The Pony Express Romance Collection

by Blakey, Barbara Tifft; Davis, Mary; Franklin, Darlene

  Mark shook his head. “Just…coffee.”

  “You have to eat.”

  “I brought him soup.” Mrs. Mathewson entered the room, smiling, a tray in her hands. “It might be a lot of effort to eat solid food, but I bet you can slurp this down. Do you need Ruth to feed you?”

  Mark’s eyes widened. He shook his head as if the thought was the most dreadful thing he’d ever heard.

  “Very well. Dr. Stetson, breakfast will be on the table in five minutes.” She brushed past him, leaving a whiff of rosewater hanging tantalizingly in the air.

  Like a bee after nectar, Luke followed her to the dining room and took a seat at the table set for three. Next to his plate was a folded piece of paper. His chore list, no doubt.

  After serving him a heaping plate of eggs and bacon, Mrs. Mathewson sat across from him and spread a napkin in her lap. “How long do these asthma spells last, Dr. Stetson?”

  “A few days, sometimes a week. It depends a lot on stress and pollen.” He glanced around the room. “You keep the place pretty dust free, which will help.”

  “Stay as long as you need to.” She gave him a shy smile and reached for her fork.

  Her voice had a softer tone than the day before. Rosewater and hair carefully styled. Not to mention a dress in much better condition than the one she’d worn yesterday. Had his hostess set her cap for him? He straightened in his chair.

  How would Father react if he were to bring home the Mathewson family? He’d be angry, for sure, not deeming the hardworking woman worthy of the Stetson name. It wouldn’t matter to him how lovely she was, with hair the color of ripened wheat, or how she carried herself like the finest of ladies. No, Father only cared about a person’s bloodline.

  He chuckled. Marrying a simple woman like Mrs. Mathewson would be a wonderful way to put his father in his place, but he couldn’t do that to her. No woman deserved to be subjected to Father’s bitterness and prideful scorn. He doubted he could find a woman his father thought wasn’t beneath him.

  He opened the paper next to his plate and read his list. Roof shingles to be cut and replaced. Corral fence to be repaired. Firewood to be cut. Hunting…The list seemed endless. “What about the horses?”

  “I’ll take care of those,” Mrs. Mathewson said. “Ruth can alert me if someone comes.”

  “I’ll care for the rest of the livestock.” He finished his food. “The best meal I’ve had in a long time. Thank you. When should the next rider come through?”

  “Within the hour.” She collected their empty plates. “I’ll get a horse ready. Then, if travelers stop by, I’ll have time to prepare a meal.”

  He nodded, not sure why she was sharing the information or how she wanted him to respond. So, for lack of something to say, he nodded, grabbed his hat, and headed back upstairs to check on Mark before starting work.

  Relieved to find his brother sleeping and the soup bowl empty, Luke headed to the barn to join Mrs. Mathewson. True to her word, she had a horse saddled and ready. They still didn’t have a relief rider, and most likely wouldn’t until Mark improved. Something had to be done. He wouldn’t let his brother continue as a Pony Express rider.

  He glanced around at a barn that needed work. The horses were well taken care of, but their surroundings left a lot to be desired. “We need to get a rider here to take Mark’s place.”

  “I don’t know how, other than the letter I mailed out yesterday.” Gripping the horse’s reins, she led it from the barn. “With enough riders, the incoming one can stay and rest for an hour and then spell the next one.” She smiled. “Perhaps I should sign up.”

  “That would definitely set people back a bit.” He chuckled and grabbed a rake. “I’ll start here with the work and see you for the midday meal.”

  “I appreciate you, Dr. Stetson.”

  “You the new man?” A tall Indian darkened the doorway the moment Mrs. Mathewson stepped out.

  It wasn’t customary for Luke to carry a gun, but out here, he might have to start. “Are you the one who saved the young rider?”

  The man nodded.

  “That was my brother. I’m only here until he’s good to ride again.”

  The Indian stared stonily at him. “Widow boy gone.”

  “Yes…” Luke cocked his head. “How do you know that?”

  “I saw him go on painted horse. Widow want boy back?”

  “Most definitely.”

  He nodded and disappeared.

  Luke followed, but the Indian was gone. What a strange man. He shook his head and started mucking out the stalls. Still, if anyone could bring Josiah back, he figured it was the big Indian. Mrs. Mathewson would be pleased.

  Voices rang across the yard. Luke stepped out, relieved to see two riders coming in. The larger of the two continued on his way, leaving a smaller one behind. Neither of them looked old enough to shave.

  “It’s so dangerous, Dr. Stetson.” Tears shimmered in Mrs. Mathewson’s eyes. “This boy is also twelve. They lost one a few days ago to snakebite.”

  “Call me Luke.” He leaned on the rake. “It might be dangerous, but it’s a chance these orphan boys might not have otherwise. They might have to resort to stealing on the streets if they weren’t riders. It’ll be over soon enough. The railroad is encroaching ever closer.”

  She looked up at him. “My name is Sadie.” She appeared about to say something else, but shrugged instead. “I cannot resign myself to children doing this job. My son is one of them. My heart will break if something happens to him.”

  “Some Indian said he was going to bring Josiah back.”

  She grinned, relief spreading across her face. “That would be Eagle. I don’t really know what to make of him.”

  “He’s a strange fellow indeed.” But Luke would be forever grateful to the man for finding his brother and bringing him to safety. He’d pray the same for Josiah.

  Chapter Three

  Telegram!” A rider stopped in a cloud of dust in front of Sadie. “Lines down.” He jumped to the ground mere seconds before the next rider grabbed the mochila and galloped away.

  Sadie grabbed the slip of paper, relief making her knees weak. “It’s from Josiah. Safe. Stop. Job hard. Stop. Coming home with Eagle. Stop. Have supper ready.” Tears sprang to her eyes as she lifted them to the rooftop where Luke nailed fresh shingles into place. “He’s coming home.”

  “That’s good.” He gave her a crooked grin before setting back to work.

  Just his second day with them and already the place showed the care only a man could give. The barn smelled as fresh as a building full of horses could, the paddock fence had been repaired, and now the roof would soon sport new shingles. Not only had Luke’s presence helped with the outward appearance of the station, but Mark helped with Ruth’s schooling, freeing Sadie for other things. She would miss them both when they left.

  Every morning, despite the guilt sweeping through her at such a thought, Sadie felt relieved when the telltale sounds of wheezing came from Mark’s skinny chest. She still hadn’t decided whether a proposal of marriage was her wisest course of action. Perhaps that was better decided when the time came for the Stetson men to leave. For now, she would enjoy the ease of her loneliness.

  “Did you need something, Sadie?”

  It wasn’t until he spoke that she realized she was staring. “No, thank you, Luke.” Heat flooded her face as she headed for the house. If she wasn’t careful, she’d scare the man away before she decided on what to do.

  “Ma?” Ruth stood from her studies and crossed her arms. “We’ve decided that Dr. Stetson will be my new pa and I will be Mark’s sister.”

  “You’ve decided?” She glanced at the roof, grateful for its presence between them and Luke’s ears. “It isn’t your business, dear.”

  “We need a man around here, and Mark hates the city.” Her face grew belligerent as only a little girl’s could. She stomped her foot. “I’ll speak to Dr. Stetson this instant.”

  “You’ll do no
such thing except help me prepare supper. Your brother is coming home.” With a shake of her head, Sadie sailed into the kitchen. Hearing the very words she’d been thinking come from her daughter’s lips showed her how silly the idea of marriage to a stranger was. Luke was most likely a skilled doctor in high demand. Who was she to keep him from his duties?

  She grabbed a potato and started peeling. Josiah loved her shepherd’s pie and she planned on fixing it to welcome him home. But soon the mindless task allowed thoughts of marriage to invade her mind again.

  With Frank, her marriage had been based on friendship. They’d known each other since childhood and fallen into a predictable routine. When he’d proposed and stated his dream of a trading post in Kansas, she’d not thought twice about leaving Missouri and beginning a new life. Now, that dream had killed him, and another man, a stranger, set Sadie’s heart racing with every glance of his blue eyes. She’d never been more confused in her life.

  Yes, her children needed a man around. Yes, she was lonely. But those weren’t the only reasons to wed. Physical attraction was another, and oh, mercy, the man was handsome. Still, she wouldn’t marry again for less than love. She dropped the potato in a pot of water. Decision about her future made, she dried her hands and ignited the stove. She’d continue to run the station with her children until it became impossible to do so.

  She might die a lonely old woman, but she would die with the satisfaction of knowing she gave this life of hers every bit she had. Thank you, God, for clarity of mind.

  “Ma!”

  Ruth’s scream brought her running. As she raced through the front room, Mark thrust her rifle into her hands.

  “Indians, and Dr. Stetson is stuck on the roof.”

  “Get upstairs.” Sadie plastered her back to the wall and peered through the small front window. “Where’s the relief rider?”

  “Outhouse,” Ruth said as she scampered up the stairs.

  Five braves on horseback sat in a line in the yard and stared up at the roof. They appeared to be Kickapoo, maybe from Eagle’s tribe, but she couldn’t be sure. The one thing she did know with certainty was that if they were unfriendly, Luke was in trouble. She carefully closed the shutter over the window and ducked out the back door.

  “Luke,” she hissed.

  “Get back in the house.” He peered over the roof. “Are you loco?”

  “I’m bringing you the gun. Where’s the ladder?”

  “It fell on the side of the house.”

  She couldn’t carry the gun and the ladder, nor could she leave Luke stuck on the roof. She’d have to take her chances getting the ladder. After a quick peek around the corner of the house, she propped the rifle against the wall and went for the ladder.

  Laughter came from the yard. Curiosity drew her and she looked around the corner to the front of the house.

  The Indians laughed and pointed, taking great enjoyment in Luke’s predicament. When they spotted her, the laughter stopped. One of them dismounted and came in her direction. She sprinted back to her gun and raised it as he came around the corner.

  “That’s close enough.”

  A muscle ticked in his jaw. He glanced at her, then again at the rooftop.

  “I will shoot you.”

  No expression flickered in his dark eyes. With an almost imperceptible shake of his head, he turned and headed back to his horse.

  Sadie leaned against the garden wall for support.

  The moment the ladder was in place, Luke climbed down and faced Sadie. “Have you lost your mind? Those are Paiute. They aren’t as friendly as Eagle. You could have been killed and your daughter taken and me stuck on the roof like a weather vane!”

  High spots of color appeared in her cheeks. “I managed just fine, thank you. I was trying to get you down so you could help. You’re welcome.” With a twitch of her brown skirt, she headed for the house.

  He grabbed her arm and spun her to face him. “You practically gave me heart failure.”

  “Well, they’re gone now.” She yanked free.

  “They’ll be back.”

  “What makes you so sure?”

  He wasn’t sure. Maybe they were intrigued by the brave white woman, definitely amused by the man on the roof, but if bored or liquored up, there was no telling what they would do. “How many guns do you have?”

  “Two rifles and a pistol.” She tilted her head. “You really think they’ll be back.”

  “I think we should be prepared, that’s all.”

  “They aren’t the first Indians to cross my land. We’ll be fine. If we respect them, they’ll leave us alone.” She stepped into the house.

  Luke followed. “It only takes one bad one, Sadie.”

  “That goes for red or white. Now, if you don’t mind, I have supper to fix for my son. He should arrive soon.”

  “If they weren’t waylaid.” He instantly regretted the words as she paled. “I’m sorry. He’ll be fine. Eagle is with him.” He sighed. “I’ll go check on Mark.”

  “I sent the children upstairs when our visitors arrived.” She gasped. “The poor rider. He’s probably still hiding in the outhouse.” She dashed outside.

  Luke went in search of the youngsters. He found them playing checkers in the attic. They glanced up with expectant expressions.

  “Are they gone?” Mark asked.

  “Yes.” He ruffled his brother’s hair, listening for any sign of distress in his breathing. He’d come down the ladder in time to hear Ruth’s declaration to her mother. He’d been in such a hurry to climb back up he’d almost fallen and had knocked the ladder over, trapping him on top.

  “Do you really like it here?” he asked.

  “I do.”

  “Your breathing is much improved. Let’s start adding some chores to your day and see how you handle the prairie dust as opposed to the problems of the city. Then we’ll talk again.” He smiled, certain that hard physical labor would change his brother’s mind soon enough. That, and the threat of danger from an Indian attack, would be sure to show him the folly of staying. He glanced at Ruth. Perhaps, when he left, he could convince Sadie to pack up her children and pursue a safer life.

  The sound of approaching hoofbeats signaled that the next rider had come in. Luke descended the stairs and stepped outside to see the relief rider take over for Josiah and gallop away, shouting something about Indians and outhouses.

  Sadie shoved past Luke and gathered her son in her arms. “Don’t ever do that again.” She cupped his face. “But praise the Lord, you’re all right.”

  “We’re short a rider again,” Luke said.

  Eagle shook his head. “This one.” He nodded toward Mark.

  “No. He’s no longer employed as an Express rider.”

  “I signed a contract,” Mark said. “I have to complete my run. Then I’ll quit and come back here.” He squared his shoulders, looking stronger than Luke had seen him in a long time. “Three days, Luke. That’s all I need.”

  Luke met Sadie’s gaze. “Did Josiah not sign anything?”

  “No. He just rode in Mark’s place.”

  Luke exhaled sharply. “Three days, Mark. If you aren’t home by then, I’m coming after you and taking you home to Father.”

  “I won’t let you down. I’m going to rest until the next rider comes.” He moved back to the house, leaving the three adults and Josiah standing in awkward silence.

  As if remembering Eagle, Sadie thrust out her hand. “Thank you.”

  “Paiute come.”

  “They’re gone now.”

  Eagle glanced at Luke. “Maybe. I stay in barn.” He turned and started to walk away.

  “Wait,” Luke called out. “Don’t you have a home? A family?”

  “Squaw dead with son of sickness. I left to grieve. I do so in barn.” Back ramrod straight, he stepped into the barn.

  “He said I remind him of Rabbit.” Josiah shrugged. “That’s his son, I guess. He said that is why he wants to help the yellow-haired widow.”
>
  Luke guessed the man might have an ulterior motive in helping Sadie. As in hoping to find a new wife. From the shocked look on her face, she must have come to the same conclusion.

  “I have never had this much confusion at this station in the year I’ve been here.” Sadie huffed into the house.

  Luke almost felt as if she were blaming him. Maybe it was his fault for not keeping a closer eye on his brother. If Mark hadn’t taken off then gotten injured, resulting in Eagle finding him and setting eyes on the beautiful widow, then things might have run along in a predictable routine. Things would settle down soon enough for Sadie and her family.

  Three more days and he would be gone.

  Chapter Four

  Astagecoach with five passengers stopped in front of the station. Sadie welcomed them and hurried to the kitchen to see what she could whip together for a meal. Supplies were running low and the man who delivered to her wasn’t due for another day or two. Luckily, she’d baked a loaf of bread and slid a chicken into the oven earlier that day. Luke and the children could eat eggs for supper.

  “Oh, sure,” the stagecoach driver was saying to Luke as Sadie carried in a platter with the chicken and potatoes. “We stop here every chance we get. No better food between here and the West Coast.”

  Luke glanced up at her and grinned. “She is a fine cook, that’s for sure.”

  Sadie’s face heated. “Don’t think flattery will get you out of paying for your meal, Mr. Smithwick.”

  The driver laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

  As Sadie served the other guests, Luke and the driver’s conversation turned to the Paiute visitors from the day before. It seemed the small band of renegades had been causing trouble all along the line, but fortunately no one had been killed.

  Sadie kept a smile on her face in hopes of easing the nervousness of the guests. One elderly woman seemed especially concerned and twisted a thin handkerchief in her hands.

  “I’m meeting my husband in Nebraska. I don’t know what he’ll do if I’m scalped and left for dead.”