Pony Express Courtship (18 page)

They nodded in turn. Rebecca stood and tucked the money into her dress pocket. “Good. I need to get back in the house before I'm missed.” She walked to the door. But before she slipped out, Rebecca turned to look at them. In a stern voice she said, “You need to air this place out and bring your filthy clothes to the house. It reeks in here.”

The young men looked surprised and even a little embarrassed. Noah sniffed the air. “Told you so,” he said to the room at large.

Rebecca hurried back to the house. She decided to go through the kitchen. Since the boys were up, they'd be wanting breakfast soon.

As Rebecca walked her mind worked. Had Martha woken yet? Would she be willing to sell Emma to Fay? Even thinking about buying another human being felt odd. She knew she'd have to heed her own words and not show her true emotions and knowledge that Fay was offering to buy Emma. Rebecca silently prayed that they had enough money to purchase the girl's freedom.

Chapter Twenty

S
eth stood on his side of the door, listening as Rebecca told her boys what she wanted and needed from them. His admiration for the woman went up as she explained that Emma was a slave and Fay was going to use their money to buy her. Since he couldn't see them, Seth could only assume that each of the young men had handed over their hard-earned wages.

The sound of the bunkhouse door closing again told him Rebecca had left. Her parting shot about the smell had him chuckling. Women noticed such things, where men didn't. Thanks to her, he now had more jobs to keep the young men busy while he and the coach driver were in town.

As he dressed, Seth decided to give to the fund to buy Emma's freedom. Slavery was an ugly thing. He pulled on his boots and went to his Bible, where he'd tucked his earnings.

As he took out a hundred dollars, Seth wondered how he was going to get the money to Rebecca. He couldn't just hand it to her—she'd think one of the boys had told him and he'd heard her telling them not to let on to him about what was going on. He had to admit that it had stung when she'd said it. It was true that he wasn't a part of their family and he'd do well to remember that. Even if at times he felt as if he was.

Rebecca Young was a private person—hadn't she been upset when she'd thought he'd been snooping into her life? If she figured out that he'd been eavesdropping on her conversation with her sons, that might cause more trust issues between them. He sighed and sat down on the edge of his cot.

The money rested in his hands, money he'd intended to use to help him find Charlotte. So far there had been no leads on his mail-order bride through the stagecoach line...maybe there never would be. Seth knew that soon he'd need to move on, keep looking for her. He'd promised his grandmother he'd find Charlotte, but he also felt drawn to help free Emma.

Seth bowed his head and silently prayed. Only the Lord could give his mind peace as to what to do with the money. After several long minutes, he felt the urge to help Emma outweigh the need to go in search for Charlotte. He took that as an answer to his unspoken prayer.

He tucked the money into his pants pocket and laid the Bible back down on the table. He put on his jacket and prepared to leave the room.

Seth opened the adjourning door in the bunkhouse and stepped into the boys' living quarters. They looked up at him as he entered. “Good morning.” He walked over to the coffeepot and poured himself a cup. “You fellas are up awful early.”

No one responded to his comment.

Seth tipped the cup to his lips and grimaced as the thick brew coated his tongue. He swallowed and frowned. “Who had coffee duty? This stuff tastes like blackened mud.”

Thomas chuckled. “We found something Noah isn't good at.”

Noah ducked his head. The back of his neck turned red.

Seth chuckled. “Good to know he's human.” He put down his cup.

They all chuckled. When they'd quieted down again, Seth continued, “Ty and I will be heading to town after breakfast. Be on the lookout for Indians and road bandits. I want you to team up if you decide to leave the farmhouse. Also, don't leave the women without at least one of you here.”

Phillip asked, “Do you think they'll cause trouble here at the station?”

“Only time will tell but it's better to be safe than sorry,” Seth answered. He waited to see if there were more questions. When it didn't seem that there were, he said, “Jacob will be in charge today. We're not expecting a rider but if one comes in, I believe it's Clayton's turn to head out.”

Clayton nodded his agreement. “I'll be ready.”

“Good.” Seth walked toward the door. While he'd been talking he'd decided to give the money to Fay, not Rebecca. It would probably be easier to slip the money to the older woman than to explain to Rebecca how he knew they needed it.

Jacob stood. “Last night I noticed that one of the carriage wheels is cracking. You might want to take a look before you leave.” He pulled his jacket off a hook by the door and slipped his arms inside.

“Why don't you show me now and I'll give you the list of chores for the day.” Seth pulled the door open. He stopped and looked at each young man. “Why don't you boys air this place out today. It's beginning to smell like something died in here.” He stepped outside with Jacob right behind him.

He half expected Jacob to say his ma had said the same thing, but the young man kept quiet. Seth followed Jacob to where the boys had unhitched the coach beside the barn. Ty stood beside it, looking at the wheel.

“I was just about to show Seth that wheel,” Jacob said.

Ty rubbed the back of his neck. “It's cracked. Can't take the chance of it busting on the trail.”

“Looks like we'll need to haul it to town in our wagon,” Seth said, looking to Jacob.

Jacob nodded. “I'll see that we get the wheel off and the wagon hitched up.”

“Don't go bothering yourself with taking it off, son. It's my coach. I'll take it off.” Ty rolled up his sleeves and kneeled beside the wagon.

Jacob nodded. “I'll hitch up the wagon. I assume you'll want to leave right after breakfast,” he said, looking to Seth for the answer to the unasked question.

Seth realized the trip to town was going to take longer than he'd first anticipated. He nodded.

Rebecca stepped out on the porch and began clanging the dinner bell. The boys tumbled out of the bunkhouse, reminding Seth of a gangly bunch of puppies. He watched as they hurried to the farmhouse.

She looked pretty this morning with her light brown hair pulled back in a ponytail. The brown dress with a white apron covering her middle hugged her shape. The smile on her face as she watched her sons warmed his heart. Seth didn't want to admit it, but her kindness and generosity for Emma had melted another section of his heart toward her.

He shook off the thought. “Men, let's go grab some breakfast before that pack eats it all,” Seth said to Jacob and Ty. He walked to the house.

Jacob fell into step beside him. Seth knew Jacob knew what to do to keep the boys busy, but began telling him what he expected, just in case Jacob decided to take it easy on his brothers. “Have the boys feed and exercise the horses today. Especially the Pony Express horses. Also, have them clean the barn, muck the stalls, make sure the hay is stacked and dry. We should be getting another supply of feed this week—have them clear out a spot to put it in. Have them haul up fresh water and make sure they air out the bunkhouse. If that's not enough, have them rub oil into the saddles and bridles.”

Ty chuckled behind them. “And I thought my job was hard.”

Seth glanced over his shoulder. “Just wait until you try to convince the men in town to give you credit for fixing your wheel and two new horses. You'll think we have it easy out here.”

The older man groaned. “Don't remind me.”

They all washed their hands in the basin and proceeded into the house. Seth looked for Fay but didn't see her at the table. Martha and Emma were there and like the night before Thomas and Philip sat on each side of the young woman, hoping to get her attention.

Beni looked much better. The little boy smiled at him and said, “Seth, tell Ma I'm well enough to go back to work.”

Rebecca gave the little boy a stern look. She handed him a bowl filled with what looked like oatmeal.

Seth laughed. “Sorry, partner. You have to get permission from your doctor before you can come back to work. If she says you are up to it, then I'm sure Jacob can find you something to do.”

Rebecca looked over the little boy's head and smiled her thanks. Her twin dimples brightened his day.

He didn't see Fay at the table. Seth hoped he'd find her in the kitchen. Everyone was filling their plates and chatting among themselves. He slipped out of the dining room and was relieved to see Fay dishing up biscuits at the stove.

Seth pulled the money from his pocket. He hurried to her side and tucked it into her apron pocket. “That's for Emma,” he whispered.

She looked at him with wise eyes. “Thank you, Seth, that's very kind of you.”

He shook his head. “Kindness has nothing to do with it. I want her free—everyone deserves to be free.”

Fay nodded. “That they do.” She thrust a plate full of buttered biscuits in his hands.

“Um, Fay. Would you keep this between us? I don't want Rebecca to know I know what you two are up to.” He stared down at the bread, praying she wouldn't ask him how he knew in the first place, if Rebecca hadn't told him.

She patted his arm. “Your thoughtfulness is safe with me.”

Seth glanced up to find her looking at him with warmth in her eyes. He nodded, happy to know she wouldn't say anything about the money. “Thanks.”

“Now take that bread out before it gets cold,” she ordered, returning to the pan of biscuits and butter.

He did as he was told, feeling much like a little boy again. His grandmother often had him toting plates of food to the table. Sorrow cut into his chest. He missed his grandmother, but Fay was swiftly filling that empty spot in his heart. Oh, she could never replace his grandmother, but she did make missing her a little easier.

When he reentered the dining room, Rebecca looked up. She was slowly filling an empty space in his heart, too. Seth handed the plate to Jacob. He silently prayed,
Lord, please don't let me get any more attached to this family.

* * *

Rebecca dried the last breakfast dish and then began to wash a pot of beans. Chili beans sounded good for dinner, with corn bread. She smiled as she looked to the table, where Beni and Joy were looking at a picture book.

“We're done, Ma. Can I go help Jacob now?” Beni asked.

She set her beans to the side and went to the little boy. Rebecca gave him a hug. “Yes, but only until lunchtime. I know you think you are all well, but I think you will need a rest time this afternoon.”

He pulled out of her embrace. “All right.” Beni ran for the door and yanked it open.

“Wait!” Rebecca called after him.

He stopped and came back. “You said I could go.”

“Yes, I did, but not without your coat.”

“But, Ma, it's not cold outside.”

“Benjamin Theo Young, you will wear your coat or you can go back to bed.” She pointed at the coat hanging by the door.

He pulled it off the hook and slipped his arms into it. “It's on,” Benjamin said, his voice a croak.

“I want to go, too.” Joy reached for her cloak.

Rebecca shook her head. “Not today, Joy. You have a bedroom to clean.”

The little girl frowned. “I don't want to clean my room.”

Fay came into the room laughing. “I don't want to clean mine, either, but it needs to be done. Why don't I help you clean yours and then you can help me clean mine?”

Joy smiled broadly. “All right.”

As soon as they were gone, Rebecca noticed Martha sitting on the couch. She walked over to her and asked, “Would you like to come into the kitchen with me?”

“Why? So you can put me to work, too?”

Rebecca forced a smile. The woman was almost impossible to get along with but she'd try. “No, I thought you might like some company and I know I would.”

“Well, if you insist.” Martha stood. “Where is Emma?”

Rebecca grimaced. “I sent her out to collect the eggs.” She walked toward the kitchen, waiting for a mean comment.

Martha followed. “Good, that girl needs to be working.”

“Do you know her very well?” Rebecca asked, swishing the beans about in the water.

Martha sat down at the kitchen table. She picked up the kids' picture book and leafed through the pages. “Well enough.”

Rebecca worked in silence, thinking about what she could say that wouldn't get her head taken off. “That's good.” She wondered how Seth and Mr. Walker were getting along. Had they made it to town yet? Bought the wheel? Horses?

“She makes a good traveling companion,” Martha said out of the blue.

“Where are you headed?” Rebecca asked, pouring the dirty water off the beans.

“Missouri. My husband went there a few months ago on a business trip. We're joining him there.”

Rebecca looked over her shoulder at the older woman. Could she be selling Emma because the girl was getting older and more attractive? Could she be afraid the younger woman might attract her husband's attentions?

“This is a cute book,” Martha said.

“Yes, I enjoy reading it to the kids and they love the colorful pictures.” Rebecca poured fresh water over the pot of beans and set it on the back of the stove to start boiling.

She poured herself a cup of coffee and one for Martha. Then she put several cookies on a plate and carried them to the table. “Care to join me in a snack?”

The older woman looked up and grinned. “Thank you.” She took one of the coffee cups and a cookie.

Rebecca pulled out a chair and sat down. “Emma mentioned earlier that you came from California.”

Martha nodded. “Yes, my husband sells mining equipment. With the gold rush, we ended up in Sacramento.” She broke her cookie in half.

“Sounds interesting.”

She shook her head. “Not really. There aren't a lot of women there and those that are work from sunup to sundown, unless they have husbands who can work for them.” Martha laughed.

Rebecca wasn't sure why the older woman laughed, but decided that since she was in such a good mood she'd ask about Charlotte. “By any chance do you know a woman named Charlotte Fisher?”

Martha studied her for a few minutes. “Charlotte isn't in my social circle but I have seen her working at one of the eating establishments there.”

“You've met her?” Rebecca asked, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice.

The older woman set down her cup. “Yes, a couple of times. Emma probably knows her better. How do you know Charlotte?”