Pony Express Courtship Read Free Page A

focused on the problem at hand.
    Seth sighed. “With the horses loose, Indians or bandits could come and steal them while we are gone.”
    â€œThat’s why I should stay,” Jacob growled between clenched teeth.
    Seth turned to Jacob. “I need you to help me bargain for supplies. The men in town don’t know or trust me just yet. And since I don’t know them, either, I need you to make sure the Pony Express doesn’t get cheated.”
    Rebecca realized that what he said was true. She knew that even though the men in town knew her, they didn’t want to bargain with a woman. They’d made that very clear shortly after John’s death. Jacob had a wonderful working relationship with them and the chances of them accepting Seth Armstrong from the get-go were slim to none.
    â€œI have funds that we can use to rebuild the barn,” Seth said. “I’m sure Mr. Russell and Mr. Bromley will approve, considering they need the barn to house the Pony Express horses.”
    Rebecca looked to Noah. The boy hadn’t looked up from his boots. He was so young. She didn’t like the idea of leaving him and Andrew alone on the ranch any more than Jacob. “Why leave Noah? He’s only twelve years old.”
    â€œBecause Jacob says that Noah is the best at using a rifle.” Seth’s gaze never left Jacob’s face, daring him to deny it.
    That was true, too. Over the past few weeks, Noah had proven he could shoot the antennae off a grasshopper, if he had to. Rebecca walked between the men and looked her oldest son in the eyes. “Jacob, what he’s asking isn’t unreasonable. I’m sure that Andrew will see that Noah is kept safe.”
    Jacob’s eyes held warmth and sadness in their depths. He nodded. “I’m sure he can, but it is my job to take care of this farm and my family.”
    Unaware of the sorrow and weight of the promise Jacob had made to John, Seth interrupted, “Not anymore—it’s mine. Be in the wagon in five minutes.” He turned on his boot heels and left them standing looking at each other.
    Rebecca concealed her anger toward Seth. Who did he think he was, coming in here and demanding that these boys follow him blindly? He didn’t know them. Or what they’d been through since John’s death.
    She thought about staying home with Andrew and Noah, but she needed to get supplies for the house, and if she stayed behind, who would keep Seth and Jacob from coming to blows? She sighed. “Come along, Jacob. We’ll do as he asks today.” But as soon as they returned from town, she thought to herself, she’d be having a word with Seth Armstrong.

Chapter Two
    T he trip into town was frosty to say the least. Seth could feel the anger boiling over from both Rebecca and Jacob. He’d known coming into this job that it would be difficult. But he’d also thought that Rebecca and her boys knew what they were getting into.
    As Dove Creek came into view, Seth stopped the wagon. After coming off the farm, the landscape had become flat and dusty. There were a few trees scattered about the town, but it didn’t offer the peace and greenery of the Young farm.
    â€œIs this the first time you’ve been to town?” Rebecca’s soft voice drew him like bees to honey.
    He nodded. “Yes. It’s not quite what I expected. Dove Creek sounds so pretty.”
    A soft chuckle came from deep in her throat.
    â€œMa says that all the time,” Benjamin said from the back of the wagon.
    Seth glanced over his shoulder at the little boy. He was sitting beside Joy and they’d been looking at a picture book most of the way to town. “She’s right.”
    Benjamin nodded as if they’d come to a profound agreement and then turned his attention back to his sister and the book. Of all the siblings, those two looked most like brother and sister.
    Bromley hadn’t told him anything about