The Pony Express Romance Collection

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

  Luke thundered down the stairs to meet him. He grabbed the rifle beside the door and stepped onto the porch as Mark yanked his horse to a stop.

  “Indians. Camped less than an hour away from here.”

  An icy fist squeezed Luke’s heart. “Are you injured? Did they attack you?”

  “No. Other than some mild threats, they left me alone, but I fear they’re coming here. I heard something about ‘yellow-haired white woman.’” He slid to the ground. “I turned around and came this way even though there is mail to be delivered. If you’ve a fresh horse, I’ll continue on my way.”

  “Father’s here.”

  Mark sighed. “I still have my job to do. Ten miles one way and ten miles back. I’ll see you in the morning.”

  They walked together to the barn where Mark hooked the mochila to the saddle of a rested horse. “I’ll most likely be reprimanded for coming here rather than continuing, but I couldn’t let you be caught unawares.”

  “Stay.” Luke gripped the saddle horn.

  “I can’t. My contract isn’t over. I’ll skirt around the renegades and be fine.” He hopped into the saddle, looking more adult than ever. “I’ll see you at breakfast. I promise.”

  Luke nodded and slapped the horse’s rump, sending it galloping from the barn. Please, God, bring him home safe.

  Chapter Nine

  Sadie hung the last shirt on the line and propped the empty clothes basket on her hip. Turning to head back to the house, she spotted five horsemen in the distance riding hard toward the station. She dropped the basket and sprinted for the safety of the house.

  “Indians!” She slammed the back door, sliding the bolt into place. “Where are my children?”

  Greta pointed overhead. “Upstairs reading. I’ll fetch them.” She tossed the dishrag into the sink and raced away.

  “Luke?”

  “I’m here.” He handed her a rifle. “Eagle is securing the barn. Open the door the moment he gets close enough. Weston!”

  “Here.” He entered the kitchen. “Tell me what to do.”

  “Take up position at the front with me. Sadie and Greta, you’ll take the back. Josiah will load for us, Ruth for you. I’m hoping the back will be safer than the front. Eagle will head to the attic and shoot from there.”

  “I can shoot, son.” Dr. Stetson, face grim and pale, clutched a pistol. “I’m not the best shot, but I can still help.”

  Sadie glanced from one face to the other, her heart threatening to burst free. She grabbed the rifle Luke offered her and took up her station at the back door as Eagle came running. After letting him in, she bolted the door again and leaned against the wall. The moment they’d all been dreading was at hand. Help us, God.

  She’d heard of massacres from Indians disgruntled over the white man’s infringement on their lands. She’d done her best to treat the Kickapoos well, but these were not friendly faces riding into her yard. Whoops and hollers drew her to the front window where the renegades stopped a few yards from the front door. With her blood running cold, she returned to the back of the house where Ruth and Greta waited.

  “I’m scared,” Greta said, pulling a chair next to the window. “I’ve never been in a gunfight before.”

  “Ma is a good shooter,” Ruth said, taking her place at the table beside the ammunition. “She’ll get them good.”

  Sadie gave a nervous laugh. It was different shooting at something for supper or a tin can on a fence post. This time, the targets were living, breathing men who would shoot back. “I’m scared, too,” she whispered to Greta. “But I doubt they’ll make it around back. It’s the men who need prayers. Still, we should close the shutters, leaving just enough room to look out. It will provide us with a bit of protection. Ruth, honey, I’d rather you sat on the floor under the table, all right?”

  Ruth nodded and did as she was told. She sat cross-legged and sorted the different bullets. “I’m ready.” She’d no sooner said the words when shots were fired at the front of the house. Soon, the air filled with the sound.

  Hoofbeats thundered past the back door.

  “They’re riding around the house.” Sadie took aim. The renegades hung off the opposite side of their horses.

  “Shoot the horses!” Luke’s shout came from the front room.

  “I can’t.” Sadie took a deep breath and aimed for an Indian’s dangling leg. She missed.

  “Do as I said,” Luke growled from behind her. “Take out the horse and they have no cover.” He ducked away.

  Sadie took a deep breath and aimed. Where could she shoot the horse and take it down without killing it? She shot. A horse fell. Tears blurred her eyes.

  The renegade stood and aimed toward her. A shot from the attic took him out. One down, four more to go.

  “I smell smoke.” Greta searched the room.

  “They’ve torched the house, Ma.” Josiah grabbed a bucket.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  “To the well. I’ll make a run for it.”

  “You will not.” She slapped the bucket from his hand. “Get back to your post. Eagle will handle the fire.” She hoped. If not, they were safe until the flames reached them, then God help them all.

  “Luke told me to come help you.” Dr. Stetson stepped to her side. “Or rather, I’m to reload for you. I’m a rather dismal shot. Worse than I’d thought.”

  “Good. Ruth, into the pantry with you. Dr. Stetson will take over.”

  “I want to help,” her daughter pouted.

  “Do as you’re told. I can fight better if I don’t have to worry about you. If smoke gets into the pantry, come back out.” Sadie took aim again, this time striking the Indian in the leg. He didn’t fall, but kept riding.

  Greta’s shot kicked up dirt at the horse’s feet. It reared, dislodging its rider, and galloped away. “That worked!” She grinned. A shot splintered the shutter, spun her, and she fell with a cry.

  “Dr. Stetson, you’re needed here!” Sadie looked at Greta. Blood spread across her shoulder.

  She crawled under the table and shoved against Dr. Stetson. “I’ll do this. Go check on Greta.”

  Another shot rang out from the attic, more from the front. A few minutes later, silence screamed through the house.

  “Stay here.” Sadie speared Dr. Stetson with a glance. “I’ll go see what’s going on.”

  She headed to the front room, where Luke slumped against the wall, peering through a crack in the shutters. He turned. Blood stained his shirt. “You’re wounded.” She rushed to him.

  “It’s my side. I’ll be fine. If you want to wrap a bandage around me, that will be a temporary fix.”

  She grabbed a tablecloth from the nearest table and wrapped her arms around his middle. “What’s going on?”

  “They’re sitting there staring at the house. Taking a breather, I guess.”

  “Nope.” Weston shook his head. “They’re setting arrows on fire.”

  Sadie’s knees threatened to buckle. “What do we do?”

  “Gather all the blankets and tablecloths. We’ll have to beat out the flames with those. Josiah, take some to the attic and help Eagle.”

  “They’re going to burn us out!” Sadie gulped back the fear and tied the tablecloth in place. Within seconds, blood seeped through the white fabric. “I’m getting your father.”

  “He can’t help me until this threat is over.” Luke cupped her cheek. “I’m fine.”

  She leaned into his touch. “I don’t believe you.”

  Sadie’s concern for Luke warmed him to his toes. At least that’s what he chose to attribute the heat to, and not the searing pain in his side.

  “Greta’s been shot, too.” She raised tear-filled eyes to his.

  “Father will care for us both when this is over. He’s a great doctor.” With his good arm, he pulled her close and claimed a hard kiss. Raising his head, he gave her a small push. “Back to your post, sweetheart.”

  She nodded and shuffled back to the kitch
en. Two seconds later, his father appeared.

  “Mrs. Mathewson said you were injured. I’ve already bandaged the young woman. Bullet went clear through.”

  “I’m not so lucky. It’s still in there.”

  His father reached for the tablecloth covering his wound. “Let me take a look.”

  Luke pushed his hands away. “Not until this is over. Sadie and the children are more important than a bit of my spilled blood.”

  Shots rang out from behind the house. An arrow took one of the renegades in the chest. Within minutes, the remaining Indians lay in the dirt.

  “My people come,” Eagle yelled, thundering down the stairs. “But need water up there. Fire getting bad.”

  Father helped Luke to a chair. “You can sit now, son. I’ll fetch a bucket. We’ll handle this.”

  Eagle and his father stepped out the back door. Soon, Sadie, Eagle, Father, and two Kickapoo Indians Luke didn’t know carried buckets to the top floor.

  Relieved that the station hadn’t lost anyone, Luke closed his eyes. Now that his adrenaline ebbed, darkness overtook him.

  He felt someone gently slapping his face. “Wake up, son. I need to get you onto the table.”

  “Where are the others?”

  “Repairing the damage to the roof.”

  “Eagle’s people?”

  “Gone as fast as they arrived.” He shoved his shoulder under Luke’s good arm and helped him to the table. “Your lady friend is getting hot water and clean rags. She’s some woman, son. I see why you fancy her.”

  Luke wanted to say he more than fancied her, but as soon as his father removed the tablecloth, he passed out again. The next time he opened his eyes, he was lying in bed with Sadie’s sweet face bent over him.

  “The bullet is out,” she said, smoothing his hair from his forehead. “Your father said it was a good thing you passed out from blood loss since he didn’t have anything for the pain.”

  Luke grimaced. “I can tell. My body is on fire.”

  “You have a slight fever.” She dipped a rag in a basin of water on the side table and sponged his face and neck. “Mark is back. I’ve never seen your father smile so big.” “He worries about his youngest.”

  “He worries about both of his sons.

  He’s changed since this morning, Luke. He’s…softer somehow. He’s taken great care of you and Greta. Of course, now that she’s bandaged up, Eagle refuses to leave her side. Despite his people helping us, I don’t think he’ll return to his tribe. I’ve offered them a place here…with me.”

  He wanted to take her hand and pledge his love. Ask her if the invitation to stay extended to him as well, but until he pulled free of his wounds, and was sure infection wouldn’t kill him, he couldn’t say the words.

  “Drink.” She held a glass to his lips. “I’ve chicken broth here if you feel up to it.”

  He shook his head. “I’d rather rest. Will you stay?”

  “Until you fall asleep, and I’ll be back when you wake.”

  He closed his eyes, a smile on his lips. Sure enough, when he woke, Sadie sat in the chair asleep, her head on the mattress next to him. Despite his efforts not to make a sound and wake her, he groaned as he tried to sit up.

  “Let me help you.” She popped up and propped a pillow behind him. “Your skin is cooler. Your father said if the fever doesn’t return by morning, the danger is past.”

  “What time is it?”

  “A little after midnight, I think.” She sat back in the chair and offered him another sip of water. “You had me a little worried a couple of hours ago. You tossed and turned, clearly in pain, and wouldn’t let anyone touch you.”

  “I’m sorry. You may touch me anytime.” He grinned.

  “You are definitely feeling better.” She ducked her head.

  If his guess was correct, her cheeks were a delightful shade of pink. “I think I would like the broth now.” After all, he needed to be on his feet so he could propose.

  “I’ll go get it.” She smiled and left the room.

  His father took her place. “Glad to see you smiling, son. Of course, if I had a woman like Mrs. Mathewson caring for me, I’d never stop grinning.”

  “You’ve changed your mind then.” Hope sprang in Luke’s chest. Not that he needed his father’s blessing to pursue the plan he wanted for his future, but he wanted it.

  “She’s a fine woman. You’ll be very happy. Once I see you on your feet, I’m taking Mark home.” He patted Luke’s shoulder. “I’ll be leaving you in good hands.”

  “When you return home, I’d like you to come back with a preacher straightaway. Once I’m on my feet, I’m not wasting any more time before asking Sadie to marry me.”

  “I think you’ll be on your feet in a few days. You lost a lot of blood, but you’re strong and have a great nurse. Once you propose, and she says yes, I’ll fetch that preacher for you.”

  Luke sat back against the pillows. Oh, he’d make sure he was on his feet, and fast.

  Chapter Ten

  Sadie carried the pail of milk to the house, relieved she no longer had to worry about danger when stepping outside. Four days after the attack, peace once again was the norm.

  She spotted the stagecoach outside the station and handed the pail over to Greta. With Dr. Stetson leaving that day, she wanted to say her good-byes. Her heart fell. Luke would be leaving, too. Life at the station would lose a lot of its luster.

  “The day has come.” She thrust out her hand to Luke’s father.

  “No handshakes after all we’ve gone through together.” He wrapped her in a hug. “Take care of my son. I’ll see you soon.”

  “Good-bye, Mrs. Mathewson.” Mark held out his hand.

  “If a hug is good enough for your father, young man, I think it’s good enough for you.” She wrapped her arms around him. “You take care and mind your father. No more running off.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He pulled free, flashed her a grin, and leaped aboard the stage. “I’m sitting next to the driver.”

  “Oh no you don’t.” Weston shook his head. “That’s my seat.”

  Mark frowned and climbed down to enter the coach.

  Dr. Stetson sighed. “That boy will be the death of me.”

  “Nonsense. He’ll keep you young.” She stepped back while he boarded the coach.

  Luke stepped to her side and slipped his good arm around her waist. “I’ll miss them.”

  “Should you be out of bed?” She peered up at him. Why wasn’t he getting on the stage with his family?

  “Father gave me the all clear this morning.”

  “Aren’t you…leaving?”

  “No, ma’am.” A dimple winked next to his mouth. “I’m staying forever, if you’ll have me.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “Will you marry me, Sadie Mathewson?”

  She broke into sobs and covered her face with her hands.

  “Oh darling, don’t cry.” He took her hands in his. “Say yes, please. I love you and your children. I want to make a life here on the prairie with you. I’d get down on one knee, but I’m afraid I wouldn’t get up.”

  “Say yes, Sadie,” Dr. Stetson called from inside the stagecoach. “I’m bringing the preacher in three days.”

  “Three days!” She gulped. “How will I have a dress ready by then?” She couldn’t marry him in her old calico.

  “I’d marry you in a feed sack, Sadie. Does that mean yes?” Luke stared into her eyes, hope shining in his.

  “Of course it does, silly.” She threw her arms around his neck. “There is nothing I’d rather do. But won’t you find life here…boring? What about doctoring?”

  “I thought maybe I’d minister to the Kickapoo tribe. Eagle has already said he’ll put in a good word for me. Once word gets around there’s a doctor here, folks will come.” He drew her closer.

  As the coach rumbled away with shouts from the Stetson men inside, Sadie rested her head on Luke’s chest. His heart beat strong and stead
y. God had given her the gift of love again, and she couldn’t be more grateful. Mrs. Sadie Stetson. The name sounded wonderful. She whispered it, liking the sound on her lips.

  Luke’s chest rumbled with laughter. “It does have a nice ring to it.”

  “Why did you wait until now to ask for my hand?” She raised her head. “I’ve loved you for what seems like ages. I know it’s been a short while, but—”

  “I wanted to propose while standing on my own two feet. Let’s go inside and tell the children.”

  She nodded and stepped back, slipping her hand in his. “They will be thrilled to have a new daddy.”

  The children didn’t disappoint. Josiah shook Luke’s hand while Ruth wrapped her arms around his waist. Their open show of acceptance started Sadie’s flow of tears again.

  She glanced around the room at Greta, Eagle, and the children, then up at Luke. She would never be lonely again. God had heard her pleas and answered.

  Luke dipped a pole in the creek in hopes of catching fish for supper. The house was full of talk of wedding food and dresses. It was enough to make a man run for the hills. All he wanted was to see his ring on Sadie’s finger. He didn’t care what she wore or what they ate.

  “You hiding?” Eagle materialized from the bushes.

  “Yes, sir.” He dipped the pole up and down.

  “Women are in a frenzy.” Eagle waded into the stream and plunged a sharpened stick into the water, bringing it up with a wriggling fish on the end.

  “Is there anything you can’t do?” Luke scowled.

  “I learn when a boy.” Eagle grinned, a rare expression for him. “I want to marry Greta the white man way.”

  “Okay.” Luke faced him. “You don’t need my permission.”

  “She wants to marry same as you.”

  “You mean at the same time?” Luke shrugged. “That’s fine with me, but you might want to ask Sadie. I don’t know how women feel about sharing their day.”

  “She say same. I will not wear a suit.”

  Luke laughed. “Greta won’t care. Teach me to fish.” He set his pole aside and joined his friend in the water. Maybe acting a fool in the water would pass the time. His father should return tomorrow, and the day dragged like a fishing line in a strong current.