Pony Express Mail-Order Bride

by Rhonda Gibson

  She pushed the covers back and quietly got dressed. The smell of ham cooking drew her to the kitchen, where Josephine stood beside the stove.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead. How do you feel this morning?” She handed Bella a cup of hot tea.

  “Better. Thanks.” She sipped at the tea and smiled at its sweetness. “This is such a treat.”

  Josephine nodded. “I love tea, but the men always want coffee. I’m glad you are here to share the tea with.”

  “Me, too.” She straightened her shoulders. “I’m sorry about yesterday.” Bella had gone straight to her bedroom after they had returned from Hazel’s house, claiming her head hurt. It wasn’t a lie. After all her tears had been spent, her head had hurt.

  Josephine waved the apology away with her spatula. “I understand. I used to have days when my head hurt so bad I didn’t get up.”

  “Really? What caused you to have headaches?”

  She scraped scrambled eggs onto a plate. “I think it was stress. After Thomas and I married, the headaches stopped.”

  “I’m glad.”

  Josephine placed the plate in the center of the table. “Me, too. What are your plans for the day?”

  “I’d like to go to our house and clean today, but I promised Philip I wouldn’t go alone.” She pushed her chair back. “What can I do to help you this morning?”

  “You can do the dishes later.” Josephine smiled as she set the teapot on the table.

  “Deal.” Bella sat back down.

  Cold air swept through the house as Thomas entered. He hung up his coat. “Good morning, Bella.”

  She smiled. “Good morning.”

  “Did you finish what I asked you to do?” Josephine asked, handing him a cup of hot coffee.

  “Sure did. When you ladies are ready, we’ll head that way.” Thomas sat down at the head of the table. “Breakfast smells wonderful.”

  “Where are we going?” Bella passed him the plate of eggs.

  He scraped some out onto his plate. “Didn’t Josephine tell you?” His blue eyes searched his wife’s.

  “Not yet.” Josephine grinned mischievously.

  Bella’s gaze moved from Thomas to Josephine and then back again. “Will someone please tell me what you two are talking about?”

  Josephine slipped into her chair. “Are you going to get the boys up for breakfast?” She looked toward the closed bedroom door.

  “No, I thought I’d let them sleep a little longer.”

  Thomas raised an eyebrow. “My ma would never have let us sleep and then eat whenever we got up.”

  Bella frowned. “Why not?”

  “It instills laziness,” Thomas answered. He bowed his head, indicating he was going to say grace.

  Josephine and Bella followed his lead. Bella listened as he said the prayer and asked herself if he was right. Was she instilling laziness in the boys? She echoed Thomas’s “Amen,” then looked up.

  “The boys are fine sleeping in today, Bella. Don’t let it bother you,” Josephine said, pouring more tea into her cup.

  Bella nibbled at her bread. She’d grown up in a home in town. Her parents had let Bella and her sister sleep as long as they liked. She hadn’t considered that country life would change that for the boys.

  Thomas laid his fork down. “I’m sorry, Bella. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He looked to his wife’s concerned face.

  “I’m not upset. I was just thinking about how city life and country life are so different. Tomorrow I’ll start getting the boys up earlier.” She offered a smile to prove she wasn’t angry with them.

  Thomas winked at his wife. “At least now she’s not bugging us to tell her our secret.”

  Bella’s smile grew. “Oh, I’d forgotten. What secret?”

  Josephine laughed. “I sent Thomas over to your house to get the fireplace going. It should be toasty warm in there when we go over to clean.”

  “Really? You’re going with me?” Bella couldn’t wait to get started on cleaning their home. The sooner she got it cleaned up, the sooner they could move in. She dug in to her breakfast.

  Thomas shook his head. “I’ve never seen a woman in that big of a hurry to clean.” His statement was rewarded with a stern look from Josephine.

  Bella swallowed. “I want to get moved in as soon as possible. Wouldn’t it be great if I have everything in order when Philip gets back?” She pushed her chair back and started toward the bedroom. “I’ll get the boys and we’ll be ready to go in no time.”

  Mark and Caleb moved like two turtles. No matter how much she rushed them, they were in no hurry to get dressed or eat.

  Caleb whined, “Why are we getting up so early?”

  “I told you, we’re going to go clean the new house today.” Bella handed him a boot to slip on.

  “I don’t want to clean no old house,” Mark grumbled as Bella buttoned his shirt for him.

  She frowned. “Well, I do. Just think, boys. You’ll have your own bedroom again.”

  Caleb yawned. Mark frowned.

  “Don’t you want your own room?” Bella asked, shoving them toward the door.

  Caleb shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t care.”

  Bella shook her head. How could they not care?

  “Where’s Philip?” Mark demanded when he didn’t see Philip at the breakfast table.

  Thomas answered, “He’s riding the Pony Express trail.”

  Caleb slipped into one of the chairs. “Aw, I’d forgot. What are we going to do while you clean, Aunt Bella?”

  Josephine had already filled the little boys’ plates. She set fresh milk in front of them. “You are going to do chores with Uncle Thomas.”

  “What kind of chores?” Mark grunted, pulling himself up into the chair beside Caleb.

  Thomas leaned back in his chair. “Well, since the ladies want to go clean the other house, I was thinking we could help them by doing the dishes.”

  Both boys groaned. Bella had to hide her smile.

  Thomas laid his napkin on the table and turned to look at Josephine. “If you are ready to go, I’ll ride with you over there while the boys eat.”

  “Are you sure they will be all right?” Bella asked. She’d never left the boys alone before.

  Josephine nodded. “Caleb is old enough to watch his little brother for a little bit. They can eat their breakfast and then make their beds. If Thomas isn’t back by the time they get through making their beds, they can sit on the couch and look at picture books until he gets back.”

  Bella frowned. “I’m not sure.”

  Thomas stood. “They’ll be fine. Won’t you, boys?”

  Caleb nodded. Mark yawned again.

  Josephine headed for the door and her coat. “Boys, stay away from the stove and the fireplace.” She put on her coat and then hurried into her bedroom.

  Thomas put on his coat and motioned for Bella to come get hers. He held it out to her and whispered, “They’ll be fine.”

  Bella nodded and put on her coat. She walked back to the boys and kissed each of them on the head. “Be good for Uncle Thomas while I’m gone and do what Josephine said. Eat, make your beds and then look at the books until Thomas gets back. All right?”

  “All right,” they said in unison.

  Josephine returned with the books and put them on the settee. “There you go, boys. See you soon.”

  Thomas opened the door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes. Caleb, you’re in charge. Take care of your little brother.”

  Caleb sat up a little straighter in his chair. “All right, Uncle Thomas.”

  “I love you, boys. Be good for your uncle Thomas while I’m gone.” Bella allowed herself to be hurried to the horses that were waiting.

  “I don’t think they’ve ev
er been left alone,” she said once they were riding out of the yard.

  “My parents left me alone all the time,” Josephine said. She patted her horse’s neck. “Trust me, Thomas will probably find them still sitting at the table with their breakfast only half-eaten.”

  Bella gently pressed her knees into her horse’s sides. If she hurried, Thomas would be back with the boys and she would be cleaning their new home in a matter of minutes. “Let’s get going. I want to be moved in as soon as possible.”

  Thomas and Josephine came along beside her. Thomas said, “I’ll bring the boys down with lunch.”

  Josephine laughed. “You’re going to fix lunch, too?”

  He sat up straighter in the saddle. “I know how to pack bread, ham and pickles.”

  Bella and Josephine laughed harder. When Bella caught her breath, she said, “There you go, Josephine. You’ll never have to cook again.”

  “Let’s don’t go that far,” Thomas answered.

  They soon arrived in Hazel’s yard. Bella got down from her horse and headed to the front door, giving Josephine time to say goodbye to her husband. She sighed with relief when Thomas turned his horse and headed home.

  Excitement filled her as her worry over the boys ebbed. What would Philip think when he got home and found out that she’d moved into their new home with the boys? Would he be pleased?

  * * *

  Philip was bone-tired. He yawned as he climbed the stairs to the house. Josephine met him at the door. “Hey, Philip, come on in and have a cup of coffee.”

  “I’d rather just go to bed, Josephine. But thanks anyway.” He started to walk toward the bedroom. But then his tired mind registered that Bella and the boys should be in the house, too. “Where are Bella and the boys?”

  Josephine grinned mischievously. “At your house.”

  He instantly became alert. “Alone?”

  She closed the door and walked to the kitchen. “Yes. They’ve been there a couple of days now.”

  Philip closed his eyes. The woman had gone and done just what he’d asked her not to. “Do you mind if I sleep here for a couple of hours before heading home?” He should have slept at the home station, but he’d wanted to get back to his small family. Now he felt so tired he didn’t think he could take another step.

  “Not if you don’t mind sleeping on the floor.” She poured a cup of coffee and held it out to him. “You sure you don’t want this?”

  Philip ignored the offered cup and asked, “Why should I sleep on the floor when I have a perfectly good bed in there?” He hooked his thumb over his shoulder to indicate he meant the bedroom.

  “Because Bella took the bed to your house.”

  Philip shook his head. How in the world did she move that big bed all the way to the homestead? His wife had been busy while he was gone. He walked back to the door, put his coat on and slapped his hat onto his head. “Thanks, Josephine. I’ll see you in a few days.”

  She toasted him with the coffee cup. “Tell Bella and the boys hello for me.”

  He closed the door and stomped down the porch stairs. It would have been nice if Thomas had told him that Bella and the boys had moved to the homestead. He looked around the barn for his brother. Not seeing him, Philip began to saddle his horse. Within a few minutes he was riding out to his place.

  If he hadn’t been so tired, Philip might have been angry, and for a brief moment he had been. Now he was simply weary. The horse made good time to the homestead. An old barn that looked as if it had seen better days stood a few feet away and Philip thought he’d need to repair the old building soon.

  Thankfully the barn was blocked from the wind by the house. He didn’t feel the gusts as he unsaddled the horse and settled him in for the night. Philip patted him and then said, “We’ll get a new barn up as soon as possible, ol’ boy.”

  The horse snorted a reply and continued eating from his oat bag. Philip brushed his hand over the horse’s neck, then headed to the house. He climbed the short stairs and twisted the doorknob. It moved, but the door didn’t.

  “Bella, I’m home.” The words sounded funny in his ears. He heard a bar being lifted and then the door swung open.

  “I’m so glad you are back,” Bella whispered as she moved back so he could enter.

  Philip stood in the doorway. He couldn’t believe the transformation of the house. It was clean from top to bottom. The fresh scent of baking bread filled the room. To the right of the fireplace a pile of quilts and pillows made a nest where the two little boys were curled up sleeping. That explained why she was whispering. A rocking chair sat on the left-hand side of the fireplace. A rope rug decorated the floor and two small pictures of mountains and streams hung on the walls.

  “Could you come a little farther inside? I’d like to shut the door.” Bella gently pushed his back.

  Philip walked to the kitchen area. Two log sawhorses held a wooden plank in place for a table. Four logs surrounded the table as chairs. In a soft voice so as not to wake the boys, Philip said, “Nice furniture.”

  Bella grinned. “It isn’t much, but you will be able to make us a much nicer table. The boys really like it.”

  He nodded and yawned. “I’m sure they do.”

  “Are you hungry?” she asked. “I have a pot of stew hanging in the fireplace.”

  Philip turned to look at the fireplace again. Sure enough, a pot hung suspended in the center. He turned his attention back to her. “No, I’m more tired than hungry.”

  Bella nodded. “It’s cold in the bedroom, but I have lots of quilts on the bed.” She rubbed her arms as if she could feel the cold.

  “I’m sure it will be fine.” Philip walked to the closet, where the hidden stairs were located. He turned and looked at Bella.

  She stood in the same spot. Her blond hair was down in waves of soft curls around her shoulders. Twin pink circles graced her cheeks. The blue dress she wore was covered with an apron made from a flour sack. How had such a small woman done so much while he was gone? Her pretty blue eyes had a guarded look, as if she worried he might be angry with her.

  Philip walked back to her, pulled her into his arms for a quick hug and then released her. “I’m glad I’m home, too. I missed you and the boys.”

  Her eyes softened, her shoulders relaxed and she smiled. It was a radiant smile that raced into her eyes and gave him a warm feeling in the pit of his stomach. He wanted to pull her into his arms again and kiss her smiling lips.

  Philip turned away quickly. As tired as he was, he didn’t trust himself not to act on those thoughts. As he climbed down the stairs and made his way to the bed, Philip told himself he needed sleep. There would be plenty of time later to ponder his thoughts and feelings.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Bella placed a bucket under the leak. Why did it have to rain tonight? Philip wasn’t going to be happy when he awoke to a leaking roof. That was one of the many things she couldn’t fix in this house. Well, she probably could, but climbing on the roof with just the two little boys home wasn’t safe or smart.

  She glanced to where the boys were playing by the fire. Downstairs had been much too cold to sleep at night. Bella marveled that Philip hadn’t emerged yet, freezing.

  Thankfully the rain had stopped for the moment. She glanced out the window to see that the sun was almost down and it was time to put the boys down for the night.

  “Boys, it’s time for bed.”

  “Already?” Caleb asked with a frown. “But we never got to see, Philip.”

  “I know. Philip is extremely tired. Riding for the Pony Express is hard work. He’ll be awake in the morning when you get up.”

  Mark looked up. “Aunt Bella, I’m hungry.”

  Bella shook her head. The boy couldn’t be hungry. For supper they’d eaten ham, canned new potatoes, fresh bread
with butter and canned apples. Hazel had stopped by before dark and brought both the boys gingersnap cookies. “No, you are looking for an excuse to stay up. Now, stop making excuses. Put your toys away and we’ll go to the outhouse before we go to bed.”

  They put the toys in the box she’d supplied and went to get their coats from the hooks by the door. Bella grinned. She’d worked hard to bend the nails into hooks and hammer them low so the boys could reach them. Bella intended to leave the nails there and just add new ones above those as they grew. It would be fun in later years to see how small the boys were when they’d moved here.

  Mark looked at her. “Aren’t you coming, too?” He pulled his gloves out of the coat pockets and began putting them on.

  Bella giggled. “Yes, I was just woolgathering.” She walked to the hooks and pulled down her own coat. Bella put her gloves on, too.

  This was their routine. Put away toys, go to the outhouse, come in, get drinks of water, then settle down for a story, prayers and sleep. For the first time since she’d taken custody of the boys, Bella felt as if she was doing the right thing.

  She handed Caleb the candle to hold while she raised the bar from the door. As soon as it was open, he handed it back and then raced Mark across the yard to the outhouse. They jumped over the many puddles that had accumulated with the afternoon rain.

  While Mark was inside, Caleb said, “I wanted to see Philip tonight.”

  She placed a hand on his shoulder. “I know you did, sweetie, but he is very tired. Riding a horse for several days is hard work. We need to let him rest.”

  Mark flung the door open and announced, “I’m going to ride horses on Uncle Thomas’s ranch someday.”

  Caleb hurried inside the dark latrine. “I don’t want to ride horses all day.”

  “I do. Uncle Thomas said we were going to raise cows and that I’d get to help round up the babies.”

  “Calves,” Caleb called from inside.

  Mark nodded. “Yeah, calves.” His small voice always filled with wonder when he spoke of the ranch that Thomas and Josephine hoped to own someday.