Rhonda Gibson - Pony Express Christmas Bride

Thomas searched her face. Didn’t she realize she had lied by omission of the truth? She’d led everyone who worked for the Pony Express to believe that she was a boy. That was the same as lying to them. He understood why she’d done it, but it was still deceitful.

“After I got the job, I had to continue letting everyone think I was a boy. It was wrong, but I felt for my own safety I had to continue with the lie. I’ve asked the Lord to forgive me and I believe He has.” She looked at him, waiting for his response.

Thomas didn’t know what to say. It wasn’t his place to judge her, and if she’d confessed to the Lord her wrongdoing, well, that was between her and her Maker. He nodded and saw relief wash over her face. “So you got here by being a rider for the Pony Express?”

“I did.”

Riding for the Pony Express was dangerous work. How had she managed to make the rides? Had she run into bandits or Indians?

“I knew that if I could make it to Dove Creek, I’d find you and you’d save me from my uncle and Mr. Grossman.” Her hands trembled as she ran them through her curls.

Thomas knew the danger she’d put herself in by coming to him. “I’m glad you made it here safely.” He also knew now, without a shadow of doubt, that he’d marry Josephine to keep her safe. “As soon as the snow clears, we’ll ride into Dove Creek and get married.”

A smile trembled on her pink lips. “Thank you. I promise I’ll be a good wife. I can cook, clean and help out around the station.”

The back door blew open and Hazel followed the cold wind inside. “Peaches sure was glad to see me this morning.” She held up a pail of fresh milk and shut the door.

Thomas noted that her cheeks were red from being out in the wind. He should have gone to milk the cow and felt bad that the older woman had gone out in the cold to do it. He stood. “Hazel, I’m sorry. I should have done that for you.”

“Nonsense. I’ve been milking Peaches for several years now, winter and summer.” She set the pail of milk on the counter and stood by the stove for warmth. “I trust you two had plenty of time for your talk.”

Josephine nodded.

Thomas answered, “We did.” He put his hat on his head. “Thank you for the coffee and grub, Hazel. I best be getting back to the station.” He turned to Josephine. “My run is tomorrow and Thursday. When I get back, hopefully the snow will have cleared enough to get to town. Stay with Hazel and stay inside. If your uncle is about, I don’t want him to see you before we get married.”

Josephine frowned but nodded. She looked sad, dejected and weary. His heart went out to her. As he left the house, Thomas silently vowed to protect Josephine from her uncle and from Mr. Grossman.

Realizing how much her emotions affected him, Thomas told himself that she might become his wife, but he’d never allow himself to fall in love with her.

* * *

Josephine watched him leave. “He really is a nice man, isn’t he?”

“That he is,” Hazel answered. She rubbed her hands together over the stove. “You know, I’ve been wanting to make a quilt. Maybe you and I can piece the top together while we wait for his return.”

Josephine nodded. “Is his word good?” Josephine felt a frown pull at her brow. She wanted to believe Thomas would keep his promise and marry her, but she worried that after a couple of days in the saddle with lots of time to think he’d change his mind.

Hazel chuckled. “His word is good. Thomas will marry you, but I don’t know that he’ll trust you. You’ll have to earn that.”

“Why wouldn’t he trust me?” Josephine asked.

Hazel poured hot coffee into her cup. “Those boys don’t trust anyone very much. Probably because they were orphaned at an early age.”

Josephine nodded. She’d been deserted by her father and the hurt still lingered. Truth be told, she didn’t trust easily, either. What kind of marriage would she and Thomas have? She’d promised to be a good wife. Could she uphold her promise?

Josephine had no intention of falling in love and living happily ever after. Men couldn’t be trusted. They deserted, lied and thought of women as personal property.

Nope, she wasn’t about to fall in love with her future husband or anyone else. No man would ever hold her heart. Thomas Young was a handsome man, but Josephine vowed not to let that sway her into trusting him.

Chapter Four

As the saying goes, Thomas felt as if he’d been ridden hard and put up wet. He had to admit the past two days had been grueling, but riding through the wet snow on an ice-packed trail wasn’t completely to blame for his weariness. Thankfully, his return ride had ended at the Pony Express home station in Dove Creek. The farm of Rebecca and Seth Armstrong, his adoptive mother and stepfather.

Andrew Young slapped him on the back. “Welcome home, little brother.”

“Thanks, Andrew.” His gaze moved to the house. Rebecca stood on the front porch and he smiled.

“She’s been waiting all day for you.” Andrew gave Thomas a little shove. “Better not keep Ma waiting.”

Thomas walked toward the front porch. He’d never had a mother until Rebecca took him in. She wasn’t that much older than him, but her wisdom and motherly love offered a comfort no other woman had ever filled. His boots thudded as he stepped up onto the porch. “Hello, Ma.”

Rebecca wrapped him in a big hug. Excitement filled her voice and she said, “I’m so glad to see you.” She released him and stood back to look up at him. “I’ve missed you.” Twin dimples and blue eyes smiled up at him.

“I’ve missed you, too.” Thomas knew his words rang true. He missed her easy smile and the light touch of her hand upon his face.

Rebecca lowered her hand and then pulled him inside the house. “I wish Seth was here. He’s been worried about you and Philip, but unfortunately he and Clayton had to go into Dove Creek for supplies. When Philip passed through here the other day, he assured us you were fine, but parents want to see for themselves.”

“Thomas!” his little sister, Joy, squealed as she ran to him.

Thomas caught her in midair. He hugged Joy close. The sweet scent of vanilla filled his nostrils. “Hi, squirt!”

Joy’s happiness at seeing him shone in her blue-green eyes. Thomas realized he’d stayed at the relay station too long. His family missed him and he missed them, too. He lowered Joy to the ground.

His gaze moved to Fay Miller and Emma Jordan, who stood together by the kitchen door. They were as much a part of his family as his brothers and adoptive parents. Fay had moved in with Rebecca after his adoptive father John’s death to help out with their little sister, Joy. Emma Jordan was like a sister to him. She came to the family as a slave of one of the stage coach riders. Thanks to the stage being robbed, she and her owner had had to stay longer at the stop, and during that time, he and his adoptive brothers had helped Rebecca and Fay buy the young woman from her owner. Emma was immediately given her freedom papers and now lived with the family as a free woman.

Fay smiled at him. “It’s good to see you, Thomas. Are you hungry?”

Thomas yawned and nodded at the same time. “I’ll get him a plate, Fay.” Rebecca hooked her arm in his and walked to the kitchen.

Fay patted his arm as he passed. “I believe your mother wants you to herself for a few minutes.” She grinned at Rebecca.

The two women had a special bond. After her husband died, Fay had been cast from her house in town and Rebecca, being the kindhearted woman that she was, had offered her a home. Then the two of them had taken in Emma.

His gaze moved to the young woman. Emma had been sold as a slave by her father to pay his debts. Much like Josephine’s uncle was attempting to do to her. What was wrong with those men? Didn’t they realize how important family was? He shook his head to clear his thoughts.