Rhonda Gibson - Pony Express Courtship

Winning the Widow’s Heart

Turning her farm into a Pony Express station is the only way for recently widowed Rebecca Young to provide for her seven adopted sons and her young daughter. It also means contending with new station manager Seth Armstrong as he trains her boys to be riders. But Rebecca soon sees he has her children’s best interests at heart—and perhaps hers, too...

Seth plans on staying long enough to teach the boys how to survive the trail, before continuing on to search for his lost mail-order bride. But now, as he works so closely with Rebecca and her children, he’s glimpsing the possibility of a different future. Could changing course bring this cowboy the chance of true love and fatherhood he never expected?

Saddles and Spurs: Daring Pony Express riders risk all for duty—and for love

“I’m taking the midnight shift with Noah. If danger strikes, it will probably be then.”

So Seth would be with Noah. Rebecca had to admit that knowing this made her feel a little better. “Look, I don’t mean to be a pain, Mr. Armstrong, but these are my children. I have a right to know that they are safe. Or at least as safe as you can make them.”

He nodded. “I agree you do have that right. But you have to trust me to keep them as safe as I possibly can.”

Did she trust him? No, why should she? Rebecca told herself she didn’t really know the man at all. Still, Pony Express superintendent Mr. Bromley trusted him, so what other choice did she have? She’d have to try to trust Seth Armstrong to watch after her boys.

How did a mother release that kind of trust to a stranger? She reminded herself that to keep her family together, she’d have to try.

RHONDA GIBSON lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.

Pony Express Courtship

Rhonda Gibson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

A man’s heart deviseth his way:

but the Lord directeth his steps.

—Proverbs 16:9

This book is dedicated to the men

who rode the Pony Express routes.

To my husband, James Gibson,

my best friend and strongest supporter.

And to my Heavenly Father,

who helps me to reach my dreams.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Winning the Widow’s Heart Turning her farm into a Pony Express station is the only way for recently widowed Rebecca Young to provide for her seven adopted sons and her young daughter. It also means contending with new station manager Seth Armstrong as he trains her boys to be riders. But Rebecca soon sees he has her children’s best interests at heart—and perhaps hers, too... Seth plans on staying long enough to teach the boys how to survive the trail, before continuing on to search for his lost mail-order bride. But now, as he works so closely with Rebecca and her children, he’s glimpsing the possibility of a different future. Could changing course bring this cowboy the chance of true love and fatherhood he never expected? Saddles and Spurs: Daring Pony Express riders risk all for duty—and for love

Introduction “I’m taking the midnight shift with Noah. If danger strikes, it will probably be then.” So Seth would be with Noah. Rebecca had to admit that knowing this made her feel a little better. “Look, I don’t mean to be a pain, Mr. Armstrong, but these are my children. I have a right to know that they are safe. Or at least as safe as you can make them.” He nodded. “I agree you do have that right. But you have to trust me to keep them as safe as I possibly can.” Did she trust him? No, why should she? Rebecca told herself she didn’t really know the man at all. Still, Pony Express superintendent Mr. Bromley trusted him, so what other choice did she have? She’d have to try to trust Seth Armstrong to watch after her boys. How did a mother release that kind of trust to a stranger? She reminded herself that to keep her family together, she’d have to try.

About the Author RHONDA GIBSON lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net . Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.

Title Page Pony Express Courtship Rhonda Gibson www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps. —Proverbs 16:9

Dedication This book is dedicated to the men who rode the Pony Express routes. To my husband, James Gibson, my best friend and strongest supporter. And to my Heavenly Father, who helps me to reach my dreams.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Dove Creek, Wyoming

February 1860

“What were you thinking?” Rebecca Young demanded of her youngest son, Benjamin. She tossed the water bucket to the side. Her body shook as fearful images built in her mind. “You could have been killed.” The acrid smell of smoke in the early-morning air almost choked her as she fought for control. Benjamin might be adopted, but she loved him as much as she loved her daughter, Joy. The thought of losing him in a fire tore at her heart, leaving her feeling raw.

Black soot covered his young face and tears traced dirty tracks down his cheeks. He coughed, echoing coughs from others around them. The eight-year-old boy wrung his hands and shook his head from side to side. “I didn’t mean for it to happen, Ma.”

Fear and anger warred for control of her emotions. If Jacob hadn’t seen the flames tearing through the barn and gotten Benjamin out, her youngest son would have died in the fire. She couldn’t—she heaved a deep sigh—no, she wouldn’t let her fear take the sting out of her scolding. “But it did happen, Benjamin. How many times have I told you not to take a lantern into the barn?”

The tears increased and dripped off his quivering chin. Big brandy-colored eyes met her gaze. Fear filled them. Was it fear of her, or the fact that he could have died in the fire? “I’m sorry, Ma.” His voiced choked; he threw his arms around her waist and buried his head against her.

Rebecca ran her hands down his thin arms then embraced him tightly, unmindful of the black soot being smeared against the white of her apron.

Her gaze moved from one to the other of the six young men who stood in the yard. Her other adopted sons. Rebecca barely held back the tears, her heart winging a prayer of thanks that none of them were hurt putting out the flames.

Her oldest son, twenty-year-old Jacob, stared morosely at what used to be their barn.