Rhonda Gibson - Pony Express Christmas Bride

“Thomas?”

“Yes?”

Josephine took a deep breath. She wanted to make up for his lost freedom and way of life. “I’m sorry you are upset, but I promise I’ll be a good wife. I can cook and clean, and I’m learning to sew.”

He grinned but continued to face forward. “I’m sure you will be.”

Josephine heard the doubt in his voice. Did he expect her to fail at being a wife?

She’d failed at being a good daughter. Why else would her father have abandoned her after her mother died? What made her think she could be a good wife? Maybe Thomas was wise to doubt her abilities.

Josephine turned away from him. She didn’t want to fail. With hard work, she’d prove she’d be a great wife and Thomas Young would be glad that he’d married her. She clutched the chain of her necklace and fought the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. This day just continued to get worse and worse.

* * *

Thomas pulled into the front yard of his parents’ house. He jumped from the wagon and helped Josephine down. She’d remained quiet the rest of the way to the farm.

Rebecca hurried out of the house with a smile on her face. “Thomas! I can’t believe you’ve come back for a visit so soon.” She turned her blue eyes on Josephine. “You must be Josephine. Thomas has told me all about you.” She hugged Josephine quickly.

Thomas wished she hadn’t said that. It was bad enough that he’d not told Josephine anything about his family. Now she was going to be angry that he’d told Rebecca all about her. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Young.”

His mother looked from Thomas to Josephine.

Thomas handed Josephine her basket. “Ma’s last name is Armstrong. She married Seth not too long ago,” he explained.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Josephine glared at him.

He thought he’d told her Rebecca’s last name was now Armstrong. Maybe he should have mentioned it again. Thomas touched Josephine’s arm. She pulled away from him. “I’ll take the wagon to the barn and be right back.” He climbed back on the wagon and turned the horse toward the barn.

Rebecca’s soft laughter filled the tense air. “No harm done. Call me Rebecca. Mrs. Armstrong makes me sound old. Come on inside, Josephine. I can’t wait for you to meet the rest of the family,” Rebecca said, wrapping her arm in Josephine’s.

He was in big trouble, Thomas thought. He had no idea how to act around his new wife. He should have told her more about his family. Thomas jumped from the wagon and unhitched the horse.

Andrew stepped from the barn. “I see you brought a woman home to meet Ma.”

“Not just any woman, my wife.” Thomas looked to his older brother.

“Wife?”

“Yep, we got married this morning.” Thomas leaned against the wagon and crossed his arms.

Andrew whistled softly. “Congratulations. I can’t believe you got married.” He shook his head and then looked sharply at Thomas. “Does Ma know?”

Thomas groaned. “No.” He’d sent his new bride inside and hadn’t mentioned they were married. Would he be facing two angry women when he went back to the house?

The front door slammed as Benjamin, Thomas’s youngest brother, ran out onto the porch. He yelled, “Thomas! Ma wants you in the house.” He leaped from the porch and continued running toward them.

Andrew slapped Thomas on the back. “Don’t look so stricken. I doubt your new wife has had time to spill the beans just yet.”

Benjamin stopped a few feet from them. “Miss Josephine says she’s your new wife. Did you know that?”

A laugh spilled from Andrew’s lips. “Of course, I could be wrong.” His older brother moved to the head of the horse and said, “Beni and I will take care of the horse for you.”

Thomas pushed away from the wagon with a groan. “Thanks. This day just gets better and better,” he grumbled.

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