Free Pony Express Courtship by Rhonda Gibson Page A

wasn’t it?
    * * *
    Seth felt as if a weight had been taken off his shoulders. He hadn’t expected Mr. Bromley today, but his encouraging words had come at a much-needed time. His boss seemed happy the boys were doing well in their preparations for the many rides they would be completing in the days to come. The fact that his boss had arrived by stage at first had puzzled him, since the stage normally passed about a mile to the north of the farm. As their conversation continued Mr. Bromley had asked a few pointed questions about Rebecca, and Seth became a little uncomfortable, wondering why his boss needed to know if Seth thought Rebecca had a good business head. When he asked if she cooperated with Seth with regard to his training of the boys, Seth took the bull by the horns and asked him why all the questions. Once satisfied that the questions were for her good, he answered with honesty and told his boss that over the past few days he’d come to admire Mrs. Young and her family.
    Then, just before Rebecca and Joy had returned, Mr. Bromley had given Seth more money to buy needed supplies for the barn, such as bridles, saddles and feed. All in all it turned out to be a good visit.
    Seth shook the water from his hat and then entered the bunkhouse. Philip and Thomas were playing checkers beside the black potbellied stove. Andrew lay on his bunk with a book resting over his face. Noah sat on his bunk sharpening his knife. Jacob patiently schooled Beni on the different types of knots. They held a rope between them and Jacob watched Benjamin closely, only guiding when necessary.
    â€œJacob, can I have a word with you?” Seth asked, opening the door to his room.
    â€œSure, Seth.” Jacob nodded to Benjamin. “Keep practicing, I’ll be right back to see how you’re doing.”
    Seth waited for the young man to walk to him then proceeded into his bedroom. He sat down on his bed and indicated that Jacob should take the rocker that sat in the corner. Once Jacob was seated, Seth said, “Now that the barn is built, I’d like for you to move into the tack room.”
    Jacob studied the tips of his muddy boots. “I’d like to, Seth, but someone needs to stay with Ma in the house.”
    â€œWhy? When I got here you were all staying out here in the bunkhouse,” Seth reminded him, aware that this was important to Jacob.
    Still looking down, Jacob answered, “Yes, but you weren’t here then.” He looked up with challenging eyes.
    Seth sat up a little straighter. “Jacob, I know you are trying to tell me something, but for the life of me I can’t figure out what. Why don’t you just spit out whatever is bothering you?”
    â€œMa needs a chaperone.”
    â€œA chaperone?”
    Jacob nodded. “Yep, people in town are talking.”
    â€œAbout your mother and me?”
    â€œYes, sir.”
    Seth breathed in deeply. “Was that what had you and your mother tied in knots when we all went to town together that first day?”
    Jacob nodded.
    He should have seen this coming. Seth exhaled and said, “I see. But how do the townsfolk know you are staying in the house?”
    Jacob rubbed the dark stubble on his chin. “I guess they don’t.”
    â€œSo, if we moved Andrew into the house, no one would know that you moved out?” Seth asked, easing into a more comfortable position.
    â€œNo, I suppose not,” Jacob answered, looking as if he might argue further.
    Seth spoke quickly, not giving him a chance. “As the stock tender you need to stay in the tack room so that you are closer to the horses. We will need the horses ready to go at a moment’s notice. Riders will arrive in the middle of the night as well as during the day. You have to be prepared. Do you want to have to tiptoe out of the house every time you hear a rider come in?”
    â€œI’m not sure Andrew will want to move into the house,” Jacob