Pony Express Special Delivery

by Rhonda Gibson

  “He’s hungry,” Maggie answered.

  “I’m hungry, too,” Dinah said.

  Clayton bent over and picked up the little girl. “Then let’s go find something to eat.” He strolled away from the horse and wagon.

  Maggie had no choice but to follow them. Clayton walked at a fast clip toward the hotel. She listened as he and Dinah chattered about lunch. Was it wise to let Dinah get so close to Clayton? Would he leave them as soon as the Pony Express closed its doors? Or had the recent thoughts of her father’s behavior simply made her even more wary of being hurt again?

  Her sister had been only a year old when Papa had left. In the short time she’d been married to James’s father, Dinah and Jack had never bonded in the way that she and Clayton seemed to be doing. Why, Dinah’s smile could light up a room each time she saw Clayton. But could they trust him not to betray them as their father had? Maggie hated the thought that Dinah could be hurt by Clayton’s leaving.

  Confusion filled her. She hesitated, torn by conflicting emotions. Perhaps she and Dinah shouldn’t get as close to Clayton as they were doing. She didn’t intend to fall in love with her new husband but knew in her heart her little sister already had. Dinah seemed to confirm her thoughts right then by laying her head on his shoulder. She stopped suddenly and slowly turned in a circle. What had she gotten them into?

  * * *

  Clayton looked into the back of the wagon where Dinah was curled up in a tight ball under a blanket that Maggie had brought. The little girl was clutching her doll and sucking on her thumb. His gaze moved to a now-content James, in his mother’s arms and also sleeping. Maggie looked deep in thought, but a soft smile twitched at her lips. This was his family.

  He cleared his throat and then said, “Maggie, I’d like to talk to you about something.”

  Her pretty hazel eyes moved to his face. “I’d like to talk to you, too. I’ve missed adult conversations.”

  “I’m sorry. I should have known.” Clayton felt bad that he’d not thought about the fact that Maggie had no women to talk to. His mother, Rebecca, had two friends living with her, but before they came she was a lone woman in a house full of boys. After her friends moved in, she’d become more carefree and happy.

  “What do you want to talk about?” she asked, ducking her head and fidgeting with the baby’s blanket.

  He focused on the road ahead. “Well, I went to Doc’s today to tell him I was giving up my dream of being a doctor. But, after talking to him and going with him to treat a patient, I’ve decided not to give it up. Doctoring is what I’ve always wanted to do.” Would she understand? Would it matter if she didn’t? Clayton knew it mattered to him more than he wanted to admit.

  Maggie touched his arm. “I’m glad you decided not to give up.” Her voice sounded low and husky. “Everyone should strive to meet their dreams.” She sighed.

  Clayton stared into her pretty eyes and asked, “What’s your dream, Maggie?”

  She rocked James gently in her arms. “I don’t have one.” Maggie fiddled with a string on the baby’s blanket. “But I’m glad you do, and I think you should pursue it.” She wiggled about on the seat.

  Clayton turned his head from Maggie. He felt sure she had a dream, but it was more than obvious Maggie didn’t want to talk about it with him. Instead of pressing her, he said, “Me, too, but I have to give up something.” He chanced a look in her direction.

  At his words, her head snapped up and her features hardened. He studied her for several moments before pressing on. “I’d like for us to hire a foreman to take over the running of the ranch. That way I can focus on the Pony Express, my new family and my medical studies.” He looked at her to see what she thought of his confession.

  Relief and confusion filled her pretty face. “You aren’t going to leave?” She tilted her head and stared him in the eyes.

  So, that was what had been troubling her. Did she really think he was about to tell her he was leaving? Clayton pulled the wagon to the side of the dirt road. He set the brake and turned to face her fully. Taking her gloved hand into his, Clayton vowed, “Maggie, even when the Pony Express has run its course, I will not leave you and the kids. I thought you understood, unless you ask me to leave, I am not going anywhere.”

  She looked back down at baby James. Maggie pulled her hand from his. “Look, Clayton. I have every reason to believe that you will leave us whenever the going gets tough. My pa left his family for another life, one that didn’t involve us or our mother. So please try to understand that men have a habit of leaving me. In a way, Jack left by way of the grave. I realize he couldn’t help it but it still felt like abandonment to me. Why should I think you will be any different?” Tear-filled eyes dared him to argue that he wouldn’t.

  Clayton sighed. “All I can do is give you my word that I am not going nowhere.” He looked out over the field. The grass was showing signs of new growth. Perhaps over time, his and Maggie’s relationship would show similar signs. But would she ever trust him?

  She sighed. “If you want to hire a new foreman, I see no reason why we shouldn’t. You could still act as the ranch manager and let the foreman do the actual running of the ranch.”

  His gaze returned to hers. “I agree. I’ll be happy to speak to him every evening about the day’s work and plans for the next day. Then you and I can sit down after the children are in bed and discuss what he has reported. Does that sound fair?”

  “More than fair,” she agreed.

  Clayton nodded. “I’m hoping to meet with the doctor a couple of times a week also and follow him around as he visits patients or they visit him. I’ve done a little doctoring on my brothers, but what Doc Anderson is doing is revolutionary.” He turned to face forward once more, aware of the excitement in his voice. “He has his patients wash their wounds with soap and water to kill infections. As far as I know there are only a few docs who do that.”

  He released the brake and clicked his tongue to get the horse moving once more. His mind raced with all the things that Doc Anderson had told him in just a few minutes. The older gentleman had so much wisdom to share. For a brief moment, Clayton wished he lived in town where he could spend every day learning how to care for others.

  “That sounds very interesting and something every mother should know.” Maggie cuddled James close. She nuzzled her face in the crook of his little neck.

  Clayton grinned. She really was a wonderful mother. Maggie hadn’t asked for his help with the children. She’d taken care of them and the house. Now that he realized how lonesome that must have been for her, he wished he’d spent more time with the family in the evenings.

  She looked up and caught him staring at her.

  He nodded. “You know, I think you’re right. I’ll tell all mothers to make sure and wash their children’s cuts and scrapes with soap and water.” He returned his attention back to the road.

  They traveled along in silence for a few more minutes. Finally, Maggie asked, “If you aren’t working on the ranch, does that mean you will be spending more time with the children and me?”

  “Yes, I’ll be in and out of the house during the day. Plus, we’ll discuss the ranch business in the evenings. I’m really sorry I left you alone so much before.”

  She smiled. “It’s all right. I understand you had a lot to do.”

  Clayton thought that was no excuse but was grateful that she was allowing him to use it. To take her thoughts away from him being too busy to be with her and the kids, he said, “Yes. And I’ve been thinking that instead of hiring a foreman from outside the ranch, perhaps we should offer the job to one of the men who is already working for us. I’d prefer one of the men who already knows the ranch. I believe the other men would be more open to working for one of their own. Is that all right with you?”

  Maggie nodded. “I think that’s a good idea. Then when you d
o hire the extra men, they will have a foreman in place to show them what needs to be done.”

  “I plan on working around the ranch, too, but it will be nice to give most of the responsibility over to Abraham, if he’ll take the position.” Clayton heard her intake of breath. He glanced in her direction and saw that she was frowning. “Something wrong with Abraham being the new foreman?”

  “Well, I just thought George would be the best choice. Jack always said that George was his best and oldest man. What made you decide on Abraham?” She glanced in the back where Dinah was sleeping. With her free arm, Maggie reached back and rearranged the blanket over her little sister.

  “George is getting older and likes what he’s doing.” He paused to let that sink in, then continued. “Hal is a nice young man, but he’d rather stay close to the house and take care of the barnyard animals.” Clayton didn’t see the need to explain that Hal was also a little slow in the thinking department. “And Abraham was the first one to say he’d stay on and make sure the ranch was taken care of when I told them Gus would no longer be working there. He’s young and I believe he’ll do a good job. But if you want to ask George first, I understand.”

  She shook her head. “No, I trust that you know the men better than I. All I know is what Jack and later Bill shared with me. Which really wasn’t much.” Maggie rearranged her skirts around her legs.

  Clayton wondered if she was always this fidgety or if she was just trying to get comfortable. “Do you want to stop and stretch your legs a little?” he asked.

  “No. But if you need to stop, we can.” She shifted in the seat once more.

  He frowned and pulled the mare to a stop. “Is something bothering you?” Clayton turned to face her.

  A flush filled her face. “The wood is just a little splintered and it—” she paused “—keeps sticking to my skirt.”

  Clayton set the brake. “Stand up and I’ll see if I can’t smooth the wood out.”

  Maggie did as he asked. Sure enough, the boards had weathered and several thick splinters filled the spot she’d been sitting on. Clayton jumped from the wagon and went to the tailgate. He pulled a bag of flour from one of the boxes and returned to where she still stood. Putting the bag on the bench, he grinned up at her. “There you go.” Then he returned to his side of the wagon and pulled himself back up.

  She sat down and grinned. “That’s much better, thank you.”

  Clayton released the brake once more and then clicked his tongue. The little mare moved forward. Maggie’s pleased smile caused his heart to skip a couple of beats. Clayton frowned. Maybe he was more tired than he realized. Why else would his heart do those crazy flutters? He refused to admit that it had anything to do with Maggie and her pretty smiles.

  Chapter Ten

  The next morning, Maggie placed James in his washtub. “Dinah, watch James for me for a couple of minutes. He’s sleeping so I’m going to go check for eggs.”

  “All right, Sissy.” Dinah sat on the kitchen rug off to the side of the stove. She played with her doll and a cup and saucer. “Would you like a cup of coffee?” the little girl asked the doll.

  Maggie slipped out of the kitchen without waiting to hear if the doll drank coffee or not. She pulled on her coat and stepped out into the brisk morning air. Swinging the egg basket, she walked toward the chicken coop.

  Hal came around the house from the pigpen. “Good morning, Mrs. Young.”

  “Good morning, Hal. How are you this morning?” Maggie liked Hal. He was a talkative young man with a big heart for animals.

  He sniffled. “I’m doing good. My nose is a little runny, but I think I’ve developed a touch of hay fever.”

  “Have you told Clayton you aren’t feeling well?”

  “Oh, no, ma’am. I’m not too sickly to not work.” He carried the slop bucket to the back door and put it down.

  Maggie smiled. She continued to the henhouse. The hens clucked their morning greetings. Setting her basket down, Maggie opened the barrel that held corn. She pulled out a tin scoop and filled it with the corn, then tossed it into the chicken yard. While the hens chased after the food, Maggie picked up her basket and slipped inside the henhouse. She checked each nest and discovered she had six eggs.

  When she came out of the henhouse, Maggie inhaled the fresh air. Hal stood beside the gate, his grin lopsided. “I’ll clean out those nests today, Mrs. Young. I meant to do it yesterday but then had a run-in with the pigs.” He opened the gate and she slipped past him.

  “What kind of run-in?” She waited for him to fall into step with her and then walked back to the house.

  “Aw, nothing too serious. Someone left the gate open and they got out. I spent all afternoon chasing the pigs down and putting them back inside.” He slapped his hat against his thigh. “I can’t imagine who would do such a thing to me.”

  Maggie knew Hal’s mind was a little slower than some and figured he’d just forgotten to latch the gate. “It’s all right, Hal. You got all the pigs back in.” Maggie paused as a thought occurred to her. “You did get them all back in, right?”

  That big grin came back. “Oh, yes, ma’am. And had fun doing it, too.”

  “Good. Thanks for walking me to the house, Hal. I’m going to make two cakes today. If you come back after supper, I’ll send one out to the men, too.” She pulled the screen door open and looked into the kitchen.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Young. I’ll get to work on the henhouse right now.” Hal spun on his heel and hurried back across the yard.

  Dinah still played by the stove with her doll. The little girl glanced her way when she set the eggs on the sideboard. “Sissy, can I have two cookies? One for me and one for my dolly?”

  “Yes, but you have to save them until after breakfast.” She washed her hands and then started slicing bacon. Maggie laid it in a cast-iron skillet.

  The little girl scrambled up on a stool and reached into the cookie jar to pull out two sugar cookies. “Can we make more cookies this afternoon?” she asked.

  “No, we’re making two spice cakes today. One for the family and one for the men.” Maggie checked on the baby, who still slept soundly. His little face relaxed in sleep was the most precious sight she’d ever seen.

  “Can I lick the spoon?” Dinah’s eyes were bright with anticipation.

  Maggie laughed. “Only if you are a good girl.”

  Dinah climbed down from the stool and placed the two cookies on the dessert plate. “Oh, that’s easy. I’m always a good girl.”

  It was true most of the time, so Maggie agreed. “Yes, and since you’ve been so good, I’ll even let you lick the bowl.” It wasn’t like the child would be licking the actual dish. Maggie wondered where such a saying had come from. She’d make sure Dinah used the spoon to get the extra batter out of the bowl.

  “Is Clayton going to have lunch with us today?” Dinah asked, moving her doll, cup and saucer with the cookies on it to the table.

  Maggie shrugged. “I’m not sure. He might be too busy working to come in. George will make sure he eats, if he doesn’t come to the house.” She sat down at the table and yawned. The baby had been fussier last night than normal and now that it was midmorning, Maggie was beginning to feel the effects of her sleepless night.

  “I hope he has lunch with us.” Dinah pretended her doll was eating the sugar cookie.

  She didn’t want to admit it but Maggie hoped Clayton would have lunch with them, too. The night before she had been aware of his lantern light shining under the door. Was he reading his medical books? Or had he been unable to sleep because of James’s fussing?

  Maggie’s body had refused to relax long after James had quit fussing. It wasn’t until Clayton had turned the light out and the soft sounds of his snoring had traveled through the walls did she relax and gently drift off to sleep. What was it about kn
owing Clayton was close that gave her a sense of security?

  * * *

  Clayton frowned. He’d hoped to get back to the house and have lunch with Maggie and Dinah, but it looked as if that wasn’t going to happen today. The sky was darkening at an alarming rate. If they didn’t hurry they would all be drenched. “Do you think we can get her to the barn?” He stared at the brown-and-white cow. She had to weigh over half a ton. If she didn’t want to walk to the barn, he didn’t know how they could persuade her to.

  Abraham tilted his head to the side and sighed heavily. “We can try, but that calf is ready to come at any moment.”

  Bud joined them. “We could move her to the spring house barn. It’s not that far away and would give her some shelter from the rain.”

  Abraham nodded. “I wish Gus had kept a better eye on that bull. We wouldn’t be having this problem in early February.”

  Clayton ignored the Gus reference. What was done, was done. He remembered seeing a structure that looked more like a lean-to than a barn when he’d scouted out the ranch. It was as good a place as any to birth a calf. “Are you talking about the lean-to, over in that direction?” He pointed to the east. At their nods, he said, “All right, we need to get her up and moving.”

  The cow let out a miserable bawl as if to say she wasn’t in the mood to stand up and walk to a safe place to have her baby. Clayton couldn’t help but think of Maggie having baby James alone. Had she been as scared as this first-time-calving mom looked? He was sure she had been.

  Bud walked down to the stream and filled his hat with water. He returned and poured it on the cow’s head. She got to her feet. Abraham gently pulled her along behind his horse. Bud and Clayton each got on his horse. Bud took the left side of the cow and Clayton took the right. Together they kept her upright by keeping the horses close enough she couldn’t lie down.

  The men took it slow, and within half an hour they’d arrived at the lean-to. Abraham climbed down from his horse and walked the cow inside. The sky chose that moment to open, and rain began to shower down. Clayton pulled Bones inside the lean-to with the cow and said, “Why don’t you two go on to lunch?”