Pony Express Courtship (13 page)

She nodded. “Would you like for me to pack some sandwiches?”

“If you don't mind. I'm only taking three of the boys tomorrow and then three the following day.” Seth stood with his hand on the door.

“You're taking Jacob, too?”

Seth nodded. “Yep, he may have to be a relief rider. But more than likely he won't actually go out very often. Plus, as the stock tender I want him to learn the trail so that he'll know which horse to send out.” The red color seeped from his face. Now that they were talking normally, he seemed to no longer feel embarrassed.

Rebecca spoke her thoughts aloud. “Which in turn will decide which boy will travel which trail.”

“Sounds right.”

She tilted her head to look at him better. “Wouldn't it be best to take all the boys at the same time, just in case they need to ride in both directions?”

He nodded approvingly. “Yes. And I will take them out again and go in the opposite direction than what they'll be traveling over the next couple of days.”

Why didn't he just take them all tomorrow and again the next day? Rebecca didn't understand his job, but to her that made more sense.

As if he could read her thoughts, Seth yawned and said, “I'm taking them a few at a time to keep the focus on the job at hand. I want to make sure that they understand the trail and the dangers on it. All together they turn into a bunch of cutups.”

His yawn had her mimicking the action. Rebecca covered her mouth. A warm chuckle drew her gaze to him once more.

“Good night, Rebecca.”

“Seth?” Rebecca's courage almost failed when he turned to look at her. “Thanks for tonight.”

“No thanks needed. Next time we won't bring back as much meat.”

She took a deep breath and smiled. “No, I meant the other. It does a woman's heart good to have nice things said to her occasionally. And the tea, well, that was a sweet gesture, too.”

They stared at each other, a spark of some indefinable emotion in his eyes. Did he feel the attraction, too? Or was she simply overtired and seeing too much in him and his actions?

“Good night, Rebecca.” He pushed open the door and disappeared into the night.

It seemed silly but Rebecca missed him already. She whispered, “Sweet dreams, Seth.” Then she picked up the lantern and walked to her bedroom.

As she prepared for bed, Rebecca continued to focus on Seth and the work he was doing. He'd been working hard with her boys and she could already see that their self-confidence had grown. Even little Benjamin walked with straighter shoulders.

As she'd tucked him into bed, he'd told her that Seth and Jacob had taught him how to check the horse's legs to make sure they were straight and strong. His eyes shone and his cheeks puffed in pride at his newfound knowledge. How could she not love the new excitement her boys showed each time she talked to them? And it was due to Seth's way of treating them and the confidence he instilled.

The stage was due in the morning. Would Seth's mail-order bride be on it? Or would someone on the stage know who Charlotte was or where to locate her? She pulled back the covers on her bed and climbed inside.

Blowing out the lamp, Rebecca relaxed and sank into the cushioning softness. A thought niggled at her tired mind. Did she want Seth to find his fiancée?

Over the past couple of weeks she'd grown to like Seth Armstrong. He cared about her boys. She smiled into the darkness. They weren't boys anymore; they were men. Still, another man might break their spirits, not understand them like Seth did. His gentleness was one of the things she liked most about him.

In the stillness of the dark night, Rebecca faced her real fear. Did she have feelings for Seth? Feelings that went beyond friendship? No? Then why had her heart flip-flopped when he'd told her she had a pretty smile? Why did the pulse at the base of her throat jump every time their eyes met? And last but not least, why had it felt so good to have him compliment her?

She tossed over to her side.

These feelings were caused by tiredness, that was all. But that little voice just wouldn't keep quiet in her mind. She'd felt all that before today, so it stood to reason that tiredness played no part in her feelings.

Rebecca thumped her pillow in frustration. Why, why, why did she have to complicate matters with feelings? He'd complimented her, making her feel special. So what? He probably did that to anyone that cooked and cleaned for him. Yes, that had to be it.

She turned over to the other side and tucked her hand under her pillow. She wasn't acquiring feelings for Seth. She wouldn't allow it. Falling in love wasn't a part of her future, not with Seth, not with any man. Her children were her whole focus.

Her hand snaked across the bed and touched John's pillow. Besides, she wouldn't betray John's memory. The children had already faced many changes. Adding another man in their lives, well, to her way of thinking that just wouldn't be wise.

Chapter Fourteen

S
eth didn't want to admit it, but his stomach felt as twisted as that apron. April had arrived with clear skies and anticipation in the air. He'd had two months to work with the boys and he felt they were as ready as they'd ever be. Since Noah was still his best horseman Seth decided to give him the first run. The uncertainty had plagued him all through the night.

Rebecca stood on the porch watching as they waited for the Pony Express rider from the east to arrive. Noah sat on his horse looking relaxed and ready to go. Rebecca twisted her apron in her hands, the only indicator that she was nervous.

Finally, unable to stand the tension, Seth sprinted up to the porch. Before he changed his mind he blurted out, “I'm going with him.” Rebecca clasped her hands against her heart and pure relief washed over her features. She nodded.

It felt good. It was the right thing to do. Seth then turned and ran to the barn for his horse, Sam.

He couldn't let her fuss over the youngest rider and Seth felt certain it would drive him insane not knowing if the boy had made his run without mishap. No matter how hard he tried, Seth couldn't help but care for the Young family.

Jacob met him halfway with Sam. “I thought you might need him,” he said, handing the reins to Seth, an expression of satisfaction showing in his eyes.

“Thanks.” Seth clapped a hand on his shoulder in appreciation. The boy had the makings of a great leader, discernment being one of the most important gifts to have been blessed with. It was for sure he'd gotten this situation sized correctly. “I'll be back as quick as I can. You're in charge. Be sure and write down the time that the rider coming in arrives.” Seth jumped into the saddle.

He moved into position a few feet behind Noah. The boy turned in his saddle. Noah lifted an eyebrow in question then asked, “What's going on?”

“Change of plans. I'm going with you,” Seth called to him, just as a bugle rang out, announcing the arrival of the other Pony Express rider.

With pride, Seth watched them exchange the saddlebag. Noah caught it in midair, whooped loudly and then put his heels to his pony's sides. The young boy shot off and Seth followed.

He paced Sam and allowed Noah his lead. As far as he knew none of the other Pony Express station keepers had two riders going at the same time, meaning a fresh mount would be waiting for Noah, but not for him.

Noah turned in his saddle, seeing that Seth rode farther and farther behind, and spun his horse and returned. “You're gonna have to ride faster than that if we are to make our time,” he called.

When Noah was within hearing distance, Seth called to him, “Go on and ride like thunder. I'll follow more slowly and will catch up with you. Don't wait for me.”

Noah didn't have to be told twice. The mail had to go through and it had to go through fast. They were on a timeline. They had ten days to get the mail from St. Joseph, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. Noah and the other boys had vowed to do a good job for the founders of the Pony Express and they all intended to see to it that they kept their word.

Four relay stations later, Seth caught up with Noah at the home station in Willow Springs. Noah sat on the front porch waiting for him. His feet were propped up on the porch rail. He had a satisfied grin on his face.

Seth climbed down off Sam. He patted his horse and then turned toward the home-station house.

“I made my time, Seth,” he stated as Seth walked up the steps.

Seth nodded. “I'm proud of you.”

Noah stood. “Now that you are here, I'm going to hit a bunk. Didn't get much sleep last night.”

“Me, either,” Seth confessed, following Noah off the porch and taking Sam by the reins and heading to the barn. “Soon as I get Sam tucked in, I may join you for some shut-eye.”

Noah walked the short distance to a small bunkhouse. It wasn't nearly as big as the one at Dove Creek. Of course, Seth doubted there were as many boys here who called Willow Springs their home station, either.

The stock tender greeted him as he entered the barn. “I'm almost done with this one, Mr. Armstrong. If you want me to take care of your horse I'll be a couple of minutes.”

When Seth couldn't remember the man's name, he realized he was tired. More so than he'd first thought. After crossing streams and being in the saddle for about seventy-five miles, he realized why they wanted to hire younger men. “I'll take care of him.”

As he groomed Sam, his thoughts went to Rebecca. Over the past few weeks, she'd put distance between them. He missed her coming out to see what her boys were doing. She hadn't been rude during their nightly meetings, but kept to the point as to what she needed done.

The stagecoach hadn't produced the results he'd hoped for in finding Charlotte. Maybe it was time to try something else, but what? He yawned.

“I think you've brushed his coat enough, Mr. Armstrong,” the stock tender said, bringing a bag of oats for Sam.

The sweet smell caused Seth's stomach to rumble. “Thank you.” He nodded toward the oats.

“Cook has beans and corn bread on the stove, if you'd like,” the man offered, patting Sam on the neck.

Seth had the feeling the stock tender would like nothing better than for him to leave and let him get on with his work. He realized that he'd have to make some form of reimbursement for the care of the extra horse if he teamed up his boys to travel the trail. They couldn't expect the other home stations to feed their animals and extra mouths.

He thanked the man once more and then headed back to the house. The station keeper, Joe Cantrell, sat on the porch. Good, Seth needed to talk to the man and now was the perfect time.

“Come on up and have a seat, Seth,” Joe insisted. Grey hair topped the man's head and curled on his neck. Seth would guess his age to be about sixty. He held a piece of straw between his teeth and had the look of a man who wanted to talk.

“I believe I will.” Seth climbed the stairs for a second time. He sank into the rocker that Noah had sat in earlier.

They rocked in silence for a couple of minutes. Then Joe spoke. “Your boy did good. Came in like a pro.” He took the straw out of his mouth and studied the end of it. “I was a bit surprised when he told me you weren't far behind. What brings you my way?”

Seth liked Joe. He was a straight talker and didn't mince his words. “Well,” he said, leaning his arms on his knees, “his ma was worried about him and I felt compelled to come along and make sure this first ride went smoothly.”

“Yep, that's what I figured.” Joe leaned back in the rocker and closed his eyes.

Seth didn't dare close his eyes. He'd be asleep in no time. Even though Joe's eyes were closed, Seth knew the station keeper wasn't sleeping. There was more to be said, so he waited to hear what it was.

Joe cleared his throat. “Wondered if having the boys' ma around would cause trouble.”

“Naw, she isn't any trouble. Just worried about her boys.” Seth wasn't about to tell Joe or anyone else how Rebecca had clucked about the boys like a mother hen when he'd first arrived.

Joe stopped the rocking of the chair. “That's good.”

“I do need to compensate you for the care of my horse and if it isn't too much trouble for a meal.” Seth's stomach rumbled again, reminding him it had been a long time since he'd eaten.

“Is this going to become a habit? You riding along with the boys?” Joe asked, opening his eyes and searching Seth's face.

Seth stood. “No, I won't be coming, but one of the other men might. It really depends on you,” he admitted.

“How so?”

He didn't want to tell Joe that Rebecca would be a nervous Nellie as long as her boys were out alone, but if they had someone to go with them on their rides, could team up, so to speak, Seth felt sure she'd feel much better. “I'm thinking of having my boys travel in teams of two. But if I do that I'll have horses eating here and an extra boy eating and sleeping here. You'll need some kind of payment for the extra mouths you'll be feeding.”

Joe nodded and rubbed his chin, as if thinking about it. “Well, do you have any good hunters in your group?”

Seth grinned. “The best in the bunch is sleeping in your bunkhouse right now.”

Disbelief filled the station keeper's eyes. “That slip of a boy is a good hunter?”

“The best I've seen in a long time.”

Joe stood and stretched out his back. “Well, fresh meat is what we need. If your boy is as good as you think he is, I believe that will take care of the boy's meals. As for the horses, do you reckon you can spare the supplies to feed them?”

Seth nodded. “Yep, when they deliver Pony Express hay to Dove Creek, I'll just have them send part of the supplies here to you.”

The older man slapped Seth on the back. “Go grab some grub and some sleep and tomorrow we'll take that boy of yours out to see if he can hunt.”

Seth did as he was told, all the while wishing there was some way he could let Rebecca know that Noah had made it safe and sound. He already missed her and the other boys.

* * *

Rebecca hurried to the Young family cemetery just as the sun set. She wanted to clean off the graves and admire the new fence the boys and Seth had placed around it.

It had been two weeks since the Pony Express started running. A few days earlier the country had celebrated the fact that the boys who rode the trail were able to do so in ten days. She felt so proud and still a bit amazed that her boys were part of the event that made mail travel so much faster. Nowadays Rebecca hardly saw the boys since they came and went as they did.

Happily surprised when she found Andrew standing within the fence of the cemetery, Rebecca waved to him. She finished climbing the small hill just as Andrew hurried to open the little gate for her. “Hi, Ma. What are you doing up here so late?” he asked as she walked past him.

Her gaze moved to John's grave. There was no need to worry about it being cluttered with leaves; someone had already cleaned it up. She looked to John's parents' graves and saw them clean, as well. “I came to take care of the family plots but I see someone has already done so.” For a moment she allowed sadness to fill her. Without the excuse of cleaning, she really had no reason to linger up here with her son.

Sensing her sorrow, Andrew said, “I'm sorry. I took care of it this afternoon. If I had known you wanted to do it, I wouldn't have done so.” He slapped his hat against his leg.

“Oh, Andrew, I'm not upset that you took care of them.” She gave him a quick hug. “Thank you for taking care of Papa John's grave.” She extended her hand. “And the others, too.”

“I still miss him.” Andrew kept his arm around her shoulders.

Rebecca nodded. “Me, too.”

“But you know, Ma, Papa John wouldn't want you pining after him. He'd want you to start fresh.”

She took a step back and looked up into her son's handsome face. “No, I'm sure he wouldn't, but what are you getting at, Andrew?”

A pink flush filled his ears. “Oh, nothing.” He held up his hands as he studied her face. “Really.”

“Then why did you say that?” she asked as she bent down to pick up a small stick and toss it over the fence.

Andrew put his hat on his head and dug his hands into his front pockets. “Well, I've been thinking about my own future as well as yours.”

Fear clutched her throat.
Please, Lord, don't let him say he is leaving.
The silent prayer flew from her mind and she prayed it would reach heaven's gates before Andrew spoke again. “I see. And what have you been thinking?”

“Well, even though we are all orphans, Seth says we can still have a bright future, even you.” He rocked on his boot heels.

“Seth said this, about me?” What else had Seth said about her? It dawned on her that Andrew said,
we can still have a bright future, even you
. “How does Seth know I was an orphan?”

Seemingly unaware of her building anger, Andrew answered, “We were talking one day and I mentioned it.”

Trying hard not to let her frustration at being talked about come through in her voice, she asked, “Do you often speak of me?”

“Sure we do.” A big grin crossed his face. “We're all very proud of you. You're a great ma.”

His sweet words filled her heart but she still wanted to know if they were just talking and mentioned her, or if Seth had been putting his nose where it didn't belong, which was in her business. “Thanks, son. I'm proud of you, too.”

“Every evening, after your visit with Seth, he comes to the bunkhouse and those of us that are there, except Jacob, read a little of the Bible and discuss what we've read.” He opened the gate to leave.

Rebecca followed him out. She had no idea they were having a nightly Bible study. And the fact that Andrew was willing to participate surprised her, too. He and Jacob had quit reading with her and the younger ones after John's death.

“Did you know that there is a Scripture that talks about orphans and widows?”

Absentmindedly, Rebecca nodded.

“Seth says that since you are both, we need to take especially good care of you.” He latched the gate behind them.

Rebecca stood in his path. “Andrew, has he been asking questions about me?”

Andrew shrugged. “Sometimes, but he asks questions about all of us. He even wanted to know about Papa John and his parents.”

“I see.” She glanced up at the sky. Stars were beginning to shine even though the sun wasn't completely down.

“Ma, I need to go. It's my turn to take the mail and the other rider will be here soon. Will you be all right walking back to the house?” Andrew looked in the direction of the woods.

Rebecca noticed that his horse stood there, munching on the new spring grass as if he and Andrew came here often. “Go on, son. I'll be fine. I'll take the road back to the house.” She smiled at him.