Pony Express Hero

by Rhonda Gibson

  “I’ll be happy to do that.” He walked to the corner of the house. His shoulders seemed stiffer than she remembered.

  With the three of them helping her, the party grounds were cleaned up quickly. She stood looking at the empty space. It was sad—she’d worked hard for two weeks, making decorations, sending out invitations and making Daisy doll clothes for her doll as a gift, and the party had only lasted a couple of hours.

  Jacob appeared beside her once more. “Well, if you don’t need anything else, we’ll be heading back to the barn.”

  Lilly looked at each of the men. “Thank you for helping me clean up. It would have taken me much longer without your help.”

  Caleb smiled. “Happy to help.” He waved as he ran toward the pigpens.

  Asher tipped his hat. “My pleasure.” Then he, too, walked away.

  Jacob started to follow Asher but Lilly called him back. She saw the weariness in his pretty brown eyes as he turned to face her. “What can I do for you?” he asked.

  “I just wanted to talk for a few minutes.”

  Immediately he became alert. “Is something wrong with Daisy? She seemed fine at the party.”

  Lilly waved her hand. “Nothing like that. I just noticed that something has been bothering you and has been for a while. Is it the new job? I meant to tell you that you’ll receive pay for working with my men.”

  Jacob sighed. “No, I enjoy working with Caleb and Asher.”

  She tilted her head and looked up into his face. “Is it something I did or said?” Lilly saw his jaw twitch. Had she gotten her guess right?

  He locked his gaze with hers. “I’ve been keeping something from you and didn’t really want to tell you about it because I could be wrong.”

  Lilly inhaled and exhaled slowly. She didn’t want to jump to any conclusions. “What is it?”

  Jacob rubbed his hand over his chin. “Has Sam or any of the other men ever told you that there were heads of cattle missing?”

  “No. Are there?”

  “Not anymore.” He pushed his hat back on his head.

  Lilly waited him out.

  “Two weeks ago, when I went to town for the wire, it wasn’t there, remember?” Jacob studied her face.

  “Yes, you said that one of the men had picked it up but you didn’t know who.” She crossed her arms, wishing he’d get to the point.

  “Well, at the same time Asher told me that he had about forty-five head of cows come up missing.”

  Lilly inhaled sharply. “That’s a lot of cattle.”

  “Yes, it is. After I returned to the ranch I decided to go looking for your cows.”

  “Did you find them?” she asked.

  Jacob smiled that tired smile. “Yes, I did. Plus, five more. Someone had corralled them in a ravine on the backside of your ranch. I was able to get them all back into the pasture before the cattle rustlers could get them off the ranch.”

  She exhaled. “Oh, thank you. That’s a lot of cattle, which breaks down into a lot of money. Did you tell Sam?”

  “No.” He mimicked her by folding his arms, too.

  Lilly felt confused. “Why not?”

  Jacob licked dry lips. “You’re not going to like my answer.”

  “Probably not, but I need to hear it.”

  “Because I think Sam is your rustler.” Jacob dropped his arms.

  “Do you have proof?” Lilly asked, wishing her pleasant day hadn’t just been ruined.

  He shook his head. “Not solid proof. But I do know Asher has been reporting the lost cattle and was told not to tell you. And that those cattle were never seen on this ranch again.”

  “Oh, Jacob. I can’t go accusing him of rustling cattle without proof.” Lilly started walking to the house. Dishes needed doing and she had some serious thinking and praying to do.

  He fell into step beside her. “No, I reckon you can’t. That’s why I haven’t mentioned it to you earlier. You don’t just go around accusing a man of being a cattle thief.”

  When they got to the kitchen door, Lilly stood in the way of him entering. “Thank you for the information. I’ll think and pray on it but I am asking you not to say anything to anyone else.” She saw the hurt in his eyes.

  “All right.” Jacob turned to leave and then faced her once more. “Today’s Daisy’s birthday and I’d planned to read her the birth-of-Christ story tonight, but I just thought of something important I have to take care of. Would you mind reading it to her tonight?”

  Lilly shook her head. “You can read it to her tomorrow night. She’ll want to play until bedtime tonight. Are you coming for dinner?”

  “No, I’ll be heading to town in a few minutes. See you tomorrow.”

  She watched him walk to the barn. She hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings by not acting on what he’d told her immediately, but how could she accuse her father’s friend of being a thief?

  Lilly leaned against the side of the house. She didn’t trust Sam. This wasn’t the first time something had gone missing and he’d said he’d take care of it, only he hadn’t. She’d overlooked those times but now that almost fifty head of her cattle had almost gone missing and he hadn’t seen fit to tell her, it made Lilly wonder how many other times she had lost cows and money.

  Jacob exited the barn carrying a bag with him. He put it over the saddle horn and then swung into the saddle. It hurt that he didn’t even look in her direction as he rode out, headed for town. Lilly sighed.

  So much for a perfect day. She pushed away from the wall and opened the kitchen door. As she washed the dishes, Lilly prayed. “Father, help me to make the right decision.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  The decision to go to town had been an impulse and staying at the boardinghouse for the night even more so, but the next morning Jacob was glad he had gone to town. He’d simply needed an evening away from the ranch so that he could think. It hurt that Lilly didn’t trust his judgment, but he could understand her needing proof that Sam was rustling cattle off her land.

  He picked up his horse at the livery after a big breakfast and was now heading back to the ranch. Jacob had asked Asher to take care of the Pony Express horses and wasn’t expecting a rider until tomorrow so he felt he could take his time.

  The sound of a hammer drew his attention and he followed the sound to the neighbor’s house. It was a nice two-story house with wild roses climbing the front porch, creating a natural shade.

  The old man wheezed. “Good morning.”

  Jacob stopped and nodded. “Good morning. Need help fixing that fence?” he asked, looking down on the feeble man, who appeared to be having trouble breathing.

  “Naw, I’m about done.” He leaned on the fence.

  “I’m Jacob Young,” Jacob said, sliding off his horse and looking at the repair the man had done. “Looks good.”

  The man held out his hand. “Robert McConnell. I’m glad you approve.”

  Jacob shook his hand and laughed. “Well, if you don’t need my help I’ll be on my way.”

  “Where you headed?” Robert asked.

  Jacob pulled himself up into the saddle. “Over to the Johnson ranch. I work for the Pony Express station there.”

  This information caught the man’s attention and he stood up straight. “Those boys are doing a good job getting the mail through.”

  “Yes, sir. They are.” Jacob started to turn his horse back to the main road.

  “Jacob.”

  He turned at the sound of his name.

  “Would you tell the owner of the Johnson ranch that I’m putting this place up for sale? She could use it to extend her ranch, if she has a mind to.” He began gathering up his nails.

  “You’re selling?” Jacob turned his horse back around.

  Robert nodded. “
Yep, and cheap, too. Health ain’t what it used to be and the doctor seems to think I’ll do better back east.”

  Jacob leaned on the saddle horn. “I might be interested if the price is right.” How cheap was cheap to the old man?

  The old-timer shook his head. “I promised Lilly’s papa that I’d give the Johnson ranch first crack at buying the place, if I decided to sell it. If she’s not interested, I’ll offer it to you next.”

  Seemed fair enough to Jacob. “Care if I take a look at what you got?” he asked, sitting back in the saddle.

  “Not at all. The property is fenced off; it borders the Johnson ranch down by the river. You are welcome to look around all you like. Just be sure and tell Miss Johnson I’m ready to sell.”

  Jacob nodded. “I’ll be sure and tell her.”

  The man picked up his hammer and nails and headed for the house. Jacob took that as his dismissal and gently kicked his horse in the sides to get him to go. He followed the fence down to the river and then continued on until he’d made a complete, if not perfect, square. His heart soared. If Lilly didn’t want to buy the land, he’d put in an offer.

  As he rode back to the ranch, his mind worked on adding money in his head. He’d not spent much money and had some saved. Would it be enough to buy the little farm? If so, Jacob would be able to live close to Daisy and still have his own place.

  All day he thought on the possibilities of the farm. He watched the time, eager to go to the house and tell Lilly about the farm over dinner. Would she want it? He hoped not. And if she didn’t, could he buy it? Would he quit his job as a Pony Express man to work the land? Or stay on until spring so that he could plant some crops and maybe raise livestock?

  When the dinner bell clanged, Jacob was more than ready. He had missed Daisy’s morning riding lessons and wanted to see her. He also wanted to tell Lilly about the neighbor’s land and the fact that he was selling it.

  It didn’t take long for everyone to find their places at the table. Jacob smiled across at Daisy. “I’m sorry I missed your riding lesson this morning but tomorrow we’ll get back on schedule.”

  “That’s all right.” She swirled her bowl of red beans around with her spoon. “I got to see the kittens today with Mr. Caleb.”

  “You did?” He spooned the bacon-flavored beans into his mouth. They tasted much better than Cook’s.

  “Uh-huh. Lilly said I’d been so good that she’d shorten my time away from them and let me see them today.” The smile on her face melted Jacob’s heart further.

  Jacob turned and grinned at Lilly. “Well, that’s good.”

  Willow looked at Jacob with a frown. He quirked an eyebrow at her and looked at Lilly again. Willow shrugged her shoulders.

  “You seem awful deep in thought, Lilly,” Jacob said, tearing up his cornbread and dropping it into the steaming beans.

  Lilly looked up, confusion lacing her features. “I’m sorry. What?”

  “I just said you looked lost in thought.” He stirred his beans like he’d seen Daisy do moments earlier.

  “Oh, well, now that you are here I guess I should tell you that I fired Sam about an hour ago.” She worried her bottom lip between her teeth.

  Daisy looked at her sister with wide eyes. “Really?”

  Lilly nodded. “I just don’t feel he can be trusted.”

  “Did he give you a hard time about it?” Jacob asked.

  She shook her head. “No, that’s what has me worried. He simply nodded and went to the bunkhouse.”

  Jacob studied her. Had she fired Sam because of what he’d told her yesterday? Now what was she going to do for a foreman?

  * * *

  Lilly felt as if she’d been sick for days. Exhaustion hit her hard. She had expected Sam to protest but he hadn’t. Her mind kept questioning what she was going to do for a foreman now.

  “On what grounds did you fire him? We have no proof that he was rustling your cattle.” Jacob took a bite of his beans.

  “I simply told him that he’d been hiding the fact that cattle had come up missing and never found, and as the foreman he should have told me immediately.” Lilly stared out the dark window. “I really thought he’d justify not telling me but instead he simply shrugged. At that point, I told him that he needed to find a new job. I needed a foreman I could trust.”

  Willow spoke. “You did what you had to do.” She buttered a piece of cornbread and handed it to Daisy. “What did he say when you said that you needed someone you could trust?”

  Lilly shook her head. “Nothing. He just walked away.”

  “Has he left the bunkhouse?” Jacob asked. He pushed his chair back and stood.

  She motioned for him to sit back down. “I’ve asked Asher to come tell me when Sam leaves. I’m giving him until tomorrow to get off the ranch.”

  Jacob eased back into his chair. He picked up his spoon and began eating. Lilly wondered what he was thinking. Instead of asking that she asked, “How was your day, Jacob?”

  He lowered his spoon and a soft grin covered his face. “I’ve been thinking a lot about buying a small farm to the east of you.”

  “You mean the McConnell place?” Lilly asked, nibbling on her cornbread.

  “Yes. I happened by there this morning while he was repairing the fence around the house and he told me he’s moving out east.” His warm brown eyes met hers. “Course, he said he’d promised your pa first chance to buy if he ever planned to sell.”

  Lilly nodded thoughtfully. “Probably because it connects with the river on our side.”

  “Willow, can I please play in my fort tomorrow?” Daisy asked, wiping crumbs off the front of her shirt.

  “No, I told you. It needs to be cleaned up under there first.” Willow’s stern look caused Lilly to grin.

  “I know. Might have snakes or spiders.” Daisy spooned beans into her pouting mouth.

  Lilly turned her attention back to the McConnell farm. Did she want to add more land to her place? She already had the problem of having no foreman; taking on more land meant even more work.

  Jacob pushed back his bowl. “What do you think?”

  Daisy answered. “I think we need to get someone to clean out my fort.” She sat up straight in her chair and looked to Lilly.

  Lilly decided to answer Jacob first and then deal with Daisy and her fort problem. “I don’t think now is a good time for me to buy more land.” Then she turned to Daisy. “I’ll ask Edward and Lewis to work on that tomorrow.”

  “In the morning?” Daisy asked quickly and then grinned at Jacob. She was probably aware that he, too, had questions to ask her sister.

  Lilly sighed. “Yes, in the morning.”

  She turned to Jacob. “Would you ask the men to come for breakfast in the morning? I want to tell everyone at once what is happening on the ranch. We need to work as a team to make the place run smoother.”

  “I’ll be happy to do that for you,” Jacob answered. He started to stand again.

  Lilly’s words stopped him leaving. “Don’t you want to talk about the McConnell place?”

  He eased back down. “Well, I suppose so.”

  “You said you’d been thinking about buying it,” Lilly reminded him, feeling as if she really didn’t need to, but not knowing how else to get him to talk about it.

  “If you are finished, Daisy, let’s get you ready for bed,” Willow said to the little girl.

  Daisy crossed her arms. “I don’t want to go now. I want to see if Jacob is going to move away.”

  Willow stood and crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, then I guess we’re at odds. I want you to get ready for bed so you can hear your story tonight, but if you want to stay and listen in on Jacob’s private business then I guess we’ll skip the story.”

  Lilly tried to hide her amusement.
Willow knew just how to handle her sister. Daisy might think she was making the decisions, but in reality Willow knew that the girl wouldn’t pass up a Bible story.

  “Oh, all right.” Daisy climbed down from her chair. “I want to hear the story more than stuffy ol’ business.” She looked up at Willow. “Mr. Jacob will tell me in the morning if he’s going to move.”

  As soon as they were out of the room, Jacob chuckled. His warm laughter touched Lilly’s heart. “Willow knows how to handle children. I wasn’t sure what the outcome was going to be there for a few moments.”

  Lilly smiled. “You do realize that tomorrow she’s going to have loads of questions for you, don’t you?”

  He sobered. “True, and I’m not sure what my answers are going to be.”

  “I thought you wanted the McConnell place.” She put her hands on her chin and waited for his answer.

  Jacob smiled. “I do. If I buy the farm, I will finally have my own home and I’ll be closer to Daisy. She can visit me anytime.”

  Sorrow suddenly flooded Lilly as she realized that Jacob would probably be leaving her ranch and that she’d not see him nightly. He’d become a big part of her routine. Thanks to Daisy they’d spent lots of time together.

  “It’s not a large farm but I think I can raise pigs, chickens and maybe a few head of cattle. I was thinking of starting an orchard on the back part of it. Lots of good farmland back there.” Jacob’s eyes turned caramel as he envisioned what he could do on the land.

  “What about your job with the Pony Express?” Lilly asked.

  Seriousness filled those eyes now. “Well, I’d have to give it up. I’ll let the supplier know next time he comes that I need to talk to the division supervisor.”

  Lilly hoped her smile was sincere but she really dreaded Jacob leaving. She knew it was selfish but she’d have another man on the ranch that she’d have to get to know on top of a new foreman.

  “But, if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to buy the place and stay on a while.” He lowered his voice. “I’m not sure Daisy is out of danger. I’d like to find out first who put her in that ravine.” He grinned. “I’ve kind of started thinking of myself as her protector.”