

      He leaned close to her and his warm breath caressed her cheek. “It sounds like it’s a good thing I asked for an early lunch for three.”

      Jake turned from her to see what the little girl was waving in the air. Leah tilted her head and looked around him to see, too. Her heart sank. Molly had found Leah’s favorite pink ribbon.

      Jake bent at the waist to take it from her. His gaze moved to Leah’s face and he turned back to Molly. “Is this your pretty ribbon?” he asked.

      She shook her head and pointed to Leah.

      “Did you ask if we can use it?”

      Again, Molly shook her head. Her eyes beseeched Leah.

      Jake stood to his full height. For a moment Leah was worried he was going to scold the little girl. Jake surprised her by saying, “Well, I think it’s too pretty for a snowman. After lunch we’ll see what else we can find.” He handed the ribbon back to Molly. “Perhaps you should give this back to Miss Hollister.”

      Molly did as she was told but didn’t look too pleased.

      “Thank you, Molly.” Leah took the ribbon and then knelt down in front of the little girl. “From now on, you must ask me before you go through my things and take what you want.” Once the little СКАЧАТЬ