Pony Express Christmas Bride

Rebecca placed her damp hands on her hips. “We all have had a hard life, except maybe Joy. All of these young men that I call my sons were orphans. So, no, I don’t find your situation strange. What I do find strange is your need to lash out at someone who is offering you the hand of friendship and the chance at a new life.”

She deserved that. Josephine licked her lips and nodded. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed your life was any easier than mine has been.”

Rebecca pulled her into a tight hug. “Josephine, Thomas sees something in you that he likes. Believe it or not, I see it, too. The fact that you don’t trust anyone hasn’t gone unnoticed, but let me assure you, you now have a family and friends, if you will allow myself, Fay and Emma to get close enough to you.” She released Josephine and looked into her eyes.

Josephine wanted to believe her. She wanted to trust that they were all offering her the hand of family and friendship. But when her uncle had begun selling off their property and firing their help, her so-called friends had all distanced themselves from her. She had quickly learned the only one she could depend on and trust was herself. “I’ll try.” And she would, but it wouldn’t be easy.

“I’m sorry I lost my temper. It doesn’t happen often.”

Josephine smiled. From the shame-filled look on Rebecca’s face, she knew Rebecca meant her apology. “I was feeling sorry for myself, but I don’t anymore. I needed to hear about your past and will try to tell you more of mine without feeling sorry for myself as I do so.”

Rebecca nodded and then turned back to the washbasin. “We better get the rest of these dishes done before it’s suppertime.”

Josephine picked the drying towel back up and asked, “Has Thomas told you why we got married?”

“He did. I was hoping he’d wait until his family could attend the service.” Rebecca’s hands flew as she washed dishes.

“I’m sorry.”

Soft laughter filled the air. “It’s not your fault. Thomas could have told me yesterday when he was here that he was getting married today, but he didn’t. That’s not your fault, it’s his.”

Josephine didn’t argue. She spent the next hour telling Rebecca about her childhood, her mother’s sudden death and her father’s abandonment. They put away the last of the dishes and Josephine felt as if maybe she and Rebecca could be friends. She still had trouble trusting the other woman completely and knew she’d never trust Thomas. For now, it was nice knowing that his family was trying to befriend her.

They spent the rest of the afternoon with his family. Fay and Emma both thanked her for doing the dishes. Josephine learned that each household member had chores and that Emma and Fay were responsible for the lunch dishes, among other things.

Thomas’s brothers Andrew, Clayton and Benjamin were funny and kind. They didn’t hang about the house but left shortly after lunch to “get back to work,” as they all said. She liked them all, even Noah, who was the quietest and most serious of the brothers. Benjamin had told her that his other brother Jacob had moved to California and he missed him very much. Josephine felt sure that he was just as friendly as his other brothers and looked forward to meeting him someday, too.

While Fay put Joy down for a nap, Emma and Josephine talked on the front porch. Emma was a little shy and her eyes often searched the barnyard. Josephine couldn’t help but wonder if she was sweet on one of the Young men.

“I’m glad you married Thomas.” Emma picked at a piece of lint on her skirt.

Josephine smiled. “I am, too.”

Where had her new husband and his mother gotten off to, anyway? Was Rebecca telling him about their talk in the kitchen? Was she scolding him for marrying without inviting the family?

The sound of horse hooves pounding the ground drew her attention to the barn and yard in between. Clayton sat on a horse waiting for the Pony Express rider to arrive.

Her heart picked up speed as she remembered waiting for the mochila, a leather bag that held the mail, to be passed to her. The mochila had to be kept safe at all times and moving down the trail. What important letters and messages were in this particular mochila? That question ran through her mind every time it was passed to her.

Clayton caught it in midair and sped away. His horse knew its job and jumped in its hurry to continue on carrying the mail. The young man who had come to the end of his ride slid from his horse, much like she’d done several days before. His shoulders drooped and he slid to the ground.

He’s hurt. The words thundered in her mind. “Get Rebecca,” she yelled at Emma. Josephine raced off the porch to his side.

Andrew was already there. “Bill? Can you hear me?” He was picking him up with an arm around the man’s waist. Josephine moved to the other side and helped to lift him.

The young man didn’t answer.

“Should we carry him to the bunkhouse?”

Andrew looked at her, his eyebrows raised, but he simply nodded. “That’s probably for the best.”

Josephine grunted as the rider’s weight shifted more onto her when Andrew had to release him to open the bunkhouse door. Within a few moments they had him lying down on a bunk.

Bill groaned and his eyes fluttered open. “Thanks, Andrew.” He turned his head and looked at Josephine. “Thanks, pretty lady.” A crooked smile spread across his face.

Andrew groaned. “Billy, are you hurt? Or not?”

The young boy, who looked as if he were fourteen or younger, pulled his buckskin jacket back, revealing a bloodstained shirt. “Shot.” His eyes fluttered closed once more.

Josephine opened his shirt up further. “Yep, he’s been shot, all right. Turn him over, Andrew, we need to see if it went through or if he has a bullet in him.”

Rebecca and Thomas hurried into the bunkhouse. Thomas immediately helped Andrew in turning the young man onto his side.

“How is he?” Rebecca hurried to the cot.

Josephine saw that the bullet had gone completely through and sighed with relief. “I think he’s going to be fine. The bullet went all the way through. Gently turn him back over.” She looked up into her husband’s admiring eyes.

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