Pony Express Christmas Bride. Rhonda Gibson

       Chapter Four

      As the saying goes, Thomas felt as if he’d been ridden hard and put up wet. He had to admit the past two days had been grueling, but riding through the wet snow on an ice-packed trail wasn’t completely to blame for his weariness. Thankfully, his return ride had ended at the Pony Express home station in Dove Creek. The farm of Rebecca and Seth Armstrong, his adoptive mother and stepfather.

      Andrew Young slapped him on the back. “Welcome home, little brother.”

      “Thanks, Andrew.” His gaze moved to the house. Rebecca stood on the front porch and he smiled.

      “She’s been waiting all day for you.” Andrew gave Thomas a little shove. “Better not keep Ma waiting.”

      Thomas walked toward the front porch. He’d never had a mother until Rebecca took him in. She wasn’t that much older than him, but her wisdom and motherly love offered a comfort no other woman had ever filled. His boots thudded as he stepped up onto the porch. “Hello, Ma.”

      Rebecca wrapped him in a big hug. Excitement filled her voice and she said, “I’m so glad to see you.” She released him and stood back to look up at him. “I’ve missed you.” Twin dimples and blue eyes smiled up at him.

      “I’ve missed you, too.” Thomas knew his words rang true. He missed her easy smile and the light touch of her hand upon his face.

      Rebecca lowered her hand and then pulled him inside the house. “I wish Seth was here. He’s been worried about you and Philip, but unfortunately he and Clayton had to go into Dove Creek for supplies. When Philip passed through here the other day, he assured us you were fine, but parents want to see for themselves.”

      “Thomas!” his little sister, Joy, squealed as she ran to him.

      Thomas caught her in midair. He hugged Joy close. The sweet scent of vanilla filled his nostrils. “Hi, squirt!”

      Joy’s happiness at seeing him shone in her blue-green eyes. Thomas realized he’d stayed at the relay station too long. His family missed him and he missed them, too. He lowered Joy to the ground.

      His gaze moved to Fay Miller and Emma Jordan, who stood together by the kitchen door. They were as much a part of his family as his brothers and adoptive parents. Fay had moved in with Rebecca after his adoptive father John’s death to help out with their little sister, Joy. Emma Jordan was like a sister to him. She came to the family as a slave of one of the stage coach riders. Thanks to the stage being robbed, she and her owner had had to stay longer at the stop, and during that time, he and his adoptive brothers had helped Rebecca and Fay buy the young woman from her owner. Emma was immediately given her freedom papers and now lived with the family as a free woman.

      Fay smiled at him. “It’s good to see you, Thomas. Are you hungry?”

      Thomas yawned and nodded at the same time. “I’ll get him a plate, Fay.” Rebecca hooked her arm in his and walked to the kitchen.

      Fay patted his arm as he passed. “I believe your mother wants you to herself for a few minutes.” She grinned at Rebecca.

      The two women had a special bond. After her husband died, Fay had been cast from her house in town and Rebecca, being the kindhearted woman that she was, had offered her a home. Then the two of them had taken in Emma.

      His gaze moved to the young woman. Emma had been sold as a slave by her father to pay his debts. Much like Josephine’s uncle was attempting to do to her. What was wrong with those men? Didn’t they realize how important family was? He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

      As if she could hear those thoughts, Emma said, “Joy, let’s get your room clean before your pa gets back.” She grasped the little girl’s hand before she could protest and pulled her to the back of the house.

      Thomas laughed when he heard Joy’s protest. “I don’t want to clean my room. I want to talk to Thomas.” Joy wasn’t much for talking around strangers, but with her family and Emma, well, the little girl was very verbal.

      Fay gave him a parting grin and then followed Emma and Joy from the room. She called out, “We’ll talk to Thomas when your mother is done catching up with him. I imagine the quicker you get that room clean, the quicker you’ll get to see that big brother of yours.”

      Rebecca pulled him into the warm kitchen. “I hope you don’t mind me hogging you to myself. It’s a mother’s prerogative to be able to learn all about her son and what he’s been up to in his time away. Don’t you agree?”

      Thomas wasn’t about to argue with her. “Of course I don’t mind. I wanted to talk to you in private anyway.” He sat down at the table. What was Rebecca going to think of his news?

      Rebecca moved to the stove and dished up a large bowl of beans and ham. “Sounds serious,” she said, placing a big hunk of corn bread on a plate and then adding a bowl of hot stew.

      “It is.” There was only one way to find out how she would feel about him getting married. Just blurt it out, Thomas ole boy, he said to himself before doing just that. “I’m getting married.”

      She squealed. “That’s wonderful news, Thomas.” Rebecca slid the food in front of him and sat down. Her eyes were bright and curiosity filled their depths. “Who is she? Where did you meet? No wonder you haven’t come to visit us. You’ve been too busy courting.”

      This wasn’t the reaction he’d expected. Thomas had thought Rebecca would be giving him advice and telling him that maybe he should wait, but instead she stared at him with big blue eyes and a broad smile, waiting for answers to her questions.

      He swallowed, then answered, “Her name is Josephine Dooly.” He picked up his spoon and dipped it into the bowl.

      “That’s a pretty name. Now, where did you meet?”

      Her excitement both amused and perplexed him. “Philip brought her home.”

      “What?” She jerked backward and gave him a stern look.

      That was better. To prolong her waiting, Thomas happily took a bite of the beans. Their meaty flavor tasted good on his tongue. He swallowed. “Yep, brought her home and said she was my mail-order bride.”

      Gone was the joyful look that she’d had earlier. “Maybe you should start at the beginning.” Rebecca leaned forward once more. Now she looked more like the mother he’d grown to love.

      Thomas laid his spoon down and told her about the past few days. He assured her that Josephine was staying with Hazel and not in the house with him and Philip, at least not until they were married.

      Rebecca nodded in all the right places. She frowned as he told her about Josephine’s uncle and the need to marry quickly. “It’s funny that Philip didn’t mention her.” She chewed on the tip of her fingernail.

      That was curious. Philip had told him that Josephine had ridden in as a Pony Express rider. She’d told him who she was and asked if he was Thomas’s brother. The two had planned their trip back to the relay station. He’d left for his run. Upon his return, two days later they headed to town, where she’d gussied up like a girl and bought things she thought she’d need in her new home. Why hadn’t his brother told their parents about Josephine? Had Josephine continued to act like a Pony Express rider while his brother was away? So many questions swirled in his mind and he made