Pony Express Christmas Bride

by Rhonda Gibson

  Thomas watched as disappointment filled Josephine’s face. He looked to Hazel and saw a twinkle in her eyes. She was teasing Josephine. He grinned. “I suppose so. What do you think, Philip?”

  “I say we make her wait,” he teased.

  Josephine grinned. “Oh, so that’s how it is.” She pushed her hair away from her face. “Then I’ll just enjoy my new couch.”

  Hazel had slipped into Thomas and Philip’s bedroom. “Not without these you won’t.” She carried out a long cushion for the seat and several fluffy pillows for the back. “Merry Christmas, Josephine.”

  “Here, Hazel, let me help you with those.” Philip took the biggest from her and put it on the seat of the settee.

  Josephine oohed and aahed. “Oh, Hazel, they are so pretty.” She ran her hands over the fabric. “I love these light brown colors.” She quickly hugged Hazel.

  What would her reaction be when she saw her horse, Mistletoe? Thomas wondered. Would he get a hug, also? Unable to wait to find out, he nodded to Philip and slipped out the front door.

  He hurried to the barn, where he’d housed Mistletoe, the little black mare with the star on her nose. She bobbed her head in greeting. Thomas tied the big red bow Hazel had made around her head. He stepped back and looked at what he’d done. Laughter poured from his throat as he realized she looked like she had a toothache.

  Thomas left the bow in place and led the horse from the barn. He tied her reins to the porch rail and slipped back inside the house.

  Josephine looked up as soon as he entered. Her gaze moved to his empty hands, then traveled up to his face. “I thought you had a Christmas gift for me.” Disappointment filled her voice.

  “I’m sorry—mine’s too big to bring inside. Do you mind slipping on your coat and stepping out onto the porch?”

  She eyed him as if unsure, then looked to Hazel, who nodded her encouragement. “Give me just a moment.” She set Little One down on the floor and went into her room.

  Thomas felt like a schoolboy with a crush on his teacher. He rocked from foot to foot. What was taking her so long? He stared at her door.

  Philip chuckled. “I do believe the lady is deliberately making you wait.”

  Josephine chose that moment to reenter the room. She had put on her cloak and gloves. “I’m ready.”

  When she got to the door, Thomas smiled. “Philip, you open the door.” He put his hands over Josephine’s eyes. “No peeking until I tell you.”

  “How is she going to peek? Your big ole paws are over her eyes,” Hazel barked behind him.

  He ignored the older woman and nodded to Philip. Cold air rushed inside. Thomas gently urged Josephine forward. When they got to the entryway, he removed his hands. “Merry Christmas, Josephine.”

  She whispered, “Mistletoe?”

  The horse bobbed her head and neighed.

  Josephine rushed off the porch and threw her arms around the horse. Tears streamed down her face as she hugged the little mare close.

  Mistletoe seemed to lean into her embrace.

  “I never thought I’d see you again.” She petted the animal’s head, ears and neck, then ran her hands down her back, side and legs. “It really is you.”

  “I take it you like her?”

  Josephine turned to face Thomas. Tears streaming down her face, she said, “I love her.” Then she walked up the porch steps, stopped in front of him and took his face in her hands.

  He felt her gentle tug as she raised up on tiptoes and kissed him soundly. She leaned her forehead against his and whispered, “Thank you so much.” Her salty tears touched his lips and Thomas pulled her close and held her tight.

  “I’m starving.” Philip slipped past them.

  Thomas buried his face in Josephine’s hair and inhaled her sweet scent. The air stirred about them as Hazel followed Philip. Josephine pulled away from him and smiled.

  “Thank you. That is the best Christmas present anyone has ever given to me.” She ran her gloved hand down his scarred face. Love shone from her eyes. “I love you, Thomas Young.”

  Uncertainty filled him. Did she really love him? Or was she just overcome with joy at having her horse back that she claimed to love him? Thomas didn’t want to say he loved her back until he was sure what she was feeling was for him and not just the horse. He hugged her close once more and said, “We better get in there before Philip eats all the ham.”

  She looked down and nodded. “I’ll put Mistletoe away.” Josephine hurried off the porch and untied the horse.

  Thomas started to follow her to the barn, but she waved him back. Fresh tears poured down her face. “Go eat. I’ll be in shortly.”

  Had he broken her heart by not saying he loved her? Or was she just happy to have her horse back? Thomas wished he could go back in time and tell her he loved her, too, but it was too late. He’d missed his opportunity and might never get it back.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Josephine couldn’t believe it was Christmas Day. She smiled as they pulled up in front of the Young family home. Mistletoe brought up the rear. She’d insisted they bring the little mare. Even if she couldn’t ride her yet, Josephine didn’t want to leave her at the relay station.

  Her gaze cut to Thomas. He was deep in conversation with Philip, who rode beside them. She’d confessed her love for him and he’d treated her as if it wasn’t important. It was then that Josephine realized he didn’t feel the same for her.

  She didn’t know where they would go from here. Maybe, with time, her husband would grow to love her. Until then, she’d love him from afar. What more could she do?

  Benjamin and Joy came running out of the house to meet them. Thomas stopped the wagon and jumped down to greet his brother and sister. He tousled Benjamin’s hair and swooped Joy up into his arms. “Merry Christmas!” His voice echoed about the yard with merriment.

  “Guess what, Thomas!” Joy practically bounced in his arms.

  He grinned at her. “What?”

  “Ma got me a new doll. And it has real hair, too.” She scooted out of his arms.

  Thomas gently placed his little sister on the ground. “Where is this new doll?”

  “Inside. Ma says she isn’t allowed outside.” Joy grinned. “I’ll show her to you. Come on.” She tugged at his hand.

  “Not yet, we have to help Josephine inside.” He lowered his voice to a loud whisper. “She’s still sore from her accident.”

  Josephine stood to climb down from the wagon. She loved that Thomas doted on her. In his own way, she supposed he loved her. Maybe not as a husband should, but he’d proven she could trust him and to her that was almost as good. Almost.

  “Here, let me help you down. Those ribs are still on the mend.” Thomas reached up and gently eased her to the ground.

  Josephine smiled her thanks and motioned for him to get the gifts she’d brought with them out of the back of the wagon.

  “You brought us gifts?” Benjamin asked.

  His question caught Joy’s attention. “For me, too?” she asked.

  “For everyone,” Josephine answered. She couldn’t contain her joy. The only thing that would make Christmas better was if she and Thomas were truly husband and wife. If he had said he loved her, too. She forced the thoughts away. Josephine told herself to stop dwelling on the impossible. “Why don’t you two help Thomas carry the packages inside?”

  The front door opened again and this time Clayton came out. He held out his elbow for Josephine to take and grinned down at her. “How was your trip out here?”

  Josephine thought of all the bumps that the wagon wheels had found and how each one had set her ribs to throbbing. “It wasn’t as bad as it could have been,” she answered, not wanting to complain.

  Thomas laughed behind her. “One of the things I love about this
woman is her attempts to make everything positive.” He juggled several larger packages while his little brother and sister carried smaller ones.

  Clayton helped her up the steps and then held the door for all of them to enter. “Josephine, Ma said to go into the sitting room. She wants to bring you a special treat.”

  “All right.” What did Rebecca have in store for her? Was it a Christmas present? Josephine smiled as she eased into one of Rebecca’s overstuffed chairs.

  Rebecca and the kids made Josephine feel as if she was a part of their family.

  Josephine took a deep breath, trying to still her heart. Thomas had just said one of the things he loved about her was her positive attitude. She smiled, not exactly what every girl wanted to hear, but she’d take it.

  What would he think of her Christmas gift to him? Would he understand that giving him her bank account numbers proved that she trusted him? That she wanted to build a ranch with him? And someday, the Lord willing, start a family on that ranch?

  Joy came running into the room. The little girl had changed into a pretty pink dress and her hair was pulled up on the sides with a white ribbon. “I got to put on my new Christmas dress,” she announced with excitement.

  “You look beautiful,” Josephine said, smiling at the little girl.

  Seth and Rebecca entered a moment later. Rebecca gently scolded, “Joy, how have I told you little girls enter a room?”

  Joy bowed her head. “Like a princess, not a horse.”

  “That’s right.” Rebecca’s lips twitched as if she were trying not to smile. She turned to Josephine. “This surprise is from Philip.” Rebecca turned to face the door.

  Philip entered first, followed by a stranger Josephine had never met. Then Thomas entered the room. Josephine stood nervously. The last time Philip had surprised her, she’d been presented as Thomas’s mail-order bride. A bride Thomas had no idea was coming.

  Thomas came to stand beside her. He turned to face the stranger and Philip. The rest of Thomas’s family entered the room.

  She looked first at Thomas, who simply smiled nervously at her, and then to Philip, who looked equally nervous. “What’s going on?”

  Philip took both her hands in his. “Josephine, I am the one who sent for you back in August. I’m the reason you married Thomas.” He paused. His blue gaze met hers.

  “I know that,” Josephine finally said to break the silence in the room. “So what are you up to today?” She dreaded his answer. Had he bought her a one-way ticket home?

  He looked to Thomas. “I got to thinking, and the last couple of weeks have been very rough on you. First your uncle, then Mr. Grossman attacked you, and then you had to tell the sheriff that Mr. Grossman killed your pa. You also thought that you were married to two men.” Philip looked around the room as if unsure what to say next.

  “Yes, all of that is true.” Josephine tugged on his hands to get his attention. “But what does that have to do with now?”

  Philip looked to the stranger. “Well, I thought it would be nice for you to have a real wedding as my Christmas gift to you.”

  “What?” Both Josephine and Thomas blurted out at the same time.

  Josephine looked to Thomas. “You didn’t know about this?”

  He shook his head. And glared at his brother. “No, it’s all a surprise to me, too.”

  Seth stepped forward. “Thomas, would you like to step into the kitchen and discuss this with Josephine?” He frowned at Philip. “I thought you said Thomas knew about your surprise.”

  “No, I said he was all right with me inviting Reverend Michaels to spend Christmas Day with us.” Philip grinned sheepishly.

  Thomas took her hands from Philip and answered Seth. “Yes, I would like to speak with my... Josephine.”

  She’d noticed that he’d stopped short of calling her his wife. Josephine whispered, “I’d like to talk to you, too.”

  He looked to his family. “If you will excuse us...” Then he gently led her from the room and the many eyes of his family.

  Once in the kitchen Thomas turned to her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know Philip was going to have the reverend perform a wedding today. I simply thought he was being kind by inviting the traveling preacher to spend the holiday with our family.”

  Josephine believed him. Thomas hadn’t lied to her yet and she didn’t think he’d start today. “What are you going to do?”

  “What I should have done when I first met you.” Thomas knelt down on one knee in front of her. “Josephine, I love you. I have for a long time, but because of the scar on my face, because of the trouble with your uncle and Mr. Grossman, I didn’t know when to tell you. And then last night I was taken by surprise that you loved me, too. I hope I didn’t miss my opportunity to make this a real marriage. Will you marry me again?”

  She looked down at him. “You love me?” Josephine fought the hot moisture that threatened to tumble from her eyes.

  “With all my heart.”

  Josephine reached down and touched the fine scar on his face. She bent down and pressed a kiss against his cheek. “I love you, too. I can’t imagine not being married to you.”

  He stood and carefully gathered her into his arms. “I feel the same way. I love you so much that it scares me.” Thomas pressed his face into her mass of curls.

  She pulled away enough to look into his face. “I’ve felt the same. You are the first man that I could trust and truly love.”

  Thomas bent his head and kissed her. His warm lips captured hers and all his love flowed into her being. This was what it felt like to be loved and to love. He pulled away slowly and smiled. “We have a minister who is willing to marry us and a family waiting to hear if we are going to get married a second time.”

  Josephine hesitated. “Before we go back in there, I have something else to tell you.”

  His frown told her that she’d given him cause for worry. “All right.”

  “Remember when I told you Mr. Grossman said my parents were wealthy?” At his nod, she continued. “Well, when Doctor Bridges came back to check on me, I asked him to send a letter to the bank back home. I also asked him not to tell anyone that he was doing it.”

  “I see. Have you heard back from the bank?” He played with a wayward curl on the side of her face.

  Josephine nodded. “Yes. Two days ago he came out with a new letter.”

  His hand fell back to his side. “Are you going to tell me what it said?”

  “Yes. I’m not only rich, I’m very rich. It seems my pa didn’t just find a few nuggets, he hit a gold vein. I’m not sure what that means other than I’m rich.” She held her breath waiting to see what he’d say.

  “I’m happy for you, Josephine.”

  She pulled a small package from the pocket of her dress. “You don’t look happy. Maybe a present will cheer you up.”

  Thomas looked at her like she were a demented squirrel. “You want me to open a gift now?”

  “Why not?”

  Thomas grinned. He took the small package and pulled the red ribbon from around the green cloth that held his present. It opened to reveal an envelope. Thomas laid the ribbon on the counter and opened the envelope.

  Josephine watched as he pulled out the piece of paper she’d tucked inside. “Read it aloud.”

  “‘Dearest Thomas, I turned twenty-one at the first of this month. Now, at the end of the month, I discover I have a lot of money in the bank. Money I can claim, since I turned twenty-one. If you will let me stay married to you, love you and make a family with you, I’d like to give you all the money that belonged to my father. I love you. Josephine.’” Thomas looked at her with moist eyes. “When did you write this?”

  She smiled. “Right after the doctor brought me my letter.” Josephine took his large hand in her smaller one.

 
; “I can’t take your money, Josephine.”

  Josephine had known he’d say that, so she smiled. “All right, look inside the envelope.”

  Thomas frowned. He pulled the envelope open again and pulled out a smaller piece of paper.

  “Read it.”

  “‘I, Josephine Young, do hereby give my husband, Thomas Young, a ranch, a bank full of money and my undying love for Christmas. He is not allowed to refuse any of the three. Josephine Young.’”

  The smile that tugged at her lips broke free. “It’s a Christmas gift. You can’t give it back.”

  Shock filled his face.

  Did he feel tricked? Or did he understand the depth of just how much she loved him? “Now, are you going to marry me today? Or not?”

  Thomas scooped her up into his arms and kissed her soundly. “I better marry you before you give me another Christmas gift,” he whispered against her lips. “I love you, Josephine Young.”

  Epilogue

  Thomas paced the floor. How much longer would he have to wait out here? The doctor had said it could be any moment, and that was a couple of hours ago.

  “Thomas, stop pacing. You’re going to wear out that fancy rug, and then Josephine is going to kill you.” Philip yawned and reclined on the settee.

  “What is taking so long?” Thomas demanded, scowling at the closed bedroom door.

  Seth answered, “Babies take time.” He juggled his three-month-old daughter, Katie, in his arms.

  “Besides, Ma and Hazel are in there with her. She’s fine,” Andrew said from his spot by the fireplace. He had been reading Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol.

  Thomas looked about the room. It was only fitting that Josephine would have their first child on Christmas Eve. He looked around the farmhouse. She’d decorated it from top to bottom. The place screamed Christmas.

  Clayton and Benjamin played a game of checkers at a small side table while Joy watched. Andrew continued reading his book and Seth jiggled Katie until she slept peacefully in his arms.

  His own baby was struggling to enter the world. Thomas had wanted to go with Josephine to the bedroom, but his adoptive mother and Hazel forbade him to come in. They claimed it was women’s business.