Pony Express Courtship (15 page)

“And did you?”

He nodded. “That became my favorite time of the week.”

She drew an invisible pattern between them on the quilt. “What did you think on?”

“Oh, the things that had happened in the past. Things I wanted to do in the future.” He chewed on a piece of grass. “I'd map out a plan in my head how to accomplish more.”

“Is that all?”

He turned his head to face her, allowing a teasing expression to enter his eyes. “What? You don't think that was enough?”

“No,” she said, bumping his shoulder lightly with her own. “I'm sure you thought on lots of things and I think that's one of the best suggestions I've heard. But you misunderstood. I wanted to know all that you accomplished.”

He stretched his legs out in front of him, crossed his arms on his chest and put his head back against the tree. “I guess the main thing I thought about was how to make myself into the type of person I wanted to be. I already had a strong opinion as to what I didn't want, but at ten had a hard time figuring out what I did want.”

“Deep thoughts for a ten-year-old.”

“Maybe. But I see myself in Beni. He tries so hard to be good all the time, but occasionally the mischievousness sneaks out. I try to convince him that's normal, but each time you punish him, he thinks it's a direct hit against his character.”

She chuckled and he turned to study her profile. Wisps of hair framed her oval face. Her face showed a strength that did not lessen her femininity. The beginnings of a smile tipped the corners of her mouth. One dimple winked in his direction. “I'm thinking he already has you wrapped around his little finger.”

“No,” he growled, turning her smile into an infectious grin. “Why would you think that?”

“Because that little rascal kept playing John and me against each other. John would make him stand in the corner and he would look at me with those big eyes and say, ‘I'm a bad boy, Ma. You need to pray for me.' Then I would tell John that we were wounding his spirit. I became upset and John would dismiss the punishment.”

“Oh, no, that's not good. How did it turn out?”

“Well, one day we heard Beni bragging to Philip. ‘I just pucker my lips like I'm gonna cry and tell Ma I'm a bad boy. She doesn't ever want me to think I'm a bad boy. She makes Pa let me go.'”

Seth couldn't help it. He guffawed. “That little faker. Then what happened?”

“Next time John put him in the corner, I agreed that he was a bad boy and that he would stand even longer in the corner because that's what happened to bad boys. He knew we were onto him. He never tried it again, but he did go overboard trying to be good to prove he wasn't bad.”

“That explains a lot. I bet you have stories like this on all the boys, don't you?”

She looked at him, her expression suddenly somber. The silence lengthened between them, making him uncomfortable. What had he said wrong? He studied her face. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Are you asking because you care about the boys or so you can use the stories against them?”

Seth breathed in shallow gasps. The tension between them increased with frightening speed. He glowered at her then turned away, jumping up to gather their things. He'd been so stupid.

For a second it had felt as if they were courting, but the look on her face said that wasn't the case and probably never would be. “Thank you for letting me tag along with your family today, Rebecca. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.”

Regret filled her voice. “Seth, wait.”

“Let it alone, Rebecca. I understand.” Seth felt an acute sense of loss. She would never trust him, that was evident, so how could they continue working together? How would he make it without the boys he'd come to love?

He looked to where the kids were now playing freeze tag. Joy squealed as Benjamin tagged her. She froze into place and yelled for Philip to unfreeze her. They really were a great bunch of kids. He was glad he got to see them so relaxed and acting like kids.

“Come on, kids! Time to pack up and head home,” Rebecca called to them. She looked at Seth. “I'm sorry I spoiled our fun.”

Seth swallowed with difficulty but found his voice. “It was time to leave anyway. The boys need to feed the livestock.” Seth watched the older boys walk over and take the boxes back to the wagon. Jacob shook the blanket out and then folded it.

“Aw, Ma, do we have to go?” Benjamin protested. He dragged his boots across the grass and looked dejected.

“Yes.”

The boys all headed for their horses, but Joy came running to Seth. “Can I ride home with you, Seth?”

Rebecca answered before he could. “Not this time, Joy. I want you to ride with me.”

“But, Ma. I don't get to ride all the time like the boys do,” she protested.

Seth wondered why Rebecca didn't want the little girl to ride with him. He waited to see what Rebecca would say.

“No buts, Joy. Go to Jacob. He'll help you into the wagon.” Rebecca didn't meet Seth's inquisitive look. She simply followed her daughter.

How did women do that? He was the one offended, but she acted as if he'd hurt her. He shook his head in disbelief and mounted his horse.

On the ride back to the farm, Seth took the time to think. He'd thought they were getting on well together. But a relationship without trust could never survive, even one that wasn't romantic.

Chapter Sixteen

R
ebecca kept watch over the road that led past her house. The stagecoach should be rolling in any minute and she was also expecting Thomas and Philip's return. She hung the last of the boys' shirts on the line to dry, placed the empty basket on her hip and headed back to the house.

Fay met her at the door. “I put the sweetbread and sandwiches out on the sideboard.”

“Thank you, Fay. I'll make a fresh pot of coffee...”

“That's already been done, too.” Fay wiped her hands on her apron. A light coating of flour dusted the smock that covered her house dress. “I hope you don't mind, but I thought I'd get a start on the dough for tonight's biscuits.”

Rebecca smiled. “Mind? I don't know what I would have done without you over the last few weeks. I'm so glad you decided to stay out here with us.”

“Me, too,” Joy said from her place on the rug.

Her daughter was surrounded by doll clothes that Fay had made for Joy's baby. It was amazing how much one woman could do to change the dynamics of the family. Rebecca couldn't imagine life without her.

“Me three.” Fay grinned down at Joy then she looked back up at Rebecca. “You and your family have given me new life and a new purpose.”

The sound of the stage pulling into the yard alerted the women it was time to get to work. Rebecca pulled her wet apron from her waist and tied on a clean one. She patted her hair into place and then pushed through the door that separated the kitchen from the main living space. Fay followed.

A quick glance around confirmed that the room was in order and ready to receive their guests. Earlier in the week she and Fay had set up the small table that had been in the kitchen for their guests to eat. Fay had already set out the food and fluffed the pillows that rested on the settee. All that was left was to answer the door.

Two ladies entered the room. Neither looked very happy. The youngest one said to the other, “I thought they were going to overtake us. Didn't you?”

“I already told you, yes, Grace. I'd really rather not think about it for a few minutes.”

“Winifred, how can we not think about it? We have to get back into that contraption and pray they don't give chase again,” Grace answered in a huffy voice.

Rebecca cleared her throat. “Ladies, if you would like refreshments, the sideboard is this way.” She motioned toward where the food sat waiting.

“Thank you,” Winifred answered. She walked to the sideboard and began loading a plate with sandwiches and sweetbread.

Had she seen the sign? Rebecca started to point it out, but then Winifred dug into her handbag and dropped the money into the crock.

Fay waited until they sat down and then asked, “Who was chasing you, dear?”

Grace looked as if she were about to explode with the news. “Road bandits. They chased us for a long time. I felt sure they would catch up with us.” She shoved a bite of sweetbread into her mouth. Around the treat, Grace continued, “They would have taken all our money.”

Winifred shook her head, seemingly annoyed at her companion.

“Well, they would have,” Grace said.

A huge sigh whooshed from Winifred. “They could have killed us or worse,” the older woman said.

“How many were there?” Rebecca asked. She poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down on the couch. Would they chase her boys? Thomas and Philip still hadn't returned.
Lord, please keep my boys safe.

“Just two,” Grace answered. “But they looked big and mean.”

The stagecoach driver opened the door. “Ladies, we'll be leaving in five minutes.”

Rebecca got the ladies a piece of cheesecloth to wrap up their leftovers.

Winifred took it. “Thank you. This was very nice and has settled my nerves somewhat.” She stood to leave.

“You're welcome.” Rebecca walked them to the door. “Oh, before you go, do either of you know a Charlotte Fisher?”

Both women shook their heads. Grace answered, “No, but if we meet her we'll tell her you inquired about her.”

Rebecca felt both disappointed and a little glad. She wasn't ready for Seth to take off. Her boys respected him and she didn't know who Mr. Bromley might send as his replacement. At least that was what she told herself. “Thank you. Safe traveling, ladies.”

When they left, Rebecca closed the door. “What do you think of that?” she asked Fay.

The older woman shook her head. “The bandits are getting braver. The men on the last stage said they'd not chased them once they realized they had guns at the ready. Most likely they thought the women were no threat to them.”

Rebecca looked at her. “I didn't realize that you'd talked to the men about road bandits.”

“You stepped out of the room to help Joy with something,” Fay explained as she picked up the plate of sandwiches and sweetbread. “I think I'll run these outside to the boys, if that's all right with you.”

“Sure, I know they will enjoy them.” Rebecca carried the coffeepot back to the kitchen.

Road bandits were a concern for everyone. They seemed to be getting braver or maybe she'd just not heard about them much since the station hadn't been on the stagecoach route. Either way, she wasn't happy with knowing they were out there.

As Rebecca cooked and cleaned the rest of the evening, she prayed for her boys and the people on the stagecoach. Her nerves were stretched taut when Seth and the boys came to the house for dinner.

“It smells good, Ma,” Andrew said enthusiastically as he took his seat at the table.

Rebecca grinned at him. “It should—it's your favorite.” She set a platter of steaks on the table.

Fay added baked potatoes and hot rolls. She turned and took a bowl of hot green beans from Joy's small hands.

Andrew laughed. “This is everyone's favorite meal.” He poured milk into his glass.

Rebecca patted him on the shoulder. “True.”

A few minutes later, Seth said the blessing and they passed around the plates of food. Rebecca looked to Jacob's, Thomas's and Philip's empty chairs.

“They should be back any minute now,” Seth said, taking a potato and putting it on his plate.

She swallowed as the urge to cry almost overtook her. “I know.” Rebecca wished her voice didn't sound so weak.

Fay reached over and patted her hand. “The boys are fine, Rebecca. Don't borrow trouble.”

To prove Fay's words, the door banged open and both Thomas and Philip entered the house. Excitement flowed from them in invisible waves.

Jacob followed behind them and shut the door. “Sorry we're late, Ma.” He slid into his chair.

The other two boys were already in their chairs and reaching for the plates of food. “Us, too,” Thomas said around a mouthful of bread.

“We ran into a little trouble,” Philip said, sharing a grin with Thomas.

Benjamin looked up from his plate. His brandy-colored eyes sparkled with excitement. “What kind of trouble?”

Thomas leaned forward for dramatic effect. “Indians.”

“Really? You saw Indians?” Benjamin all but bounced in his chair.

Philip answered, “Sure did. We had to outrun them.”

Thomas waved his fork in the air. “They were easy to outrun.”

Rebecca's gaze met Seth's across the table. Was he thinking the same thing she was? Did the boys seem to be enjoying this adventure just a little too much? Hadn't Seth taught them that Indians were a real threat? She wanted to scream at him to say something. Scold them. Anything but just sit there.

When he didn't obey her silent orders, Rebecca decided she'd need to talk to him about emphasizing the real dangers of riding the Pony Express. Because from the way Thomas and Philip were going on now, he obviously had not done his job with them.

* * *

Seth could almost hear her thoughts. She was angry and scared. Her eyes screamed at him, but he refused to reprimand the boys at the dinner table.

He cleared his throat to get their attention. Everyone looked to him except Rebecca—suddenly she was very interested in the pattern on the edge of her plate. “Boys, let your vittles fill your mouth.” Seth looked pointedly to Rebecca.

Understanding crossed their features. Both boys took great interest in their supper. The rest of the family found other things to talk about.

Everyone but Benjamin. “But I want to hear about the Indians,” he protested.

Seth caught his eye. Keeping his voice calm but firm he said, “The dinner table is no place for such talk.”

Benjamin dropped his gaze. “All right, Seth.” Under his voice he mumbled, “But I'm going to the bunkhouse with the men tonight and learn about them Indians.”

Grins split Thomas's and Philip's faces as they chewed. When Benjamin looked up at them with awe in his eyes, Philip winked at him.

Yes, they needed a talking-to. Indians weren't to be taken lightly and yes, Benjamin needed to hear what Seth had to say, too. Between the Indians and the road bandits, the Pony Express trail was becoming more and more dangerous.

Rebecca pushed her food around on her plate. It didn't take an educated man to know that she was upset and rightly so. Seth dreaded tonight's meeting. The way she shot sharp looks in his direction told him that she had a lot on her mind and that he was going to get the brunt of it.

Fay kept Joy entertained with talk about needlework. The two discussed an alphabet sampler that Joy was working on. “We'll have to see about getting some new colors of thread,” Fay said.

Joy grinned. “Blue? Can we get blue?”

“No, I think you should get your favorite color,” Clayton said around a mouth full of potatoes.

“But blue is my favorite color,” Joy protested.

Clayton hid a smile. “Oh, well then maybe you should get my favorite color. Can you guess what it is?”

“Red?” Joy asked.

He shook his head. “Try again.”

She tapped her bottom lip with her fork. Her gaze moved across the table to Andrew, who mouthed
yellow
. “Yellow.” She beamed at Clayton.

“Very good.”

Joy giggled. “I will look for yellow, too.”

Dinner continued with small talk of the day and then everyone was leaving the table. The boys all thanked their mother for the meal, took their plates to the kitchen and then made their way back to the bunkhouse.

Seth stopped Thomas and Philip as they hurried to the door. In a soft voice he said, “Hold all Indian talk until I get out there. I want to hear all the details. So wait for me.”

“Sure, Seth,” Thomas said and then the boys walked a little slower out of the house.

Seth turned to the table. Fay and Rebecca were already clearing the remaining dirty dishes. “Let me give you ladies a hand,” he offered, picking up the food bowls and carrying them to the kitchen.

Fay grinned at him. “There's no need for that.”

“I think there is. You two work hard all day. A little help from me will give you a little more time to relax.” He returned to the dining room to pick up dirty glasses.

His gaze moved to Joy, who now sat in the parlor with her needlework. She looked up and he grinned at her. “My favorite color is blue-green,” he said winking at her.

“Hey, Ma says my eyes are blue-green.”

He laughed. “So they are.” Seth carried the glasses into the kitchen.

Rebecca was pouring hot water into the washtub. She scraped soap off into the water and swished it around. It didn't create many bubbles but would clean the dishes well enough.

He picked up a dish towel and stood beside her. “I'll rinse and dry if you'll wash.”

Rebecca looked at him. “All right. Thanks.”

“I'll scrub down the table and chairs,” Fay said, grabbing a cloth and wetting it in Rebecca's dishwater. She then returned to the dining room.

As soon as she was out of the room, Rebecca demanded, “Didn't you teach those boys that Indians could be dangerous?”

He rinsed and dried the glass she handed him. “Yes, but obviously, I didn't do a very good job. Tonight I'll have a good talking-to with them about both the Indians and the road bandits. Then tomorrow I plan on having all the boys practice using their guns and rifles.” He put the glass to the side and reached for another.

“Thank you. I hate that they have to learn to point a gun at another human being.”

“So do I. But both the Indians and the bandits have guns and know how to use them. God never intended for us to shoot each other with them, but sometimes for our own safety, we have to.”

When he finished talking, Rebecca answered, “I know. John taught me how to use a Colt but I never really wanted to.”

Seth dried another plate. “I promise, I will emphasize to them that taking another person's life is not the purpose of carrying the gun. It's to be used only if necessary.”

They continued working in silence. Fay entered the room and got the broom, then returned to the dining room. Seth wanted to talk to Rebecca, assure her he had the boys' best intentions at heart, but didn't know how to do so. Talking to women was often hard, especially when their emotions were involved.

Would he be able to talk to Charlotte should he find her? Did he want to? Part of him wanted to give up the search for his fiancée, but Seth knew he had to keep his promise to his grandmother.

When the last dish was dried, Seth hung his wet towel on a hook by the basin area. “Well, I need to get out there where the boys are.” He walked to the back door.

“Seth?”

He turned at her questioning voice. “Yes.”

“Today when the stage came, two women were on it. They talked about road bandits. Would you caution the boys about them, as well?”

“I will.” She looked so lost and scared that he wanted to walk across the room and hug her fears away.

But Fay chose that moment to come back into the kitchen. “Seth, we asked about Miss Charlotte but the two women on the stage had never heard of her.” She set the broom back against the wall by the kitchen door.