Pony Express Mail-Order Bride

by Rhonda Gibson

  Caleb and Mark followed after taking their shoes off at the door. The three of them went to the washbasin to clean up, then returned to the table, where Philip quickly said grace.

  Bella watched them eat and talk. She caught Philip watching her and smiled at him.

  “Aunt Bella, can I have more bacon?” Mark asked.

  She got up and walked to the skillet. “You sure can.”

  Bella felt a warmth at her back and turned to find Philip standing within inches of her.

  He whispered, “Do you think we should tell the boys about our move?” His breath teased her bangs.

  “I don’t see why not.”

  He turned around and returned to the table. When she was seated, Philip said, “Boys, your aunt and I have something to tell you.”

  Caleb’s head shot up and he looked at Bella. She knew he was thinking she’d told Philip about Marlow’s nighttime visit.

  Then he looked to Philip.

  “What?” Mark asked with shiny lips.

  Philip smiled at them. “We have decided to move to town.”

  Relief washed over Caleb’s face. Bella wasn’t sure if it was because he preferred town life, or if it was because Marlow wouldn’t hurt any of them there. She looked to Mark. Sadness filled his face. Why would he be disappointed?

  “What do you think?” Philip asked, also looking from one boy to the other.

  Caleb answered, “I like it. Does this mean we get to build furniture in town and sell it like we did at the store?”

  Philip nodded. “It does. We’re going to go to town in a couple of days and see if we can find a house and a store.”

  Mark looked down at his plate. He didn’t join the conversation, but Philip and Caleb didn’t seem to notice. Bella’s heart went out to her younger nephew. Things had already changed so much in his young life and now they were changing again.

  Her life was about to change, too. There was no way she could stop it. Marlow had crossed a line when he’d come into their home, at night, uninvited. She just prayed Philip wouldn’t be too angry with her when she told him everything.

  * * *

  Two days later, Philip saddled up three horses. Mark had proven he could ride a horse with very little assistance. Caleb could ride with Mark, Bella or Philip. The boy didn’t seem to like the idea, but it would be much easier and faster if they all rode horses instead of taking the wagon.

  He walked to the house to see if his small family was ready. Caleb sat at the table writing on a slate with chalk and Bella was packing a cheesecloth with sandwiches. She turned and smiled at him. His heart did a little dance.

  Dark circles rested beneath her eyes. He worried she wasn’t getting enough sleep, but every night when he came in from taking care of the livestock, she and the boys were already downstairs. Philip hoped she wasn’t coming down with a cold or the flu.

  “About ready?” he asked.

  Bella placed the wrapped sandwiches into a flour sack that could be tied to her horse’s saddle horn. “Just about.”

  Philip looked about. He didn’t see Mark, so he told Caleb, “Go tell Mark we’re about ready to go.”

  Caleb climbed down and walked to the front door. He pulled his coat off the hook, all the while keeping his eyes downcast.

  Philip exchanged puzzled looks with Bella. “Where are you going?”

  In a small voice, Caleb answered, “To the river to get Mark.”

  Bella’s face faded to white. “The river?” she squeaked as if all air had just been shoved from her body.

  “Uh-huh.”

  Philip ran from the house. What was Mark doing at the river? The boy had been quiet and reserved over the last few days, but they had just thought he was coming down with a cold. His heart beat in his chest as he ran. The silent prayer of Please, Lord, please, Lord, please, Lord ran through his mind as his boots slid on the wet ground.

  He burst into the clearing beside the river. Frantic, Philip looked for the little boy. “Mark!”

  He saw Bella crash through the woods. Her hair had come out of the combs she’d pulled it up into and flowed about her shoulders in disarray. “Mark!” she screamed.

  Philip didn’t want to, but he looked to the half-frozen river. Water flowed on the edges, but ice still covered the center. He searched for any sign of Mark. Then he saw what looked like a large hole off to one side. “Stay here,” he ordered, sure that if he didn’t Bella would try to follow him out onto the ice.

  He found a thick place in the ice and then used his boots to glide across the ice to the hole. His heart sank when he saw blond hair floating to the top of the water in the hole. A stick with yarn tied to the top lay close to the hole.

  Philip fell to his knees and grabbed Mark around the shoulders. He heaved the little boy’s limp body out of the ice and water, all the while praying the ice wouldn’t break further.

  Mark’s lips were blue. But his small chest still rose and fell. He carried him toward Bella. “Go to the house and heat up water, bricks, anything that you can find to warm him up,” Philip called.

  Bella spun and ran back toward the house.

  It was all he could do to hold the child and walk across the ice at the same time. Once back on dry land, Philip laid him down on the ground and pounded on Mark’s back. The little boy coughed up some water. Not sure what else to do, he picked the boy up. Fear and heartache propelled him back to the house. He ran as fast as he could and prayed the whole way.

  Caleb was watching for him and held the door open. Philip carried Mark inside. Bella had piled quilts and blankets beside the fireplace. She had the fire blazing and was heating up a couple of bricks. He noticed she’d also placed dry rice and beans in a pot. Philip laid the little boy down on the quilts.

  “Get him out of those clothes and boots.” She looked to Caleb. “Help him.” Then she turned back to the fire and stirred the rice and beans.

  Philip and Caleb wrestled Mark out of his clothes. The little boy groaned his discomfort even though he never opened his eyes.

  Bella ordered, “Tuck him between the bedding.” She began pouring rice into a long shirt sleeve. When it was full, she tied off the top and then tucked it on one side of Mark, then put the covers back on top of him.

  “Caleb, lie down by him and hug him close. You need to share your body’s warmth with him.” She turned back to the fireplace and the cooking rice and beans.

  Philip stood helplessly by while Bella filled another sleeve. Caleb cried as he held his little brother close. She looked up at him. Tears streamed down her face as she worked.

  His heart felt as if it was breaking. Philip refused to believe that Mark was going to die. He silently prayed over the little boy as they all worked together to warm up Mark.

  Philip placed the bricks, wrapped in towels, around his feet and legs. Bella continued to warm up the sleeves of rice and beans while keeping him covered. And Caleb shared his body heat.

  Fear thickened the tension in the room. Philip knew that Bella was thinking the same thing as him. Would they ever get Mark’s little body warmed up?

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Bella lay beside Mark. She rested a hand on his rising and falling chest. His face color had returned to normal. She thanked the Lord above.

  Caleb slept beside his little brother.

  Philip rocked in the chair by the fire. He held the Bible in his lap and read.

  Exhaustion weighed on her. She closed her eyes and listened to the little boys sleeping. Both of them snored softly. Thankfully Mark hadn’t developed a rattling in his chest.

  Philip had told her that Mark had thrown up quite a bit of water while he was running home with him. She guessed that the jarring had forced the water from his lungs. Forcing herself to sit up, Bella walked to the kitchen.

 
She heard the rocking chair creak and Philip’s stocking feet following her. In a low voice, she asked him, “Are you hungry?”

  “No, but you must be.”

  Bella dug inside the flour sack and pulled out the wrapped sandwiches she’d placed in there earlier. “A little,” she admitted.

  He walked to the coffeepot and poured them both a cup. Philip motioned for her to sit and then handed her the coffee. “Why don’t you get some sleep after you eat? I’ll keep an eye on the boys.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t think I could sleep downstairs away from him.”

  “I understand. I think that boy took ten years off my life today.” He sat down and watched her bite into the sandwich.

  Bella had to agree with him. Until she’d met Caleb and Mark she’d had no idea how much care they took. She swallowed. “Philip, I’m not sure if this is the time, but I need to tell you something.”

  He leaned forward. “Sounds serious.”

  “It is.”

  She pushed the hair out of her face. “Well, first off you have to know that those two little boys mean the world to me.”

  “I know that. They do to me, too.”

  After today Bella was sure that Philip loved her nephews. He’d worried and fretted over Mark as if he was his own child. “I know and I’m grateful.” She really was.

  He reached out and took her hand. “What has you so scared, Bella? You’ve been on edge for days.”

  Bella took a deep breath and released it. “Marlow Brooks hasn’t left town. He was here a few nights ago.”

  Confusion laced Philip’s face. “When?”

  “When you took Hazel home. We had already gone to bed and I thought you came home early. Only it wasn’t you in the house, it was him. He threatened me and scared Caleb.”

  His eyes flared with anger. “How did he threaten you?”

  She looked to the boys. “It’s kind of a long story.” They were still sleeping.

  “We have all night.”

  Bella had to ask the question that was burning in her mind. “Why are you so angry?”

  “Because a man has threatened you and scared Caleb. Why wouldn’t I be angry?” he snapped.

  “I need to know if it’s because we are your property or do you care about us?” she persisted.

  Philip raked his hand through his hair. “Of course I care about you and I have never thought of you as property.”

  Bella sighed. “I’m sorry, property is the wrong word. Let me rephrase my question. Do you love the boys?” She had to know that if she was hanged for murder that Philip would love and care for Caleb and Mark.

  His blue eyes searched hers. “I do love the boys. They are my family now.” Philip looked to where the boys slept.

  There was no longer any doubt in her mind that he loved Mark and Caleb. His love for them shone in his eyes. He hadn’t included her, but that was all right. They’d agreed this was a friendship within a marriage, but it still hurt a little.

  When he faced her once more, Bella continued. “Promise that no matter what happens, you will take care of the boys until they are at least eighteen years old. Promise me.”

  Confusion furrowed his brow. “I promise. Now, what is this all about?”

  She inhaled deeply once more and began. “When Marlow first arrived here, he said he still wanted to marry me.” Bella paused to get her thoughts in order.

  “You told me that.”

  “Yes, but what I didn’t tell you was that he had business to discuss with me. But when Thomas and Josephine arrived, he left. It seemed odd to me, but not in a threatening way. I had already told him to go home and had hoped that he had done as I’d asked.”

  Philip leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest. “But instead you met him in town.”

  A harshness had entered his voice. Bella hurried to reassure him. “Yes, but not on purpose. When I was walking to the dress shop, he stopped me. He claims that the day I left, my old boss, Sam, was struck with my rolling pin. The sheriff says he was murdered, and since the rolling pin is mine, they are looking for me.”

  His arms dropped and he reached for her hand. “What else did he say, Bella?” Concern filled his voice, making it easier to continue.

  “He says that if I will go back with him, he’ll make sure that I don’t hang for murder.” The words caught in her throat. The fear of hanging ripped through her once more.

  “How does he intend to do that?”

  Bella met his gaze. “Marlow Brooks is a well-respected attorney. He plans on marrying me to prove to them that there is no way I’d kill anyone.”

  Philip shook his head. “You’re already married to me.”

  “Yes, but he wants me to divorce you.” Tears rolled down her cheeks unbidden. Her heart broke every time she thought of life without Philip.

  His hand tightened around hers and his jaw worked. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”

  “I was trying to buy time. Think of a way to prove he is lying about Sam and the law.” She didn’t want to tell him that Marlow had said Philip would think she was capable of murder and take the boys away from her. “Marlow wouldn’t help me if there wasn’t something he would gain. He claims to love me, but it’s not true.”

  Philip released her hand. “How do you know it’s not true?”

  “On the day I told him that we would be raising Caleb and Mark, he told me to put them in an orphanage or to get out of his life. He said he didn’t love me, but with his stature in the community he needed a pretty wife. I fit the bill. To him I was pretty and could cook. The perfect little wife.” Her voice cracked. “I saw him for the monster that he is then and I saw it again the other night.”

  * * *

  Philip wanted to pull her into his arms and protect her from the man who could put such fear in her eyes. Instead he continued to hold her hand and ask questions. “Were you just going to take the boys and leave?”

  Blue, tear-filled eyes looked at him. “I don’t know. Marlow says the sheriff is looking for me and I need to make a decision fast. If the sheriff finds me before I marry him, Marlow says he won’t help me.”

  “Why didn’t you ask me to help you? I don’t understand. Do you not trust me?” It hurt to think that she wouldn’t come to him. It hurt even more to think she might have just left and never said goodbye. Could she do that if they were married?

  Bella’s tears flowed freely down her face now. “Philip, aren’t you worried that the law thinks I murdered someone?”

  “No. I don’t believe you murdered anyone. You are one of the kindest women I’ve ever met. I don’t believe you are capable of murder.”

  Her shoulders slumped at his words and sobs tore from her throat. “Why did I believe him? He said you would turn me over to the sheriff here. That you’d take the boys away from me.”

  Philip could stand it no longer. He stood and pulled her to her feet. Wrapping her in his arms, he held her. Her tears wet the front of his shirt and still he held her.

  How could a man break a woman so badly? And why had Brooks done it? What did he have to gain by hurting her like this? Philip rubbed Bella’s back until the sobs subsided.

  She stepped out of his embrace. “I’m so sorry. I should have trusted you.” Bella pulled a handkerchief from inside her sleeve. She sat back down.

  Philip also sat down. “Bella, I agree with you. Brooks wants something you have. Any idea what it could be?”

  “No. I’ve been trying to figure out what it could be, but I have nothing other than my nephews and you. And he wants to take you away from me.”

  When she looked at him, Philip saw the pain in her eyes at the thought of losing him. He also saw a deep love there. Yet she was willing to give him up if it meant saving her own life and keeping the boys.


  “Bella, how did Marlow know where to find you?”

  “I suppose he went to Denver, where my sister lived, and asked her lawyers if I’d left a forwarding address.”

  “Did you?”

  She frowned. “Kind of. I told them I was heading to Dove Creek and would send an address once I was settled.”

  The more she talked, the more confused he became. “I thought you said your brother-in-law and sister had left debts and didn’t have any money or property left.”

  “I did.” She picked up her coffee and took a drink.

  Philip sighed. “So why did you tell them where you were going?”

  This time Bella sighed. “Mr. Jenkins said that the boys’ toys were tied up with the rest of the estate, but as soon as everything was settled, he was sure he could send the boys their personal belongings and possibly a keepsake from their parents.”

  He grinned. “That’s it. If we write to your Mr. Jenkins, he’ll probably tell us that the estates have been settled.”

  At her quizzical expression Philip pressed on. “When Josephine came here, she was running from her greedy uncle and his gambling partner. To make a long story short, the reason they were looking for her was because her father had discovered gold and they wanted it. See?”

  “So you think my sister and her husband left something for the boys? Why else would Marlow come searching for us? But what about saying Sam was murdered and the law thinks I killed him?”

  Philip stood up and began pacing the room. “It’s probably a lie. A means to get you away from me. If you had married him, he’d just tell you it was all a mistake or that he’d taken care of it. As your new husband and the boys’ guardian, he’d have access to whatever resources have been left to you.”

  “What you are saying makes sense, but is it true?”

  He grinned at her. “Bella, your husband isn’t without his own resources.”

  Bella wanted to smile back at him but felt too drained to do so. “What kind of resources?”

  “The Pony Express. With my network of friends, we can find out how much of what Brooks is telling us is true.” He kneeled down beside her. “How much time did you tell Brooks you needed?”