Pony Express Courtship (11 page)

Like two obedient children, they did as she said. Seth followed Rebecca inside, wishing he hadn't been impatient with her. Fay closed the door behind them. “Why don't you go into the sitting room and stand by the fire,” she said to Seth.

“Thanks, I believe I will.” He pulled his hat from his head and walked across the hardwood floor. His boots made squishing noises as Seth marched past Rebecca toward the sound of crackling wood and the promise of warmth. Knowing he would have to apologize for his rude behavior had him pricklier than a wide-awake black bear in the wintertime.

What was it about Rebecca Young that sent a tickle of irritation up his neck? Not all the time, just when she spoke abruptly or accusingly. Could it simply be that the rain had put him in a bad mood? Or the fact that she'd summoned him to the house like a hired hand? Seth wasn't sure, but he knew he didn't like this feeling, not one little bit.

He wished at times like this that he could just be on his way. Let the Young family live their lives and he'd carry on with his. The thought sobered him.

Did he really want to leave them? Didn't the boys need him now more than ever? His gaze moved to Rebecca. Her hair hung down her back and her cheeks were rosy. Pretty blue eyes studied him and he wished he could take back the harshness of his words.

Just don't allow yourself to get too close to any of them,
he thought. Seth prayed that he hadn't already.

Chapter Twelve

R
ebecca sat down on her favorite chair and picked up her sewing. The weather had turned nasty and so had her temper. She silently asked the Lord to forgive her. What was it about Seth Armstrong that had her emotions all in a knot?

He stood with his back to her. Wide shoulders stretched the wet material of his shirt. The edges of his hair curled around his collar. Seth braced his hands against the fireplace mantel.

Very aware of the creaking sound of Fay's rocker, Rebecca tried to focus on her mending. She didn't know what to say to him. He'd snapped at her like an old turtle. All she'd wanted to do was ask him to go hunting. They needed fresh meat.

Tears stung her eyes, making Rebecca angry. She had no intention of crying. Rebecca told herself she had nothing to cry about.

His warm voice washed over her like a healing balm. “I'm sorry, Rebecca. I'll be happy to take the boys out hunting tomorrow. It will also give me the opportunity to see how well they can shoot a gun.”

Her voice cracked as she said, “Thank you.”

The rocking stopped. Seth spun around to look at her. Rebecca focused on her mending. She didn't want to face either Fay or Seth with tears in her eyes. What was she going to do? She couldn't wipe the moisture away; they'd know for sure she was on the verge of crying like a baby.

“Ma, can I have a cookie?” Joy asked as she entered the room.

Rebecca practically jumped to her feet. “Yes, I'll help you get one.” She hurried out of the room, very aware that both Seth and Fay still watched her.

Once in the kitchen, she wiped her eyes, then pulled down the cookie jar and handed Joy a cookie. “Here you go, sweetie.”

“Ma, are you crying?” Joy asked, taking the cookie but not eating it. Her eyes studied her mother's face for an explanation.

Rebecca kneeled down to her daughter's level. “No, but I could use a hug.”

Joy immediately went into her mother's arms. Rebecca held her tightly and enjoyed the sweet smell of her little girl. Joy liked the smell of vanilla and often put some behind her little ears. Rebecca grinned and then released her. “You smell nice,” she said.

“I smell like nilla.”

“Vanilla,” Rebecca said, correcting her.

Joy nodded. “That's what I said. Nilla.”

Rebecca leaned away from her daughter. “I know you can say it correctly. Why don't you?”

The little girl smiled. “That's the way Pa used to say it. Remember? I don't want to forget him so I use his words.”

“I remember.” The bittersweet memories flooded her mind. Rebecca gave Joy another quick hug and then stood. John was also the one who used to dab vanilla behind Joy's ears and then pretend to “eat her up.” Funny that she hadn't thought about that in a long time.

She took Joy's hand and walked back to the sitting room, where Seth and Fay waited. Her gaze moved to where he stood by the fireplace.

He looked up as she entered the room. She ignored the question in his eyes. Instead Rebecca asked one. “What are you planning to do with the boys tomorrow?”

Seth turned his back to the fire. “Well, Noah, Philip, Andrew and I will go hunting. I'm assuming you want to replenish your meat supply, so I'll have Jacob, Clayton, Thomas and Benjamin go fishing. Then when we get back I want them to work with their horses. Sometime tomorrow evening I plan to have them practice passing the postage bag to each other.”

Rebecca watched Joy nibble on her cookie, aware that she looked from one adult to the other. Did she feel the tension between Seth and Rebecca? Rebecca wondered if she shouldn't speak to Seth in private from now on.

Joy scrunched up her cute little nose. “What's a postage bag?” she asked Seth.

“It's the bag that will have the mail inside.”

“Oh. Can I practice, too?” she asked.

Rebecca shook her head. “No, you are not a Pony Express rider like the boys.”

Joy placed her small hand on her hip and announced, “When I grow up, I'm going to be a Pony Express rider, too.”

Seth chuckled. “I don't doubt that you will.”

Rebecca enjoyed the warm sound that seemed to bubble up from his chest. He really was a good man. His patience with the kids, especially Joy, gave her renewed confidence in the man. Yes, his methods scared her, but she'd have to learn to trust him to keep his word.

Joy looked up at her mother. “Ma, can I go fishing with Beni tomorrow?” She stuck a thumb into her parted lips.

Picking up her sewing, Rebecca sat down before answering. “I don't know. Babies don't go fishing.” She hated that Joy still sucked on her thumb. She'd tried everything to break the habit, but nothing worked.

A light pink filled the little girl's cheeks as she jerked her thumb out of her mouth. “I'm not a baby,” Joy protested.

Rebecca smiled at her daughter. “No, you are not. We'll have to see how the weather is tomorrow. If it's raining out there like it is now, we don't want you catching your death from cold.”

As if on cue, Seth sneezed.

Fay, who had been silent so far, looked up and said, “Speaking of catching your death, Seth, you should probably get into some warm, dry clothes.”

He nodded. “I believe you are right.” Seth turned to face Rebecca once more. “Is there anything else we need to discuss before I go?” Seth quirked an eyebrow at her.

“No, I think that will be all. Thank you for coming in and easing my mind a mite.” She offered him her most sincere smile. The last thing she needed was to offend the station keeper. He didn't have to share his plans with her and she really did appreciate his willingness to do so.

Seth put on his soggy hat and walked to the front door. “Have a good evening, ladies.”

“Aren't you coming back in for supper?” Joy asked as she followed him.

He kneeled down in front of Joy. “Not tonight. I'm wet and cold. I think I'll stay in my room and get warmed up.”

Rebecca's breath caught in her throat as his green eyes collided with hers over Joy's head. Tenderness filled the beautiful orbs as he continued talking to her daughter.

“Maybe your ma will send a plate out to the bunkhouse. I wouldn't mind eating in my room tonight.” He turned his attention back to the little girl.

Joy smiled at him. “She will. Won't you, Ma?”

“Of course.”

Seth stood. “Thank you.” He brushed the top of Joy's head with his hand. “I'll see you in the morning,” he said and then he was gone.

“He really is a nice man, Rebecca,” Fay said as she closed her Bible.

Rebecca nodded. “He seems to be.” She turned her head and watched out the window as he jogged across the rain-soaked front yard.

His boots slipped and for a moment, Rebecca held her breath, afraid he'd fall. When he'd managed to right himself, she released a huge sigh.

“He's a handsome young man, too,” Fay said. She now stood beside Rebecca's chair and also watched Seth dash into the bunkhouse.

Rebecca ignored Fay's last comment.

“How old do you think he is?” Fay asked.

“Don't start matchmaking, Fay.” Rebecca laid her sewing to the side.

“What's matchmaking?” Joy asked, reminding the two women that they weren't alone.

Rebecca turned her daughter away from the window. “You never mind what matchmaking is. Go straighten your room.” She gave Joy a gentle push in the direction of her bedroom.

“All right, Ma.” Joy skipped off.

Rebecca headed to the kitchen, where her beef stew and corn bread were cooking. Her thoughts returned to Seth. Fay was right, he was a handsome man. Mentally she answered Fay's last question—she figured Seth was probably a little older than her. She stirred the stew and then pulled the hot corn bread out of the oven.

Raindrops hit the pipe on the stove, spitting and spewing and sending a shiver down her spine. Poor Seth, he'd been soaked to the skin. She wondered if Thomas was as wet.

In the coming months, Rebecca expected the boys to be both wet and cold. She hated that they would be exposed to the weather and wondered if there was anything she could do to give them comfort. Would Seth ride the Pony Express, too?

Why was he in her thoughts so much today? Was it because he'd made her angry? Or was it because Fay had hinted at matchmaking between the two of them?

Seth was handsome but Rebecca couldn't allow him into her heart. She had a farm to run, children to take care of, and she had to preserve the memory of John for her daughter's sake. And she also needed to keep her family together. If she became interested in Seth as a future husband, then he might uproot her from the farm.

No, it was better not to think along those lines. Even if he did have lovely green eyes and a smile that melted her anger.

* * *

The horse flew past Seth. He tossed the flour sack up at Philip on the horse's back. It hit the young man squarely in the chest, knocking him from his horse and into the mud.

The others hooted and hollered from the sidelines. Seth shook his head. So far, none of the boys had been able to catch the pretend saddlebag.

Noah climbed aboard his small mustang. Seth doubted that Noah would fare any better than the other boys had, but he had to give him a chance to try.

Benjamin sloshed through the mud and scooped up the flour sack. He handed it up to Seth with a grin. “They ain't doin' so good, are they, Seth?”

“No, they aren't,” Seth agreed, turning his horse back to the starting line.

Noah went to the opposite side of the pasture and rounded his mount. The boy laid low over his horse's neck and then at the yelp from Jacob kicked his horse into action. The little mustang ate the ground between them with super speed.

Seth met him halfway and tossed the flour bag. He was shocked to see Noah grab it in midair and loop it over his saddle horn.

More hoots and yells came from the sidelines. This time no laughter filled the air, only praise and questions. Seth wheeled his horse around and observed the boys.

How was it that Noah, the youngest at the age of twelve, was so much better at practically everything than the other boys? He rode his horse with more confidence than the others, shot a gun better and had a wicked way with his knife.

While hunting earlier in the morning, Seth noted that Noah seemed to be tracking the deer, unlike the others, who were simply hunting. When they'd finally come upon their prey, Noah had been the one to kill the first deer. Andrew had shot the second deer. Noah had also killed three rabbits with a flick of his wrist and a knife. He'd quickly shown Philip how he'd thrown the knife and together they killed two more rabbits. Noah had skills, but how had he acquired them? Seth doubted that they were taught such things in an orphanage.

Rebecca had been pleased with the two deer and five rabbits. Thankfully, the other boys had brought in a load of fish that would have made anyone proud. She praised them all on their hunting and fishing skills.

The boys were covered in mud, all except Jacob. He hadn't participated with the activity as he was the stock tender and more than likely wouldn't need to ride the trail. Then again...

Seth called out, “Jacob, saddle up. You might need to learn this, too.”

Noah handed the bag to Jacob and then continued his conversation with his other brothers. Carrying the sack, Jacob walked back to the barn to get his horse. If the slump of his shoulders was any indication, Jacob wasn't happy with this new turn of events.

Seth rode over to where the other boys were still standing. “Come on, fellas. Team up into twos and practice running your horses toward each other. I want you to get as close as you can without touching your horses together. When you are coming in from a hard ride, you are going to need to be fast and accurate in your tossing of the mailbag.” He watched as they hurried off to do his bidding.

A smile touched his lips as he thought of what Rebecca's reaction might have been if she'd seen the boys catapult from the backs of their horses. Would she have laughed, like he had? Or would she protest that her babies were treated too roughly?

A giggle behind him answered his question. Seth turned to see Rebecca cup a hand over her mouth. Her gaze was trained on Thomas and a smile lit up her eyes. “They are all covered in mud,” she said between her fingers.

“Not yet, but they soon will be,” Seth answered, pointing to a scowling Jacob. The young man had just swung into his saddle and slowly walked his horse toward them.

“Jacob is going to ride, too?”

Seth shrugged. “In an emergency, he might. I want him to be able to catch the mailbag if he has to.” He winked down at Joy, who clung to her mama's skirts.

When Jacob came within distance, Seth asked, “Ready?”

“As I'll ever be,” Jacob responded. He continued to walk his horse to the far end of the pasture.

Rebecca giggled. “He doesn't look very happy about this, does he?”

Seth shook his head. “Nope. Should be fun.” He instinctively winked at Rebecca before turning Sam away.

Why had he done that? He shouldn't be trifling with the mother of eight. Seth glanced over his shoulder and saw that she wasn't watching him at all, but had her eyes locked on the boys as they practiced. Maybe she hadn't noticed his slip.

His gaze moved to Joy. The little girl's mouth was slit into the biggest grin he'd ever seen. Her little eyes sparkled with hope and Seth felt dread ease into his heart.

He didn't want to build Joy's hopes that he might be interested in her mother. No, Seth needed to get a grip on himself. The last thing he needed was for the Young women to set their sights on him as a potential husband and father.