Pony Express Special Delivery

by Rhonda Gibson

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Two days later, Clayton came into the house carrying the cradle that he’d secretly been working on in the barn. He’d spent most of his time running the ranch and the Pony Express. Supplies had come in earlier, giving him the excuse he needed to stay in the barn and finish up the cradle.

  Abraham’s eyesight had remained the same. He spent most of his time indoors on his cot. Clayton could only imagine how miserable the foreman was feeling. He’d been thinking about the man most of the day and had decided Abraham needed a job. But, for the life of him, he couldn’t think what.

  Clayton set the cradle by the door and entered the house. He looked into the sitting room and kitchen, and not seeing Maggie or Sally around, he picked up the cradle and set it by the fireplace. Then he went to the foot of the stairs and called up, “Maggie, are you here?”

  “I’ll be right down,” she called back.

  He hurried to stand beside the fireplace and the cradle.

  A few minutes later, Maggie came down the stairs wearing a pretty pink dress with ruffles around the hem. It swirled about her shoes as she descended. Her blond hair hung loosely down her back. Two shiny combs pulled back the sides. He smiled. “You look beautiful.”

  Maggie grinned shyly. “Thank you. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone to a dance.”

  Clayton’s smile faded. He swallowed hard. He’d forgotten about the dance. The two shirts Maggie had sewn for him were in the dirty clothes, and they were his finest. “Maggie, I forgot about the dance.”

  Joy drifted from her hazel eyes like fog in the morning sunlight. “You don’t want to go anymore?” She rubbed her lips together.

  Clayton walked forward and took her hands in his. “It’s not that I don’t want to go. It’s just that my two nicest shirts aren’t fit to wear to a social.”

  “That’s the only reason?” she asked, staring into his eyes.

  He nodded, wishing he’d remembered the dance was tonight.

  Maggie pulled her hands from his and walked to her sewing basket. “I have a surprise for you.” She bent over and pulled blue fabric from the basket.

  Clayton grinned as she opened the material to reveal a brand-new blue shirt. “You made that for me? For the dance?”

  She walked back to him. “I was going to give it to you the other night, but then Abraham had his accident and, well...”

  He took the shirt in his hands and examined the buttons. They were fancier than those on his everyday shirts. “It will look great with my black jeans. Thank you.”

  Maggie blushed under his gaze. “You should probably go get dressed if we want to get there on time.”

  Clayton shook his head. “First, I have a gift for you, too. It’s not as fancy as the shirt you made me, but I hope you like it.” He took her by the hand and led her to the cradle.

  Her smile filled her whole face. Maggie bent down and caressed the hemlock wood. Her finger traced the vines he’d carved into the headboard. “Oh, Clayton, it’s beautiful!”

  He chuckled. “I was hoping you would say that.”

  Maggie rose and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you. It is the most beautiful piece of furniture I have ever seen.”

  Clayton felt his own cheeks flush. “Let’s carry it upstairs and I’ll get dressed so we can leave.”

  Maggie led the way.

  He placed the cradle beside her bed and then hurried into his room. For several moments, he heard her puttering about. Then she left her room.

  Clayton reached up and touched his cheek where she had kissed him. He loved that woman more than words could express. Tonight after the dance, he planned on finding a pretty moonlit spot and telling her. The question nagged at him. What would he do if she spurned that love?

  * * *

  Maggie had never told anyone how much she enjoyed going to barn dances. She smiled happily at Clayton as he swung her about the floor during the final dance. He looked so handsome in black jeans and boots. His eyes shone deeper than normal, picking up the blue from the shirt that she’d made for him.

  Her cheeks felt warm from dancing. The music stopped and she laughed happily. “Thank you for bringing me. This evening has been fun.”

  Clayton placed an arm around her waist as they walked from the center of the barn. He leaned his head next to hers and said, “I had fun, too.” Other couples were also leaving. The fiddle players were putting their instruments away. She enjoyed the feeling of Clayton being so close. He’d found reasons not to be around when the slow dances had played. Maggie told herself she didn’t care, but the truth was she cared very much. Too much.

  She stepped out of his embrace as soon as they were at the edge of the dance floor. “I’ll go get my baking dish. Be right back.” At Clayton’s nod, Maggie hurried to the food table and located her plate.

  “I’m glad you were able to come tonight,” Mrs. Fisher said, handing her a cup filled with fruit punch. “Take one of these to Clayton. I have way too much left over.”

  “Thank you. The dance was lovely. Is there anything I can do to help you clean up?”

  “No, thanks, Maggie.” She looked about. “I think we have plenty who have already volunteered to stay and finish up.” The other woman gave her a quick hug. “Besides, you have a long ride ahead of you and it’s already getting late.”

  Maggie returned her hug and said, “Good night. And thanks again.”

  Mrs. Fisher turned away with a wave of her hand.

  Clayton stood where she’d left him. She exchanged his glass of punch and the plate for her coat. Maggie watched his Adam’s apple bob as he drank deeply. She slipped her arms into the coat and buttoned it up.

  “Ready?” he asked, placing his hand in the small of her back to guide her out to their wagon.

  Maggie nodded. She smiled broadly. Today had been one of her happiest days in a long time. Clayton had proved his love for baby James by giving her the cradle. Then he’d taken her to the winter dance, where she’d had a wonderful evening. Nothing could make this day any more special.

  Clayton helped her up onto the seat. His blue eyes searched out hers in the moonlight. A breeze threatened to take off his hat and reveal his light brown hair. He was by far the most handsome man she’d ever met. The only thing that would make this night more perfect would be if she told him she loved him and he returned that love.

  Maggie sat up straight as Clayton fell in line with the other wagons driving away from the Fishers’ home. She listened to others yelling between wagons and smiled. This was her home, she was with her handsome husband and nothing could spoil her evening.

  Clayton remained silent as he directed the horse and buggy out of town. Maggie cut her eyes in his direction. Old fears raised their ugly head. She forced them away. There was no guarantee that Clayton would be with her for the rest of her life, but if Sally and Abraham’s lost love had taught her anything, it was that she should express her love for Clayton while she had him in her life and stop living in fear.

  Five of the Fillmore men rode up beside the wagon. Maggie had seen them on the ranch but recognized only Hal. Four of them fell back while Hal stayed even with Clayton.

  Hal tipped his hat at her and said, “Clayton, Mrs. Young, me and the fellas thought we might stay overnight in town this evening, if it’s all right with you.”

  Clayton chuckled. “You are all grown men. Just be sure to show up tomorrow afternoon for evening chores.”

  Hal grinned like a little boy at Christmas. “Yes, sir. Thank you.”

  Clayton shook his head. “It’s interesting how Hal has taken on the role of leader with that bunch,” he said, clicking his tongue to get the little mare to travel faster.

  The wind picked up. Maggie wrapped her coat tighter about her waist. She wanted to tell Clayton how she felt about him, b
ut the words seemed stuck in her throat.

  He looked to her and smiled. When she returned his gaze, he quickly ducked his head. If she didn’t know better, Maggie would think he was shy.

  They rode on in silence.

  Clayton finally spoke. “This weather seems to be turning for the worse.”

  Maggie had to admit that the wind was blowing harder out here than in town. Her star-filled night was being covered by fast-moving clouds. “Do you think it’s going to rain?” she asked, aware that they had reverted to talking about the weather. It was hardly the romantic conversation she’d hoped for.

  He looked up. “Those look like snow clouds.”

  She nodded.

  “We’d best get on home.” He slapped the reins over the horse’s back.

  They weren’t far from home when Maggie smelled smoke. She looked to Clayton, who was frowning. “Do you smell that?”

  He nodded. “Maybe some highwayman has decided to set up camp close by.”

  Maggie didn’t care much for highwaymen. They were usually robbers or murderers on the run from the law. She tucked her coat under her legs as a shiver ran down her spine. She was comforted in knowing Clayton would keep her safe.

  The wind shifted and blew against them. The smoke in the air thickened. “Clayton, I don’t think that’s campfire smoke.”

  Worry etched his brow. He yelled, “Ya!” at the horse and sent it into a run.

  Maggie held on to the seat for dear life. All the while her brain screamed that the children were in danger. Her house was directly in front of them. The Morris ranch was to the right. The wind wasn’t blowing from the right.

  They topped the hill. The same hill Clayton had sat upon two months earlier.

  Maggie gasped. Her house was on fire!

  * * *

  Clayton’s stomach turned. His only thought was for the children and Sally. He whipped the reins over the mare’s back, mentally begging her to go faster. Just before they got to the house, he said, “Maggie, promise me you will stay away from the house.”

  She nodded as if in shock.

  Sally stood by the barn holding baby James. Clayton searched the yard for Dinah. He pulled the wagon to the barn and barked, “Where’s Dinah?”

  With a shaky hand, Sally pointed to the house. Tears streamed down her face. “I think she’s in her room.”

  Maggie ran for the house. Clayton chased her and caught her at the porch. The railing fell right in front of them. He pulled Maggie back kicking and screaming.

  “Let me go. I have to save Dinah.” She repeated herself and struggled against him.

  Clayton looked to the men. He saw George with Bud running back and forth with buckets of water. They were throwing it at the fireplace where it looked like the blaze had begun. “George!”

  The old man ran toward him. Clayton practically tossed Maggie at him. “Hold her.”

  George wrapped his muscular arms around Maggie and held her while she struggled.

  Clayton shouted, “Maggie! Stop it!”

  She stared at him wide-eyed, shocked at the force of his command.

  “You have to stay here with James. He needs you. I’m going inside for Dinah.” Clayton didn’t give her time to respond. He ran around the house to the kitchen. Grabbing a chair, he placed it under the trapdoor in his bedroom and pushed up. The door popped open and he pulled himself through it.

  Smoke threatened to strangle him as he shouted, “Dinah!”

  He couldn’t hear anything and raced from his room, through Maggie’s, across the hall and into Dinah’s room. She was nowhere to be seen. Had the little girl made it down the stairs? He turned to the stairs only to find them blocked by a wall of fire.

  Clayton ran back to his room and jumped through the trapdoor once more. He rushed through the kitchen to the sitting room. The thick smoke and flames burned his eyes and throat. It was so thick that he could no longer see. Again, he called, “Dinah!”

  A groan sounded close to the door. Clayton turned toward the sound, took two steps and tripped over something. He felt around with his hands. Confusion filled his mind as he felt a large arm under his hand.

  He stood, grabbed the arm and began pulling a heavy body across the floor to the kitchen. Clayton got him to the kitchen door and yelled, “Bud! George!”

  Bud appeared.

  The man at Clayton’s feet began to cough and moan.

  Clayton pulled him closer to Bud, and between them they lifted the man. They carried him as far away from the house as they could. Once in the light of the fire, Clayton could see that they’d saved Abraham.

  Sally came running to their side. She wrapped her arms around Abraham and wiped at his blackened face with her apron.

  Clayton looked about for Maggie and the children. Maggie had her back to the house. Her shoulders shook, and he could tell that she was rocking James.

  “Sally, did Dinah come out?”

  She shook her head no.

  Once more Clayton ran into the house. The fire had spread and would soon block him from entering or exiting the house through the kitchen door. He quietly pleaded, Lord, help. Clayton looked up at the still-open trapdoor. He pulled the chair under it again and climbed up.

  Dropping to the floor to try to avoid some of the smoke, he crawled through Maggie’s room and across the hall again. Clayton stopped in front of Dinah’s room. He crawled to the closed door, stood, then pulled it open. “Dinah!”

  “I’m here.”

  Clayton dropped to his hands and knees again where the air seemed cleaner. “Where?” The smoke billowed into the room.

  “Here.” Dinah reached out from under the bed and touched his arm.

  He grabbed her and pulled her to him. Clayton hugged her close.

  “I’m scared,” Dinah whimpered against his shirt.

  Clayton reached up and pulled the quilt from the bed. “I know you are but you have to trust me.” He wrapped her up in the spread and said, “I’m going to cover your head up so that the smoke and fire can’t get to you. Will you be all right?”

  Dinah cried. “Uh-huh.”

  He hugged her again and then said, “Good girl.” Clayton kissed her head and then finished wrapping her tightly in the quilt. He didn’t know how he was going to get her down the trapdoor or if they were cut off from the back door.

  Carrying the little girl, Clayton retraced his steps for the second time. When he got to the trapdoor he set Dinah down. The house popped and hissed with each lick of the fire’s flames.

  He looked down the hole and found Abraham standing on the chair.

  “I was just coming up for you.”

  “Praise the Lord. Here, take Dinah.” Clayton scooped the little girl up and lowered her wrapped body down to Abraham.

  Once Abraham had her and was running for the door, Clayton lowered himself down to follow them. The beam over the door fell in front of him, blocking his path. He stood horrified as the flames traveled across the wall. Heat scorched his arms, and he backed up.

  Clayton looked about. The ceiling would be coming down on him any minute now. He ducked his head, said a prayer and then burst through the back door, coughing. Two buckets of cold water slammed into his body. His eyes watered and tears ran freely down his face as he realized that God had saved both him and Dinah.

  Maggie slammed into him so hard that what air he had left swiftly vacated his body. She’d wrapped a blanket around him. Together they tumbled onto the ground. “I was so afraid you were going to leave me,” she cried.

  Clayton laughed. “Honey, I am never leaving you.”

  A loud groan split the air as the burning house leaned. Clayton felt strong arms lift him up.

  “You two lovebirds can chatter later. We’ve got to get farther away from the fire.” Ab
raham half carried, half pulled Clayton and Maggie away from the falling house.

  Clayton hated the weakness he felt. What he’d hoped would be a romantic evening of love and laughter had turned into a tragic night of sorrow and loss. How was Maggie going to feel once the smoke had cleared and she realized her home was gone? He wanted to make it all better. But how?

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  There was no saving the house. Clayton, Maggie, Sally, Abraham and George watched the building collapse into a burning heap. Dinah pressed against Clayton’s leg. Sally rocked James in her arms while tears poured down her face.

  What were they going to do now? Clayton looked about at the ragtag bunch. Soot-covered faces looked as lost as he felt. Only once before had he felt this lost, and that had been the day his little brother Benjamin had burned down the barn.

  Everyone looked to him for guidance. He’d do the best he could, given the situation. “Let’s go to the bunkhouse for now.”

  Clayton picked up Dinah and followed them into the men’s quarters. Thankfully five of the men were in town. It wasn’t a permanent solution, but for tonight they had a warm place to sleep.

  His gaze moved to Abraham. “When did you get your sight back?”

  Abraham grinned. “Tonight. I fell in the house and hit my head on something. When I got outside, I could see again.” He shrugged and hugged Sally to him. She snuggled against his side.

  Clayton slapped him on the back. “God’s timing.”

  “Yes, God’s timing.”

  Maggie took over. “Let’s get some sleep. Tomorrow, we’ll rebuild.”

  Clayton waited until everyone was situated then went to the barn with George. “What happened tonight?”

  The old man growled, “I didn’t want to say anything in front of the women, but someone set that fire.”

  A shiver of fear traveled down Clayton’s back. “Do you think it was Gus?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Then how do you know it was set?”

  George sat on the edge of his bed. “I was lured away from the house.”