Rhonda Gibson - Pony Express Special Delivery

“How are you going to make those back payments?” he asked.

Maggie sighed. “I could sell a few head of cattle and maybe some of our horses.”

“And what about Gus? And the missing money?” His jaw worked, and Clayton’s blue eyes had turned to blue ice.

She sighed again. “I’ve been thinking about Gus.”

“And?”

“It’s my word against his. I have no proof that I trusted him with the money. I doubt I’ll ever see that money again.” Tears pricked her eyes, and she ducked her head. Gus had stolen her money, and she knew that he’d swoop in and take the ranch, as well.

Clayton nodded. When they arrived in town, he pulled up to the bank. “Would you like me to come in with you?”

Maggie felt like she should say no but heard herself answer, “That would be nice. Thank you.”

After setting the brake, Clayton jumped from the wagon. He helped Dinah down, then reached for James once more. Maggie swallowed hard as she took his hand. Warmth filled her hand and arm. The bank loomed above her, and she wanted to turn around and go home. Women shouldn’t have to face bankers who wanted to foreclose on their children’s inheritance.

Dinah took her hand and Clayton placed his hand at the small of her back. His strength seemed to come through his touch, and she walked into the bank with her head held high.

Mr. Jones was a tall man with wide shoulders, narrow hips and silver in his black hair. He strolled toward her the moment she walked through the door. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Fillmore. I’m glad to see you were able to make it to the bank on such short notice.” He held out his hand for her to shake.

Maggie waited for him to release her hand and lead them into his office before she spoke. As soon as the door was closed behind Clayton, who still held James, Maggie said, “Mr. Jones, I’m sorry that the payments weren’t made on the ranch. My foreman assured me that he’d taken care of them.”

Mr. Jones walked behind a large mahogany desk and sat down. “I trust you brought the payments with you.” He motioned for her to sit down in one of the two chairs in front of him.

Aware that he didn’t care why the payments hadn’t been made, Maggie sank into the soft leather. “No, sir. I didn’t.”

Mr. Jones folded his hands over the papers on his desk. “I trust you have the money.”

Maggie shook her head. “No, sir. I do not.”

“Then how did you plan on making the payments?” He looked from her to Clayton.

Clayton had moved into the room but hadn’t come any farther than the closed door. He held the baby in the crook of one arm and Dinah’s small hand in his other hand. His blue eyes were as hard as ice. Thankfully, Dinah hadn’t sensed his anger.

She cleared her throat to get the banker’s attention focused on her once more. When he looked to her, Maggie said, “Mr. Jones, I need time. Time to collect the money.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Fillmore, but I can’t give you more time. You have ignored my messages in the past and refused to come into town to straighten out the matter. I’ve left word with Gus and told him we needed you to come in. After three payments have been missed, we can no longer carry the ranch. You know that.”

Maggie felt her heart sink. She’d do anything not to break her promise to her late husband, even beg the banker to give her an extension. “Please, Mr. Jones. I need more time. Gus never told me of your requests. This is the first I’ve heard that the payments hadn’t been made, and I haven’t had time to get the delinquent funds gathered.”

He stood. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Fillmore, but if I don’t have the money by closing, we’ll have to foreclose. Maybe you could ask your late husband’s cousin for the money. Gus has shown great interest in the ranch. He’s a good man. I’m sure he’ll be willing to loan you the money.”

Maggie stood. There was no doubt in her mind that Gus could come up with the money. He probably still had it and was waiting until the bank took the deed from her and then he’d pay whatever it took to get the ranch back. Sadly, it was her money that he’d use, but no one would be the wiser. She sighed. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Jones.” Maggie walked toward the door.

The air in the office was stifling. She felt weak in the knees.

“Mrs. Fillmore, I hope you can find a means to pay the loan before the bank closes today.”

Maggie’s stomach turned. She hadn’t needed Mr. Jones’s reminder that she had to make the payment before closing time. Maggie knew she had no means to pay the money back. Where would she go now? What was she going to do? She had two children to take care of and, thanks to Gus Fillmore, no home for either of them.

* * *

Red-hot anger boiled in Clayton’s veins. As soon as they were back outside, he growled, “If I wasn’t a Christian, I’d beat the money out of Gus Fillmore. He has it coming.”

Maggie reached to take baby James from his arm. “I know how you feel, but what’s done is done.”

She sounded beaten. Tears ran silently and swiftly down her cheeks. Dinah watched her sister and soon she too was silently crying.

Clayton hated to see a woman cry. He pulled Maggie to him and let her tears flow into his shirt. Dinah leaned against his leg and also wept. He wasn’t sure if the little girl understood what was going on or if she simply had a tender heart and couldn’t stand to see her big sister so broken.

After a few minutes, Maggie sniffled and looked up at him. Clayton led Maggie to the bench in front of the bank. Maggie sat down with a heavy sigh. Dinah continued to hang on to his thigh. He bent down and picked her up. “Maggie. I’ll loan you the money to make the payments.” He swallowed hard. He’d been saving his money since day one of working with the Pony Express and knew he’d have enough to cover whatever her payments were.

Dinah laid her head on his shoulder and stuck her thumb in her mouth. In the last couple of weeks, he’d never seen her suck her thumb. He hugged her against him, hoping to offer the little girl comfort.

“I can’t let you do that.” She wiped her face with the corner of James’s blanket and then looked up at him.

He knelt in front of her. Dinah continued to cling to him. Clayton lowered his voice so that passersby wouldn’t overhear him. “Why not?”

Her hazel-green eyes stared deeply into his. “For several reasons. One, it wouldn’t look right for a stranger in town to pay my debts. Two, I’d still have Gus Fillmore to deal with, and three, I’m not sure I could ever pay you back.”

“One, no one has to know it was me who gave you the money. Two, you can always fire Gus, and three, I’m in no hurry to get the money back.” He searched her pretty face.

She shook her head. “I’ll know.” Tears filled the depths of her eyes once more. “I promised Jack I’d protect James’s inheritance, and now I’ve let them both down.”

Clayton wanted to protect her and the kids. He didn’t want to fall in love with her and he really didn’t want to do anything foolish, but at the same time Clayton knew he’d never let Gus have James Fillmore’s ranch. His fiancée had taught him that women were fickle and money would set them to running into another man’s arms. Nope, he wasn’t about to fall in love with Maggie, or any other woman for that matter. “No, you haven’t. I’ve got an idea, but you’ll have to agree to it.”

He looked to Dinah, who shivered against him. Clayton tried to shield her small body from the cold wind. He softened his voice and offered the little girl what he hoped was a warm smile. “Dinah, dry your eyes and let’s go to the restaurant and get a big slice of peach pie.”

She rubbed her face on the sleeve of her pretty coat. “All right, Clayton. I like peach pie.”