Conveniently Wed

Pony Express manager Clayton Young arrives for his new assignment at a Wyoming ranch just in time to save Maggie Fillmore’s ailing baby. The lovely young widow is struggling to care for a ranch, her sister and a newborn, and Clayton plans to pursue medicine—not marriage. Yet Maggie’s dire situation spurs him to offer a match of convenience...

Maggie hoped never to rely on any man again, even one as kind as Clayton. But with her late husband’s greedy cousin trying to take away her ranch, she has little choice. And though Maggie worries her union with Clayton might not be enough to save her ranch, she soon sees it could be just what her heart needs.

“I’m so glad you came along when you did.”

“I am, too.”

Did Maggie have any idea how pretty she was? Her hazel eyes looked tired but happy. Maggie Young was a beautiful woman, and he didn’t have to be in love to appreciate that.

“Well, I just wanted to say thank you again. For everything.”

“You are welcome. Good night, Maggie.” Clayton waited until she shut the door and then prepared for bed. He heard her moving about her room for a moment or two and then the house was silent. His brain went into overdrive in the quiet.

What had he been thinking? Marriage? Responsibility of the ranch? Firing the foreman and taking over his job, along with his own responsibilities as a Pony Express manager? He’d been sent here to do the job of Pony Express manager.

He’d not shirk his duties as a Pony Express employee, he’d not allow harm to come to his new family and, most important, Clayton Young would not fall in love with his pretty new bride.

Distance. That was what he needed to keep between them. If he didn’t get close to Maggie, his heart wouldn’t betray him.

RHONDA GIBSON lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life, and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.

Pony Express Special Delivery

Rhonda Gibson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

—Psalms 118:23

To my readers:

Thank you so much for reading my books.

You are forever in my heart.

To James Gibson, my real-life hero.

I will love you, always.

Thank You, Lord, I give You ALL the glory

for each and every book.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Wyoming

Winter 1861

Clayton Young’s horse, Bones, slowly picked his way down the dirt road that led to the Fillmore Ranch. The leather of the saddle on the horse’s back squeaked and shifted as the horse stumbled a bit. Clayton patted the horse’s neck. “Good job, Bones. Hang in there. We’re almost to the barn, ole boy, and then we’ll see what can be found to eat in our new home.” Clayton straightened up and drew in a deep breath.

This was the third and final day of his journey. The Fillmore Ranch offered much in the way of comfort, or so he’d been told. Right before he quit, the previous relay station manager, Bill Evers, had said the ranch had been his easiest assignment with the Pony Express.

Clayton sighed. This assignment was his last job with the Pony Express. The telegraph lines and offices were swiftly taking over the Express’s routes. Why send your mail by pony when it could go by train in a day’s time or wire in mere minutes? People were whispering that the Pony Express was in financial distress and would soon be extinct once telegraph lines were completed from the East Coast to the West. Because of all the talk, Bill had found another job and quit the Pony Express. He had a small family and couldn’t afford to be out of work even a day.

Unlike his friend Bill, Clayton didn’t have a family to support so he figured he’d stick with the Pony Express to the end. Then he’d pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. He’d saved almost every dime of the money he’d earned working for the Pony Express, and that would hold him over for a while after this job ended.

Bones began traveling up the hill. Clayton leaned forward in the saddle. Like this road, it seemed that shortly after Christmas his life had become an uphill climb. His fiancée, Eunice, had broken off their engagement and quickly married the banker’s son, and then he’d learned that the Pony Express could shut down at any moment. Mixed emotions warred for his attention. On one hand, he’d miss the stability the Pony Express had brought to his income and his life. On the other hand, he’d be free to pursue doctoring, something he’d dreamed of doing for as long as he could remember.

He topped the hill and saw the ranch house below. The sun was lowering in the west, casting rust-colored rays over the barn, yard and two-story house. It was a nice place with a couple of large trees in the front and what looked like fruit trees off to the side.

Pleasure and a tiny spiral of hope teased his mind. This was his chance to start over. With blessings from the Lord and hard work, he just might see his dream of becoming a doctor come to fruition.

Movement below drew his attention. A little girl ran from the house to the barn. Clayton figured that was five-year-old Dinah. Bill had said the little girl was the sister to Jack Fillmore’s young wife. Jack had died three months earlier and left a widow behind.

He gently touched his knees to Bones’s ribs. The horse took his time easing down the hill. All the while, Clayton watched the child. She exited the barn pulling a mustang pony behind her. What was a five-year-old girl doing messing with a horse? His gaze swept the rest of the yard and surrounding area. Where were the ranch hands? Where was Jack’s widow?

His gut clenched, a sure sign that all was not well at the ranch. “Let’s go, ole boy.”

Bones heard the words let’s go and tore down the hill like the ranch was on fire. Being a Pony Express horse, Bones had been trained by Clayton that when his rider said “let’s go,” he was to move fast. Clayton would have grinned, if he weren’t concerned about the child below.

He knew the exact moment the little girl spotted him. She stopped in her tracks, wrapped the horse’s reins around the wagon and ran at top speed toward the house. She had barely made it onto the front porch when Bones skidded to a stop below her.

Clayton saw her hand tremble as she reached for the doorknob. He knew a scared little filly when he saw one, and his instincts kicked in just as they did when he sensed Indians and bandits on the Pony Express trail. What he needed to do now was keep calm and find out what the trouble was.

He spoke in a soft, even voice. “You must be Dinah.”

The little girl nodded.

“I’m Clayton Young and I was sent to manage the Pony Express station. Is Mrs. Maggie Fillmore here? Bill told me she would show me the ropes.”

The little girl turned loose of the door and rushed toward him. “My sissy just had...um, the baby’s having trouble breathing.” She paused in uncertainty.

Big tears welled up in her eyes and ran down her chubby cheeks, and a tiny dimple peeked through strands of hair that had fallen from her braids. “He’s not crying or nothing. Sissy says we have to get to town where the doctor lives.” She twisted her small hands in her dress in agitation. “I have to hitch the horse to the buggy so we can get Sissy and the babe to Doc Anderson.”

Bill hadn’t mentioned that Mrs. Fillmore was with child. Clayton forced himself to remain calm, knowing that the babe might already be dead. “Tell you what. Why don’t you take me to the baby and let me see if I can help?” He saw the indecision on her face and slid off his horse. “I’ve doctored my brothers for years. Please, let me help your sister.” Clayton wrapped his horse’s reins around the porch post.

Dinah nodded and held the door open. When she started up the stairs, Clayton could no longer remain calm, and he slipped past her two steps at a time. If the baby had turned blue, he might already be too late.

Clayton followed the sound of weeping and entered a room of pure chaos. Linen was strewn over the floor. A pan of water sat on the floor beside the bed, and sitting on the side of the bed wearing a dressing gown was a larger version of Dinah. She held the still baby in her hands. Her mournful weeping filled the room.

The setting sun shone through the window behind her, creating a halo of sorts, and golden ringlets tumbled across her shoulders, reaching almost to her waist. When she looked up at him, pure unadulterated grief twisted her features, and without a word she held the baby out to him, silently begging for his help.

Clayton gently lifted the baby to his chest. A white line circled his tiny mouth, and his lips held a tinge of blue. Clayton laid the baby on the bed and with his little finger pulled down on the lower lip.

Carefully, using the edge of the sheet, he cleared the child’s air passages. The baby kicked and then gagged. Clayton turned him over and lightly swatted his bare bottom. The baby emitted a weak cry, followed by high-pitched, angry wails. Clayton turned him back over and placed the boy, full of life, in his mother’s arms.

Clayton released the pent-up air in his lungs. He knew a moment of intense satisfaction and peace. A frail smile touched the woman’s lips as she examined her newborn son. She yawned and her eyelids drifted down. Clayton gently lifted her and the baby, and he eased them back onto the bed. She may have been too weak to stand, but he noticed the grip on her baby had not lessened one bit. Clayton pulled the covers over them both and started to straighten up the room.

As he turned with the pan of water, he noticed the little girl standing in the doorway, silent sobs shaking her body. He set the pan on the dresser and picked Dinah up.

In the corner of the room sat a rocker. He dropped into it, holding her. Clayton rocked, occasionally rubbing her hair as he’d seen his adoptive mother, Rebecca, do with his sister many times.

His gaze moved to the woman on the bed. She’d fallen into an exhausted sleep with the baby cradled against her. He felt Dinah relax in his arms. Her eyelids drooped and finally her breathing relaxed into that of gentle slumber.

Clayton laid his head against the back of the rocker and propped his feet on the footboard of the bed. The chair tilted to a perfect sleeping position. The room now lay in shadows as the sun completed its final descent. Clayton felt exhaustion pull at him but remembered that he couldn’t sleep. The horses were still outside and needed tending.

He lowered his boots, stood up slowly and carried Dinah to the bed. Clayton laid her on the opposite side of Maggie Fillmore. Maggie’s blond hair rested against her cheek, and she had dark circles beneath her eyes. How long had she labored alone?

Protective vibes for the sleeping trio filled him as questions plagued his mind. Where were the men who should have been close to the ranch house? Why hadn’t the widow had another woman with her during her birthing time? Would he be able to protect his heart from this precious family?

* * *

Maggie awoke with a start. The smell of bacon wafted up the stairs. No, not up the stairs. There was no way the odor could travel that far. She turned her head and saw a plate of eggs, bacon and toast resting on the table.

She sensed Dinah stirring at her back. “Sissy?”

“I’m here.” Maggie reached behind her and touched the little girl, all the while focusing on the baby who slept so contentedly next to her. Several times during the night, she’d drawn him close to nurse.

“Where is Mr. Young?” Dinah sat up and leaned over Maggie’s shoulder. “Did he fix us breakfast?”

Maggie heard Dinah’s stomach growl. Poor little mite hadn’t had anything to eat since noon the day before. Maggie’s pains had been so great during labor that she hadn’t been able to make it back down the stairs. “I’m not sure who fixed this.” Maggie handed her a strip of the crispy bacon.

“Hold up, half-pint.”

In the doorway stood the man who’d saved the baby’s life the night before. Maggie pushed herself up, bracing her back on the headboard and holding on to the baby. Her body ached in places she never knew could hurt.

He came into the room carrying two more plates of food. He held the smaller plate out as if offering it to Dinah. “I brought you your own breakfast.”

Dinah returned the strip of bacon to Maggie’s plate and scooted from the bed. She hurried around the end to take her plate. “Thank you.”

He brushed his hand across the top of her blond head. “My pleasure.” His blue gaze swung toward Maggie. “I hope you don’t mind that I made myself at home in your kitchen.”

She watched as he walked to the rocker at the foot of the bed. He pulled two forks from his back pocket, handed one to Dinah and then eased into the rocker. Dinah followed and sat at his feet.

Maggie frowned. Dinah wasn’t the type to take to a stranger as she was doing with this man. Was she infatuated with him because he’d saved the baby’s life and fixed them breakfast?

He said a quick prayer over the food and then looked up at her. His piercing blue eyes met hers. He waved his fork in the direction of the food. “You should probably eat it while it’s hot.”

She pulled the plate and fork to her. “Um, who are you?” Maggie set the plate on the edge of the bed. The fact that he’d prayed over the food surprised her. She’d not been much for going into town for church, and Jack had never shown an interest either. Had God really answered her prayers last night and sent a godly man to save her baby’s life?

“Oh, I’m sorry. Name’s Clayton Young. I’m the new Pony Express station manager. I suppose I should have introduced myself last night, but I forgot with the urgency of the situation and all.” He shoveled egg into his mouth.

Maggie didn’t know what to say to that, so instead replied, “Thank you for saving the baby.”

Clayton grinned. “Thank God, ma’am. He’s the one who saved the boy. I was just the instrument He used.” He winked at Dinah. “Isn’t that right, half-pint?”

Dinah smiled around a mouthful of eggs and nodded happily.

Maggie studied the pair. It was as if they shared a secret. She sampled the bacon. It was good. Mr. Young seemed to be able to fry meat as well as save babies.

“Have you come up with a name for the little tyke?” Clayton Young asked.

Her gaze moved to the infant. He needed a name, but Maggie didn’t know what to call him. She’d been struggling with that for a couple of months now. Jack might have liked the boy named after him, but Maggie didn’t want to call him Jack Jr. She’d thought about the men in her life. Her father’s name was Paul, but he wasn’t anything like the apostle. That name would only conjure up bitter memories of the man who’d run off with another woman and left her mother heartbroken. She’d not known her grandfathers so had no names to choose from there.

Clayton cleared his throat. “Well, I’m sure there is no rush.”

Maggie looked up at him. The only man who’d ever done anything for her was a total stranger, and he sat across the room from her. “Maybe I’ll name him Clayton, after you.”

Clayton shook his head. “That’s not a good idea.”

“Why not?” Dinah asked.

He set his now-empty plate on the floor. “Well, every time his mother would call, ‘Clayton!’ I’d come a-runnin’. When boys are little their mamas have to call their names a lot.”

“Oh.” Dinah looked to Maggie. “I like the name James.”

Maggie looked down on her newborn’s sweet face. His lips were puckered in sleep. “What do you think of the name James, baby?” His eyes opened and he yawned.

Dinah clapped her hands. “He likes it.”

Maggie snuggled the baby’s face and felt his small lips move across her skin. He smelled sweet and warm. She looked up with a grin that quickly faded. Mr. Young looked as if he’d swallowed a bug. “What’s the matter, Mr. Young? Do you not like the name James?” She didn’t know why it mattered to her if he liked the name or not, but it did.

“I like it just fine.”

Dinah reached over and took his hand in hers. “Then why do you have that frowny face?” she asked.

He grinned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to have a frowny face. It’s just that my full name is Clayton James Young.”

Maggie didn’t know what to think when the baby kicked his legs and made what to every new mother sounds like a happy noise. “If you don’t want me to name him...”

“No, it seems the little man likes his new name. If you want to call him James, that’s all right with me.” He stood and collected his and Dinah’s plates. “Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I have a kitchen to clean up and a stew to get on the stove. Then I’m going into town to get the doctor so he can look over baby James.” He nodded once and then left the room.

Maggie heard his boots clomp down the stairs. She looked to Dinah, who stood by the door watching him leave. “Dinah, come here for a moment.”

Dinah hurried to her bedside. “Do you want me to help you get dressed, Maggie?”

Maggie shook her head. The baby began to fuss for breakfast. She swung her legs to the edge of the bed and then stood slowly. “No, I’m curious. You seem to like Mr. Young.”

Dinah nodded. “He’s a nice man.”

She eased into the rocker. “What makes you say that?” Maggie moved the now-howling baby to a more comfortable position. He immediately stopped crying with the warmth of breakfast filling his small tummy.

“He saved baby James and rocked me to sleep last night.”

Maggie’s head came up as concern filled her heart. Men weren’t to be trusted, so why had he taken it upon himself to comfort Dinah? “He did?”

“Uh-huh. I was scared and Mr. Young picked me up and rocked me while I cried. I went to sleep and he put me in bed with you.” Dinah smiled. “He told me everything was going to be all right. And it is.” Dinah jumped on the bed. Her smile filled the room.

Maggie rocked the baby. Not only had he saved James, but he’d also soothed Dinah’s fears. He’d made them all breakfast and was already planning a trip to town to bring back the doctor. What kind of man was Clayton James Young? Unfamiliar words whispered through her heart: the kind who took care of the people around him.

She didn’t need that kind of man in her life. He’d turn out just like all the others who had let her down. Maggie refused to be hurt again, so she hardened her heart against Clayton Young.

Maggie cuddled the baby close. Her job was to make sure that she could hold on to baby James’s ranch. Gus Fillmore, her late husband’s cousin, had insisted on becoming the ranch manager and she’d let him because he’d promised to keep her up-to-date on the running of the ranch. Maggie’s new fear was that he’d soon begin to demand ownership. She couldn’t allow that. With Jack’s dying breath, he’d asked her to make sure baby James would inherit the ranch, and she’d promised to do just that. It was a promise she intended to keep.

Chapter Two

Clayton made his way out to the barn. There were no riders scheduled for arrival so he felt all right about going to town to get the doctor. But he didn’t feel comfortable leaving Maggie, Dinah and the baby alone. His gaze moved about the front yard once more. Still no ranch hands. Where was everyone?

He’d been so tired the night before that all he’d managed to do was put the horses away and return to the house. He’d checked on Maggie and the children then returned downstairs, where he’d fallen asleep on the settee. Clayton hadn’t seen anyone other than Maggie and the children since his arrival.

The trip to town could wait a few more minutes. He entered the barn and saw that the horses had already been fed and watered. In a matter of minutes, Clayton saddled his horse and headed out to find the ranch hands.

It didn’t take long to spot two men working on the south fence. They were both bent over when he rode up. “Morning.” Clayton stopped Bones and leaned on his saddle horn.

“Morning. You must be the new Pony Express manager.”

The taller man took his hat off and wiped the sweat from his brow.

“That I am. I’m looking for the foreman.”

“I’m Gus Fillmore.” The shorter of the two men stood up. He shaded his eyes as he looked up at Clayton. “What can I do for you, Mr. Young?”

“To start with, you can call me Clayton.” Clayton extended his hand.

Gus took it and squeezed hard, then released Clayton’s hand. “We’re kind of busy here, Clayton.” He indicated the fence behind him.

Clayton nodded. “I can see that.” He paused until he had the man’s full attention then asked, “Did you know that Mrs. Fillmore had the baby last night?”

“Nope.” Gus motioned for the other cowboy to get back to working on the fence. “Maggie’s family ways are no concern of mine.”

“That so?” Clayton watched as the two men returned to their work. How could Gus not think that his boss having a baby didn’t concern him? And since they had the same last name, Clayton knew they were kin by marriage, so why didn’t Jack’s relative care about his wife?

“Yep. This ranch is my only concern.” He grunted as he lifted a log into place.

Clayton shifted in the saddle. “What if she’d had complications?”

Gus turned to eye him. “You a doctor or something?”

“Not today. But I am concerned that no one was around when Maggie was having her baby.”

Gus snorted rudely. “Look, Young. My job is to run the ranch, yours is to run the Pony Express, and Maggie is none of our concern.”

“I see. So, if she had died in childbirth?”

Gus shrugged and then spit. “Then we would have buried her and continued on with the running of this ranch.” He locked eyes with Clayton. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have a job to do.”

Clayton nodded. He turned the horse back toward the ranch house. Gus Fillmore had made it clear he didn’t care what happened to Maggie but that he did care about what happened to the ranch. If Maggie had died giving birth to baby James, would Gus have claimed the ranch as his? Clayton was pretty sure the callous, uncaring man would have done just that.

Clayton thought about the situation at the ranch. His concerns for Maggie and the children’s welfare grew. He couldn’t help but wonder if Gus had deliberately made sure no one would be around when Maggie went into labor. Had the man been hoping she’d die giving birth?

* * *

Maggie moved slowly about the kitchen. Coming down the stairs had taken much longer than ever before. She’d not expected to be quite this sore after having the baby.

“You all right?” Dinah asked. Worry etched her little face.

Maggie smiled at her little sister. “I’m fine. I just had a baby and I’m still a little sore.”

“Oh.” Dinah climbed up on one of the chairs at the table. “Are you sure you can make bread?”

Maggie nodded. “It’s bread-baking day. I can do it.” She wrapped James tightly in a blanket and laid him in an oval washtub on the table in front of Dinah. “Keep an eye on the baby. If he wakes up tell me, all right?”

Dinah stood up on the seat. “I’ll watch him real good, Sissy.”

Her smile widened at the seriousness in Dinah’s voice. “I know you will, sweetie. Thank you.” She walked to the cabinet and pulled out a tin of beans. “Here, Dinah, why don’t you make sets of five beans? Be sure and pull out all the rocks and dirt clods.”

“All right, Sissy. I like playing with the beans.” Dinah took them and began sorting them. It seemed she’d decided to separate them by color and size today.

Maggie grinned, happy that Dinah was unaware she was learning how to count and doing a simple chore at the same time. Grabbing a tin scoop, she heaped flour along with two generous pinches of salt into a large creamware bowl. Maggie then pressed her fingers into the mound of flour mixture and dug out a hole. After brushing her hands on her apron, she reached into the pie safe and pinched off a corner of yeast, crumbling the moist leaven into the center of the flour. With the milk properly scalded, she added a spoonful of bacon grease, stirring until the ingredients melted together.

While the mixture cooled, she wiped down the counter with a damp rag, set a bowl in front of Dinah to put her sorted beans into and then returned to her baking. She gently tapped the side of the pan to ensure a lukewarm temperature, then poured the thickened milk into the well of flour. Waiting for the yeast to dissolve, she gradually added a generous handful of sugar.

Weariness eased into her sore muscles as she worked. She forced her thoughts away from her discomfort and focused her attention on the liquid mixture foaming merrily in the center of the flour. Satisfied she’d waited long enough for the yeast to develop, Maggie folded in the dry ingredients.

Bread-baking day was her favorite day of the week. She loved the silky texture of the flour, the way the dough gradually came together beneath the heels of her hands to form a smooth, flexible ball. The way the yeast smelled reminded her of days spent in the kitchen with her mother before their world fell apart, happy and comforting. She put the dough into pans and then slid the two loaves into the oven.

“Baby James is awake, Sissy.” Dinah rubbed the baby’s head.

“Thank you, Dinah.” Maggie lowered herself into the chair beside her sister and picked the baby up out of the washtub. The growing fatigue of the simple action of making bread pulled her to slump in the chair. She pressed the baby to her chest. He snuggled into her neck, bringing a sweet feeling of deep love for the infant.

“Is he hungry again?” Dinah asked. She studied the small rows of beans in front of her.

Maggie checked the baby’s diaper. He was still dry. She cuddled him close and leaned her head back as he nursed. Her eyes felt heavy, so she closed them. She’d just rest them a little while the bread baked.

“Sissy?”

Maggie jerked awake. How long had she been sleeping? The baby rested in her arms. “I’m sorry, Dinah. I fell asleep.” The smell of baking bread filled the small kitchen.

“I think the bread is finished.” Dinah stood in front of the stove holding a dish towel.

She tucked the blanket around the baby once more and placed him in the washtub. Her back ached as she stood. “You’re right. It is ready to come out.” Maggie pulled the bread from the oven and sighed. “Dinah, I think I’ll take the baby and go lie down.”

“You want me to do the dishes?” Dinah asked.

“No, sweetie. Why don’t you come upstairs with me? You can play with your doll and blocks while I take a nap.” She tugged on the girl’s ponytail. “Then we’ll get up and put those beans on to boil.”

Dinah put the beans into the bowl Maggie had supplied earlier. She yawned. “Maggie, how come baby James sleeps so much?”

“He’s new to the world. He’s going to be doing a lot of growing, so he needs to sleep. You used to sleep a lot, too.”

Carrying the baby, Maggie made her way back up the stairs, each step painful and slow. Dinah tagged along behind her. “You remember when I was a baby?”

“It was only five short years ago,” Maggie reminded her. She continued placing one foot in front of the other until she finally reached the top of the stairs.

The front door opened below them. Maggie turned to see who had entered her house. Gus stepped inside. She frowned. When had Gus become so bold as to enter without knocking?

“Aw, Maggie. It’s good to see you are up. I take it the baby is in good health?” Gus walked across the room and stopped at the foot of the stairs.

Maggie tightened her hold on the baby. “Yes. What did you come to the house for, Gus?”

He laughed. “Always getting straight to the point, huh, Maggie?”

She didn’t answer him. Maggie waited for him to continue. From experience, she knew he’d continue whether she answered or not.

“Now that the baby is here, you have even less time to invest in the ranch. Sell it to me, Maggie. I’ll give you a good price and you and the kids will be able to live a life of comfort for years to come.” He advanced farther up the stairs.

Dinah hid behind Maggie’s skirt.

Maggie understood the little girl’s fear. Most often Gus’s eyes blazed his anger at whatever situation they were confronted with, but today, cunning and desire to own the Fillmore Ranch shone clear as day. She shook her head. “Thank you, Gus. I’m sure that your offer would be generous, but I promised to keep the land for baby James. I can’t sell it.”

His jaw clenched. “Jack is dead. He’ll never know if you kept your word or not.” He leaned a hip on the stair railing.

“You’re right. He is dead. But I am not. I made a promise to him and I will not break it. This ranch belongs to Jack’s son and I won’t sell it, not to you, not to anyone.” As confident as her words sounded, inwardly Maggie trembled.

Gus’s face turned bright red. His jaw clenched and unclenched several times. He stood taller and fisted his hands at his sides. His eyes blazed with anger and loathing.

Maggie tightened her hand on the railing. “Please let yourself out, Gus.”

He jerked around and headed to the door.

Just as his fingers touched the bar to open it again, Maggie said, “Oh, Gus. I’d like to see the ranch ledger. Please have one of the men bring it to the house this evening.”

He jerked the door open and slammed it shut behind him.

Baby James awoke with a start. His small face puckered as if he’d bitten into a persimmon. Then he opened those same lips and wailed out his displeasure at being awaken so rudely.

Maggie wanted to join the baby in his tears but knew she had to stay strong for Dinah’s sake. She patted the baby’s back and made shushing noises.

“Come along, Dinah.” Maggie led the way to her bedroom. Once inside, she closed the door and locked it. Her hand trembled as she changed the baby’s diaper.

“Maggie, why does Uncle Gus want the ranch so bad?” Dinah had scrambled up on the bed with her rag doll.

“All men want to own land, Dinah. Gus thinks this ranch should rightfully belong to him since it was his cousin’s.” Maggie shuddered to think how far Gus might be willing to push to get the Fillmore land.

Dinah picked up her doll and hugged it close. “But you aren’t going to give it to him, are you?”

Maggie wrapped the baby up tightly. She lay down on the bed and then cuddled James close again. “No, this land belongs to James.”

“I’m glad.” Dinah yawned. “I don’t much like Mr. Gus.” Her eyes drifted closed.

Maggie wished she could fall asleep as quickly as Dinah and the baby. Her mind was having no part of rest at the moment. She knew Gus Fillmore wasn’t going to give up on owning the ranch. Today he had showed just how badly he wanted it, and the depth of that desire scared Maggie.

How far would Gus go to get his cousin’s ranch? And how was she going to stop him from taking it? Her thoughts went to Clayton Young and the doctor. Did she dare close her eyes and rest until they arrived?

* * *

In town, Clayton spotted the doctor’s shingle hanging on the doorpost of a small house. He dismounted. After tying the horse’s reins to the hitching post, he entered the front door. A bell over the entryway clanked his arrival. Clayton’s gaze moved about the waiting room that appeared to be empty.

A side door opened and the doctor motioned for Clayton to follow him into the examination room. He was a tall man with thinning hair and sharp gray eyes. “Is this an emergency?” he asked.

Clayton shook his head. His gaze moved over the country doctor. The dark-haired man was older than Clayton had expected, with grass-green eyes. He wore a white coat over his regular clothes, and a stethoscope hung around his neck.

“Then you won’t mind if I wash up, will you?” He turned and moved to the washbasin beside the examination table.

“No, sir.”

Clayton felt as if he were right where he belonged. His gaze traveled over the examination table. A cabinet sat to the right where he assumed the doctor kept medication and medical instruments. A desk and chair stood on the other side of the room.

Clayton’s gaze moved to a bookshelf that rested beside the desk. Its shelves were packed with volumes of books and loose papers. He imagined the books were filled with all kinds of cures and advice to help the sick.

“Have you had any doctor training?” The elderly man finished washing his hands then moved to the desk.

Clayton turned his attention back to the doctor. “No, sir. But I’ve read a couple of medical books and was the family doctor.” He grinned as memories of his brothers’ cuts and bruises came to mind. When you grew up with six adopted brothers, you tended to stay busy with bandaging and sewing up gashes.

Thankfully, nothing serious had come up. Clayton’s grin slid from his face. If it had, he wouldn’t have known what to do. Josephine, his brother Thomas’s wife, had known more about healing than he had when one of the other Pony Express riders had arrived with a gunshot wound. The event had forced Clayton to realize that he needed more schoolin’ if he intended to be a doctor.

“I thought as much, the way you are eyeballing those books.”

Was he so transparent that the doctor had read his desire to become a doctor just by watching his expression when he’d looked at the books?

He held out his hand. “I’m Charles Anderson and the only doctor for miles around.”

Clayton took his hand and shook it. Doc Anderson’s handshake wasn’t as forceful as Gus Fillmore’s, but then again, the doctor didn’t have anything to prove. “Clayton Young.”

“Ah, the new Pony Express manager out at the Fillmore place. Bill mentioned a new man would be arriving soon.”

“Yes, sir.” Clayton released the other man’s hand.

“So, if you don’t mind my asking, what were you doing reading medical books and behaving as the family doctor?” He tucked his hands in his front pockets.

Clayton studied his face. “Our farm is about fifteen miles from town. If someone got hurt or sick, I took care of them.”

“And the books?”

Clayton pushed away from the window. “I’ve wanted to be a doctor since forever. Ma bought me a few books. Typically animal care books, but most of the practices are the same.” Clayton still remembered the first time his adoptive mother, Rebecca Armstrong, had given him a book. He’d thought her the most wonderful person alive. Still did, if truth be told.

The doctor surprised him with a burst of laughter. “Well, that’s the first time I’ve heard that, but all considering, you might not be too off with your thinking.” He rubbed his chin. “So, what brings you to my office?”

“Mrs. Fillmore had her baby last night.”

The doctor stood taller. “Did the delivery go well? How’s the baby?” He began grabbing items and thrusting them into a black bag. “Why didn’t you speak up sooner?”

Clayton grimaced. “I wasn’t there for the delivery. The boy seems to be fine this morning and I got distracted with all your questions.”

Doc Anderson slowed down and looked at Clayton. “I’d better go out anyway and check on Maggie and the babe.”

Clayton grinned. “My thoughts exactly. That’s why I’m here.”

The doctor gave him a funny look, then walked over to the bookcase. He chose two books and dropped them into his big black bag. “My buggy is sitting beside the house. It’s already rigged up. I was about to go to the Harper place, but they can wait until I examine Maggie and the baby.”

Clayton followed him through the waiting room and out the front door. He watched the doctor lock the door and drop the key into his front pocket. “I’ll wait here.”

The doctor nodded and then walked to the side of the house.

A few minutes later, Clayton found himself riding beside the doctor’s buggy. He wasn’t sure he’d ever want to use a buggy for house calls. It was quicker to just jump on the horse’s back and ride.

“I hear the Pony Express may be shutting its doors soon,” the doctor said in way of conversation.

“Yes, sir. I’ve heard that, too.”

“Do you have any plans for your future?” He clicked his tongue to get the horse pulling his buggy to go a little faster.

Clayton grinned. “I’m hoping to become a doctor.”

“Figured as much.” The doctor nodded. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m getting up there in years.” He kept his gaze on the horse’s back.

Clayton answered, “No, I didn’t notice.”

The good doctor laughed. “Well, be that as it may, I’ve been thinking about retiring in a few years. Think you might be interested in becoming my assistant, if the Pony Express doesn’t pan out?”

Was this God’s way of blessing his plans of becoming a doctor? Clayton swallowed. This was just the opportunity he’d prayed about. “I would be honored, but I can’t leave the Pony Express right now.”

“No, I don’t reckon you can. But, if you are serious about becoming a doctor, I’ll be happy to loan you a couple of books. Maybe you can study those and then we can talk more about your future.” He dug in his bag and pulled out one of the books.

Clayton rode the horse close to the buggy and leaned down to take the book Doc Anderson held up to him. Then he straightened and examined the soft calfskin cover. It was light brown with the words “The History and Treatment of the Diseases of the Teeth, the Gums, and the Alveolar Processes, by Joseph Fox” on both the front of the book and the spine.

“In my line of work, I’m often called to pull teeth or doctor a tooth that has infection in it. That’s probably one of the best books you can find right now, so don’t lose it.”

Clayton flipped it open and was happy to see that there were numerous illustrations of teeth and different forms of decay. “I’ll take good care of it.” He slipped it into his saddlebag.

“See that you do. Here’s the second book I want you to study.” He held up a smaller book for Clayton to take.

Clayton took the book and silently read the cover. The Family Doctor: A Counsellor in Sickness, Pain and Distress, for Childhood, Manhood and Old Age. Containing in Plain Language, Free from Medical Terms, the Causes, Symptoms, and Cure of Disease in Every Form...with Engravings of Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Henry S. Taylor. It never failed to amaze him that books came with such long titles. This one would be interesting to read. He just prayed that with his Pony Express duties he’d have time. “Thank you, sir. How long can I keep them?” He ran his finger over the raised lettering of the title.

“As long as you need. That one is fairly new. Came out last year, but I have an older one that says pretty much the same thing. Just remember to take good care of it. Books aren’t cheap, you know.”

Clayton nodded. He added the book to his saddlebag. His thoughts went to Maggie and the kids. “Doc? How well do you know Maggie Fillmore?”

“Well enough, I reckon. Why do you ask?” His gray eyes searched Clayton’s face.

“I met Gus Fillmore and he seems to not like the widow. Is there anything I should know about her?” That wasn’t exactly what he wanted to ask but felt it was a good starting place.

“Gus Fillmore is Jack’s cousin. He’d hoped to inherit the ranch and when he didn’t, he offered to buy it from Maggie. She refused. I’m sure Gus is still a little sore about all that and is holding a grudge.”

Just as he suspected. Clayton nodded. “I think you’re right.” He focused on the road home and even tapped Bones’s side with the heel of his boot to get the horse to go a little faster.

The doctor urged his horse to do the same.

Clayton didn’t like the idea of Gus Fillmore having ill feelings toward Maggie. He didn’t know her very well, but what he did know, he liked. She’d braved having a child on her own, then had the sense to tell her younger sister to get help, and when he’d arrived, she’d trusted him to make the baby breathe. Maggie seemed like a strong woman, but would she be strong enough to keep Gus Fillmore from taking over the ranch?

Chapter Three

It seemed as if Clayton had been in town far longer than he needed to be, if he were concerned about baby James. Maggie’s eyes were drifting closed when she heard the men arrive in the front yard. She pushed herself up into a sitting position.

The baby stirred in her arms and Dinah awoke with wide eyes. The little girl had slept for over an hour.

Maggie reached over and brushed the blonde hair from her eyes. “Sweetie, I think Clayton and the doctor have arrived. Would you go look out the window and make sure it’s them for me?”

Dinah came awake instantly. She scrambled off the bed and ran to the window. Her little hands tugged at the drapes.

Maggie grinned as the girl disappeared behind them.

“It is Clayton and the doctor.” Dinah came out. “Want me to go open the door for them?” She ran to the bedroom door and waited for an answer.

“Yes, please.”

Maggie listened as Dinah ran down the stairs. A few moments later she heard the doctor’s voice and sighed. Now she could relax. Clayton was back, and the doctor would make sure the baby was healthy.

Over the last couple of months, the older gentleman had fussed and insisted she come see him on the first Monday of every month. Yesterday, this time, she would have loved to have had him close but instead had faced having baby James alone.

A soft knock sounded on the door. She called, “Come in.”

Doc Anderson entered first. “Well, hello, Maggie. I wasn’t expecting you to have that little bundle for another week.” His gray eyes searched Maggie’s.

Maggie smiled at him. “I know. Baby James came a little earlier than we expected. Not only was he early, but his coming into the world wasn’t as easygoing as we’d hoped.”

The doctor glanced with concern from Maggie to Clayton. “What happened?” He walked across the room and took the baby from her arms.

Hadn’t Clayton told the doctor how he’d saved the baby’s life? She watched as Dinah slipped into the room and took Clayton’s hand in hers. Her little sister pressed against his leg. Obviously, Gus’s visit had scared her more than Maggie had realized. Or was the little girl simply happy to see the man responsible for James’s well-being?

Maggie pulled her gaze from the pair and explained the difficult delivery in a low tone, wishing Dinah were in the other room. Her voice cracked as she told him how the baby wouldn’t breathe for her. She looked to Clayton and said, “Thankfully, Mr. Young arrived and saved him.”

The doctor turned to look at Clayton. “Is that right?” It wasn’t really a question as much as an expression of admiration.

“It wasn’t really me, sir. God used me to help the child.” Clayton’s neck and cheeks turned red under the doctor’s interested gaze.

“Well, then I’m glad the good Lord sent you when you were needed the most.”

Maggie searched Clayton’s face. So, he believed in giving God credit for what he’d done. It gave her comfort to think that Clayton might be a God-fearing man.

Doctor Anderson turned to face them once more. “Clayton, why don’t you take Miss Dinah downstairs for a little while?” He didn’t give Clayton time to answer before he spoke to her. “Maggie, I’m going to examine you both and make sure that you’re healthy enough to get back to a regular routine.”

Worried blue eyes met hers. Maggie said, “Dinah, you can stay if you want to.”

“No, I want to go with Clayton.” She clung tighter to his hand. “He’ll keep me safe.”

Maggie moved her eyes to search his. Had he heard the fear in Dinah’s voice? What would he think if he knew just how badly her cousin-in-law wanted the ranch?

Clayton nodded. “I can use her company in the horse barn, if that’s all right with you.”

Maggie knew he’d take care of Dinah and for a brief moment allowed herself to dream that he really could keep them all safe. “Thank you.”

Half an hour later, the doctor and Maggie walked out onto the front porch. “Now, don’t forget, Maggie, this first week rest downstairs until bedtime at night. Stairs will delay your healing. And no lifting anything heavier than the baby. If there are any indications of sickness in either of you, call on me right away. Otherwise, I’ll expect you to come into town in about six weeks so that I can check on the babe.”

“I will. I’m glad we are both doing well. Thank you, Doctor, for coming out.”

* * *

Clayton felt Dinah’s small hand slip into his once more. They walked across the yard to the house.

“Is baby James all right?” Dinah asked.

Clayton laid a hand on her shoulder. His gaze moved from the doctor’s to Maggie’s.

“He is a happy, healthy baby,” Maggie answered. Her smile seemed to brighten the already sunny afternoon.

The doctor cleared his throat to get Clayton’s attention, then said, “Mr. Young, I’d like a few minutes of your time.” He motioned for Clayton to come closer to the porch.

Clayton felt his face burst into flames as he realized the doctor had caught him staring at Maggie. He had no business staring at a new mother, even if she was the prettiest woman he’d ever met. Where were his manners? He walked up onto the bottom porch step.

“You did a fine job with the baby.”

Clayton rested an arm on the porch railing. “Thank you. But like I said, it was God’s doing, not mine.”

The doctor nodded. “Yep, that’s how I feel every time a life is spared.” His gaze moved off into the distance for a moment. “I’m glad you were here for these two. Read and study those books I gave you. I’ve a feeling you are going to be a great doctor.” Doctor Anderson stepped around Clayton and into the yard where Dinah still stood.

“Thank you, sir. I will.”

The doctor knelt in front of Dinah. “Thank you for helping Clayton out in the barn while you waited for us. Here’s a bit of candy for all your troubles.” He handed Dinah a small peppermint stick and grinned at her before standing again.

Dinah looked to Maggie, who nodded her permission for the child to keep the candy. Clayton tried to hide his grin as the child immediately stuck the treat in her mouth.

“What do you say?” Maggie asked.

She pulled the candy out with a frown, then said, “Thank you, Doctor Anderson.” Dinah turned her attention back to the candy.

“Did you know that peppermint is good for an ailing stomach?”

Clayton watched as Maggie opened her mouth to answer but then realized that the doctor was talking to him and not her. He answered, “Yes, sir. It’s also good for colds. Ma always kept a little peppermint around for hot tea when any of us came down sick.”

The doctor slapped him on the back. “She sounds like a wise woman. When you get done with the books, come on back to town for more.”

He turned to Maggie. “Remember what I said, get some rest over the next few days and ease into your regular routine.”

“I will, Doctor. Thank you.” Maggie motioned for Dinah to come to her. Dinah looked up at Clayton one more time and then walked slowly to her side.

Clayton frowned. Dinah had told him that Gus had come by the house earlier in the day and that he was a mean man. He planned on talking to Maggie. Dinah seemed really scared of the other man. He waved goodbye to the doctor.

“Clayton, would you like to come in for dinner? I baked bread to go along with your soup.” Maggie rocked the baby in her arms.

“Sissy makes the best bread. She’s teaching me, but mine isn’t as good as hers,” Dinah said around a mouthful of peppermint.

He grinned down at the sticky-faced girl. “I’m sure your bread is pretty tasty, too.” Then Clayton looked back to Maggie. “I would love to eat with you lovely ladies.” He stepped back and opened the door for her to pass.

Dinah followed close behind her sister. “No, I put too much salt in last time.”

“Well, you are learning. My first pot of soup wasn’t too good either.” Clayton smiled at Maggie. “Why don’t you sit down and Dinah and I will set the table.”

She looked tired. “Thank you.” Maggie moved to one of the hardwood chairs and eased into it.

It didn’t take long to set the pot of soup on the table and slice up the now-cooled bread. “My ma makes this soup all the time. It’s one of my favorites. I hope you like it.” Clayton set a bowl in front of Maggie.

She yawned. “I’m sure it will taste wonderful.”

“Didn’t you get any rest while I was gone?” Clayton asked, handing Dinah a spoon. “Careful, half-pint, it’s hot.”

“I rested but didn’t sleep.”

He eased into his chair. “Dinah mentioned that Gus stopped by today.”

She nodded. “He did.”

“Can I say the prayers?” Dinah asked.

Maggie smiled tiredly at her. “Yes, dear.”

Dinah prayed over the food and thanked the Lord that her Sissy and baby James were going to be all right. She ended with, “and please don’t let mean Gus have baby James’s ranch. Amen.”

Shock filled Maggie’s face. “Dinah, you don’t need to worry about Gus. He isn’t going to get James’s ranch.”

The little girl frowned and dipped her spoon into the soup. “I don’t know. He was mad when he left.” Her hand shook as she raised the spoon to her mouth.

“Is Gus the reason you weren’t able to sleep this afternoon?” Clayton handed Dinah a thick slice of bread.

Maggie inclined her head toward Dinah as if to say now was not the time to discuss this. “No, I just had a lot on my mind.”

“I went to sleep, Clayton. I had a dream that I got to ride a horse with you,” Dinah said, taking a big bite out of her bread.

Clayton smiled. “That sounds like a nice dream.”

Dinah went back to eating and chattering about her dreams.

Maggie ate silently. Her eyes drooped as if exhaustion drifted over her like a soft morning fog.

When Dinah finished eating, she asked, “Sissy, can I go play with my dolly now?”

“Yes, I’ll be up in a little while to read a story and get ready for bed.” Maggie pushed her bowl back. She reached over and picked up baby James.

“I’ll take care of the dishes tonight. You rest up for that climb back up the stairs.” Clayton began cleaning the table. He placed the bowls and cups in the washtub. The sound of Dinah going up the stairs filled his ears. As soon as she was up, he said, “I talked to Gus this morning and asked why there were no men stationed at the house yesterday.”

“What did he say?”

He heard the weariness in her voice. “That he needed all the men to repair the fences.”

“Did you tell him I’d had the baby?”

Clayton nodded as he filled the pan with hot water. He saw a bar of soap and shaved a few slivers into the water. “I did.”

She exhaled. “Well, that explains his visit today.”

“What did he want?” Clayton turned and faced her. He leaned against the sideboard and waited for her answer.

Maggie laughed bitterly. “He wants the ranch.”

Clayton turned back around. He’d known Maggie only two days and already he cared about her and the children. Not in a romantic way but in the way a friend would care for another friend. He made quick work of the dirty dishes and put the last one in the drainer to dry.

When he turned again, Maggie and the baby were asleep. Her face had softened in sleep, and she looked very young. Clayton felt a surge of protection for her and the child. He hated that Gus was using his status as a relative of her husband’s to bully the young widow. If all Dinah had told him was true, there was no doubt in his mind that that was exactly what the other man was doing. Still, it was none of his business. His job was to keep the Pony Express moving, and he intended to do just that.

As if she sensed his gaze upon her, Maggie stirred. Her hazel-green eyes opened slowly. She looked up at him. “I’m sorry, I dozed off.”

Clayton was thankful that she felt comfortable enough with him to fall asleep in his presence. “Nonsense. You have nothing to be sorry about.”

She groaned as she balanced the baby and stood. “I guess I should get my family to bed. Tomorrow will come soon enough.”

He nodded. “I agree.” Clayton laid the dish towel to the side and took the dirty water to the back door where he tossed it into the yard.

“Thank you for—” she looked about the kitchen, then focused on his face once more “—everything.”

“It was my pleasure.” Clayton returned the dishpan to its place and then asked, “Do you need help getting up the stairs?”

She shook her head. “No, you’ve done plenty. I’ll just bolt the door after you.”

Clayton nodded. He stopped by the door to slip into his coat. “If you need anything, call out or send Dinah and I’ll come runnin’.”

Maggie followed him slowly. “I will.”

He opened the door and grinned at her. “See that you do.”

At her nod, Clayton turned and walked off the porch. He stopped just off it and listened until he heard the wooden beam fall across the door.

The full moon lit the yard, making it easier for him to find his way to the barn. He pulled the big door open and entered. The smells of hay and horseflesh filled his nostrils.

He walked to the back room that was to be his new home.

It was small with a cot and table. The cot had a homespun quilt on the top and a pillow of sorts. The table was low to the ground and had a small mirror over the top. A washbasin rested in the middle of it, and he noted several nails filled the back wall.

His bundle of clothes rested on the cot where he’d thrown them the night before. Clayton saw the potbellied stove and a small rack of wood beside it. He made his way to the stove and began making a fire. The coldness in the air hinted that winter wasn’t finished with the ranch just yet.

After starting the fire, he opened the bundle of clothes and hung up his pants and shirts. One nail was bigger than the others, so he took off his coat and hung it on that nail. His extra pair of long johns, he folded and placed on the far end of the table. He set his razor and comb beside the washbasin. Lastly, he pulled out the small Bible that Seth, his adoptive father, had given him and laid it on the bed.

Clayton sat down on the edge of the bed. In the last forty-eight hours, he’d delivered a baby, comforted a little girl, and became friends with the local doctor and the young widow woman.

He’d decided he disliked Gus Fillmore almost the moment he’d met him. Gus had seemed arrogant and uncaring. By confronting Maggie when she was weak from having the baby, Gus had shown his greed for the ranch.

Clayton decided he’d protect Maggie and her small family from Gus and his greed. How was he going to do it, though? He had no proof that Gus meant Maggie any harm, but something in his gut said that Gus would be more than happy to get rid of the widow and her son as well as sweet Dinah.

The next morning, Clayton felt as if he’d ridden the Pony Express trail hard. He’d tossed and turned throughout the night as his thoughts turned into nightmares of Gus Fillmore kicking Maggie and the children off the ranch. He went through the morning chores and then met his first Pony Express rider.

He was a young man with a wild head of curly red hair. From the ledger Bill had left behind, Clayton had learned the boy’s name was Sam and that he was skilled at avoiding the Indians. That was good information for a Pony Express station manager to know.

“Did you have any trouble?” Clayton asked as they exchanged horses.

Sam bounded into the saddle. “Nope. Any news from the other direction?”

“Nope. Safe journeys.” Clayton slapped the horse on the rump and Sam was well on his way to the next station.

He turned back to the barn with the spent horse. Standing in the doorway was a man who looked to be in his early twenties. Muscles filled his shirt and chest.

“Mr. Young, would you like for me to take care of the horse for you?”

Clayton continued to walk the horse toward the man. “You seem to have me at a disadvantage. Seems you know me but I have no idea who you are.” He continued into the barn. It was nice of the stranger to offer to take care of the Pony Express horse, but until he knew whom he was talking to, Clayton wasn’t about to turn over Pony Express property to the man.

The man followed him into the barn. “I’m sorry. Name’s Hal. I work for Mrs. Fillmore. I usually take care of the horses.” He held out a big beefy hand.

Clayton took his hand and shook it. “From what I’ve seen you do a good job, Hal.”

“Much appreciative.” Hal picked up a pitchfork and began tossing fresh hay into the horse’s pen next to the one Clayton and the spent pony stood in.

Clayton filled a feed sack with oats and hung it over the horse’s stall door. Then he proceeded to brush the animal down as it ate. “Where have you disappeared to the last couple of days?” he asked.

Hal stopped shoveling and leaned on the fork. “Boss had us fixing fences.”

“They’re all fixed now?” Clayton continued brushing as if the question he’d asked was of no importance at all. He hoped Hal would talk freely about the running of the ranch. For Maggie’s sake, Clayton prayed all was going well.

He shrugged. “I reckon. Boss says we are to go back to our regular chores.”

“I thought you said you worked for Maggie. Who are you calling ‘boss’?” Clayton ran his hands down each of the mustang’s legs.

He listened as Hal answered. “Oh, I do work for Maggie. At least, she’s the one who pays me. But the real boss is Mr. Fillmore. He gives the orders and does the hiring and firing.”

“Gus Fillmore?”

“Yes, sir.”

Clayton continued examining the mustang for any sign of stress on its legs and body. As if talking to himself, he said, “I wonder why everyone can go back to work as usual today.”

“Probably because the boss had to run into town today. Figured we knew our jobs well enough to get back to them.”

Clayton stood and brushed the mustang’s back. “How many men work for Mrs. Fillmore?”

“Just five. Me, Bud, ole George, Abraham and the boss.” He grinned across at Clayton. “Ole George is our cook. He’ll have breakfast ready here in about ten minutes.”

Clayton hadn’t given much thought to whom he’d eat with. He’d just assumed he’d cook his own meals, but now that he thought about it, there really wasn’t a kitchen in his room, or even a makeshift kitchen.

“Did Bill eat with you boys or fend for himself?”

Hal put the fork back against the wall. “Bill didn’t like the boss too much, so Ole George would have me bring him a plate.”

Clayton nodded. “I see.” He knew that the Pony Express supplied him with food, but he hadn’t received a shipment yet.

“Would you like to meet the other men or should I bring you a plate later?” Hal asked as he walked toward the exit.

Clayton put his brush away and followed him. “I’d like to meet everyone.” If he was going to protect Maggie from Gus, Clayton planned on finding out just how loyal Gus’s men were to him.

Chapter Four

A week later, Maggie’s mind was on the ranch. Things had fallen into a routine she could handle as she recuperated from childbirth. Clayton had checked on her and the children every day. He took his meals with the men but seemed ever watchful of the house. Whether his scrutiny was intentional or not, it afforded Maggie with a peace of mind she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She was having a hard time keeping Dinah out of the barn. Her little sister seemed to adore Clayton. It was all Maggie could do to keep the little girl out of his and the Pony Express riders’ hair. But if she scolded Dinah, Clayton rushed to her defense and assured Maggie that Dinah was no trouble and was not in the way; that he liked having her underfoot.

Her thoughts returned to the running of the ranch. Gus had been right when he’d said since she had two children to take care of she wouldn’t have time for overseeing the ranch. How was she going to make sure Gus was doing a good job? She wanted to go out and ride the fence lines, but with an infant, that wasn’t going to happen. And her body would never handle riding a horse; at least not the way she felt now. Was this normal? Perhaps she’d ask one of the ladies in town when next she went for supplies. It would be so nice to have another woman’s opinion on the changes that had taken place in her body. She sure couldn’t ask any of the men.

Maggie felt her frustration grow. Everyday chores were difficult with two children underfoot. Each night she fell into bed exhausted. The doctor had said she should be able to do routine work within a week. He’d also advised her to let Clayton help as much as he wanted.

Could she do that? Maggie stroked the baby’s tiny hand. She fretted that she didn’t really know Clayton Young. Other than the fact that he’d saved the baby, gone to town to retrieve the doctor and that Dinah liked him, Maggie knew nothing else about the Pony Express man.

Well, that wasn’t entirely true. Before he’d left, Bill Evers, the previous Pony Express manager, had come up to the house and asked if he could visit with Maggie for a few moments. She’d agreed and offered him coffee and cookies. While the man had eaten almost a full plate of gingersnaps, he’d told her that his replacement was a nice young man who would be a great help around the place.

Her gaze moved to the window at the front of the house that looked out toward the barn and bunkhouse. So far, Bill had been right. She’d seen Clayton repair a corner of the barn roof, build a small fence around the chicken coop, as well as gather eggs during the last week.

Maggie frowned. On the other hand, Gus Fillmore neglected most of the chores. He had tried to stake his claim to the ranch the day of Jack’s funeral, but when he’d discovered that Jack had a will and had left the ranch to his unborn child, Gus had stormed off so angry he could spit, but later returned and offered to stay on and help.

She would have loved to have sent Gus packing as soon as her husband had been buried, but since most of the men had quit and she’d been so sick with her pregnancy, Maggie had allowed her late husband’s cousin to stay on. Now with hindsight she wished she hadn’t.

Bill, the former Pony Express manager, had warned her to keep a close eye on Gus and the ranch books. Maggie had intended to ask Gus about the ranch ledger, but he’d found reasons to be gone before dawn and back long after she and Dinah had gone to bed. After a while, Maggie had given up on him bringing the ledger to her and planned on going in search of it after the baby was born.

The day she’d gone into labor, Maggie had been surprised to discover not one of the hired men anywhere near the house when she needed someone to go get the doctor.

Tears pricked the backs of her eyes at how close she’d come to losing her son. She kissed his soft downy hair, which looked as if it were going to be honey colored, much like her own. The light wisps tickled her lips.

Maggie hugged him closer. Her love for James far surpassed the realization that if the baby had died, she and Dinah would have possibly been forced by Gus to give up the ranch, as well.

She watched from the window as a Pony Express rider came thundering into the yard. Clayton met him with a fresh horse and a smile. They exchanged a few quick words, and within moments the rider’s horse raced back onto the trail. Clayton glanced toward the house and then began to return to the barn.

Impulsively, Maggie hurried to the front door and called out to Clayton. When he looked in her direction, she yelled, “When you are done with the horse, would you come to the house? Please.”

He nodded, then continued to the barn. In the kitchen, Maggie filled a plate with sugar cookies. She made sure the coffee in the pot was still hot.

She gazed down into James’s sleeping face. His small features looked more like hers than her late husband’s. Even though they were closed, Maggie knew his eyes were the only thing that resembled his father. They were dark blue, unlike her hazel eyes that often held more green than any other color. She hurried up the stairs and laid him in his dresser drawer. Dinah lay on the bed fast asleep. Maggie usually enjoyed a nap with the children but knew she needed to get out of the habit of sleeping the afternoon away.

Making sure both children were covered, she walked back down the stairs. She hadn’t spoken more than ten words with Clayton in the last five days but knew that now was the time. After a week of living and eating with the ranchers, he should know how the ranch was being run and could tell her if all was well. At least she hoped he was as observant as his predecessor had been.

Half an hour later, Clayton knocked on the front door. Maggie hurried to let him in. “Thank you for coming to the house.” She led the way to the kitchen.

“What can I do for you?” he asked, eyeing the plate of cookies and the two cups that rested on the table.

She smiled as she picked up the coffeepot. All men were the same when it came to cookies and coffee. “Well, for starters you can have a seat and help me eat these cookies.” She poured hot coffee into the two cups.

Clayton’s rich laughter washed over her like warm water on a cold day. She felt goose bumps swell on her arms.

“I’ll be happy to put away a few of those cookies for you.” He moved to the table and waited for her to indicate which chair to take. She waved him to the one on the end, and then Maggie joined him.

When he was seated, Maggie said, “Help yourself.” She pushed the plate closer to him.

Clayton picked up a golden-colored cookie and bit into it. He grinned. “These are very good.”

“Thank you. They are my grandmother’s recipe.” She took a sip of the warm coffee.

His eyes narrowed. “Why are you trying to sweeten me up?”

She laughed. “Am I that transparent?”

Clayton chewed, then swallowed. “Let’s just say I know a bribe when I taste one. Ma used to ply us boys with cookies when she wanted information.”

Maggie nodded. “I think I would like your ma.”

“I’m sure you would. Everybody loves Ma.” He washed the first cookie down with a big gulp of the coffee. “So, what do you want to know?” His blue gaze met hers.

She sighed and put down her cup. “As you know, I can’t very well get out with the children to check and see for myself what Gus is doing to James’s ranch. Bill used to come and give me updates on how things were going so I was hoping you would do the same.” Maggie waited to see if things were as bad as she felt in her heart that they were. She hadn’t seen the books in over three months. She prayed the ranch finances were in order.

Clayton set his cup down and reached for another cookie. “Well, according to Hal, Gus isn’t around much so hasn’t given any orders other than for the men to do what they normally do. I’ve noticed that the calves haven’t been rounded up or branded and there are a lot of repairs on the place that are being neglected.”

Maggie leaned forward in her chair. “How many calves do you think we have this year?”

It seemed to Maggie that Clayton was doing a mental head count. “I’ve seen about three hundred, more or less.”

“That sounds about right. Gus said we lost over half the herd this winter and that’s about half of the calves Jack said we’d have this year.”

Clayton’s eyes narrowed. “How did you lose half the herd?”

“Gus said that last big snow we had trapped some of them in the gully and they froze to death. He and the men couldn’t get to them because of the weather.” She sighed. “We took a big loss on them.”

“If you don’t mind my asking, how is the ranch making money?” Clayton pushed the plate away as if he’d lost his appetite.

“Jack always took the cattle to market in the late spring, but with us losing half the herd, I’m not sure what Gus has planned.” She hated admitting that she didn’t know what would happen next.

Clayton’s frown deepened. “Maggie, there aren’t enough cattle on this ranch for a cattle drive to anyplace.”

She shook her head. “We are a small ranch. Every spring Jack teamed up with our neighbor, Mr. Morris, and they’d take our cattle and his to market.”

“Doesn’t it seem odd to you that half the herd froze to death in the gully? Isn’t the gully supposed to help protect them? And where were the men when the cattle were freezing?”

Clayton’s blue eyes had hardened to deep sapphires.

Maggie realized just how little she knew about her own ranch. She sighed. “I don’t know.”

“I’m not trying to be rude, Maggie, but why haven’t you asked Gus these questions?”

She swallowed. “I didn’t know what to ask at the time, and lately, he isn’t talking to me.”

Clayton nodded. “Yeah, I noticed he hasn’t been to the house. I just assumed that you two meet once a month instead of weekly.”

Maggie shook her head. “No, he’s still sore because I won’t sell the ranch to him.”

They sat in silence for several minutes. Then Clayton said, “You could fire him. Since the Pony Express riders come through about every two or three days, I would be happy to help you with the running of the ranch. At least until you can find someone who would do an honest job for you.”

Maggie hated to admit it, but Clayton really was a good man. Not a man whom she’d ever fall in love with or want to marry. Jack had been a good man but he hadn’t loved her. Her marriage to him had been out of his desire for an heir and her need to put a roof over Dinah’s head. Then just as she’d started to fall in love with her husband, he’d up and died. Maggie didn’t want to feel the disappointment of lost love again. But he seemed to really want to help her. “Thank you, but I don’t feel like I can do that at this time. Gus wouldn’t leave quietly, and since he’s Jack’s relative he might go as far as to try to take the ranch away from me legally. To be honest, I’m not sure if I have a legal right to the land.”

“Did Jack have a will or a piece of paper saying the ranch belonged to the child?” Clayton reached for another cookie.

Maggie nodded. “Yes. Right after the funeral Jack’s lawyer called both Gus and me to his office. He had Jack’s will. Jack had left the ranch to our unborn child and given Gus a hundred dollars. Of course, Gus wanted it all, but the lawyer said that as long as the baby lives, he legally owns the land.” She watched as he finished the cookie.

“Well, doesn’t that answer your question? Sounds like you do have a legal right.”

She shook her head. “No, James has the legal right. Not me.”

Clayton drank the rest of his coffee and stood up. “You know, maybe we should make a trip to town and check with Jack’s lawyer. I think that as long as you are James’s mother, you have as much right to this land as he does.”

She stood also. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to ask.” Maggie followed him to the door.

Just before leaving, Clayton turned to face her. “Maggie, I’ll do what I can to help you with Gus.” His blue eyes softened into clear blue pools.

Maggie’s heart skipped a beat. Her palms grew moist. She wiped them on her apron. Confusion clouded her mind. What was it about Clayton Young that had her brain turning to mush?

* * *

Clayton walked to the barn. He didn’t understand why he cared so much about this family. But the thought of Gus Fillmore taking advantage of Maggie and the children infuriated him.

Over the last week, he’d tried to keep to the barn and do the job of Pony Express manager but had found himself watching the house and wondering what Maggie and Dinah were doing.

He missed his family and decided maybe that was why he felt protective of Maggie and the kids. Clayton went to his room and picked up one of the medical books Doc Anderson had given him. Flipping through the pages, he couldn’t focus on the book. His mind continued to drift to Gus, Maggie and the turmoil with the ranch.

He tossed the book onto the cot and pulled his coat and hat back on. Not expecting another rider for a couple of days, Clayton decided he needed to get some fresh air.

Bones snorted his greeting.

Clayton chuckled and said, “You miss our rides, too, don’t you, ole boy?” He saddled the horse and led him outside.

Within a few minutes, Clayton was riding the fences of the ranch. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for but felt the need to have a good look around.

The ranch was flat in most places, and after riding about a mile he circled around and came upon the river. It gurgled along, and new green grass and shrubs lined its banks. He continued and was pleasantly surprised to come upon a wooded cove with the river running past and a pool of clear water that had washed out a peaceful inlet.

Clayton dismounted and allowed Bones to drink his fill while he looked about. He inhaled the fresh air and closed his eyes to enjoy the sweet sound of running water behind him. His shoulders relaxed and his thoughts moved to visions of having a picnic with Maggie and the kids in this spot.

His eyes snapped open. What was he thinking? This wasn’t his family. He had no business thinking about family picnics. Still, he liked Maggie and the kids. What would it hurt to have a picnic with them? Who said a man and a woman couldn’t share a meal together and enjoy this wonderful fresh air? As friends, of course. Just friends.

Bones snorted a warning. Clayton turned and saw Gus riding in his direction. Clayton remounted Bones and waited for the ranch foreman to arrive.

“I see you’ve found my favorite spot on the ranch,” Gus said as a greeting. “What are you doing so far away from the barn?”

Clayton leaned on the saddle horn. “Getting fresh air.” He looked about at the new leaves and grass. “This is a nice spot.”

Gus stared at him. He tilted his hat back. “Don’t you have the Pony Express to take care of?”

What was Gus getting at? Clayton tightened his grip on Bones’s reins and answered. “Obviously, you don’t know how the Pony Express works.” He looked about to let the thinly veiled insult sink in.

The other man shifted in the saddle. “Just like you don’t understand the workings of a ranch.”

“It’s interesting that you should say that. I’ve been around a ranch or two, Gus, and I know enough to know that you are short on the amount of cattle that should be roaming these pastures and that your excuse to Mrs. Fillmore is weak.” He sat up straighter in the saddle. “I also know it’s branding season and you haven’t started.” Clayton had the satisfaction of seeing the shock on Gus’s face turn to anger. “Is there a reason you don’t want me out here riding the range?”

Gus shifted in the saddle again and ignored the question. “You are free to roam around as much as you like, Young. Just don’t get in the way of my men and our jobs. As you have kindly pointed out, we have work to do.” He turned his horse to leave and then turned to look over his shoulder. “I suggest you focus on your job and let us do the same.” He spurred his horse and left at a gallop.

Clayton had hit a nerve with the foreman. Gus hadn’t answered his question and had clenched his jaw. His shoulders had squared and he’d tightened his grip on the horse’s reins as if it took all that he had not to ball up his fists and swing a punch. Clayton’s ride had been relaxing until he’d met up with Gus. Man and horse picked up where they’d left off and continued their exploration of the ranch. The Fillmore Ranch was a decent-size spread, but Clayton hated that the oversize pastures were sparse in cattle. Baby James’s inheritance was being underused, meaning less money would be coming into the family.

When Clayton arrived back at the ranch house, he noticed a horse tied to the hitching rail in front of the porch. Dinah played on the porch with a rag doll and some blocks. She looked up and saw him and came running.

“Hi, Clayton!”

He slid off Bones’s back. “Hello, half-pint. I see you have a visitor.”

Dinah looked over her shoulder at the house. “Yep, a man from the bank.”

“I see.” Clayton led Bones into the barn.

Dinah followed, swinging her rag doll by its arm. “Sissy asked me to go outside to play while she talked to him.”

Clayton took off the horse’s saddle. “Well, I’m glad she did. Now you can tell me your doll’s name.”

“Oh, this is Charlotte. Sissy was going to name baby James Charlotte, if he was a girl.” She hugged the doll close.

“That’s a pretty name.” He rubbed Bones’s black-and-white coat. Clayton wondered why Maggie hadn’t had a boy’s name picked out for the baby since she’d already had a girl’s name chosen.

Dinah nodded. “Yeah, it’s Mama’s name.”

He looked at the little girl over Bones’s back. Sadness filled her pixie-like face. Poor little mite.

“Dinah! Clayton!” Maggie called from the house.

“Sissy is calling us,” Dinah said.

They left the barn together. Clayton watched as a well-dressed man rode away toward town. Maggie stood on the porch holding the baby.

Dinah ran ahead. “I was in the barn with Clayton.”

“I saw that.” Maggie rocked the baby. When Clayton got close enough, she asked, “Can you hitch a horse up to the wagon for me? I need to go into town.”

The tremble in her voice tore at him. “Sure. Would you like for me to go with you?”

“Can I go?” Dinah asked.

“Of course you are going, Dinah.” Maggie frowned at the little girl. She then turned her attention to Clayton. Uncertainty filtered through her voice. “I don’t want to take you from your work.”

“No more riders coming in today,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind going, and I can take Doc Anderson back one of his books.”

“Thank you. We’ll be ready in just a few minutes.” Maggie turned to go back inside. “Come along, Dinah. We’ll change our dresses and fix your hair up pretty.”

Clayton grinned as he went back to the barn. If he’d learned anything about Dinah, it was that she liked her hair fixed and her dresses kept clean. He chose a brown mare to pull the wagon. She was an older horse with white socks. He’d worked with her a few times in the corral, and she’d been very obedient. Clayton hitched the horse to the wagon and then pulled it up to the front of the house.

As he waited for them to come out, Clayton wondered why someone from the bank had come to see Maggie. Why did she need to run off to town as soon as the banker had left? Did the trip have anything to do with the ranch or Gus? Whatever the reason, Maggie was shaken up by it. He had so many questions that only Maggie could answer.

Chapter Five

Maggie gently pushed the last comb into Dinah’s hair. The long strands hung about Dinah’s shoulders in soft waves. Then Maggie looked at herself in the mirror. She wore a soft cream-colored dress. It was probably the best she had short of the wedding dress that hung in her closet. Pulling her hair up and back, Maggie pinned it into place. She allowed strands to fall about her face. If she couldn’t talk Mr. Jones at the bank into extending her loan, she might just lose the ranch.

Tears stung the backs of her eyes. According to Lucas Dillon, the man Mr. Jones had sent out, Gus hadn’t paid the bank loan in three months. Mr. Dillon had said that if she didn’t get to the bank and make a payment today, Mr. Jones would have no choice but to foreclose on the ranch. The thought sped her up. It was already early afternoon. They had to hurry to town before the bank closed.

She bundled James up in a blue blanket and hurried Dinah out the front door. Clayton sat on the wagon, waiting. His horse, Bones, was tied to the back of the wagon. Maggie couldn’t help but notice that he was dressed in black pants and a white shirt and he’d traded out his brown work boots for shiny black ones.

“You ladies look very nice,” he complimented, jumping from the wagon. He scooped Dinah up and set her in the bed of the wagon. Clayton handed Dinah her rag doll. “You left Charlotte in the barn.”

“Thank you.” Dinah hugged the toy close to her chest.

Then Clayton turned and held out his arms to take James.

Maggie handed the baby over and allowed him to cradle James in one arm while assisting her with the other. Once she was seated, Clayton returned the baby to her and then climbed back onto the wagon.

He grinned over at her. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think we were headed to Sunday services, but since it’s not Sunday, I’m curious why you lovely ladies are dressed up.” Clayton clicked his tongue, and the mare started toward town. Bones followed.

“I need to go to the bank.” Maggie’s voice cracked. “It seems my foreman hasn’t been making the bank payments.” She looked down at the baby. Thankfully James had managed to sleep during the climb into the wagon.

Clayton’s jaw worked. “You left the bank business to Gus Fillmore?” he asked.

She nodded. “I was sick and the doctor told me to stay home. No trips to town. I trusted Gus to take the payments into town.” Maggie glanced over her shoulder and was pleased to see that Dinah was playing with her doll and didn’t seem to be paying attention to the adult conversation.

He blew air out. “And he didn’t do it?”

She turned back to face forward. “Mr. Jones sent one of the bank tellers to tell me. I don’t know what I’m going to do if he doesn’t give me more time to pay the bank the payments that are past due.” Maggie hated this. She didn’t want to tell Clayton all her problems but needed to talk to someone before facing Mr. Jones.

“How are you going to make those back payments?” he asked.

Maggie sighed. “I could sell a few head of cattle and maybe some of our horses.”

“And what about Gus? And the missing money?” His jaw worked, and Clayton’s blue eyes had turned to blue ice.

She sighed again. “I’ve been thinking about Gus.”

“And?”

“It’s my word against his. I have no proof that I trusted him with the money. I doubt I’ll ever see that money again.” Tears pricked her eyes, and she ducked her head. Gus had stolen her money, and she knew that he’d swoop in and take the ranch, as well.

Clayton nodded. When they arrived in town, he pulled up to the bank. “Would you like me to come in with you?”

Maggie felt like she should say no but heard herself answer, “That would be nice. Thank you.”

After setting the brake, Clayton jumped from the wagon. He helped Dinah down, then reached for James once more. Maggie swallowed hard as she took his hand. Warmth filled her hand and arm. The bank loomed above her, and she wanted to turn around and go home. Women shouldn’t have to face bankers who wanted to foreclose on their children’s inheritance.

Dinah took her hand and Clayton placed his hand at the small of her back. His strength seemed to come through his touch, and she walked into the bank with her head held high.

Mr. Jones was a tall man with wide shoulders, narrow hips and silver in his black hair. He strolled toward her the moment she walked through the door. “Good afternoon, Mrs. Fillmore. I’m glad to see you were able to make it to the bank on such short notice.” He held out his hand for her to shake.

Maggie waited for him to release her hand and lead them into his office before she spoke. As soon as the door was closed behind Clayton, who still held James, Maggie said, “Mr. Jones, I’m sorry that the payments weren’t made on the ranch. My foreman assured me that he’d taken care of them.”

Mr. Jones walked behind a large mahogany desk and sat down. “I trust you brought the payments with you.” He motioned for her to sit down in one of the two chairs in front of him.

Aware that he didn’t care why the payments hadn’t been made, Maggie sank into the soft leather. “No, sir. I didn’t.”

Mr. Jones folded his hands over the papers on his desk. “I trust you have the money.”

Maggie shook her head. “No, sir. I do not.”

“Then how did you plan on making the payments?” He looked from her to Clayton.

Clayton had moved into the room but hadn’t come any farther than the closed door. He held the baby in the crook of one arm and Dinah’s small hand in his other hand. His blue eyes were as hard as ice. Thankfully, Dinah hadn’t sensed his anger.

She cleared her throat to get the banker’s attention focused on her once more. When he looked to her, Maggie said, “Mr. Jones, I need time. Time to collect the money.”

He shook his head. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Fillmore, but I can’t give you more time. You have ignored my messages in the past and refused to come into town to straighten out the matter. I’ve left word with Gus and told him we needed you to come in. After three payments have been missed, we can no longer carry the ranch. You know that.”

Maggie felt her heart sink. She’d do anything not to break her promise to her late husband, even beg the banker to give her an extension. “Please, Mr. Jones. I need more time. Gus never told me of your requests. This is the first I’ve heard that the payments hadn’t been made, and I haven’t had time to get the delinquent funds gathered.”

He stood. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Fillmore, but if I don’t have the money by closing, we’ll have to foreclose. Maybe you could ask your late husband’s cousin for the money. Gus has shown great interest in the ranch. He’s a good man. I’m sure he’ll be willing to loan you the money.”

Maggie stood. There was no doubt in her mind that Gus could come up with the money. He probably still had it and was waiting until the bank took the deed from her and then he’d pay whatever it took to get the ranch back. Sadly, it was her money that he’d use, but no one would be the wiser. She sighed. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Jones.” Maggie walked toward the door.

The air in the office was stifling. She felt weak in the knees.

“Mrs. Fillmore, I hope you can find a means to pay the loan before the bank closes today.”

Maggie’s stomach turned. She hadn’t needed Mr. Jones’s reminder that she had to make the payment before closing time. Maggie knew she had no means to pay the money back. Where would she go now? What was she going to do? She had two children to take care of and, thanks to Gus Fillmore, no home for either of them.

* * *

Red-hot anger boiled in Clayton’s veins. As soon as they were back outside, he growled, “If I wasn’t a Christian, I’d beat the money out of Gus Fillmore. He has it coming.”

Maggie reached to take baby James from his arm. “I know how you feel, but what’s done is done.”

She sounded beaten. Tears ran silently and swiftly down her cheeks. Dinah watched her sister and soon she too was silently crying.

Clayton hated to see a woman cry. He pulled Maggie to him and let her tears flow into his shirt. Dinah leaned against his leg and also wept. He wasn’t sure if the little girl understood what was going on or if she simply had a tender heart and couldn’t stand to see her big sister so broken.

After a few minutes, Maggie sniffled and looked up at him. Clayton led Maggie to the bench in front of the bank. Maggie sat down with a heavy sigh. Dinah continued to hang on to his thigh. He bent down and picked her up. “Maggie. I’ll loan you the money to make the payments.” He swallowed hard. He’d been saving his money since day one of working with the Pony Express and knew he’d have enough to cover whatever her payments were.

Dinah laid her head on his shoulder and stuck her thumb in her mouth. In the last couple of weeks, he’d never seen her suck her thumb. He hugged her against him, hoping to offer the little girl comfort.

“I can’t let you do that.” She wiped her face with the corner of James’s blanket and then looked up at him.

He knelt in front of her. Dinah continued to cling to him. Clayton lowered his voice so that passersby wouldn’t overhear him. “Why not?”

Her hazel-green eyes stared deeply into his. “For several reasons. One, it wouldn’t look right for a stranger in town to pay my debts. Two, I’d still have Gus Fillmore to deal with, and three, I’m not sure I could ever pay you back.”

“One, no one has to know it was me who gave you the money. Two, you can always fire Gus, and three, I’m in no hurry to get the money back.” He searched her pretty face.

She shook her head. “I’ll know.” Tears filled the depths of her eyes once more. “I promised Jack I’d protect James’s inheritance, and now I’ve let them both down.”

Clayton wanted to protect her and the kids. He didn’t want to fall in love with her and he really didn’t want to do anything foolish, but at the same time Clayton knew he’d never let Gus have James Fillmore’s ranch. His fiancée had taught him that women were fickle and money would set them to running into another man’s arms. Nope, he wasn’t about to fall in love with Maggie, or any other woman for that matter. “No, you haven’t. I’ve got an idea, but you’ll have to agree to it.”

He looked to Dinah, who shivered against him. Clayton tried to shield her small body from the cold wind. He softened his voice and offered the little girl what he hoped was a warm smile. “Dinah, dry your eyes and let’s go to the restaurant and get a big slice of peach pie.”

She rubbed her face on the sleeve of her pretty coat. “All right, Clayton. I like peach pie.”

He turned back to Maggie. “We’ve got a couple of hours yet. We’ll go have dessert and coffee and figure something out.” Clayton expected her to protest but instead she stood up, wrapped James tighter in his blanket and nodded.

Maggie started walking down the boardwalk. “The closest restaurant is at the hotel. I’ve been there a couple of times and they make a pretty good peach pie.”

“Yours is best,” Dinah said. She looked up at Clayton with big hazel eyes.

“Sissy makes the bestest pie crust.”

“I’m sure she does.” He watched the gentle sway of Maggie’s dress. Was it crazy to go to the extremes he was about to, just to help her keep her word to her late husband? Or had God intended this all along?

Maggie pushed through the door of the Grand Hotel where warm air enveloped them. Clayton and Dinah followed. He was curious as to why the hotel was called Grand. It wasn’t all that big and he’d seen fancier ones.

She turned to the right and walked into the small restaurant. Once they were all seated, she said, “I can’t even begin to think of a solution, Clayton.”

The waitress took their orders of coffee, milk and pie. As soon as she left their table, he leaned toward Maggie. “What if I told you I know how to take care of the back payments, get rid of Gus and make sure that James keeps his inheritance?”

Her eyes turned a deep shade of green. “I’d say that would be wonderful.” Maggie tucked James closer to her. She smiled down into the baby’s open eyes.

“You might not like my plan.”

She smiled across at him. A heartwarming smile that made him think his plan might just work. “Well, I won’t know until I hear it.”

The waitress brought their drinks and pie on a large tray. She set Dinah’s milk in front of her before serving the adults their coffee.

Dinah picked up her milk and took a big drink. She smiled with a milk mustache. “It’s cold.”

“And the pie is warm.” The waitress winked at Dinah. She set a dessert plate in front of each of them and then left once more.

Clayton took a deep breath and then said, “We could get married.”

Maggie dropped the pie-laden fork she’d just raised to her lips. “Excuse me?”

He rushed the words past his lips before he lost his courage. “It wouldn’t be a real marriage. I’m not looking for love and I’m not even sure if marriage is fair to you, but it will take care of your current problems.”

Dinah looked from one adult to the other. “You going to marry Clayton?” she asked. Her innocent question reminded them that the little girl was old enough to understand their conversation.

“I don’t know, Dinah. We’re just talking. Go ahead and eat your pie.” Maggie smiled at the little girl.

Clayton tried to read Maggie’s face. What must she be thinking? Was she going to hold out for true love and lose the ranch? Unable to decipher her expression, he took a bite of the dessert. Its sweetness coated his tongue and caused his stomach to churn. Or was it the present topic that had his belly in knots?

Dinah looked to Clayton. Seeing him chewing, she nodded and went back to eating.

He felt Maggie’s gaze upon his face. She asked, “How is it not fair to us? You are the one who would be giving up your freedom. I can’t ask you to do that, Clayton.”

“I believe I was the one who brought up...” He paused, then whispered, “Marriage.”

She frowned. “Yes, but...”

Clayton stopped her. “Look, I’m not giving up anything. My fiancée left me for the banker’s son. Which is fine because I want to be a doctor, and as a doctor, I wouldn’t really have time for a real family anyway. I’m not interested in falling in love, so it isn’t hurting me at all. But you have to realize that love is off the table, and as a doctor, I will be away from you and the kids a lot of the time.”

She swallowed hard, then admitted, “I’m not interested in love either. The only reason I married James’s father was to put a roof over our heads. Don’t get me wrong. Jack was a good man and never mistreated us, but it wasn’t a love match. I answered his mail-order bride ad and shortly afterward came to the ranch. We were married six months and then he died.” She paused. “You should probably know, I really don’t trust men not to leave when the going gets tough, and I have no intention of falling in love either. Not now, not ever.”

Clayton’s impulse was to tell her that as long as she wanted him to be around he’d not leave her. But the hurt in her eyes spoke volumes, and he knew she’d never hear him over the echoes of the disappointments in her past. “So, are you saying a marriage of convenience would work for you?”

“How will it help my situation?”

So, she wasn’t ready to commit to his suggestion just yet. “Well, I could catch the bank up with your payments, and if I’m your husband there wouldn’t be any gossip. You can fire Gus and explain that your new husband is taking over running the ranch until James is old enough to take the reins. And then, we’d make sure that the ranch grows and will be something James will be happy to inherit.” He returned to eating his pie. Maybe if he let her have a few minutes to think about it, Maggie would see that this was her only solution.

Dinah gulped her milk. “Sissy, can I have some more pie?”

Maggie pushed her untouched dessert toward her sister. “You can have mine. I’m not hungry.”

“Thanks.” Dinah pulled the plate to her and began eating once more.

“What about your dream to be a doctor?” Her soft question took him by surprise.

Clayton’s head came up and his gaze met hers across the table. “I’ll still study while working for the Pony Express and the ranch. When the Pony Express stops, I’ll continue helping you with the ranch while studying to be a doctor. I’m not giving up on that dream.”

She took a sip of her coffee. After several long moments, she asked, “Are you sure you want to do this?”

He didn’t know what more he could do besides propose to her. Clayton pushed his chair back and walked around the table. He knelt on one knee and asked, “Maggie Fillmore, will you marry me?”

Chapter Six

Maggie felt as if every eye in the restaurant was watching them. She answered, “Yes.”

The room exploded in clapping hands. People nodded their congratulations to them. Clayton stood and grinned down at her. She had to admit, as far as future husbands were concerned, she’d found a handsome one.

She almost groaned when the traveling preacher stood up and walked to their table. “Well, Maggie Fillmore. Congratulations. I’ve been praying the right man would come along and marry you.”

She looked up at Clayton, who grinned as if he was the happiest man in the room. “Thank you, Reverend White.”

“How soon did you two plan on being wed?”

Maggie swallowed.

Clayton answered, “I’ll marry her today, if she’ll have me.”

The minister turned to look at her. She knew that the sooner she married Clayton, the better. Maggie nodded. “I would like that.”

“Well, then, let’s walk over to the church.” He turned to leave. Lifting his voice, he announced, “Maggie Fillmore is getting married today. Let as many people know who you think would like to attend. We’ll be performing the service in about thirty minutes.” He continued out the door as if his inviting the whole town to her wedding was an everyday event.

Clayton laughed. “Well, he doesn’t waste any time, does he?”

Maggie shook her head no. She looked to Dinah, who hadn’t spoken during most of their conversation. “What do you think, sis? Is it all right with you if I marry Clayton?”

Happiness lit up her sister’s small face that looked so much like their mother’s. Maggie wished her ma were there. For the hundredth time, she silently asked the Lord why her mother had died. Why she’d been left to raise Dinah on her own and why her father hadn’t loved her enough to stay with the family. Dinah had suffered much loss in her young life. Maggie hoped that their new life with Clayton would bring some stability to the little girl’s world.

Dinah nodded. She scooted down from her chair and came to stand beside Maggie. “Will we have to move out of our nice house?”

Clayton knelt in front of Dinah. “No, you can stay in the ranch house. If it’s all right with Maggie, I’ll move in with you two.”

“Of course it’s all right with me.” Maggie pushed her chair back, along with the sorrow of losing her mother and father. She stood. “I suppose we’d best hurry or the preacher’s going to think we’ve changed our minds.”

An hour later, Maggie stood on the church steps with her new husband. Clayton had said his vows with his shoulders pulled back and his gaze locked on her face. He now held baby James and was looking down on the child with warmth in his pretty blue eyes. Dinah stood beside her also looking up at Clayton. It was obvious that Dinah adored her new brother-in-law.

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