Rhonda Gibson - Pony Express Christmas Bride

Philip laughed and swung his horse around. He led the way down the muddy road that led to town. Thomas brought up the rear.

Josephine wished she could see Thomas’s face. Was he as nervous about today as she was? Or was this simply a chore that he needed to get done and over with?

It was at times like this that Josephine wished her mother were still alive. She pulled her mother’s gold-plated necklace out from under her dress. Her hand wrapped around it. If her mother were here, Josephine knew, she wouldn’t be marrying Thomas Young. She’d be home preparing to become the wife of a man of stature. Not a Pony Express rider who, thanks to his brother’s meddling, felt obligated to marry her.

Josephine glanced over her shoulder. Thomas was looking to the left. She took the brief moment to study the side of his face. Even with the faint scar that ran from his temple to his chin, he was probably the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

Thomas swiveled in the saddle to find her gazing at him. Embarrassed to be caught staring, Josephine quickly turned her head to face forward once more. She worried her lip between her teeth as they rode in silence.

This was the day she’d been waiting for. The day when she’d finally have freedom from her uncle and his evil intents. It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.

Josephine sighed heavily. If only it were a happy day. Instead the four people heading to town all looked as if they were walking to the gallows.

Was she making the biggest mistake of her life? Would marrying Thomas turn out worse than marrying an old, fat gambler? Could she ever trust Thomas? Probably not.

As soon as her uncle found out she was married and left, Thomas would be finished with his need to help her. She’d be alone. Josephine raised her chin and looked straight ahead. Don’t fall in love or trust this man, she told herself.

* * *

Thomas felt her rejection as strongly as if she’d slapped him. Oh, she said their vows and acted like she’d meant them, but earlier he’d seen the way she quickly turned after staring at his scarred face. He wasn’t fooling himself into believing that Josephine would ever grow to love him. If anything, she’d put up an invisible wall.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

What? Kiss your bride? He’d forgotten all about this part. Should he have discussed it with Josephine before the ceremony? He looked into Josephine’s upturned face. Her eyes were closed as she waited for his kiss. A kiss he was sure she’d despise.

Philip slapped him on the back. “Go on, kiss her,” he encouraged a little above a whisper.

Thomas leaned in and gently touched his lips to hers. A soft shock tickled his lips. He opened his eyes to find her looking into his with an emotion he’d never seen there. Had the spark between them surprised her, too? He pulled away.

Hazel grabbed Josephine and hugged her fast. “Congratulations.” Tears filled her eyes.

His new wife’s soft voice responded with a quick “Thank you.”

Thomas thanked the traveling judge and quickly paid him for his services, then followed Hazel and Josephine from the small office.

Philip clasped an arm around his shoulders. “I wish you a lifetime of happiness, little brother.”

“I’m only a month younger than you, Philip,” Thomas answered, shrugging Philip’s arm away.

They stepped out into the sunlight. Thomas squinted his eyes. His gaze quickly found Josephine. She and Hazel stood beside the wagon. They’d parked it under a tree off to the side of the sheriff’s office, where the ceremony had taken place. His horse was tied to the gate of the wagon along with Philip’s.

“Tell Ma and Seth I said hello,” Philip said, falling into step with him as he walked toward the women.

He sighed. “I wish you could come with us.”

Philip chuckled and dropped his voice. “Why? Afraid of your new bride?”

Thomas glared at him. “Never mind. On second thought, I’m glad you aren’t coming.”

“Yeah, me, too. When Ma finds out you got married without her, she’s going to skin you alive.” Philip shook his head in mock sorrow and then hurried on toward Hazel and Josephine.

Thomas pushed air from his lungs. Philip was right. He should have given the family time to come to the wedding. But on the way home, he’d remembered how afraid Josephine seemed and he’d only wanted to protect her and get married as soon as possible. Now that he was sure her uncle could never hurt her, Thomas knew it was time to tell the rest of the family and his mother that they’d gotten married. Philip looked to Hazel. “Hazel, are you ready to get back to your place?” he asked as he untied his horse from the wagon.

“Just about. Since we aren’t going out to the Young farm, I’d like to stop in at the general store and pick up some thread before heading home. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

“What’s going on?” Josephine asked, looking from one of them to the other. Confusion filled her soft features.

Hazel looked at her and grinned. “Philip and I decided to let you and your new husband go to his parents by yourself.” She smiled as if this was a wonderful gift that had just been bestowed on them.

Josephine’s expressive brown gaze met his. “I didn’t realize we were going to your parents.”

“I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you last night.”

“Thomas, I didn’t pack for an overnight trip.” Reproach laced her indulgent words.

He hadn’t thought of that, either. Where was his head? His thoughts had been so wrapped up in getting them to town safely and keeping a lookout for trouble from her uncle that he’d not considered what would be important to her. “Um, we can go to the general store and buy what you need.” Thomas congratulated himself on his quick thinking.

But one look at her face and he could tell she wasn’t impressed. So far her wedding day had been a total disappointment. He’d seen the way her face had dropped when they discovered that the preacher was out of town but that they could be married by the traveling judge. And now she had to face his family without Hazel’s steady comfort and her personal belongings.

Hazel patted Josephine’s arm, drawing her attention from him. “This is my fault, too. In all the excitement of getting ready, I didn’t notice that you hadn’t packed a bag this morning. I’m sorry, Josephine.”

Philip pulled himself up into his saddle. “I don’t see where there is any harm done.” He turned his horse toward Main Street. “Other than that ragged carpetbag, she didn’t arrive with anything personal to start with.”

Thomas wanted to strangle his brother. Philip had the sensitivity of a grizzly bear. Josephine touched the necklace that rested on her chest. She pulled her shoulders back and nodded. Her eyes still sparkled with what Thomas could only estimate to be anger or perhaps unshed tears. He quickly looked away.

Hazel hurried to the side of the wagon and climbed aboard. “I have a better idea. Josephine and I will run over to the widow Ring’s house. Her dresses will fit Josephine better than those store-bought ones.”

“But I don’t have any money with me, Hazel.” Josephine ignored Thomas’s offer to assist her up to the wagon seat. She pulled herself up and smoothed her skirt about her legs.

Thomas quickly assured her. “I’ll pay for whatever you need.”

Philip’s deep chuckle irritated him. He frowned at his brother while untying his horse from the wagon. Thomas pulled himself into the saddle.

“Of course you will. You’re married now. Whatever Josephine wants, you will pay for,” Hazel reminded him. She snapped the reins over the horse’s back, setting them into motion.

Thomas nodded. Nothing he said or did today was right. He clamped his lips shut, determined not to say the wrong thing again.