Pony Express Special Delivery
Page 25
He looked back at her as she wrung her handkerchief. “And if you can’t pay the mortgage?” he asked.
Another bang from upstairs. Clare shot her gaze upward as her mouth tightened. “We both know what’s going to happen. I’ll lose this house. It’s the only home I’ve ever known. I could find a room somewhere, yes, but no one will take me with those rambunctious boys.” She sighed. “I appreciate your concern, Noah, but you needn’t worry. This is my problem and I will solve it.”
With a heavy heart, Noah knew right then what Tim and Leo’s lives would be. They’d be sent to different ranches or hired by some unscrupulous mine owner to work underground. Orphanages were rare in the West because there was always menial work for the few boys out here, be it on ranches, in mines or on the railroad. If that happened, they’d grow up seeing neither Clare nor the other brother. And with their record of mischief, their discipline would be harsh. The bleak look on Clare’s face told him she already knew that fact and it cut her to the quick.
Noah shut his eyes, hating to look at her expression. A surge of anger rose within him at the notion of this family being ripped apart.
Compassion flooded in, wringing out the ire and banding his chest. He wanted to grab her, hold her tight to fend off the bleakness of her situation.
Instead, though, he opened his eyes again and the most unexpected words tumbled from his mouth.
“Marry me, Clare.”
Copyright © 2017 by Barbara Phinney
ISBN-13: 9781488017827
Pony Express Special Delivery
Copyright © 2017 by Rhonda Gibson
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