Pony Express Courtship by Rhonda Gibson Read Free Book Online Page A

kept your eye on them, but fun was uppermost in their minds.
    His gaze moved to the boys now washing up for lunch. It wasn’t hot outside, but all of them had cast off their coats while they worked. Even little Benjamin had worked hard alongside his brothers.
    Seth had been aware of Rebecca watching them all morning. She’d frowned when he’d yelled at Philip for playing around instead of doing his work. It wasn’t hard to figure out that the boys worked on their own time schedule. Seth wondered how long their adoptive father had been dead. Had he allowed them to play when they were supposed to do chores?
    A good while later, Seth left the bunkhouse feeling refreshed. Thanks to his time alone with the Lord, he now had more direction. Clayton carried a sandwich and a glass of milk out to him. The rest of the boys followed.
    â€œMa said you need to eat something.” The young man handed him the sandwich and milk.
    He grinned his thanks and took a big bite. Thick ham and cheese coated his taste buds. The butter-flavored bread that surrounded them tasted wonderful. His stomach growled its appreciation. Seth swallowed. “Let’s head to the corral.” He waved the sandwich.
    Feeling as if someone was watching them, Seth turned to the house and found Rebecca standing in the doorway. He waved to her and once more smiled his thanks before turning back to the corral, where the boys waited.
    â€œI thought we were going to work on the barn,” Jacob said as Seth approached.
    â€œWe are, but first I wanted to spend some time with the horses.” He looked out at the ten horses. “Have you each chosen the horse you want to train with?” He knew they had but wanted to make sure that one of them hadn’t changed his mind.
    The six older boys nodded. Benjamin climbed up on the fence. He looked longingly out at the horses.
    â€œBenjamin?”
    The eight-year-old turned to look at him. “Yes, sir?”
    â€œSir?” Seth allowed a surprised, questioning note to enter his voice.
    Benjamin nodded.
    â€œBenjamin, looks like you and I need to get a few things straight.” Seth walked over and leaned against the fence beside the little boy. “The rest of you, go find some rope and then round up your horses.”
    The boys pushed and shoved as they went in search of rope. Jacob and Andrew followed at a slower pace, shaking their heads. When they were all out of earshot, Seth told Benjamin, “First, let’s get this straight. I’m not sir, I’m Seth.”
    The boy nodded still, looking sad. Seth reached over and tousled his hair.
    â€œGood. Now, how come you didn’t pick a horse?”
    Benjamin sighed and climbed a rung higher on the fence, watching the boys exit the stable and enter the corral. “I’m not going to be a rider. I heard you tell Ma last night.”
    Seth rubbed his chin. So it had been Benjamin eavesdropping the night before. “Yes, I did say that, but I think you should have a mount.” He watched closely as Jacob returned and quietly singled out a rum-colored pinto, gently rubbing its mane, talking in a low voice. Thomas and Philip followed suit. For all their pushing and shoving, once they were within the corral, they became serious.
    â€œYou do?” Hope filled the little boy’s voice.
    â€œYep, seems to me you’ll need one if we all ride into town or if I need you to go out to the back pasture and get one of the other boys. There are all kinds of reasons a boy needs a horse.” Seth lifted a brow in question, holding the boy’s gaze. “Don’t you think so?”
    Benjamin nodded. His hair flopped down into his eyes. “Can I pick out one now?” he asked, already preparing to climb down from the fence.
    â€œYes, but go see if one of the older boys will help you find some rope.”
    â€œYippee!” Benjamin ran to the barn, where Andrew and Noah stood cutting lengths of