Pony Express Courtship by Rhonda Gibson

Working with the boys would be anything but boring. He felt, more than saw, Rebecca watching from the porch. Tonight he’d have to tell her more about how he planned to train with the boys. He hoped that would put her mind at ease. But from the way she paced on the porch, he somehow doubted it would.

Chapter Five
    R ebecca tucked her daughter into bed.
    â€œMa, I want a horse, too.”
    She put Joy’s favorite doll under her arm, then smoothed the quilt over them both. “I know, dear. I heard you asking the Lord to change my mind.”
    A big smile split the little girl’s mouth and brightened her eyes. “Did He?”
    Rebecca chuckled. “No, He did not.” She picked up her daughter’s dress and hung it in the closet. “He hasn’t said a word to me about it, but if the good Lord sees fit to tell me to change my mind, I will. Until then, you put the thought out of your head and get some sleep.” She leaned over and kissed Joy’s forehead.
    â€œI love you, Ma.” Joy’s soft whisper touched Rebecca deeply.
    â€œI love you, too, my Joy.” Rebecca blew out the candle and carried it from the room.
    Benjamin’s room was beside his sister’s. Rebecca opened the door a crack. “All tucked in, Benjamin?” she asked. A soft snore was her only answer. Rebecca tiptoed into his room and looked down at him. His hair fell over his small forehead. He was just a little boy.
    Memories of earlier in the day caused her heart to quicken in her chest. She’d about swallowed her tongue when she’d seen him leading the big black gelding about the yard. Benjamin looked so much smaller than the other boys and his horse appeared twice as big.
    She brushed the hair off his forehead and planted a soft kiss in its place. A smile twitched at his lips. Rebecca stood. Seth worked the little boy too hard—she’d have a word with him tonight. Rebecca blew the candle out beside Benjamin’s bed and left the room.
    Jacob leaned against the wall outside Benjamin’s bedroom. “How’s the little guy doing?”
    Rebecca smiled at her oldest son. “He’s plum tuckered out.”
    Pride filled his voice as he answered, “He put in a full day’s work.”
    â€œI know. I’m going to have a word with Mr. Armstrong about pushing him too hard. He’s just a little boy.” Rebecca set both of the candles on the table in the hall.
    â€œMa, Seth didn’t drive Beni to work hard. The little guy is trying to prove that he can do anything us older boys can do.” Jacob pushed away from the wall. “Seth seems like a good man. I don’t think he’d do anything to harm Beni or any of the boys.”
    Rebecca studied Jacob. “You like him?” she asked, a little surprised. So far, Jacob seemed to buck every decision or action the station keeper suggested, but here he stood now, defending him.
    Jacob looked down at his boots. “He’s not Papa John but unless I’ve read him wrong, he is a good man.” He turned to enter his room. “’Night, Ma.”
    â€œGood night, Jacob.”
    Rebecca walked down the hall and into the living room. Seth Armstrong might be a good man but she still thought he might be a bit too hard on the younger boys. After all, the man wasn’t a parent, had never dealt with little legs that hurt in the night from cramps or muscle spasms.
    She’d seen how he’d pushed Noah hard all day while they worked on the barn. Noah wasn’t like the other boys. Building things and working with wood wasn’t something he enjoyed. Now, give the boy a rifle or a fishing pole and he’d do anything you asked with either of them and he’d do it joyfully. She’d have to explain that to Seth so he’d ease up on the boy. After all, it seemed as if that should be something he’d want to know.
    She walked to the kitchen and set the coffeepot onto the