Rhonda Gibson - Pony Express Hero

Jacob Young had said he was the new stock tender. The last one had been an older man and had been nice enough but she really hadn’t paid him much mind. Come to think of it, she’d seen the Pony Express riders exchange horses by the barn and then continue on. She’d really not paid much attention to them, either—her first order of business had been to take care of Daisy and the household along with any ranch business or financial things that Sam brought to her attention.

If she was honest with herself, she’d stayed away from the men because she didn’t want their attention. The last thing she needed was to fall for a man who was only interested in her family ranch—a ranch that belonged to both her and Daisy.

Her father’s last wife and Daisy’s mother, Gertrude, had taught her that people weren’t always who they first presented themselves to be, especially if they thought you had land or money. Gertrude had treated her like a servant when her father was out of the house or away on business, but was sweet when he was present. Her stepmother had told Lilly many times that should her father die, Lilly would be on the first stagecoach to a boarding school. If Gertrude hadn’t died first giving birth to Daisy and leaving Lilly without a stepmother and her father without a wife, Lilly would be in a boarding school now or working someplace far from her beloved ranch.

Looking back she probably should have told her father about Gertrude’s true nature, but her love for him had stilled Lilly’s tongue. He’d often told her he’d married Gertrude so that she could be a mother to her. Lilly shivered, as her stepmother had been anything but a true mother.

After lunch, as Lilly made her way across the yard and to the barn, she wondered how Daisy had gotten out in the ravine. The little girl’s feet hadn’t been scuffed up like they should have been if she’d walked barefoot all the way out there. She didn’t want to think about it but Lilly felt sure someone had taken the girl from her bed and carried her off. But why leave her in the canyon?

“You are deep in thought.”

Lilly stopped several inches away from Jacob Young. What he’d said was true. She’d been so deep in thought that if he hadn’t spoken, she would have run into him. “I was.”

He stepped out of the barn door. “I’m sorry to have disturbed you.” Jacob pulled one of the Pony Express horses out of the barn with him.

“No, I’m the one who is sorry. I snapped and it wasn’t because I’m irritated with you. If anything, I’m very grateful to you.” She offered him a smile that she hoped he’d recognize as a peace offering.

Jacob looked back at her and returned her smile. “No harm done.” He walked the horse several feet away from her.

The sound of a bugle blared through the air. A few seconds later, Lilly made out the Pony Express rider and his horse. In less than five minutes, the rider had exchanged horses and was back on the trail.

Jacob pulled the tired horse back into the barn. He passed Lilly and led the horse into one of the many stalls. He closed the door behind the animal while staying in the stall. “If you want to share your thoughts, I’m a pretty good listener.”

Lilly walked to her mare’s stall. “I was just thinking about Daisy and how she got into the canyon this morning.” She pulled a saddle blanket off the nail on the wall and spread it out over the horse’s back.

“I’ve been thinking about that, too.” Jacob took the saddle off the horse while he talked. “Has she ever walked in her sleep?”

“No, she’s a heavy sleeper but she’s never walked in her sleep,” Lilly answered as she tightened the cinch under her horse’s belly. She stood. “And even if she had walked that long way, her feet would have been cut up from the rocks and plants along the way.”

“And I take it they weren’t?” He leaned against the stall door.

Lilly shook her head. “No, they were dirty but not hurt in any way, which I’m grateful for. Normally Daisy sleeps until I wake her after my morning ride. Only this morning, something led me to go check on her before I left.” She sighed and leaned her forehead against her horse’s neck. “I’m so glad I did.” Lilly straightened and looked at him.

They stood staring at each other for several long minutes, both deep in thought. Who would want to hurt her little sister? Lilly didn’t want to suspect any of her men of trying to harm Daisy, but she felt a chill travel down her spine. Suddenly she reconsidered taking her daily ride.

Suspicions gnawed at her. Had someone taken Daisy while she’d been saddling her horse for a ride? Everyone on the ranch knew her routine. Or had they crept in earlier while she’d slept in the next room? Goose bumps formed on her arms at the scary thoughts.

She began to unsaddle the horse. “Sorry ol’ gal, I can’t risk leaving Daisy alone.”

Jacob walked over to her. “I can take her out for you, if you’d like.”

Lilly looked at him. What did she know about him? That Mr. Roberts had said he was coming to be the stock tender and that he’d saved Daisy this morning. “Thank you, but no. Maybe I’ll take her out later today.” She patted the mare’s nose.

He nodded and stepped around her. Jacob pulled the saddle from the little mare’s back and said, “You know, I believe Daisy when she says she didn’t walk out there on her own.”

Lilly nodded. “So do I.” She sighed as she put the saddle blanket away.

He returned to the Pony Express horse and began brushing it down. Lilly walked to the barn door and stepped out into the sunlight. What was she going to do?

Lilly entered the house and checked on Daisy again. After lunch, the morning’s activities had caught up with Daisy, so Lilly had put her down for a nap.

The little girl slept on her side, curled into a ball. Her blond hair spilled over the pillow, her little lips slipped up into a smile as she dreamed. Lilly’s heart went out to the tiny girl. They were all that was left of the Johnson family. Lilly couldn’t lose Daisy, too, and would protect her with all she had. But would it be enough? What did she need to do to ensure the child’s safety?

Lilly walked over to the all-wood window that was partially open to let in fresh air. It might be uncomfortable for Daisy but Lilly shut the opening. She looked around the room for something to stop the window from being opened. Finding nothing she went to the wood box in the kitchen. Judging a piece of kindling to be about the right length, she returned to Daisy’s room and placed the stick between the bottom lip of the window and the top of the window casing. She pushed against the wood and shook it. The piece of kindling held firm. There. That should stop intruders with evil intent.

She chewed her lower lip. Fear threatened her peace. Lilly knew she had to get to the bottom of this or Daisy would never be allowed out of her sight.

The Johnsons had never locked their doors before. But now, well, she couldn’t take the chance that someone would slip in and steal Daisy again. Lilly vowed she would keep Daisy safe at all cost.

Chapter Two

Jacob mucked out the stall and leaned on his pitchfork. He didn’t like where his thoughts had been all morning but he couldn’t shake his gut feeling. Daisy and maybe even Lilly were in danger.

His gaze moved to the fifteen-year-old boy who took care of the Johnson horses. Upon his arrival, the young man had shown him where everything was and even his room off to the side of the barn. Jacob called to him now. “Caleb?”

“Yeah.”

“How many men work this ranch?” Jacob continued working as if the question were of no importance.

“Well, let’s see. There’s Sam, he’s the foreman. Then there is Cook, Edward, Asher, Lewis and myself. We’re the regular hands. During the cattle drive, Sam hires others. Usually drifters.” Caleb sat with a saddle in front of him. As he talked he rubbed oil into the leather.