Pony Express Courtship by Rhonda Gibson Read Free Book Online

Young. I truly believe these young men have what it takes to be riders. I’ll leave that decision up to you.”
    Rebecca didn’t want him to fire the boys. She’d promised John that she wouldn’t interfere when this time came. John had wanted his sons to become honorable, strong individuals who could take care of themselves and their families, should the Lord one day bless them with such. He firmly believed the Pony Express would provide the training that life had cheated these boys out of. “No, they would never forgive me if I asked you to fire them.” She didn’t tell him that the money the boys made would provide for their future well-being, establishing them in whatever careers they chose.
    He exhaled as if he’d been holding his breath. “Thank you. I know this is hard for you and I want to make it easier on both of us. How about we have a nightly meeting? I can fill you in on what I’m doing with the boys in regard to their duties as Pony Express riders and you can tell me if you need them to assist you with something specific around the farm.”
    It was a reasonable request and far more than some men would have offered her if they had been in Seth’s position. Rebecca nodded. “That would be nice, thank you.”
    They sat still for several moments. The sound of boots retreating down the hallway alerted Rebecca that one or more of her children had listened in on their conversation. A grin crossed Seth’s lips. He’d heard it, too.
    â€œMr. Armstrong, I’d like to suggest that we have our conversations out on the porch if the weather permits. I’m sure there will be times when we don’t want others hearing your reports.” Rebecca unclasped her hands and then stood.
    â€œThat sounds like a good idea to me. If the boys think you need a chaperone, they can watch us through the window of the bunkhouse.” He picked up his hat from his knee and stood also. He pulled a piece of paper from his hip pocket and handed it to her.
    Rebecca looked down at the paper. “What’s this?”
    â€œThe letter from Mr. Bromley. I should have shared it with you sooner. You can return it to me in the morning.” Seth walked to the door and left.
    She sank down onto the couch. Was she doing the right thing letting the boys continue working for the Pony Express? Sure, they each would need the money they’d make, but... Rebecca warred with her conscience—did they need the money so badly that she’d allow them to put their lives in danger? Wasn’t her job as the adult and their mother to protect them until they were old enough to know what they were doing?
    Not wanting to answer that question, Rebecca pressed on with her thoughts as she looked down at the letter. Without the money, the older boys would have to leave home and seek out work. Her family would swiftly break up.
    So soon after losing John, Rebecca knew she wouldn’t be able to cope with losing any of the boys. And there was always the likelihood that they’d find other work, maybe even more dangerous work. She shuddered at that thought.
    She couldn’t allow that to happen to her precious boys. No, to keep her family together Rebecca would allow the boys to continue working for the Pony Express.
    * * *
    Seth looked up at the framework of the barn. He stood amazed at how quickly he and the boys had gotten the structure up. Sawdust floated in the sun’s rays and the pleasant smell of pine mingled with their sweat and filled the air around him.
    He placed a hand on the pole closest to him and gave a shove. It didn’t budge. Solid and stable. His smile broadened in approval. They’d worked hard and accomplished a lot in one morning. Could be that this little group of misfits would accomplish much more than he had hoped for. But one thing had been proven to him as they worked. The boys needed a firm hand to stay at the job; they worked as long as you