Pony Express Christmas Bride

Josephine sighed heavily. If only it were a happy day. Instead the four people heading to town all looked as if they were walking to the gallows.

Was she making the biggest mistake of her life? Would marrying Thomas turn out worse than marrying an old, fat gambler? Could she ever trust Thomas? Probably not.

As soon as her uncle found out she was married and left, Thomas would be finished with his need to help her. She’d be alone. Josephine raised her chin and looked straight ahead. Don’t fall in love or trust this man, she told herself.

* * *

Thomas felt her rejection as strongly as if she’d slapped him. Oh, she said their vows and acted like she’d meant them, but earlier he’d seen the way she quickly turned after staring at his scarred face. He wasn’t fooling himself into believing that Josephine would ever grow to love him. If anything, she’d put up an invisible wall.

“You may now kiss your bride.”

What? Kiss your bride? He’d forgotten all about this part. Should he have discussed it with Josephine before the ceremony? He looked into Josephine’s upturned face. Her eyes were closed as she waited for his kiss. A kiss he was sure she’d despise.

Philip slapped him on the back. “Go on, kiss her,” he encouraged a little above a whisper.

Thomas leaned in and gently touched his lips to hers. A soft shock tickled his lips. He opened his eyes to find her looking into his with an emotion he’d never seen there. Had the spark between them surprised her, too? He pulled away.

Hazel grabbed Josephine and hugged her fast. “Congratulations.” Tears filled her eyes.

His new wife’s soft voice responded with a quick “Thank you.”

Thomas thanked the traveling judge and quickly paid him for his services, then followed Hazel and Josephine from the small office.

Philip clasped an arm around his shoulders. “I wish you a lifetime of happiness, little brother.”

“I’m only a month younger than you, Philip,” Thomas answered, shrugging Philip’s arm away.

They stepped out into the sunlight. Thomas squinted his eyes. His gaze quickly found Josephine. She and Hazel stood beside the wagon. They’d parked it under a tree off to the side of the sheriff’s office, where the ceremony had taken place. His horse was tied to the gate of the wagon along with Philip’s.

“Tell Ma and Seth I said hello,” Philip said, falling into step with him as he walked toward the women.

He sighed. “I wish you could come with us.”

Philip chuckled and dropped his voice. “Why? Afraid of your new bride?”

Thomas glared at him. “Never mind. On second thought, I’m glad you aren’t coming.”

“Yeah, me, too. When Ma finds out you got married without her, she’s going to skin you alive.” Philip shook his head in mock sorrow and then hurried on toward Hazel and Josephine.

Thomas pushed air from his lungs. Philip was right. He should have given the family time to come to the wedding. But on the way home, he’d remembered how afraid Josephine seemed and he’d only wanted to protect her and get married as soon as possible. Now that he was sure her uncle could never hurt her, Thomas knew it was time to tell the rest of the family and his mother that they’d gotten married. Philip looked to Hazel. “Hazel, are you ready to get back to your place?” he asked as he untied his horse from the wagon.

“Just about. Since we aren’t going out to the Young farm, I’d like to stop in at the general store and pick up some thread before heading home. If it wouldn’t be too much trouble.”

“What’s going on?” Josephine asked, looking from one of them to the other. Confusion filled her soft features.

Hazel looked at her and grinned. “Philip and I decided to let you and your new husband go to his parents by yourself.” She smiled as if this was a wonderful gift that had just been bestowed on them.

Josephine’s expressive brown gaze met his. “I didn’t realize we were going to your parents.”

“I’m sorry. I forgot to tell you last night.”

“Thomas, I didn’t pack for an overnight trip.” Reproach laced her indulgent words.

He hadn’t thought of that, either. Where was his head? His thoughts had been so wrapped up in getting them to town safely and keeping a lookout for trouble from her uncle that he’d not considered what would be important to her. “Um, we can go to the general store and buy what you need.” Thomas congratulated himself on his quick thinking.

But one look at her face and he could tell she wasn’t impressed. So far her wedding day had been a total disappointment. He’d seen the way her face had dropped when they discovered that the preacher was out of town but that they could be married by the traveling judge. And now she had to face his family without Hazel’s steady comfort and her personal belongings.

Hazel patted Josephine’s arm, drawing her attention from him. “This is my fault, too. In all the excitement of getting ready, I didn’t notice that you hadn’t packed a bag this morning. I’m sorry, Josephine.”

Philip pulled himself up into his saddle. “I don’t see where there is any harm done.” He turned his horse toward Main Street. “Other than that ragged carpetbag, she didn’t arrive with anything personal to start with.”

Thomas wanted to strangle his brother. Philip had the sensitivity of a grizzly bear. Josephine touched the necklace that rested on her chest. She pulled her shoulders back and nodded. Her eyes still sparkled with what Thomas could only estimate to be anger or perhaps unshed tears. He quickly looked away.

Hazel hurried to the side of the wagon and climbed aboard. “I have a better idea. Josephine and I will run over to the widow Ring’s house. Her dresses will fit Josephine better than those store-bought ones.”

“But I don’t have any money with me, Hazel.” Josephine ignored Thomas’s offer to assist her up to the wagon seat. She pulled herself up and smoothed her skirt about her legs.

Thomas quickly assured her. “I’ll pay for whatever you need.”

Philip’s deep chuckle irritated him. He frowned at his brother while untying his horse from the wagon. Thomas pulled himself into the saddle.

“Of course you will. You’re married now. Whatever Josephine wants, you will pay for,” Hazel reminded him. She snapped the reins over the horse’s back, setting them into motion.

Thomas nodded. Nothing he said or did today was right. He clamped his lips shut, determined not to say the wrong thing again.

“Why don’t you boys go wait for us at the general store? I’d like a little time with Josephine before you two take off for your parents’. We’ll meet you there in an hour.” Hazel wasn’t really asking them to leave; her tone told them to go.

Thomas heard his brother’s snort of laughter again. This was all Philip’s fault. If his brother had just minded his own business and not written an advertisement for a mail-order bride, neither he nor Josephine would be in this situation now.

Hazel turned the wagon down Elm Street and left the men staring after them.

“Looks like we have an hour to kill. What do you want to do now?” Philip asked. He rested his arms on the saddle horn and looked across at Thomas.

“I’d love to strangle you. But since that’s against the law and I’d have to answer to Ma if I did, I suppose we can go to the bakery and get a slice or two of sweetbread while we wait.” He turned his horse toward the small store.

Thomas hoped a hot cup of coffee and sweetbread would calm the troubled waters of his stomach. He felt as if he’d just fought a mighty battle and lost. Josephine was angry at him and they hadn’t been married even a half hour. Would they forever be at odds? Or was this about to become normal life for him?

Chapter Six

Josephine sat beside Thomas on the wagon seat. She wanted to smile knowing she had two beautiful new dresses, undergarments, a nightgown and a new pair of shoes in the basket at her feet. Much more than what she’d need for an overnight stay at the Young farm, but they all fit.

Mrs. Ring’s goods were as wonderful as Hazel had described. The dresses fit perfectly on her small frame. The widow woman had a real talent with needle and thread. Something that Josephine hoped to accomplish someday, as well. Her fingers were still sore from working on the quilt blocks with Hazel.

The shoes were a soft tan and had come from the general store. Unlike her boots, they hugged her feet and made her feel like a woman again, instead of a Pony Express rider.

She cut her eyes and looked at Thomas under her lashes. The question that burned in her mind, but she’d never ask, was—had he felt that little spark when he’d kissed her? Josephine had tried to push that thought, that memory of their lips touching for the first time away all morning. But now, secretly admiring her husband, she couldn’t keep it at bay any longer. Still, she tried by thinking of other things.

Hazel had said that Josephine needed to learn to trust her new husband. That was easy for the older woman to say. Hazel had never been abandoned by her father, almost sold by her uncle or lied to by her new brother-in-law. Hazel had confessed to having a wonderful marriage that had lasted almost forty years.

Thomas stared straight ahead. He hadn’t said much since leaving town. Josephine wondered about the faint welt on his face and had to stop herself from reaching up and tracing it with her finger. How had he gotten the scar? He seemed very aware of it, and even now his jaw clenched under her observation.

She felt more than saw him guide the horse to the side of the road. Josephine waited as they came to a complete stop.

He set the brake on the wagon, then Thomas turned to face her. A deep sigh released from his chest as he said, “Well, we did it.”

Josephine nodded. She tried to add a teasing note to her voice as she answered, “We sure did.”

His face remained serious. Thomas wasn’t in a bantering mood. Her new husband had something important to tell her. His jaw clenched, and then Thomas said, “Look, I’m not sure what you are expecting from this marriage.” He took his hat off his head and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “But it isn’t going to be a real marriage.”

“We said vows, Thomas. Vows that I have been raised to keep.” Now that they were alone, was this his way of saying he’d changed his mind? How could he do such a thing? Bitter bile rose in her throat.

His gaze met and held hers. “I agree, but this isn’t a real marriage, Josephine. The only reason I agreed to it was because I wanted you to be safe from your uncle and his evil plans. I have no intention of falling in love.”

All Josephine could think to say was “All right.” Inside she told herself she was happy that he harbored no desire to fall in love and live happily ever after.

Tension eased from her body. If he felt that way, then he couldn’t expect her to love him, either. How could anyone love another when they weren’t even sure they could trust them?

Still, a twinge of worry etched its way through her mind. “Does this mean you want to get out of the marriage?” She didn’t want to not be married to him; she needed the protection of his name.

“No, I married you before God. I just want you to know that there will be no children and no romance. We are married and you have the protection of the Young name, but that is all.” His Adam’s apple jumped in his throat as he swallowed.

Josephine lowered her eyes. Would her uncle be content with this sort of arrangement? Could he take her away if he knew they were sharing a name and nothing more? She hadn’t thought of this before because she hadn’t wanted a real marriage any more than Thomas did. Josephine still didn’t want a real marriage and prayed that her uncle would be none the wiser.

The warmth of his hand enveloped her shoulder. “Look, no one else has to know our personal business. Ma knows why I married you, but none of my family knows.” He grew silent for a moment, then continued, “Well, that may not be entirely true. I’m sure by now she’s expressed her concerns to Seth.”

So his adoptive parents knew. “I see.” She raised her head and looked at him. “Are we keeping it a secret from everyone?”

Thomas sighed. “No, tonight we’ll tell my family and make sure that they know how important it is to keep our secret. That this isn’t something we want shared with the world. My family will understand.”

The warmth of his hand seeped through the fabric of her dress. The comfort it offered wasn’t enough to keep the cold fingers of fear away. “I know you trust them, Thomas, but I don’t.” She placed her hand on top of his. “Trust isn’t something I offer easily and I’m scared. What if one of them lets it slip to my uncle or Mr. Grossman that we’re married in name only? Could he have the marriage annulled if he knew?”

“I don’t think so, and even if he wanted to use that as an excuse, it could easily be rectified.” His hand moved to touch one of the many curls that surrounded her face. “Would it make you feel better if we didn’t tell the others?”

Hadn’t she just said that? Josephine sighed. “It would.”

He jerked his hand from her hair and turned back toward the front. “All right. I’ll talk to Ma and Seth when we get there.” Thomas flicked the reins over the horse’s back and then set them on the road and headed to his family farm. “Philip knows, also. I told him to move his things into my room before we get back. You’ll be staying in his room.”

So he’d already made arrangements to move her into another room before he’d spoken to her about it. Josephine wondered how Philip had taken the news that he no longer had his own bedroom. “Was Philip all right with the move?”

Thomas shrugged. “He’s fine with it. He’ll have the room to himself two days a week.”

“What about the rest of the week?” Josephine asked out of curiosity.

“He’ll be on the Express trail two days a week and the other three we’ll share the room.” Thomas glanced over at her. “Don’t feel sorry for him. He brought this on himself.” His gaze returned to the road.

Josephine hated that Philip had invited her to marry Thomas, and she hated that she’d had to come, but most of all she hated that both men had to change their way of life for her. It hadn’t been fair to either of the men and yet there was nothing she could do about it now.

“Thomas?”

“Yes?”

Josephine took a deep breath. She wanted to make up for his lost freedom and way of life. “I’m sorry you are upset, but I promise I’ll be a good wife. I can cook and clean, and I’m learning to sew.”

He grinned but continued to face forward. “I’m sure you will be.”

Josephine heard the doubt in his voice. Did he expect her to fail at being a wife?

She’d failed at being a good daughter. Why else would her father have abandoned her after her mother died? What made her think she could be a good wife? Maybe Thomas was wise to doubt her abilities.

Josephine turned away from him. She didn’t want to fail. With hard work, she’d prove she’d be a great wife and Thomas Young would be glad that he’d married her. She clutched the chain of her necklace and fought the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. This day just continued to get worse and worse.

* * *

Thomas pulled into the front yard of his parents’ house. He jumped from the wagon and helped Josephine down. She’d remained quiet the rest of the way to the farm.

Rebecca hurried out of the house with a smile on her face. “Thomas! I can’t believe you’ve come back for a visit so soon.” She turned her blue eyes on Josephine. “You must be Josephine. Thomas has told me all about you.” She hugged Josephine quickly.

Thomas wished she hadn’t said that. It was bad enough that he’d not told Josephine anything about his family. Now she was going to be angry that he’d told Rebecca all about her. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Young.”

His mother looked from Thomas to Josephine.

Thomas handed Josephine her basket. “Ma’s last name is Armstrong. She married Seth not too long ago,” he explained.

“Oh, I’m sorry.” Josephine glared at him.

He thought he’d told her Rebecca’s last name was now Armstrong. Maybe he should have mentioned it again. Thomas touched Josephine’s arm. She pulled away from him. “I’ll take the wagon to the barn and be right back.” He climbed back on the wagon and turned the horse toward the barn.

Rebecca’s soft laughter filled the tense air. “No harm done. Call me Rebecca. Mrs. Armstrong makes me sound old. Come on inside, Josephine. I can’t wait for you to meet the rest of the family,” Rebecca said, wrapping her arm in Josephine’s.

He was in big trouble, Thomas thought. He had no idea how to act around his new wife. He should have told her more about his family. Thomas jumped from the wagon and unhitched the horse.

Andrew stepped from the barn. “I see you brought a woman home to meet Ma.”

“Not just any woman, my wife.” Thomas looked to his older brother.

“Wife?”

“Yep, we got married this morning.” Thomas leaned against the wagon and crossed his arms.

Andrew whistled softly. “Congratulations. I can’t believe you got married.” He shook his head and then looked sharply at Thomas. “Does Ma know?”

Thomas groaned. “No.” He’d sent his new bride inside and hadn’t mentioned they were married. Would he be facing two angry women when he went back to the house?

The front door slammed as Benjamin, Thomas’s youngest brother, ran out onto the porch. He yelled, “Thomas! Ma wants you in the house.” He leaped from the porch and continued running toward them.

Andrew slapped Thomas on the back. “Don’t look so stricken. I doubt your new wife has had time to spill the beans just yet.”

Benjamin stopped a few feet from them. “Miss Josephine says she’s your new wife. Did you know that?”

A laugh spilled from Andrew’s lips. “Of course, I could be wrong.” His older brother moved to the head of the horse and said, “Beni and I will take care of the horse for you.”

Thomas pushed away from the wagon with a groan. “Thanks. This day just gets better and better,” he grumbled.

Chapter Seven

Thomas entered the house quietly. He figured the women would be in the kitchen. What was he going to say? How angry was Ma?

Laughter filled the house. The sound came from the kitchen. Thomas frowned. Maybe he’d read too much into Ma’s summons to come inside. He walked the short distance to the kitchen.

Rebecca saw him in the doorway and pushed away from the table. She hurried to him and gave him a hug. “Josephine tells us that you two got married this morning.” Blue eyes looked up at him. There was a smile on her face, but disappointment filled her gaze.

“We did. I meant to tell you but got sidetracked,” he offered in the same manner he’d done as a boy when he and Philip had gotten themselves into trouble with her.

“Would you like a cup of coffee and a couple of cookies? Joy baked them.” Rebecca turned from him and walked to the stove.

He smiled at his little sister, who stood beside Josephine. “I’d love one of Joy’s cookies.”

Joy grinned proudly at his words. “They are sugar cookies.” She cut her eyes to look at Josephine. “I like to use lots of butter in my cookies.”

“I noticed that. They are especially yummy.” Josephine smiled at the little girl.

Thomas walked to the table and sat down beside his new wife. “I love sugar cookies.” He scooped up Joy and hugged his sister close.

Josephine watched them with a soft grin. “I’ll have to borrow your recipe, Joy.”

Joy’s shyness filled her voice as she said, “It’s really Ma’s recipe. She just lets me use it.”

“I’ll be happy to write it out for you, Josephine. But I have to warn you, Thomas will eat them all if you don’t watch him closely.” Rebecca sat a dessert plate in front of him with two cookies on it.

He snatched one of the cookies up and made a big show of taking a bite from the treat. “Mmm, these are good.” Thomas prayed he’d make it through the day. Both of the women in his life seemed as prickly as porcupines and he was the one who seemed to rub them both the wrong way. All he could do was pray.

* * *

Watching Thomas with his brothers and sister, Josephine envied his large family. After they’d told them about Philip’s sending for her as a mail-order bride and her uncle’s treachery, Josephine began to enjoy their laughter and teasing. During the meal, she observed Joy’s shyness but realized that Joy’s brothers did not have that affliction. They were all very easy natured and outgoing, from the youngest, Benjamin, to the oldest, Andrew.

She handed Rebecca the almost empty bowl of mashed potatoes. “What else can I do, Rebecca?”

“If you want to dry, you are more than welcome to do so.” Rebecca smiled at her.

Fay and Emma exchanged puzzled looks. “Um, then what are we supposed to do?” Emma asked.

“Whatever you want.” Rebecca grinned over her shoulder at them. “I’d like to get to know my new daughter-in-law over the dishes.”

Josephine swallowed. What did Rebecca want to know? She dreaded the questioning that would soon take place.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Fay walked from the room. Emma giggled and followed.

The rest of the lunch crowd fled the kitchen, including Rebecca’s husband, Seth. Rebecca laughed. “I guess I didn’t have to tell them at all.”

Josephine wanted to thrash her new husband. He’d been the first to leave the room.

Rebecca turned to face her. “Well, now that we’re alone, let’s get to know each other.” She offered a sweet smile and began to wash the dishes.

Josephine took a cup from her and asked, “So what do you want to know?”

“Anything you want to tell me.” Rebecca’s dimples showed as she looked at Josephine. “I just want to get to know you. I’m not your judge. I want to be your friend.”

Just like that? All she had to do was share a little about herself and Rebecca would be her friend? Josephine focused on the cup in her hands. “I’m not sure where to start.” Stalling, that was what she was doing, stalling, pure and simple.

“How about telling me where you are from?”

“St. Joseph, Missouri.” She set the dry cup aside and reached for the next.

“It must have been hard to leave there.”

Josephine thought about that for a moment. “Not really. Mama died seven years ago and Papa ran off four years later. I really don’t have any other family except my uncle and I don’t miss him at all.”

Rebecca placed another clean dish in the drying bucket. “What about friends?”

She shrugged. “I don’t have any.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

Josephine laid the dishrag to the side and faced Rebecca. She didn’t want her mother-in-law’s pity. “I know this sounds strange to you, coming from this big family and all, but I really don’t have anyone who cares about me. No family, no friends, nobody.” She heard the crispness in her voice and almost wished she could take it back. But maybe this was just what Rebecca needed to hear. Not everyone had the perfect family.

Rebecca turned so quickly that Josephine took a step back from her. Her blue eyes blazed and her cheeks turned bright pink, anger laced her words. “Let me tell you about me. I grew up in an orphanage and had one brother. He was forced to leave me at the age of twelve and brave the streets alone and in the cold of winter. He froze to death. I was sent here to this farm to help my late husband John’s mother and father, not as a daughter but as a hired hand. John saw me, liked me and married me. Mainly to please his mother and father. We grew to love each other and we built this family. After John’s death, Seth arrived here as a Pony Express station manager. We fell in love and have kept this family together.”

Josephine opened her mouth to say she was sorry, but Rebecca held up her hand to silence whatever she thought Josephine was about to say. “During that time, I met Fay. Her husband had died and the owner of the house they were living in kicked her out. Emma came here as a slave. Fay and I, with the boys’ help, figured out a way to save her from her owners.”