The Pony Express Romance Collection

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

  Such were the topics of her prayer that evening. But now, after the service and walking alongside Mr. Nolan with Roseleen and Jed setting their own much slower pace behind, her thoughts went elsewhere.

  “I couldn’t help noticing you seemed to enjoy the music, Mr. Nolan.”

  “I’ll tell you a secret,” he said. “I have an awful sense of pride when it comes to my singing. It started when I rode with the wagon trains—I was only fifteen on my first trail. I would play my pennywhistle or sing for the families, and all the compliments to my young ears served me poorly. I figure these days about half my hymns count as true praise, while the other half feeds my stubborn pride.”

  She couldn’t help laughing. His honesty was refreshing. “I think we all struggle in an area or two when it comes to pride. My pride drove me away from my family.” She sighed. “You read my letter, Mr. Nolan, so you know my upbringing was what most would call idyllic. And yet I turned my back on it.”

  “I did wonder why you left, if you’ll forgive me for admitting so. But I’m glad it’s behind you.”

  “I’ll always be grateful to you, Mr. Nolan, for bringing me the news. I suppose because the Pony Express is so reliable my parents never doubted the letter reached me. They must think I haven’t responded because of my own hard-heartedness—because I was, I’m afraid.”

  “You needn’t explain to me,” he said. “I left home when I was fifteen because I thought my father the most boring man in Chicago. All he did was work and go to church. It took me a few years to appreciate that he’s the best kind of man for any family.”

  “I hope I can appreciate my father when I return,” she said, but doubted her words even as they passed her lips. “He’s a rather hard man to please. But I miss my mother more than I expected.”

  “He may be hard to please,” Mr. Nolan said, his tone as gentle as a caress, “but from the happy memories you have with both your parents, I’d say he loves you a great deal.”

  “It was hard to believe that before I left,” she said sadly. “Nothing I said or did was right. So I came here, only to learn being on my own is harder than I expected.”

  “Life can be that way.”

  “Nothing went according to plan. Well, except the journey here—that was long but trouble free. I chose San Francisco because the sister of a friend came here some time ago, who stayed with Roseleen. When I saw an advertisement for a teaching position right here in the same city, I was thrilled. I was accepted for the position, but final approval was up to the board. Even though my sister’s friend wasn’t here when I arrived—I didn’t know until Roseleen told me that she’d married and moved to Idaho—everything else seemed as uneventful as the trip out here. I started teaching, but then a certain member of the school board sullied my name after I refused his advances. Of course everyone believed him, whom they knew, rather than me, a stranger and a woman. I was dismissed, and lost my income along with the roof over my head until I sought Roseleen.”

  She brought her fingers to her lips, as if to hold back more words. “Listen to me, pouring out my life’s history! I apologize, Mr. Nolan, but you’re very easy to talk to. I suppose because you already know so much about me, it’s only fair to catch you up.”

  He returned her smile. “No apology necessary. I’m glad you find me easy to talk to.”

  “I was so blessed to have Roseleen. She can’t afford to pay much, and she does help out in the kitchen even though she’s happier serving tables instead. But I’ll be glad to go home.”

  “Your future is secure now, miss,” he said. “Back with your parents and your inheritance.”

  She raised her brows at his choice of words, even though she knew he referred to something her mother had said in the letter. Before she could tell him anything more, he was already speaking.

  “I wanted to tell to you about a way that might make it easier for you to go home sooner than expected.”

  “Oh?” Even as she was eager to hear his offer, she cautioned herself. If she couldn’t accept Dirk’s help, then how could she accept Mr. Nolan’s?

  “I think I mentioned there was a sizable amount of money stolen in the mochila my brother carried?”

  She nodded. “Unrecovered, you said.”

  “Yes. The money was to come here to San Francisco, to pay new recruits for the Union Army. I met with an army captain this morning to see if they had any information about a pursuit of the bandit who got away. The thief I chased down had already gambled away nearly all of his portion, so the army won’t see much from his apprehension. But they want both bandits to pay for what they did, and are still looking for the other one.”

  “Surely they shouldn’t be allowed to walk free.”

  “During my visit to the fort here in San Francisco,” Mr. Nolan went on, “I happened to ask about how new recruits will reach the fighting back east. I was surprised to learn most would be staying right here, to defend the city—and the mines around here—in case any unrest reaches this far. Doubtful, it seems, when the battlefields are so far, but they’re taking no chances when it comes to the resources California has to offer.”

  “Of course.”

  “But the thing is, while the East sends printed demand notes this way, the banks and mines from San Francisco send silver and gold back there. It gets shipped two ways, mostly by steamer but occasionally by land. I hope you don’t mind my inquiry on your behalf, but it appears they’re taking the families of transferred officers back east, and one family may allow a civilian to travel with them on the next overland journey—at no charge, on one condition.”

  Adora stopped—the ability to move abandoned her. Was this true, that she might be able to go home sooner than she anticipated?

  “I don’t mind your inquiry at all, Mr. Nolan! In fact, I’m grateful.”

  “It’ll be a well-armed group, but not without dangers because of the load they carry. And the condition may not appeal to you. It’s to help the officer’s wife with their children. Five of them.”

  “Oh!” Her heart pounded with gratitude and excitement. “I don’t mind children at all! In fact, I like them. Mr. Nolan, you’ve brought me the best possible news.”

  Then she cast her arms about him, the desire to kiss his cheek greater than any worries about the damage such a spectacle might do to her reputation.

  Chip had to do all he could not to turn his face so Adora’s kiss would land on his lips. Instead, he settled for her embrace, drawing her near and enjoying having her in his arms. Gratitude was as good as affection, at least for the moment.

  But Jed’s voice and the shadow of his approach alongside of Roseleen reminded Chip he couldn’t hold on to Adora for long. She pulled away from him and he had to let go.

  “Looks like you’re thankin’ him for somethin’ again, Adora,” said Jed.

  “Mr. Nolan just told me the most wonderful news.” Adora’s voice trembled with what Chip knew was happiness. “There might be a way for me to go home sooner than I hoped. It’s a miracle—exactly what I prayed for this very evening.”

  “It isn’t settled yet,” Chip warned. “An officer is taking his family back east when he reports for duty in Ohio. You could, conceivably, travel all the way home with them.”

  Now it was Roseleen’s turn for a hug, although she looked both pleased and unhappy all at the same time. “Goodness, and I thought I’d have some time to get used to losing you,” she sniffed.

  “The army, you say?” Jed asked Chip. “They’ll take a woman all by herself?”

  “She’ll travel safely with army families,” Chip said, “and help with one officer’s children. After all, the soldiers are used to guarding treasure between the gold mines and the banks. It won’t be much difference to guard you, Miss Denley.”

  He’d meant to make it sound like she was important in light of the inheritance she would return to, but he feared she saw right through that statement. She was the treasure, no matter the size of that inheritance.

  Chapter Eigh
t

  The following afternoon, Dirk came for a late lunch as he’d done several times before. Adora knew he would wait until the last patron left the dining room. Then while Roseleen cleaned up and prepared the kitchen for the next round of meals, Adora could sit with him and share a cup of tea.

  But today would be different. Adora expected Mr. Nolan to arrive any minute, and he would take her to meet the army officer’s family traveling back east who was considering taking her along. She could barely contain her excitement.

  “Mr. Nolan is arriving soon, Dirk,” she said. “He’s taking me—”

  Dirk glowered. “You’ve made plans to see Nolan, without me?”

  “Jed invited him to the prayer meeting last night, and Mr. Nolan told me about an army family traveling back east. They may take me along! Isn’t that wonderful? I may not have to wait to go home.”

  Dirk’s brows shot up, just as she’d expected, but then those brows settled into a frown. “I’ve told you, my dear, I’m more than happy to pay your fare on an Overland Coach. They have stages leaving twice a week. We can leave as early as tomorrow if you wish.”

  She took his hands, which he’d rested on the table as if looking for the opportunity to take hers in his. “Oh, Dirk, I’ve already told you I couldn’t accept such an extravagant gift. I must go home on my own terms.”

  “Your terms,” he asked, one brow curling slightly into something more like a scowl than a frown, “or Mr. Nolan’s?”

  “He isn’t even going! At least, he hasn’t said so. I imagine he’ll go home the same way he came. On his own, back along the old Pony Express route.”

  Dirk squeezed her hands before she could withdraw them. “Adora, I’m asking you outright. Let me provide your way home, so when we get there I can ask your father properly for his permission and we can be married.”

  Adora let her hands stay in his; the way he grasped them she had little choice. “I’d be happy to see you in Ohio, Dirk, so we can continue getting to know each other. But I want to see my family again. I can’t consider marriage until I’m truly settled, one way or another. So I just—I just can’t say yes now. Do you understand?”

  “No,” he said sullenly. “I haven’t a doubt in the world about marrying you, and I thought you felt the same. That is, until Nolan came to town.”

  “I hardly know Mr. Nolan,” she said, although she was sure her cheeks were pink and likely justifying Dirk’s resentment of the man. He was right, after all. She had changed since Chip Nolan came to town, and it wasn’t only because he’d brought news of her family.

  “I hope that’s true,” Dirk said, low, and her heart sank. He wasn’t exactly calling her a liar, but she feared his suspicions were warranted.

  Chip spotted Adora immediately in the dining room, and much to his dismay she wasn’t alone. Not only was Stanford with her, they were holding hands. When he approached, they both stood.

  He greeted Stanford, but his gaze returned eagerly to Adora. “Ready to go?”

  “Yes. I’ll just get my hat and gloves.”

  She was fleeing the room before the last word echoed in his ears, leaving Chip with Stanford.

  “You’re not doing her a favor,” Stanford said, his tone level.

  “Pardon me?”

  “I’ve heard about army transports. Most of them take gold shipments.”

  “The measure of gold leaving San Francisco isn’t any secret; it’s printed in the newspapers.”

  “It’s dangerous,” Stanford said. “Between bandits wanting gold and Indians wanting blood, this is a foolish way to travel.”

  “With army families going along, I’m sure safety is the first consideration. Far safer than a coach, if you ask me.”

  “I didn’t ask you. Coaches are commonplace. The vast majority of them don’t have any trouble at all.”

  “But the army will? The army?”

  “Let’s speak candidly, shall we, Nolan?” Stanford leaned closer, eyes on par with Chip’s. “I know what you really want. I knew it the minute I saw you looking at Adora. But she’s mine, do you understand? We’re going to be married.”

  Chip wanted nothing more than to deny those words, but knew he couldn’t. Stanford had a place in Adora’s life; that he planned to marry her came as no surprise. Chip had to stuff down the real words he wanted to say, that she wasn’t wearing his ring yet and no one on earth would blame him for trying to win her affection.

  But his sense of decency wouldn’t let him. He blinked then turned to await Adora.

  Chapter Nine

  Adora could barely control her nervousness, and having not only Mr. Nolan but also Dirk riding in the hired carriage out to the fort wasn’t helping to ease her mood. Before, when the three of them had been together, they’d been polite, even friendly. At the moment they appeared incapable of looking at one another.

  She hadn’t expected Dirk to come along, but he wouldn’t be dissuaded. He’d cautioned her not to get her hopes up. Why should the army agree to take her, a civilian with no connection to the military? Besides, didn’t she know it could be dangerous to travel with a gold shipment?

  His concern for her safety should have endeared him to her. But somehow it seemed he was as eager to find fault with Mr. Nolan’s plan as he was with Mr. Nolan himself.

  “I’d like to know something, Mr. Nolan,” said Dirk, after a long, icy silence.

  She saw Mr. Nolan meet Dirk’s gaze as he neither agreed nor disagreed to answer forthcoming questions.

  “You seem more solicitous than necessary toward Adora—Miss Denley.” He spoke the title as if to remind Mr. Nolan how he should address her. “I can’t help but wonder if there was something in Adora’s letter—which you read—making you want to do more than just complete a Pony Express delivery.”

  Mr. Nolan, seated across from them since Dirk had claimed the seat beside her, diverted his gaze from Dirk to the landscape outside the window.

  “There was a great deal in that letter,” Mr. Nolan said. “It was lengthy, considering Pony Express rates.”

  “Perhaps another reason for your delivery? That you assume Adora’s family must have means to afford such an extravagance? Were you expecting a reward from a wealthy family?”

  “Dirk,” Adora said softly. “Why are you interrogating Mr. Nolan? He knows I haven’t the means for a reward any larger than the two meals he’s enjoyed at Roseleen’s.”

  “I don’t mind answering,” he said, and while looking at her his stiffness dissipated a little. “The letter did reveal an extravagance—in love for a family member.”

  “Perhaps,” said Dirk, now looking at Adora, “you should allow me to read the letter, my dear. To see if there is something in it that explains Mr. Nolan’s quick devotion to you.”

  “Dirk! Mr. Nolan has done nothing improper. Why are you acting this way?”

  “Because it occurs to me he’s gone above and beyond simple duty. I wonder if there is some ulterior motive.”

  “What on earth do you mean?”

  “Why would anyone be so selfless as to go beyond simple courtesy to finding a way home for you, unless he believes there is something to gain?”

  “It wasn’t any trouble,” said Mr. Nolan. “I was going to the fort anyway, to see if they needed a description of the bandit who stole the demand notes. Half is still unaccounted for.”

  To Adora’s surprise, Dirk’s coloring went white before he flushed a deep red. “I trust you’ll leave all that to the authorities. Besides, the money was lost a long way from here and I doubt anyone cares.”

  “Oh, they care,” Mr. Nolan said. “That money was meant for recruits from this very town. As it happens, I’m waiting for a telegram from my brother with the description they’re waiting for.”

  “A description?” Dirk’s voice sounded so unlike him. Harsh, derisive. It was one thing to be protective of her, quite another to act so peevishly. “As in dark hair, light hair? Color of the eyes?” He huffed. “Unless the perpetrator is of unusual
height or coloring, I don’t see how a general description will help in capturing anyone.”

  “If the description—and name—matches someone wanted elsewhere, there may be more information already available.”

  “This does nothing to explain why you’ve delayed getting back to your own endeavors now that your mission is complete. Adora doesn’t need you, Mr. Nolan, so after today I suggest you be on your way.”

  Adora would have scolded Dirk yet again, but one look at Mr. Nolan proved it wasn’t necessary. He hardly looked offended. In fact, he was staring at Dirk without any emotion at all.

  “Tell me, Mr. Stanford,” said Mr. Nolan calmly, “do you have an explanation for your own involvement in Miss Denley’s life?”

  Dirk lifted his chin and looked out the window as if bored by the challenging tone. “I didn’t need one. My infatuation was immediate.” He returned his gaze to Adora, adding a gentle smile. “An infatuation that swept both of us away.”

  “I’m only trying to figure out why you’ve consistently lied.”

  Mr. Nolan’s tone was so soft it took a moment for Adora to be sure she’d heard the shocking statement correctly.

  Dirk’s gaze flashed to Mr. Nolan’s, as if every bit as surprised. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “Only that you’re no mining investor, and likely not even from Indiana. Is your name really Stanford?”

  Adora could hardly believe either one of them. They stared at each other with such intensity she knew something other than simple rivalry must be the cause. “I’m not at all sure why such animosity has risen between you,” she said, “but it’s certainly unpleasant. If you don’t mind, I’d like to finish what we’re doing and after that—” She stopped herself abruptly. She’d been about to say they were behaving so badly she didn’t want to see either one of them. But it was possible her departure would take care of that, and the truth was she would miss them.