Philip stopped by the door and pulled down both little boys’ coats. He held them out to the boys. Mark took his and thrust his arms into the sleeves while Philip answered, “He’s yellow with white stripes all over.”
Caleb looked to Bella one more time.
She smiled at him and motioned for him to go on. Her soft voice ordered, “Be good for Mr. Young and do as he says.”
That was all the encouragement the little boy needed. “Does the cat have a name?” Caleb asked, taking his own coat and then following Philip and Mark outside.
Philip untied the horse and walked him into the barn. He rubbed the horse’s velvety nose. “Cara calls him Sunny.”
Mark ran deeper into the barn. Horses of all colors looked out over their stall doors at the little boy as he passed. “Here, kitty, kitty,” he called in a soft voice.
“Caleb, take Mark up to the loft. That’s where Sunny likes to hang out.” Philip fluffed the older boy’s soft blond hair. “Just be careful up there.”
“Mark! Come on!” Caleb yelled. He hurried to the ladder that led up into the hayloft. “Mr. Young says the cat might be in the loft.”
Philip chuckled. Both boys scrambled up the ladder. He listened as they searched the barn for the cat. Tiredness weighed on him like a wet blanket as he rubbed down the horse and poured feed into the bucket in its stall. He picked up each of the horse’s hooves and checked them for rocks.
As he worked, Philip listened to the boys rooting around in the hay above him. They seemed like nice little boys who needed a father figure. Just like he had at the age of twelve, six years ago, when John Young and his wife, Rebecca, had adopted him. John had been a good parent to him. Still, the thought of his own birth father troubled Philip.
“What are they doing up there?” Bella asked.
He’d been so deep in his work that he hadn’t heard her come into the barn. Philip stood and stretched out his back. “Looking for the cat.”
Her face was tilted upward as she tried to see the boys. Dark circles surrounded her heavily lashed blue eyes. She’d been through a lot over the last few weeks and Philip’s heart went out to her.
Caleb called from above. “Mr. Young?”
He looked up, too. “Yes?”
The little boy’s blond head popped through the railings. “We found a cat, but I’m not sure it’s Sunny.”
“What makes you think it isn’t Sunny?” Bella eyed the loft warily.
Philip frowned. He realized that the old tomcat normally would have come out as soon as he heard voices. Why hadn’t he been paying better attention to the boys? Philip just prayed that whatever kind of cat they found up there, it was a friendly one.
“Come see.” Mischief filled the boy’s smile.
Philip chuckled. Caleb reminded him of his younger self. He seemed like the adventurous, fun-loving type. He looked back to where Bella still stood looking up into the hayloft. Her tan coat hugged her body and she crossed her arms about her middle. “Are you coming?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No, if it’s all the same to you. I’ll stay down here.”
Philip nodded. Curiosity drove him up the ladder. Bent over at the waist, he gazed about. The loft was beginning to look like a storage shed. Tools, old furniture and wooden crates filled the space. “Where are you two?”
Caleb stepped out from behind a pile of furniture. “Over here.” He disappeared again.
He walked toward the boy and stepped around the rubble of broken furniture. He found the boys crouched down staring into a pile of hay. He cleared his throat and caught their attention. “What are you two looking at?”
Mark ignored his question and asked one of his own. “I thought you said Sunny was a boy cat.”
Philip grinned. “He is.”
Caleb tried to muffle his laughter. “I don’t think so, Mr. Young,” he said.
Mark scooted back so that Philip could see what they’d discovered. A mama cat lay on her side nursing three kittens. She was yellow with big green eyes that didn’t look happy to have her secret space invaded.
“Well, I guess you are right, boys. Daddy cats usually don’t take care of their kittens. She can keep the name, though, don’t you think?” He kneeled down beside Caleb.
Both little boys nodded. Mark reached out a hand to touch one of the kittens and the mama cat hissed up at him.
“Don’t touch them, Mark. She don’t want us to,” Caleb said as he grabbed Mark’s hand and pulled it back.
Philip agreed. He stood slowly. “Come on, boys, let’s give the little family some privacy while Sunny feeds her young.”
Mark’s bottom lip shot out. “I want to stay and pet them.”
Caleb shook his head. “Remember what Aunt Bella said, Mark. We better do as Mr. Young says.” He tugged on his little brother’s shirt.
Still not pleased at having to leave, Mark stood.
Philip looked down at them. “Boys, we best leave Sunny alone until the kittens get bigger. I’d hate for her to move them. Promise you’ll stay out of the loft until I tell you that you can come back.”
Caleb nodded and nudged his brother to do the same. Mark did so, but not with as much enthusiasm as his brother. The two boys descended the ladder first. Philip followed a little more slowly.
When he turned around, Bella was kneeling down in front of Mark. “What did you find up there?” she asked softly.
“A mama cat and kittens,” Mark said, his bottom lip still pooched out. “Mr. Young told us to leave them alone. Do we have to, Aunt Bella?”
She looked up at him. Philip felt as if he could drown in her pretty blue eyes. To avoid them, he bent down and picked up a piece of straw. He chewed on the end of it, waiting for Bella to look away.
She turned her attention back to Mark and Caleb. “If he said so, then yes.”
Mark kicked at a clump of wet hay. Disappointment filled his face. Tears filled his eyes.
Philip watched as Caleb placed an arm around his brother’s shoulders, then looked to him. “Mr. Young? Are you still going to give the cat some milk?”
Philip looked up into the loft. “Not today. I don’t think we should disturb the mama cat, but the cow still needs to be milked. Do you boys want to help?”
Mark seemed to brighten with the prospect of milking the cow and both boys nodded. Philip looked to Bella.
She stood slowly and said, “Before she left, Cara said we could warm up the pot of stew for our supper. While you men milk, I think I’ll see if I can scrape together a pan of biscuits.” Bella walked toward the barn door but then stopped. She turned slowly and studied them. “Are you sure you don’t mind the boys helping you?” Her brow furrowed.
“I wouldn’t have asked for their help if I didn’t want it,” he answered with a grin. Philip dropped a hand onto Caleb’s shoulder.
Bella nodded and then left.
Philip turned his attention back to the boys. “Looks like we have chores to do.”
“I’ve never milked a cow before.” Caleb removed his arm from Mark’s shoulders.
“Me, neither.” Mark stooped down and picked up a piece of straw. He placed it between his teeth and chewed.
Philip tried not to smile as he realized Mark was imitating him. The boys needed a man in their lives. Could he follow in his adoptive father’s footsteps and adopt the two boys as his own? Bella would have to be part of the package. He couldn’t imagine her letting him raise the boys alone and, truth be told, Philip didn’t want to. But he also didn’t want to fall in love. Would Bella agree to a loveless marriage?
* * *
Bella missed her old job at the bakery. She even missed the early hours and found herself still rising long before the sun. If there was one thing Bella was good at, it was baking. The smell of biscuits filled the house. S
he loved mixing, kneading and baking bread.
Philip came through the door with both boys hot on his heels. “Woo-wee, something smells good in here.”
Mark dashed around Philip. “I got to help milk the cow.”
Caleb followed, carrying one of the milk buckets. “Me, too.” He panted under its weight.
Bella couldn’t help but smile. The boys were louder and more active than they had been since she’d taken them from their home a month ago. It appeared spending a little time with Philip had been a positive experience for the boys. She was thankful that Cara had suggested they spend the night with them so that they could all get to know each other better.
Philip put his bucket of milk on the kitchen counter and then helped Caleb with his. “You did a good job.” He patted the boy on the shoulder and offered him a warm smile.
Caleb squared his body. He stood taller and nodded his thanks. Mark hurried to the settee, where they’d left their wooden horses. He carried them to Philip and Caleb. “This one is mine. His name is Brownie. Someday I’m going to have a horse like him.”
Philip took the toy and examined it. “He looks good and sturdy. I think you have yourself a keeper there.”
“While you men study the livestock, I’m going to butter this bread and get our supper on the table.”
Bella continued to listen to Philip and the boys as she set the table for dinner. Cara had told her earlier that she wouldn’t be back in time to eat, but for her and the boys to go ahead. It felt odd working in another woman’s kitchen as Philip and the boys talked about horses, the Pony Express and the mama cat. She smiled at the way the boys responded to Philip. Caleb asked questions about the Pony Express and Mark talked about the mama cat and kittens.
She made sure to set a plate on the back of the stove for Cara and then called, “Time to eat, boys.”
Philip pushed up from the couch. “Come on, boys, I’ll show you where we men wash up.”
“Do we need our coats again?” Caleb asked.
“Nope, we won’t be outside. Cara talked John into making her a small pantry off the kitchen, where she made a place for him to wash up.” He was already walking past Bella and into the pantry.
Bella smiled as the sound of the boys’ laughter and chatter filled the small space.
“When I grow up, I want to fish, ride horses and hunt,” Mark said.
Getting to know her nephews was a joy. Bella had the sense that Mark was more outdoorsy and that Caleb enjoyed being inside.
“Maybe someday you can work on my brother Thomas’s ranch,” Philip said, leading the boys back to the table, where they all sat down.
Bella frowned. That would never happen if Philip wasn’t going to marry her. It wouldn’t do for Philip to fill the boys’ hearts with dreams that weren’t going to come true. After the boys were in bed, she’d talk to him.
“Aunt Bella, are you sick?” Mark studied her face.
She smiled. “No, sweetie. Why?”
“You aren’t talking.” He laid his spoon to the side.
“I’m tired, not sick.”
Mark frowned. “Oh. All right.” He picked up his spoon and tasted the stew. A big smile pulled at his mouth. “This is good.”
Bella laughed. “I’m glad you like it. Now eat up and then we’re going to get ready for bed. It’s been a long day.”
Both boys did as she said. They tucked into their supper as if it was their last meal.
She sighed. If Philip wasn’t going to marry her, then how was she ever going to take care of the kids? Maybe she could see if Dove Creek needed a baker. But the short supply of money that she had wouldn’t be enough to rent them a place to live. Worry ate at her insides like a gopher gnawing at the roots of a tree. What was she going to do?
Chapter Three
An hour later, Bella cleaned the kitchen. She’d put the boys down on a pallet beside the fireplace. Their soft snores filled the kitchen and sitting room. Philip sat at the table nursing a cup of coffee.
Drying the last dish, Bella eased into the chair across from him. “Thank you for being so patient with the boys today.”
He nodded. “It was my pleasure.”
Bella traced the wood pattern on the table with her finger. How did she bring up the subject of him not promising the boys things that he couldn’t give them? She didn’t want to offend him, but she also didn’t want his empty promises hurting her nephews.
“Ma always says ‘The best way to say something, is just to say it.’” Philip set the cup on the table and waited.
Had he read her mind? “Your mother says that?”
“Yes. She’s my adoptive mother. She took me in when I was twelve years old,” Philip answered. His gaze moved to the sleeping boys.
“Oh, all right. Philip, I like that you have made friends with the boys, and to be honest, they have been happier today than I’ve seen them in a long time.” Bella stopped, once more wondering how to say what she felt needed to be said.
“But...?”
She sighed. “But please don’t make promises you have no intention of keeping.”
He frowned. “Like what?”
Bella met his gaze. “Like telling Mark that someday he could work on your brother’s ranch. I’ve no idea where we’ll be living.”
“I see.” Philip walked to the stove and refilled his cup. “What if I said I’ve been thinking about that?”
Did she dare hope he’d changed his mind about marrying her? Before her thoughts and worry overtook her, Bella asked, “Thinking about what?”
Philip returned, turned his chair around and sat down. He rested his arms against the wood. “Those boys need a father figure.” He studied her face.
She couldn’t argue with that, so Bella nodded. What was he saying? That he wanted to fill that position? And if so, what did that mean for her? The questions whirled in her mind like a Texas twister, but she held them inside, waiting for him to explain further.
He pressed on. “Seems to me that they’ve taken a cotton to me.” Philip ran a hand through his hair. And looked at her, waiting.
Bella thought she knew where he was going with this conversation but wanted him to be the one to get there. She stared back at him.
He cleared his throat. “Um, I grew up an orphan.”
She knew that. He’d mentioned it earlier. Bella continued to wait.
“And, well, I don’t want to see those boys in an orphanage like I was.” He paused again. “If you still want to get married, I’ll adopt the boys as my own.”
Bella wanted clarification. “You want to marry me?”
He sighed heavily and then answered. “Not really. But to keep those boys out of an orphanage, I’ll do it.”
So for the sake of the boys they were both willing to marry strangers. She sighed, too. “We are a pair, aren’t we?”
Philip nodded. “I’m not the marrying kind.”
“What does that mean?” Bella asked.
“My real mother died trying to give birth to my younger brother, who died with her. Then my pa simply gave up on life and grieved himself to death. When I was younger, I vowed not to marry or fall in love.” He took a sip of the warm coffee. “I don’t want to be married in the real sense of the word. I’m pretty sure my adoptive brother Thomas is the one who placed the advertisement that got you here. If it was up to me, I’d never marry, but since it’s my brother’s fault you are here, I will marry you and adopt the boys.”
Bella’s heart ached for the little boy whose parents both died, leaving him alone in the world at such a young age. It was obvious by the look on his face that Philip still hurt from his loss. She laid her hands on top of his folded arms. “I don’t want to get married, either, but for the sake of my nephews I made the decision to do just that.”
&
nbsp; He cocked his head to the side. “Why don’t you want to marry?”
She pulled her hands from his arms and tucked them into her lap. Swallowing the hurt that welled up in her, Bella said, “Up until a month ago, I was engaged. Then when my fiancé found out the boys came with me, he broke off the engagement. I don’t want to get married or fall in love because I don’t trust anyone but myself and God now. Men leave at the least bit of trouble.” She turned her head so that he couldn’t see the tears in her eyes. They weren’t tears for the man who didn’t love her, but for the loss of her own life. Now she lived and did things for the boys.
Philip reached out and turned her head so that she faced him once more. She tried to ignore the hurt and tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. “Are you saying you’d be happy with a marriage where I gave you my last name and adopted the boys?”
“I suppose so. As long as you understand I can never fall in love with you. Or anyone else for that matter. My only concern is for the boys.”
Philip chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Thomas and his wife, Josephine, had what Thomas called a marriage of convenience. Sounds like we’re agreeing to the same arrangement.”
She frowned. “I still don’t see the humor.”
Philip explained, “I sent for a mail-order bride for Thomas, and Josephine answered his ad. Now he’s done the same to me.” He shrugged. “I don’t know. All of a sudden, it struck me as funny.”
Bella shook her head, still not seeing the humor in their situation. She didn’t want to marry for love, but it saddened her that for the rest of her life she would be married to a man who didn’t love her. Was she overly tired? Or had the stress of the last month addled her brain? For the sake of the boys, theirs was to be a marriage of convenience.
* * *
The next morning, Philip folded his blanket and laid it on the couch. His gaze moved to the two sleeping boys. Cara had returned shortly after supper and she and Bella now slept in the only other room in the house.
He quietly walked to the front door, pulled on his boots, coat and hat and then headed outside to feed the horses. John was due back later and Philip wanted the relay station to be in tip-top shape when he arrived.
Pony Express Mail-Order Bride Page 2