Pony Express Courtship (19 page)

“She's...”

Emma came through the back door humming a soft tune. She looked to the two women, who had stopped talking and were staring at her. “Is something wrong?”

Rebecca jumped to her feet. “No, everything is great!” She took the egg basket out of Emma's hands. “Do you know Charlotte Fisher?” She set the basket on the counter and pulled Emma to a kitchen chair.

The young girl's eyes widened and she looked to Martha.

“Answer her,” Martha barked.

“Y-yes.”

Rebecca tried to calm herself. She reached over and patted Emma's hands. “You aren't in any trouble, Emma. I've been helping Seth look for Charlotte. You are the first people who know her. I'm just excited. Not angry.”

Emma grinned and her shoulders relaxed. “Oh, Charlotte is a very nice person. She can't remember anything about her life before she arrived in Sacramento. I'm not sure why she can't remember. We never really discussed that. I only know her from short trips to get Martha lunch. How do you know her?”

Rebecca explained that she really didn't know the young woman but that she'd been asking passengers of the stagecoach about Charlotte for Seth. She didn't say that Charlotte was his mail-order bride or that he'd been searching for her for months. Instead she patted Emma's hand again and then got up to get the girl a cup of coffee.

Dread and excitement filled Rebecca at the thought of telling Seth that they'd found his Charlotte. His Charlotte. The words echoed in her mind like the hammering of nails in a coffin.

What was life going to be like after he was gone? Deep sorrow melted the excitement of a few minutes ago. Seth would probably be leaving them soon. Rebecca couldn't explain it, but her heart ached.

Chapter Twenty-One

S
eth felt as if someone had punched him. The trip to town had been a total waste of time. As he'd predicted the businessmen in town refused to give Ty credit for a new wheel and horses. He and the ladies would have to stay put until the stagecoach line sent fresh horses and money to fix the wheel.

If that wasn't bad enough, the sheriff didn't seem too interested in catching the road bandits. He'd promised to keep a lookout for them, but had no intentions of calling together a posse, his excuse being that it was planting season and too many farmers were preparing their fields for future crops and didn't have time to enforce the law.

Ty sighed as he climbed down from the wagon. “Thanks for loaning me the wagon, Seth. It's a shame the men in town are so untrusting.”

Seth nodded. He looked to the house longingly. Had Rebecca saved him and Ty dinner trays? Or would it be a miss-a-meal night, as his grandmother used to call it when he'd returned after supper and dishes had been washed and put away?

Jacob walked out of the barn. “How'd it go in town?” he asked as he helped unhitch the horses from the wagon.

“Can't say it went well,” Ty answered.

The young man shook his head. “That's too bad. Ma saved you both a plate. She said for you to go on up to the house when you got back.” He pulled one of the horses into the barn. Ty followed him with the second.

Seth knew Sam had to be taken care of before he filled his belly with fine cooking. He wondered how Rebecca was going to feel with the extra women in the house for a few days. At least with them having more time, maybe Fay could talk Martha into selling Emma to her at a reasonable price.

His thoughts moved to the young men in his care as he unsaddled his horse. It didn't take much for him to realize he'd come to care for them and that to ensure their safety they needed a plan. There was no doubt in his mind that the road bandits would strike again.

Jacob came to stand beside him. “Why don't you go on up to the house and eat, and I'll take care of Sam. Ma seemed excited to see you as soon as you got back.”

Rebecca missed him? Seth handed him the horse comb. “Thanks.” He turned to Ty. “Come on with me. You can finish that later.”

Ty yawned. “Would you mind asking the missus if you can bring my plate out here? I'm mighty tired and not fit for female companionship.” He made a point of covering his mouth as if to stifle another big yawn.

Was it all an act? Ty hadn't seemed that tired a few minutes earlier. Was the older man trying to give him some privacy with Rebecca? Or avoid his passengers and their many questions? “Be happy to.”

He walked to the house and entered it through the kitchen. The warm smell of buttery corn bread greeted his hungry belly. He moved to the stove, where a plate sat on the back and there was a big pot beside it. Seth lifted the lid of the pot and inhaled the scent of chili beans. His stomach growled its appreciation.

Rebecca entered the kitchen from the dining area. Her hair was down and hung about her shoulders in soft waves. Big blue eyes searched his. “Did you get everything done in town?” she asked, pulling two bowls and plates out from under the cabinet.

“No, I'm afraid the stagecoach passengers will need to stay on with us for a few more days.” Seth leaned a hip against the counter and simply looked at her. Her hair looked silky soft. How upset would she be if he reached out and touched it? He stuck his hands in his pockets to keep them from acting on their own.

“Oh.” Her blue eyes met his. “Sit down and I'll get your supper ready,” she ordered, gently nudging him to the side so that she could get to the beans and corn bread.

Seth did as she asked and sat down at the table. “Ty would like to eat out in the barn. Says he's too tired to eat in the house. I'll run it out to him real quick if you'll pack it up.”

“Benjamin can take it out to him. I have something important I want to tell you.” She dished up two bowls of chili beans and put corn bread on two plates. Rebecca sat one in front of him and then said, “I'll get Benjamin to take this out and then I need to talk to you.” Rebecca left to get her son.

She'd already said that she needed to talk to him. Her serious face and low voice alerted him to the fact that whatever Rebecca had to say was important.

Jacob had said she was excited but she didn't seem excited to him. She almost seemed depressed. Had something happened with Emma? Had Martha refused to sell her slave to Fay?

He said a quick prayer over his supper and then nibbled at the bread. Rebecca and Benjamin entered the kitchen.

“Hi, Seth. Ma let me work with Jacob this morning.” His little throat still sounded scratchy but it was obvious that Benjamin was on the mend.

“I'm glad to hear that.” His thoughts went to the story Rebecca had told him about the little boy on the day of their picnic and he smiled.

Rebecca handed the boy a tray with a covered plate and bowl on it. “Take this to Mr. Walker in the barn.”

“Can you give him some cookies, too?” the boy asked, looking longingly at the cookie jar.

She walked over and took out one cookie. Rebecca wrapped it in cheesecloth and laid it beside the plate. “There, I'll have to ask him in the morning if he enjoyed his cookie as much as you enjoyed yours.”

Benjamin twisted his face up in thought. “You know, I could have him eat it first and then I can tell you how he liked it.” He licked his lips in anticipation.

Seth hid his grin behind a spoonful of chili.

“That won't be necessary.” Rebecca planted both hands on her hips. “I expect you back in this house and in bed before he has time to eat his cookie. Now scoot.”

Benjamin frowned. “Yes, Ma.” The back door closed with a bang behind him.

Seth chuckled. “He really is a little scamp, isn't he?”

Rebecca finally released her pent-up grin. “That he is.”

She came to the table and sat down.

He picked up his spoon and sampled the chili. It really was very good. Seth continued to eat while Rebecca drew imaginary circles on the table. After several long minutes of this, he couldn't remain quiet a moment longer. “I believe you said you have something to tell me.” He tore his bread apart and took a big bite.

She straightened in her chair. “I do. Today I asked Martha if she'd ever met Charlotte.”

His hand stopped halfway to his mouth. “And?”

“And both she and Emma know Charlotte. She's living in Sacramento and is a server at one of the restaurants there.” Rebecca studied his face. What was she looking for?

Seth put down his spoon.

Benjamin banged back into the house. “I'm back,” he announced breathlessly.

“Good. Thank you. Now go get back into bed. I'll tuck you in again in a few minutes.” Rebecca motioned for Benjamin to leave the room.

He stopped by the table. “You all right, Seth?”

Seth looked at the little boy. Was his shock that plain on his face? “I'm fine, Benjamin. See you in the morning.” He really hadn't expected Rebecca to find Charlotte. At first it had seemed like a good idea, but after so many people had said they hadn't heard of her, he'd begun to think of it as a long shot.

“'Night.” Benjamin left the kitchen slowly.

As soon as the little boy was gone, Seth turned his attention back on Rebecca. “So what did they say?” Did he sound excited or worried? Seth didn't know.

“Just that she's living in Sacramento and that she only knows her name. Charlotte told Emma she can't remember anything before she arrived.” Rebecca wiped at imaginary crumbs on the table.

“If she couldn't remember where she was going, that would explain why she didn't show up in St. Joseph,” Seth said absently. He pushed his plate away, no longer hungry. His emotions were torn. “What I need is more answers. Are the ladies already retired for the night?”

“Yes, but I'm sure they will be happy to answer any questions you have for them in the morning.” She picked up his dishes.

Seth stood. “I think I'll turn in myself.” This was crazy. He'd been looking for Charlotte. Wanted to find her to fulfill his promise to his grandmother. Now he wasn't sure what he wanted to do.

The Young family had become very dear to him. He couldn't leave now. Not with bandits robbing people and Indians chasing the boys on the trail.

“Seth?”

He looked to Rebecca. She stood before him, holding out a cookie. “Don't forget your dessert.” Her soft smile only made his decision harder.

Without thinking, Seth pulled her to him and kissed her lips. His hands moved to hold her head close to his. Her hair felt silky soft and smelled like lavender soap. He gently messaged her scalp and savored the taste of sugar cookie on her lips.

He didn't rush the action. It might be the only time in his life that he would get to kiss her. Moving his lips softly against hers, he felt her arms travel around his waist and her hands press against his back. Seth didn't care if Fay or anyone else walked in. He wanted to enjoy knowing that for a few moments he could express his feelings for her.

* * *

It happened so fast that Rebecca was caught off guard. The last thing she'd expected was for Seth to kiss her. And the second-to-last thing she'd expected was that she'd relish his kiss.

She'd always enjoyed kissing John, but kissing Seth took her breath away. Rebecca stepped deeper into his embrace. His hands in her hair felt wonderful.

When he released her she felt dazed. Her fingers moved up to the tingling in her lips. Rebecca looked into his face and saw a tenderness there that she'd never seen on anyone's face before. Then he spun on his booted heels and headed for the door.

Seth stopped and turned to face her again. With one hand on the door he said, “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that.” And then he was gone.

Rebecca couldn't sleep after being thoroughly kissed. She tossed and turned all night. How could he kiss her like that and then go find Charlotte? Did the kiss mean anything? Was he really sorry that he'd kissed her?

Those questions and more troubled her all night. She continued to replay the kiss in her mind. It had felt so right, but was it? What if one of the boys had walked in? Or Fay?

When morning finally arrived, Rebecca still hadn't found sleep. She pulled on her housecoat and went to the kitchen to start the coffee and breakfast.

The smells of scrambled eggs, coffee and bacon soon filled the kitchen. She could hear her houseguests coming into the dining room and stepped out on the porch to ring the dinner bell.

Fay and Emma entered the kitchen. “Can we help you get this on the table?” Fay asked, picking up a platter of eggs.

“Yes, thank you. If you can set the table, I'll go get dressed.” At their nods of agreement, Rebecca hurried to her room to change into a day dress and pull her hair into a braid.

By the time she returned to the dining room everyone was seated. Jacob said the blessing and then the plates were being passed around. She tried to avoid Seth's gaze by focusing on helping Joy with her plate.

She noticed that the little girl's hair was braided and had a pretty pink ribbon in it. “You look very pretty this morning.”

“Emma helped me fix my hair.” Joy beamed across at her new friend.

Rebecca smiled. “Thank you, Emma. That was very nice of you.”

Emma winked at Joy. “It was fun. Wasn't it, Joy?”

“Yep. I like the way she braided my hair,” Joy answered. “She made it look like yours.”

Rebecca hugged Joy to her. “Yes, she did.”

The rest of breakfast was a noisy time. Everyone talked and ate. The boys were getting ready to go do their chores when Seth's strong voice stopped them.

“Before everyone leaves the table I have an announcement to make.”

Rebecca held her breath. Was he leaving? Her heart broke and Rebecca knew she'd fallen in love with Seth. She'd known it for some time now, but hadn't faced the fact. How could she? She still loved John. Was she betraying his love and memory? What if Seth loved her back? Would he break his promise to his grandmother and not marry Charlotte? No, Seth was a man of his word.

“This concerns you all. Until the road bandits are captured, I want you all to stick close to the farm. If you need to go to town, I think instead of taking the main road you should take one that's less traveled. According to the sheriff the bandits seem to be sticking close to the main road. Also, go in twos or more. No one should travel alone. It's not safe. Is this agreeable to everyone?” Seth met each person's gaze and waited for their nod of consent before moving on to the next person.

Rebecca felt as if the oxygen had been sucked out of the room when he looked to her. His gaze bored into hers and he waited for her to nod. She did so and tore her eyes from his.

“Does anyone have any questions or want to add anything more?” Seth asked, looking about the table.

When no one answered he smiled. “Good, then I guess we can start our day.”

The boys all shoved back their chairs, picked up their dirty dishes, carried them to the kitchen and then filed out of the house.

Seth waited until they were all gone and then turned back to the table. “Mrs. Ranger and Miss Jordan, yesterday we learned that you will need to stay here until the stage company sends more horses and money to fix the wheel on your coach. I hope you don't mind.”

“We don't mind,” Martha answered for both of them.

Joy clapped her hands with happiness. “Emma, you get to stay longer.” She jumped from her chair and hurried to stand by the young woman. “Want to go look at my picture books?”

Emma ran her hand over the little girl's head. “Sure.”

“Miss Jordan, would you wait just a few more minutes? I need to ask you and Mrs. Ranger a couple of questions about Charlotte Fisher.” Seth rested his hands on the back of the chair.