Pony Express Special Delivery

by Rhonda Gibson

  Clayton nodded. He looked into the kitchen. It was empty. “Abraham, do you know where Maggie and the children are?”

  “No, I haven’t been awake long. Is Sally gone now?” he asked with a frown.

  Clayton nodded and then remembered that the other man couldn’t see the movement. “She went upstairs to put away her things. Do you want me to call her?”

  “No, my head is killing me.” He held out the plate. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

  Clayton grabbed the bowl he’d used the other night and exchanged it for the plate. “Here, use this if you get sick.”

  Abraham’s face went pale. “I hate this.”

  “I know. I would, too. But Doc says that being nauseated happens when you have a head injury.” He pulled the brown bottle of liquid medicine off the end table. Clayton took the lid off and asked, “Do you still feel like you are going to be sick?”

  “Not as badly as a few moments ago.”

  “Good. Let me have the bowl and you take this.” Clayton took the bowl and put the brown bottle in Abraham’s hand. “Take a swig of that.”

  Abraham did as he was instructed. He swallowed, then said, “Whatever that is, it’s very sweet.”

  Clayton laughed and took the bottle back. He screwed the lid on and said, “Well, sweet medicine is better than bitter.”

  “I suppose.” Abraham scooted back into the sofa. “I’ll just be glad when my head quits hurting and the room stops spinning.”

  Clayton nodded and said, “This too shall pass.”

  “If you say so.” He closed his eyes.

  Clayton asked, “Abraham, do you have any family in these parts?”

  Abraham tilted his head to the side. “Sadly, I have no idea.” He yawned. “I think I’ll lie down for a bit, if that’s all right.”

  “Of course it’s all right. Enjoy your rest.” Clayton stood and took the plate into the kitchen. He emptied the remainder of Abraham’s breakfast into the slop bucket.

  Sally came into the kitchen. “He’s lying down again. Is he all right?”

  “I believe so. Doc Anderson said he might sleep a lot for a few days. I also gave him more medicine to help his headache.” He put the plate into the washtub.

  She nodded. “I’m sorry my actions of last night caused you and Maggie grief.” Sally walked to the window and looked outside.

  “It’s all right. We’ll manage.” He smiled at her. “Where is Maggie?”

  Sally turned. “She’s napping.” Guilt pulled at her normally happy face.

  Clayton crossed his arms over his chest and waited her out. He’d seen his ma do this to his youngest brother and sister many times. She had done something, but for the life of him Clayton couldn’t figure out what.

  “Um, I gave her a teaspoon of Abraham’s medicine.”

  Clayton fought his facial muscles that wanted to break out in laughter. “How?” he asked, keeping his voice firm.

  “I made her a very sweet cup of coffee, sugar and milk.” Sally beseeched him with her eyes. “I know I shouldn’t have, but she was in such pain that, well...”

  Clayton did laugh. He couldn’t stop himself. “You drugged her?”

  Sally frowned. “Yes, but it was for her own good. And it wasn’t enough to hurt her or the baby.”

  Impulsively, Clayton walked across the room and hugged her. “Thank you. That was probably just what she needed. But let’s not do it again.”

  Sally pulled away. “You really think so? I mean, I thought she could use the rest, but I’m sure she wouldn’t be happy if she finds out.”

  He held his hands up. “I’m not going to tell her.”

  Sally sank into one of the kitchen chairs. “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you. I’m glad you are here to take care of my family.” He glanced at the clock. “I’d better head out to the barn. I’ve got a rider coming through in half an hour.” Clayton slipped into his coat and headed out to the barn.

  He chuckled as he went. Maggie would want to wring Sally’s neck if she knew what the girl had done. Clayton entered the warm barn with a sigh. Had life on the Fillmore Ranch always been this unpredictable? It seemed from the moment he set foot on the land, his life had changed several times. Or was it just his emotions and feelings?

  Chapter Twenty

  Maggie decided she needed fresh air. With Sally helping out around the house, she felt confident in leaving the girl in charge. Her muscles weren’t as sore as they’d been three days ago, but they still protested as she climbed into the saddle. As she rode Snowball out to the cove, her thoughts rehashed the last few days.

  Clayton helped out more on the ranch with Abraham slowly recovering and spent less time around the house. She noticed that he took one of the medical books with him everywhere he went. Maggie wished that things weren’t so crazy at the ranch and that he could study more.

  The foreman’s headaches were less frequent, even though he hadn’t regained his eyesight, and the wound on his head was healing nicely. The doctor was expected out again later in the day. Maggie would be back in time to hear what he thought of Abraham’s progress.

  Sally had settled in nicely and was a tremendous help with the children. Maggie worried about the closeness the young girl had developed with Abraham. Sally waited on him and stayed as close to him as she possibly could. The ranch foreman seemed to enjoy spending time with Sally also. They were building a sweet relationship based upon their newfound friendship. Still, Maggie worried it was developing a little faster than Sally’s parents would like.

  Maggie giggled at her last thought. Whom was she kidding? Mrs. Morris would probably be thrilled if Abraham and Sally were to marry. Wasn’t that what the girl’s mother had wanted?

  The cove came into view. Since the snow had melted off, the ground was muddy and slick. She and Snowball took their time. The sun shone brightly, and the lack of wind almost made it feel like springtime. She pulled Snowball to a stop and slipped out of the saddle.

  Quietness filled the midmorning air. Maggie closed her eyes and inhaled the freshness. Then she opened them and, taking the reins, walked with Snowball to the water’s edge. The little mare drank deeply. Maggie rubbed the horse’s shoulder. “We should do this more often,” she told the animal.

  Snowball snorted.

  “I agree.”

  Maggie turned at the sound of Clayton’s voice. She hadn’t heard him approach.

  Clayton walked Bones the rest of the way into the cove.

  “Where did you come from?” Maggie asked. She admired the way he sat tall in the saddle. He smiled and the expression reached his eyes.

  “This mud muffles the sound of the horse’s hooves. I’m sorry if I startled you.” He stopped and dismounted from the horse.

  Maggie smiled back. “We seem to keep meeting here.”

  Clayton moved in front of her. “You look very pretty today.”

  “Thank you.” Maggie felt pretty. Her dress hadn’t fit as snugly as it had since the baby had been born, and she’d gone out of her way to fix her hair in a loose style. Secretly she’d hoped to meet Clayton at the cove.

  He reached out and touched a strand of hair. “I’ve always thought your hair was pretty.”

  She’d already thanked him so wasn’t sure what to say. Maggie felt her cheeks begin to fill with heat. Clayton had a way of looking at her that made her feel giddy.

  Clayton brushed his fingers down her cheek as he said, “I spoke with the men, and most of them are going to the winter dance.” His hand dropped to his side. “All but George and now Abraham. I asked George if he’d keep an eye on Sally and the children, and he agreed. So...” He pushed his hat back and with teasing blue eyes said, “If you still want to go, I’d like to take you.”

  Maggie didn’t even realize tha
t she’d moved until she found herself wrapped in his strong arms. She hugged him close. In a breathless rush, she said, “Oh, thank you, Clayton. I’d love to go.”

  He hugged her close. The book pressed into her back as he buried his face in her hair. He nuzzled her neck. “I would have told you sooner, if I’d known I’d get this kind of reaction.”

  Maggie pulled away. She felt breathless and hot. Her eyes searched his as she said, “I should be getting back to the house. Doc Anderson is coming this afternoon.” What was she saying? Maggie knew she had to get away from Clayton or she’d be declaring her love for him. It was one thing to hug him but another thing altogether to be alone and feeling emotions that she’d never felt before, not even with her late husband, Jack.

  Clayton lowered his lips and kissed her lightly. He then released her. “Yeah, I should get back to the fence I was repairing when I saw you ride by.” Clayton spun on his heels. He scooped up Bones’s reins and then mounted. “I’ll be back to the house by the time Doc gets there.” Then he turned the horse back the way they had come.

  Maggie felt as weak as a newborn calf. She pulled herself onto Snowball’s back and turned her toward home. Why had he kissed her? She knew men didn’t have to be in love to be romantic, but still, this was new territory for her and Clayton. Should she let it continue? Or put a stop to his affectionate ways now? How could she go on knowing that sooner or later, she’d let it slip that she loved him? Really loved him, like she’d never loved anyone else.

  * * *

  Clayton returned to the fence as he’d said he would, but now his mind couldn’t focus on the job. What had gotten into him? He’d followed Maggie only so that he could invite her to the dance. Not so that he could kiss her.

  He finished his work on the fence and then decided to go to the south pasture. Abraham still couldn’t remember what had happened that day. Maybe if Clayton looked again, he’d figure out what happened. Abraham’s horse had turned up in the north pasture the next day. It was a mystery that Clayton hoped to figure out.

  A frown formed as he arrived at the place where Abraham had been hurt. Bud stood looking about. Clayton groaned. He’d told Bud to help Hal today. Why couldn’t that boy just do as he was told? “Bud, did one of the pigs wander out here?”

  Bud looked up and grinned sheepishly. “No. I just wanted to come out here and see if I could figure out what happened to Abraham. Besides, Hal knows what he’s doing with those pigs. He didn’t need me.”

  Clayton pushed his hat back on his head and leaned forward. “Look, Bud, I’m not sure what has happened to you since Gus left, but I’ve been told up until then you were a hard worker and followed orders. I expect you to continue to be a hard worker and follow orders or we will fire you.” He hated confrontation, but Bud couldn’t continue disobeying orders.

  Bud nodded. “Sorry, boss.” He climbed back on his horse. “Gus allowed us to work where we felt we were needed. I’ll try to remember you are the boss.” Bud shoved his hat onto his head and rode away.

  The way he said “boss” made Clayton’s skin crawl. He stepped down from Bones and looked about. Bud’s horse’s hooves and the mud had erased any signs of what had happened to Abraham. Clayton had meant to come back sooner, but the duties of the ranch had kept him busy.

  He returned to Bones and sighed as he pulled himself into the saddle. Clayton didn’t want to admit that he was avoiding the house and Maggie. His gaze moved to the sun. If he wanted to see the doctor, Clayton needed to go home. “Bones, I’m a coward.” He turned the horse toward the ranch house. “Funny, as a Pony Express rider I had no fear. I could outrun, outshoot and outsmart any danger that came my way. But, give me one beautiful, smart lady, and I can’t seem to hold my emotions in check. All I want to do is hold her, protect her and love her with all my heart.”

  Bones snorted and bobbed his head in agreement.

  He patted the horse’s neck. “What am I going to do? I know she’s not Eunice. Maggie cares more about family than money. I don’t believe she will ever leave me in pursuit of a richer husband, but she has said she isn’t going to fall in love. I don’t know if I can take her rejecting my love.”

  Clayton topped the hill and stopped Bones. So much had happened in such a small amount of time. He leaned on the saddle horn and watched the activity in the ranch house yard. Maggie had just left the henhouse. He assumed she carried eggs in her small basket. Dinah skipped along beside her. Maggie and the kids were his family, and although he’d tried to keep his heart at a distance, somehow he’d let himself grow to love them all. He wanted to be a true husband to Maggie and a father to Dinah and James. He waited for the doubts and worries to cloud his happiness. They didn’t come.

  He sat up straighter in the saddle. Next week, he’d confess his love to her at the winter dance. Clayton swallowed hard. His gaze shifted to movement coming down the main road. He recognized the doctor’s buggy and urged Bones down the hill.

  The doctor met him with a grin. “Good to see you, Clayton. How’s our patient doing?” He pulled his buggy up in front of the barn and grabbed his black leather bag out of the seat.

  “Good. But you are the real doctor. You’ll have to tell me.” Clayton slid off Bones. He handed the reins to George, who, as usual, was ready to take them. “Thanks, George.”

  George nodded. “Let me know how he’s doing, won’t ya?”

  “Will do.” Clayton walked with the doctor to the house. “I think the stitches are healing nicely, but I’m worried that he still can’t remember what happened.”

  “It’s not uncommon for a man to forget a few things when he’s been conked over the head.” Doc Anderson held on to the porch railing as he climbed the stairs. “Have you figured out what happened out there?”

  Clayton stepped around him and opened the door. “No, and we may never know.”

  Doc followed him inside. “That’s true enough.”

  Sally stood up when they entered. She’d been sitting close to Abraham reading out of the Bible. Baby James slept in his washtub. A glance in the kitchen revealed Maggie and Dinah at the counter mixing something.

  The doctor hung his coat on a hook by the door, then turned to his patient. “Good afternoon, Sally, Abraham.”

  “Hello, Doc Anderson,” Abraham said. He sat up a little taller.

  Doc walked across the room. “How are you feeling today? Is the head still throbbing?”

  “No, sir. The headache is gone.” He turned his head in the direction of Doc’s voice.

  Clayton watched as the doctor picked up a lantern and lit it. “How are the eyes?” He held the lantern up and swung it from side to side in front of Abraham’s face.

  “I can see lights now.”

  The doctor nodded. “Yes, that’s good. You’ll have sight soon, I’m sure of it.” He set the lamp back down and blew out the wick. “How about memories?”

  Abraham sighed. “I can remember a lot of stuff about my past, just nothing about the past few days.”

  Clayton eased down into the chair by the fireplace. He reached down and picked up baby James. “What is the last thing you remember?” Clayton held the baby in his arms. James reached out and latched on to his finger.

  “Same as before. I went to the south pasture to check on the cows up there. The next thing I knew, I was here.” Abraham rubbed his eyes. “I can’t stay here forever, Doc. Are you sure my eyesight will come back?”

  Doc Anderson shook his head. “All I can say is that if you are seeing lights, you’ll more than likely see better in a few days. But I can’t guarantee your eyesight will come back fully. Only God can do that, son.”

  Abraham’s jaw tightened.

  Sally reached over and rested her hand over his. “I’ll stay with you, Abraham. I can be your eyes.”

  He pulled his hand away. “I know you mean well, Sally. But I
won’t be a burden on anyone.”

  Doc Anderson interrupted. “Let’s have a look at my stitchery.” He walked up behind Abraham and studied the wound on the back of his head. “This is looking good, too.”

  James tried to pull Clayton’s finger into his mouth. Clayton gently turned the baby around and rested him on his shoulder. What was Abraham going to do if he didn’t get his sight back?

  Sally stood. “I think I’ll go help Maggie in the kitchen.”

  Abraham’s blank gaze followed the sound of her swishing skirts. He sighed. “Clayton, I’d like to move back into the bunkhouse, if that’s all right with you.”

  “Of course it’s all right with me, but you might want to check with Doc Anderson and make sure you are up to it.” Clayton rubbed James’s small back. The baby squirmed.

  Doc Anderson asked Abraham several more questions but finally agreed that Abraham could leave the sitting room and go back to the bunkhouse. “Well, I’ll be heading on down the road, since you are doing so well, Abraham.” He picked up his bag and motioned for Clayton to follow him outside.

  Clayton tucked James back into his washtub and stood up to follow the doctor. He thought the new crib was coming along nicely but wanted to finish it up with a little artwork. Unfortunately, Clayton couldn’t decide what he wanted to put on it.

  “Thanks for coming, Doc,” Abraham said. “I’ll pay you whatever I owe you next time I’m in town.”

  “There’s no rush on payment, but I do want Clayton to bring you with him on his next visit.” He pulled the door open and stepped outside.

  Clayton turned to Abraham. “I’ll walk the doctor out and then come back to help you move back to the bunkhouse.” At the other man’s nod, Clayton closed the door behind him.

  He’d seen the look in Sally’s eyes when Abraham had pulled his hand from hers. There was despair and fear in their depths. It was clear that Sally loved the big man and pretty clear that he felt the same way about her. How were they going to make it work if Abraham never regained his sight?