MISTLETOE MARRIAGE OF CONVENIENCE

When Jake Bridges suddenly finds himself the guardian of his orphaned niece, he knows he needs a wife. What does a stock tender at a pony express station know about raising little girls? A marriage of convenience to the child’s caretaker is the most practical solution.

A mail-order marriage seems like Leah Hollister’s last chance to know the simple joys of family life. But then she receives word that her would-be groom is dead. Now Jake proposes she marry him. She knows love isn’t necessary. Yet the more she learns of sweet Molly’s kindhearted uncle, the more she dreams of a true partnership with the man who has unexpectedly captured her heart.

“You will never want for anything as long as you are my wife.”

Leah couldn’t find words to express how she felt. It was a lot to take in. She’d gone from having no plans or future to having a man offer her marriage and a daughter. She loved Molly, and yet she still couldn’t get out the word yes.

Molly burst through the kitchen door and ran to Leah. The little girl grabbed her free hand and tugged for Leah to follow her.

Leah gently pulled her back and said, “Go tell Mrs. Frontz that I’ll be there in a few minutes.” It was only after the little girl hurried away that she remembered Molly couldn’t or wouldn’t speak. How was she going to tell Mrs. Frontz what she’d said?

She turned her attention back to Jake. He still held her hand firmly in his. “What about friendship, Jake? Can you allow yourself to be my friend?”

He squeezed her hand gently and warmth filled his voice. “I will give you friendship and respect, and I believe we will get along fine, Leah. Just don’t ask for my heart…”

RHONDA GIBSON

lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and two 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. She speaks at conferences and local writing groups. You can visit her at www.rhondagibson.net, where she enjoys chatting with readers and friends online. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.

A Pony Express Christmas

Rhonda Gibson

www.millsandboon.co.uk

I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

—John 14:18

A very special thanks goes to Jean Williamson for all the wonderful resources that she provided to make this book possible. Thanks to Jean Kincaid, Kim Mort and Christina Rich. To James for your love and support, and above all, to my Lord and Savior.

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

South Platte, Colorado Winter 1860

“Rider! Coming in fast!”

Leah Hollister didn’t have time to worry about her luggage tossed carelessly to the ground by the stagecoach driver, or the fact that the coach’s rapid exit had drenched her feet in wet, cold snow. She heard horse’s hooves pounding the ground, bearing down on her and the four-year-old child whose hand she gripped tightly within her own.

“Move, lady!” Panic filled the male voice that called out.

Leah scooped up the little girl and fled across the icy snow toward the porch of the large log cabin closest to her. Reaching it, she turned in time to see a young man on a horse speed past, leaping over her luggage with ease and heading toward a barn that was located on the far side of the house. Aware of the danger she’d just escaped, Leah’s hands started to shake.

Two men were in front of the barn. One of them sat on a compact, sorrel-colored horse. The other man stood off to the side, watching the transfer between the riders, just as Leah was doing.

The first rider handed a flat leather saddle bag to a man astride a mustang. As soon as the second rider had the bag, he laid low over his horse’s neck and was gone almost as fast as the first young man had ridden in.

Leah stared after the rider until he could no longer be seen. She shivered as a blast of icy wind hit her uncovered face. Where was he going in such a hurry? Her gaze moved back to the barn and stable. The two other men had disappeared, presumably inside.

Molly buried her face in Leah’s neck and shivered. She tried to burrow her slight body closer. One small gloved hand tangled in the opening of Leah’s coat, allowing more cold air in, while the other clung to her worn rag doll.

Taking a deep breath, Leah walked back to their luggage, which still sat in the middle of the yard. Her tired brain tried to register what had just happened. Why had those riders been in such a hurry? What was in that bag that was so important? She’d never seen anything like it, but then, she hadn’t seen much of life outside of an orphanage. Even the stagecoach ride had been exciting to a girl who’d been so completely sheltered. It dawned on her that perhaps the stage stop was also a pony express stop as well.

Her body trembled from cold as well as fright as she set Molly down and reached for the closest bag. The child’s feet went in different directions on the slick, packed snow and Leah grabbed for her, helping her to stand upright again.

“You’re okay,” she comforted, but to her dismay, her voice wavered. Leah swallowed hard then leaned forward, determined to get her luggage and move them inside, out of the cold and out of danger’s way. As she reached for the handle, her weight shifted and she did a little dance trying to regain her balance, but she couldn’t stop the movement of her feet or the slickness of the ice underneath them. Leah’s boots slipped out from under her and she fell, face forward, into her suitcases.

She groaned. This day had just gone from bad to worse. Tiredness lay on her shoulders like a mountain of snow on a small hilltop.

A man extended a hand to help her up. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine.” Leah pretended not to see his outstretched hand and used the nearest bag to push herself up from the ground. The toe of her boot caught in the hem of her dress. She groaned as she heard the tearing of fabric. Working to untangle her foot with as much dignity as she could muster, Leah pushed herself upright once more and dusted the snow from the front of her dark green traveling dress. “I believe so.” She felt Molly’s hand bunch up in her skirts.

The sharp voice softened as he offered, “Here, let me help you carry these inside the station.”

For the first time, Leah looked at the owner of the deep voice. He scooped up two of the larger bags and stood tall before her. She estimated him to be about six feet, maybe an inch taller. He wore what looked like a buckskin coat and a brown, floppy hat. Dark brown boots covered his feet. She couldn’t help but notice he also wore some sort of gun on his narrow hip.

Her breath caught in her throat when she glanced up to find a pair of soft, coffee-colored eyes watching her. Eyes that earlier had been wide with concern now seemed full of unhidden laughter. Even so, she liked his eyes and the deepness of his voice.

Embarrassed, Leah looked away; she pulled her short, threadbare coat around her. “Thank you for your help, Mr.—?”

“Just Jake, ma’am.”

“Jake.” The cold November wind pulled at her straight, mousy-brown hair, reminding her that she was no beauty and that she was soon to be a married woman. She raised her head. “I’m ready.” He nodded and then strolled to the front porch.

A tiny hand tugged at her skirts once more. Leah reached down and picked up the little girl. Molly tucked a gloved thumb between her plump lips and laid her head on Leah’s shoulder. She knew Molly was tired from their trip. Warmth for the little girl filled her heart as Leah patted her back.

Jake returned and picked up the other two bags. His gaze searched hers, a quizzical look in their depths. “You really should get inside, ma’am.” Once more he turned to walk to the porch.

Leah nodded but didn’t move forward. She focused her attention down the snow-covered road toward the town laid out before her. South Platte, Colorado, a small town that was about ten miles from Julesburg, Colorado. From what she could see through the falling snow, South Platte had a general store, a restaurant, a blacksmith shop, a livery, a church, and from the sound of the piano coming through an open door, a saloon.

Leah frowned. Did she really want to be here? She sighed. What other choice did she have? She had promised to deliver Molly to her uncle, Jake Bridges, and to marry Mr. Thomas Harris.

Her gaze jerked to the wide shoulders and back of the man carrying her luggage. Could that Jake be Molly’s uncle, Jake Bridges?

For the first time she focused on the house that served as the stagecoach stop and also functioned as a pony express home station. A large log house stretched out before her. Sheds, various outbuildings and the barn surrounded the log house. Even though it was early, a full month before Christmas, the house had red and green fabric twisted into a form of garland on the second-story railing. A Christmas wreath hung on the door.

To one side of the house, a small grove of trees was the only vegetation in sight. The sound of running water had her looking over her shoulder at a river that was mostly frozen over. It wasn’t close to the house, so she felt sure Molly would be safe.

The little girl shivered in her arms. Leah pulled Molly closer, realizing that every day she spent with her would make it harder for both of them when the time came to part. Leah would soon move out to the Harris ranch, and Molly would move into her uncle Jake’s home, wherever that might be.

“Are you coming?” The man named Jake opened the door to the ranch-style building. His gaze ran over her and the little girl before he turned and stepped inside.

His deep voice pulled her from the stupor she’d been in and Leah nodded. If he truly was Jake Bridges, then Leah knew she’d have to get word to Thomas Harris of her arrival. Or perhaps she could hire Jake to take her out to the Harris ranch.

Thomas Harris’s name whispered through her tired mind as she sat the child back down and scooped up the last remaining bag, Molly’s bag. She really didn’t know Mr. Harris, other than what she had read in the two letters he’d sent. They’d never met or exchanged pictures. The thought of marrying a complete stranger both scared her and offered a strange sense of comfort. Being Thomas Harris’s wife would give her a permanent home. Something Leah had wanted all her young life.

Molly’s little hand tangled into her skirt once more, reminding her that she had to take care of the child before she even contemplated her own life. Molly had been Leah’s constant companion for over three months.

Knowing cholera was sweeping Sweetwater, Texas, at a rapid pace, Molly’s father had brought her to the orphanage for safekeeping. The children and people who worked there very seldom came into contact with the town folks and he’d felt sure that Molly would be safe from the sickness that was sweeping the area. Then, when it became clear that both Molly’s parents had taken ill, Mrs. Wilkins, the headmistress of the orphanage, had placed the little girl in Leah’s care.

Molly’s story was a sad one, for sure. Her mother had been the first to become sick. The poor woman died after several long days and then Molly’s father had taken ill. He’d struggled against death, knowing he’d be leaving the little girl behind. It was only after he’d written a letter to his brother and then extracted the promise from Leah that she’d take Molly to his brother in Julesburg, Colorado, that he’d finally given up his battle. Fortunately, Molly would grow up knowing her parents had loved her, unlike Leah, whose parents had abandoned her on the orphanage doorstep when she was less than a year old.

Leah craved a home, and Molly’s arrival in her life had made her realize how much. Shortly after John Bridges’s death, Leah had answered Thomas Harris’s ad for a mail-order bride. She’d learned from the ad that the Harris ranch was located in the same general area where Jake Bridges lived. She’d hoped to be close to the child and still be able to have a husband and a home.

Leah looked down at Molly. She still wanted to make sure the child was settled before she continued with her own life. No child should ever be left alone in this world.

Leah stepped up onto the porch. Making sure Molly was safe had become of utmost importance. If this Jake was her uncle, then Molly and Leah’s time together would soon be over. Leah felt a tug at her heart and it wasn’t comfortable. She was going to miss the little girl.

Jake reappeared and took the bag from her. His gaze darted to Molly before he went back into the house. Had she seen a flicker of recognition on his face? Surely not. Even if Molly was Jake Bridges’s niece, Molly’s father had said his brother had never met the little girl.

He dropped the bag inside the door and then held it open for Leah and Molly to enter. Warm air stung Leah’s chilled face. She looked about the spacious room. One half was a sitting area and the other looked like a dining room. The smell of coffee teased her tired senses as a door opened on the other side of a long kitchen table and a heavyset woman entered.

Seeing the two of them standing in the doorway, the woman rushed across to Leah and grabbed her hand, pulling her farther into the house. Her warm hands felt wonderful against Leah’s ice-cold one. “Come on in, child. You must be chilled to the bone.”

Leah allowed the woman to guide her toward the table. She noticed that the young rider who’d almost run them down was already seated. He held a steaming mug in his hands.

“I’ll go get you a cup of coffee. That will warm you up and then you can tell us all about yourself.” The woman left the room before Leah could respond.

“We weren’t expecting anyone to arrive on the stage today.” Jake pulled out a seat for her before he sat down.

The young rider added, “I’m surprised the stage came this far out with the snow falling and another storm on the way.”

Both men stared at her as if waiting for her to speak. Leah didn’t know what to say. Did she want to confide in total strangers?

How did she tell them that she and Thomas had agreed to meet in South Platte and then get married in Julesburg, Colorado? That Thomas had promised her a fine home and lots of room to raise flowers during the spring and summer months.

He’d sent stagecoach tickets and money for both her and Molly to travel to the pony express station in South Platte. Leah remembered feeling blessed that her future husband was a generous man. She’d followed his written instructions and taken the very next stage out as winter had already hit Colorado and there would be no further chances for her to arrive before summer.

However certain she had been about the plans she’d made, discussing her personal business with strangers went against the grain and she found herself reluctant to divulge any private information. Did she really want to share all that? She took a deep, fortifying breath.

The older woman returned and placed a steaming mug down in front of Leah. “Here, drink this. It will make you feel better in no time.” She was a short, plump woman with bright blue eyes. “I’ll have your cider out in a few moments, Jake. Would the little one like a cup of hot apple cider, too?”

Molly nodded. Her doe-like eyes studied everyone about the table. Then she ducked her head and hid her face behind Leah.

“That would be lovely. Thank you.” Leah patted Molly on the back.

The woman smiled and hurried back into what Leah assumed was the kitchen. For some odd reason, Leah had figured Jake to be a coffee-drinking man but it was obvious that the older woman knew he’d want apple cider.

Uncomfortable silence filled the room. Leah leaned down and unbuttoned Molly’s coat. She pulled the little stocking hat from the girl’s head. Soft blond curls floated about her angelic face. No one spoke as Leah removed the gloves from Molly’s hands. She looked into the little girl’s warm brown eyes. “Better?”

Molly nodded and tucked her thumb into her mouth once more. At four years old, she should have already stopped sucking her thumb, but with both her parents gone, Leah didn’t have the heart to take away that single comfort from the little girl. She pulled Molly up onto her lap.

Leah picked up the hot cup and took a sip. She was surprised that the coffee tasted so rich and full. She’d been traveling for days, and most of the places the stage had stopped had served weak coffee with hardly any flavor. She almost sighed out loud as its warmth slowly filled her chest and stomach.

The woman returned with a metal pot that she set on the table and two more steaming mugs. The smaller one she placed in front of Molly. “Here you go, little one. This should help warm you up.” A gentle smile graced her lips as she looked at Molly.

The sweet fragrance of apples drifted from the cup. Leah noted it was only about half full and didn’t steam like her coffee or Jake’s larger drink. She picked up the cider and handed it to Molly. It was warm to the touch, not hot. “Thank you.” She offered a wobbly smile.

The older woman dropped into a chair at the head of the table. “You’re welcome. I’m Agnes Frontz. Me and my husband, Charles, run this pony express station. He’s at the general store picking up supplies but will be back in time for supper.” She pointed to one of the two men. “This here is Will. He’s one of the pony express riders that lives here when he’s not working.”

The rider tilted his head in her direction. He looked no more than sixteen years old. His blue eyes sparkled in her direction as if he knew something she didn’t.

Agnes moved on to the big man. “And I believe you’ve already met our stock tender, Jake Bridges.”

Her heart sank. Leah looked at the big man. Light blond hair and brown eyes the same shade as Molly’s looked back at her. She’d planned to find Molly’s uncle but had hoped to delay her separation from the little girl for as long as possible.

Oh, Lord, please give me the strength to leave Molly in the care of her uncle.

* * *

Jake nodded at Leah before lifting the sweet cider to his lips and drinking deeply from the cup. He held her deep crystal-blue eyes over the rim. She had to be one of the prettiest women he’d seen in a long time. What was she doing out here in the middle of nowhere?

Her voice shook as she said, “It’s nice to meet you all. My name is Leah Hollister.”

“What brings you to our neck of the woods?” Mrs. Frontz asked.

Leah raised her head and looked Mrs. Frontz in the eyes. “Thomas Harris and I are to be married.”

Mrs. Frontz poured more coffee from the metal pot into Will’s cup. “Is he coming for you dear? With the weather it might take a while, but you’re welcome to stay here and wait for him, if you’d like.”

Jake watched Leah’s lids slip down over her eyes as she shifted in her seat.

“I’ve some unfinished business before I let him know I’ve arrived.” Her gaze rose to Jake’s face, as if her business had something to do with him, before lowering once more. “But I’m sure Mr. Harris will be happy to pay for my room and board when he arrives.”

The little girl slurped her drink and giggled. She was a cute thing but didn’t look much like her mother. Jake wondered how long Mrs. Hollister had been a widow.

His first impression of her had been that she had good looks but no brains. Who else but a clueless city girl would stop in the middle of the yard like that and look about like a lost lamb? Hadn’t Mr. Edwards, the stage coach driver, told her that this was a pony express station? That riders came in fast and hard?

Mrs. Frontz stood and picked up the coffeepot. “Don’t you worry none about that. I’m sure the Harris men will take care of everything.” For a moment she stared at Leah, the coffeepot extended away from her body, a questioning look in her eyes. Jake saw Leah’s shoulders stiffen almost as if she dreaded giving the answers Mrs. Frontz required. She barely hid her surprise when Mrs. Frontz turned to the kitchen, calling back over her shoulder, “Boys, gather up the lady’s bags and carry them up to one of the guest rooms.”

Jake and Will pushed back their chairs to do as they were told.

Leah’s soft voice stopped them. “I can take them.” She set the little girl down and was on her feet in an instant.

“Oh, no, you won’t.” Mrs. Frontz set a bowl of steaming stew on the table and took Leah’s arm. “You are going to sit right here and warm up while I feed you both. Then we’ll send you off to your beds.”

Jake hid his smile as he watched Leah do as she was told. Agnes Frontz was a hardworking woman who always got her way. She cooked and cleaned up after the riders and expected them to obey her every word.

She wasn’t hard on them, but she did like to mother them. It looked as if Leah Hollister was about to receive the same treatment.

Jake picked up two of the bags he’d brought in earlier. The first time he’d seen the cases, with Mrs. Hollister standing in the middle of them, it had scared ten years off his life. He’d called to her that the rider was coming, and for a split second Jake had thought she was deaf or something. She’d stood as still as a statue before her sense had kicked in and she’d grabbed up the child and raced for the cabin.

Her soft voice stopped him at the foot of the stairs. “Mr. Bridges?” He heard a catch in her throat.

Jake turned. “Yes?”

Her words came out in a rush. “I’d like to speak with you alone.”

His head shot up and a light eyebrow cocked upward. She returned his gaze, a determined glint in the eyes that stared unblinkingly back at him. Her hand gently stroked the little girl’s hair.

“I’m not sure alone is a very good idea,” Mrs. Frontz announced.

Jake nodded and handed the bags to Will, who juggled them but continued up the stairs. He looked to the older woman. Jake knew Mrs. Frontz meant well, but from the determined look on Mrs. Hollister’s face, Jake felt he needed to hear her out. “We’ll be over by the fireplace, Mrs. Frontz. If you don’t mind taking care of the child for a moment, I’m interested in Miss Hollister’s business with me.” He walked toward the big overstuffed chair that sat beside the fireplace.

Mrs. Hollister looked to Mrs. Frontz, who simply shrugged her approval. Leah placed her napkin on the table. “Thank you for watching Molly. I promise this won’t take long.”

Jake leaned against the rocks of the fireplace and waited. He couldn’t help but be curious. What could she possibly want to talk to him about? They were strangers.

Her soft skirts swished across the wood floors. Leah Hollister was a beautiful woman. She held herself with regal grace as she approached him but her sea-blue eyes betrayed the unease she felt. She was probably the most eye-catching woman he’d ever seen. How long would she be staying?

For a moment he allowed himself to imagine what marrying a woman like her would be like. He pushed the thought away. Jake had no business thinking about women, period. He’d decided a long time ago to keep his distance from them. It wasn’t that he didn’t like the fairer sex, but he’d learned from past experience that they couldn’t be trusted.

Today should have been his wedding anniversary. Instead his brother, John, was celebrating his own marriage. Five years ago, his brother and Jake’s fiancée, Sally, had ripped his heart out. The betrayal had been almost more than he could bear. An hour before they were to meet at the church for Sally and Jake’s wedding, Sally had arrived at the Bridges’ farm. She had stood with her head down, not looking him in the eyes, while his older brother wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders and confessed that they’d married that morning in the wee hours of dawn.

Hurt by his brother’s betrayal and the loss of Sally’s love, Jake had taken the bag he’d packed for his honeymoon and left. Since his parents had already moved on to be with the Lord, he knew John and Sally would take over the small farm. There was no place for him there any longer. He’d not looked back, except once a year to reflect on the pain his heart had endured and to vow never to allow another woman into it again.

Maybe he was a fool, but Jake had taken the time to write his brother and tell him where he’d landed over the years. Jake had asked that they not write back unless he was truly needed and John had abided by his request.

Jake had determined in his heart that he’d never fall in love again. It hurt too much when the one you loved betrayed you.

Once she was seated, Leah spoke, pulling him from his sad thoughts. “Please, Mr. Bridges, sit down. I really don’t want to crane my neck to speak to you.”

She seemed to have the upper hand in the conversation, so Jake did as she asked. He sat down on the footstool with his back turned away from the dining table where Mrs. Frontz and Molly waited. He could hear the older woman speaking to the child. Jake turned his attention to Leah. “All right, I’m sitting. What is it you have to say to me?”

Leah dug into the pocket of her dress and pulled out an envelope. He watched her swallow as she looked down at the cream-colored paper. “I think it would be best if I just give this to you. Then you can ask me any questions you’d like.”

He nodded his agreement and took the packet. Dread filled him as he turned it over. To: Jake Bridges. From: John Bridges was written across the front of the envelope.

What could his brother have to say that hadn’t been said the day he’d left? He’d claimed to love Sally and couldn’t live without her. He’d begged Jake to understand and asked him to reconsider leaving. But none of that mattered. John and Sally had betrayed him and he couldn’t face them, not yet, maybe never.

But why had John sent a letter with a complete stranger? He looked up at Leah Hollister. He saw sorrow in her eyes and a deeper sense of dread filled him as he slid his finger under the sealed flap and opened the envelope.

He forced his gaze from her eyes and focused on the letter.

Dear Jake,

By the time you get this letter I will be dead. Sally passed away last night and the illness that took her has now consumed me, as well. I am writing this letter in hopes that you have forgiven us by now and that you will not hold our daughter, Molly, accountable for the harm that we did to you. Please take care of my daughter and love her as if she were your own.

John

More lines had been added below John’s signature but Jake couldn’t bring himself to read them, not yet. He stood and walked to the fireplace. He was thankful Miss Hollister didn’t say anything as he passed her.

As surely as if someone had closed their hand about his throat, he felt the air squeeze from his lungs. Time had passed and with it the life of his brother. Never would Jake be able to make amends. He felt hot tears burn the backs of his eyes at what he’d lost and what his stubborn pride had cost him.

That same pride forced him to read the elegantly printed lines below his brother’s. He flicked the paper open once more and continued reading.

Mr. Bridges,

Your brother passed away a few weeks ago. I am sorry for your loss. We will be sending his daughter to you since there is no room for another child at the orphanage and you are her only remaining relative that we can locate. It is our fondest hope that Molly will find her voice and happiness with you. Mr. Johnson, the bank president, has requested you contact him in regard to your farm.

Mrs. Wilkins, Sweetwater, Texas.

Jake swallowed the lump in his throat. He’d lost his brother and was about to become guardian to a niece that he’d met for the first time moments ago. If he understood the letter correctly, Molly also didn’t speak. His throat felt dry, his eyes stung. His heart broke again.

He stood and leaned his forehead against the cool rocks of the fireplace and grieved. Lord, what am I going to do? I have no room for a child. No place to keep her. I’m not sure I can do this.

Chapter Two

Leah stood and placed her hand on Jake’s shoulder. “I’m very sorry, Mr. Bridges, to have to bring you this sad news.” She didn’t know what else to say. His shoulder felt warm under her hand. The muscles tensed beneath her touch.

“Jake.”

What did he mean? Leah dropped her hand from his shoulder. “Excuse me?”

He raised his head. Warm, brown, tear-filled eyes looked into hers. “Please call me Jake.”

Shock at seeing the raw pain in his gaze took Leah’s breath away but she managed to nod.

He squared his shoulders. “Thank you for bringing me the letter,” he said. He looked over her head and across the room to where Molly sat at the table playing with her doll. “And for bringing her to me.”

Again Leah nodded, not trusting her voice to escape around the knot in her throat.

“I hate to ask but...” His voice trailed off.

Leah swallowed. “You may ask me anything, Mr.—” she paused as she remembered his request “—Jake.” She kept her voice low, not sure she wanted Mrs. Frontz to hear her using his Christian name.

“Can the child stay with you until she gets to know me better and I can figure out a place for her to stay?” Sorrow filled his deep voice. His eyes returned to her face and pleaded with her to give him this time.

“I need to let Mr. Harris know I’m here,” Leah answered. “But, until he comes for me, I will take care of Molly.”

He nodded his acceptance of her terms. “Thank you.” With those words, Jake took one last look at Molly and left the house.

Leah watched him go. She felt his sorrow deeply. The door had shut behind him before she turned her attention back to the other two people in the room. Leah didn’t want to speak with Mrs. Frontz right now. Human nature would have the woman questioning her and it wasn’t her place to tell Mrs. Frontz about Jake’s loss.

“Why don’t you drink your coffee?” Mrs. Frontz offered, indicating with her hand that Leah should return to the table.

Leah looked to Molly. The little girl had finished her apple cider and simply sat watching the adults. If she could talk, Leah wondered what she’d say.

Not wanting to reveal Molly’s true identity until Jake was ready, Leah declined Mrs. Frontz’s invitation with a shake of her head. “Thank you for the coffee, Mrs. Frontz, but if Molly is finished, I’d like to rest for a little while.”

Molly hurried to her side. The little girl placed her hand within Leah’s as if offering her support.

Mrs. Frontz nodded but the disappointment in her face remained. Was she disappointed because she wanted to get to know Leah better? Or that Leah wouldn’t be sticking around to answer her questions regarding Jake?

“Will placed your bags in the first room to your left at the top of the stairs.” Mrs. Frontz pushed her chair back and gathered up the cups.

Leah smiled. “Thank you.” At the other woman’s nod, she took Molly’s hand and climbed the stairs. What would she and the little girl do once they were behind closed doors? Leah sighed as she opened the door to their room. It was chilly and the quilt looked warm and cozy on the top of the bed. A nap sounded good to Leah but she didn’t think she could sleep, knowing that Jake was somewhere hurting over the loss of his brother.

Molly entered the bed chamber, laid her doll on the quilt and crossed to the window. She clapped her little hands and pointed past the frost-covered glass. Snow drifted lazily to the ground. The little girl dug in her pockets and pulled out her hat and gloves. She ran toward the door and waited.

A quick glance about the room told Leah it was clean and had been well tended, but she’d look more closely later. “And where do you think you are going, young lady?” Leah asked, reaching for her coat.

Molly pointed back to the window.

“I see.” Leah crossed the room to help the little girl get the hat and gloves on her head and hands. A smile graced the child’s face as she tried to see out the window. It was as if Molly was afraid the snow would stop falling and she’d miss her chance to play in it.

Once she had Molly dressed and her own coat, gloves and hat on, Leah laid a finger over her lips. “Let’s be real quiet as we go outside. We don’t want to disturb Mrs. Frontz, do we?”

Molly nodded her head in agreement. Leah knew it was cowardly to sneak out of the house but she just wasn’t ready to face the woman’s questions again. Also, she wanted to spend a little more time with Molly, alone, having fun and not facing the future. Cowardly, maybe, but at least for a little while she’d be happy.

The little girl tugged on her arm, drawing her attention. Leah scooped the child up and opened the door. She looked both right and left. Not seeing anyone she closed the door behind them and hurried to the stairs. The main rooms were empty and they managed to escape out the front without Mrs. Frontz seeing them.

Leah sighed as she lowered the child to the ground. Now what? They couldn’t stand in the front yard, because who knew when one of those pony express riders would come swooping in. She grabbed Molly’s hand and headed to the side of the house, away from the barn and the possibility of being seen from the kitchen.

It was quiet on this side of the house. Apple trees formed a small orchard and Leah smiled. Snow was already piling up against the house and Molly danced around trying to catch snowflakes on her tongue.

“How about we build a snowman?”

Molly rushed back to her and nodded.

They worked together as the snow fell swiftly. The call of “Rider coming in fast!” carried to them but neither paid any mind.

Leah knew they were far enough away from the front of the house that they didn’t need to worry about the rider. The snow was a wet snow and packed well. It continued to come down and both she and Molly were wet. They stepped back to study their snowman. Molly pointed to the smallest snowball on top of the other two. She then pointed to her eyes, nose and mouth. Her small head cocked sideways as she looked up at Leah.

“Yes, he needs a face,” Leah agreed.

The little girl nodded and then pointed to her own hat-covered head. Now where would she find a hat? Leah wondered. “I agree. He needs a hat.”

Leah recognized Jake’s voice before she turned around to see him leaning against the house.

“That’s a nice-looking snowman you have there, Molly.”

She nodded and pointed again at the place where its face should be. As if she thought that wasn’t enough, Molly also pointed at her face.

Jake’s chuckle warmed Leah’s insides. How long had he been standing there? His eyes still held a hint of sorrow but she saw affection for Molly in them, too. That was good. Leah had been afraid he’d tell her he couldn’t or wouldn’t take his niece.

She watched as he walked forward with two stones and placed them where the snowman’s eyes should be. Molly tapped her nose with a gloved finger.

He nodded. “Yep, still needs a nose.” He took Molly’s gloved hand and walked over to the trees where he broke off a small stick and returned. Jake held it out for Molly to take and then lifted her to put it into place.

When he returned her to the ground, Molly looked up at him and grinned. Did she realize that Jake was her uncle? Did he resemble her father enough for the little girl to put the two together? Leah didn’t know.

Molly’s brown eyes turned on her and she pointed to her lips.

“I’m not sure what we can use for his mouth,” Leah confessed, looking about. The ground was covered in snow. Maybe they could dig and find a few stones to create the lips.

The little girl frowned. Suddenly her eyes lit up and she ran for the house.

Leah started to follow her but Jake’s warm hand on her arm stopped her.

“She’s just going into the house.”

She turned to face him. “How can you be so sure?”

Jake laughed. “Didn’t you see the look on her face? She thought of something she has and went to get it.”

“Oh.” Leah rubbed her cold hands together. Earlier she’d been too busy to notice the cold but now with Molly gone, and aware she was alone with a stranger, Leah began to feel uneasy. With the thin gloves and even thinner coat she was beginning to feel chilled to the bone, too.

“I hope Mrs. Frontz didn’t give you a hard time after I left,” Jake said, blowing on his own gloves to warm his hands.

Leah felt a moment of embarrassment. “No, I didn’t give her the chance. Molly and I went up to our room after you left and then we sneaked outside while she was in the kitchen.”

“I’m sorry. I should have stayed and explained to her what was happening.” Sorrow filled his warm eyes again.

Leah reached out and touched his arm. “It’s all right. She didn’t come right out and ask me what we’d discussed. I wouldn’t have told her if she had. She’ll understand soon enough.” She didn’t need to tell him that it was his responsibility to tell his employers about Molly, not hers.

Jake nodded. “Yes, I plan on telling everyone this evening before supper. But, I’d like to talk to Molly about it first.”

“That would be best.”

He seemed pleased at her response. “I hope you don’t mind but I’ve asked Mrs. Frontz if we can have lunch in private.”

Leah turned big eyes on him. “I’m not sure that is such a good idea.” She rushed on before he could stop her. “I know you mean well but I want to be with you both when you tell Molly who you are. Right now, I’m the only person she trusts. I’m not comfortable sending her off alone with you. She might think I’ve abandoned her and I can’t have that.”

Leah heard the conviction in her voice and realized she’d not let Molly face her future alone. She squared her shoulders and waited for Jake to argue.

A grin filled his face. “I’m glad you care so much about her.”

“I do.” Leah’s stomach growled just as Molly came running around the corner.

He leaned close to her and his warm breath caressed her cheek. “It sounds like it’s a good thing I asked for an early lunch for three.”

Jake turned from her to see what the little girl was waving in the air. Leah tilted her head and looked around him to see, too. Her heart sank. Molly had found Leah’s favorite pink ribbon.

Jake bent at the waist to take it from her. His gaze moved to Leah’s face and he turned back to Molly. “Is this your pretty ribbon?” he asked.

She shook her head and pointed to Leah.

“Did you ask if we can use it?”

Again, Molly shook her head. Her eyes beseeched Leah.

Jake stood to his full height. For a moment Leah was worried he was going to scold the little girl. Jake surprised her by saying, “Well, I think it’s too pretty for a snowman. After lunch we’ll see what else we can find.” He handed the ribbon back to Molly. “Perhaps you should give this back to Miss Hollister.”

Molly did as she was told but didn’t look too pleased.

“Thank you, Molly.” Leah took the ribbon and then knelt down in front of the little girl. “From now on, you must ask me before you go through my things and take what you want.” Once the little girl had nodded sadly, Leah stood.

“Who’s hungry?” Jake asked.

Molly jumped up and down. She crossed to Jake and took his hand. Leah followed. It was obvious that Molly was already accepting Jake. The little girl wouldn’t need her here much longer.

* * *

Heat filled Jake’s face as he saw his room through Leah and Molly’s eyes. It was a tack room within the barn. Bridles, saddles and other riding equipment stood against the walls or hung on the walls. A bed, small wood stove and a little wooden table were all that stood in the room. A shirt hung on a makeshift clothesline but other than that, the room was tidy.

Curiosity laced Molly’s expression while mild amusement seemed to fill Leah’s. He set the picnic basket on the table. “I know it’s not much, but stock tenders don’t normally require much.”

In all honesty, he’d been surprised that Mrs. Frontz had agreed to let him bring Leah and Molly to his room. But, with some fast talking he’d convinced her that Molly would make the perfect chaperon and that they needed privacy to explain to Molly that he was her uncle, an uncle she’d never met.

Leah’s voice pulled him back to the present. “It’s very nice.” Leah took off Molly’s wet gloves and coat.

He almost snorted his amusement at her politeness but decided she wouldn’t take the action well. Instead, he pulled a chair up to the table. “I’m sorry. I only have the two chairs. You ladies may have them.”

Molly scrambled onto the closest one and smiled up at him. Her brown eyes, so much like his brother’s, tore into his heart.

“Molly and I can share.” Leah scooped the little girl up and sat down. The little girl squirmed in her lap and smiled across at him.

Jake opened the basket. He wasn’t sure how to tell Molly that he was her uncle. Bitterness clawed at the back of his throat. What right did he have to raise his niece? He’d cut her parents out of his life five years ago. Sadness filled him because, without meaning to, he’d also cut this sweet little girl from his life.

He placed sliced bread and ham wrapped in a towel on the table, followed by a jar of pickles and sugar cookies. He also pulled out three plates and a fork for the pickles. It wasn’t a large lunch but it was all that Mrs. Frontz had had time to pull together for them. Lastly he placed a jar of milk and three glasses on the table.

“This looks wonderful.” Leah made a quick sandwich from the bread and ham. She placed it on one of the plates while he opened the pickle jar.

As they worked together to prepare the simple meal, Molly watched. Jake felt as if her big eyes followed his every move. Was this what it felt like to be a parent?

Once they each had a sandwich sitting in front of them, Jake sat down and blessed the food. It had been a while since he’d said grace because Mr. Frontz normally said the blessing. He kept it simple and said a quick amen.

Molly reached for the sugar cookie on her plate.

In a soft voice, Leah reminded her, “You have to eat half your sandwich and drink half your milk and then you can have the cookie.”

The little girl looked to Jake. Was she asking him to intervene? What harm would it do if she ate the cookie first? His gaze moved up to Leah’s. The look on her face warned him that now wasn’t the time to dispute her words.

He grinned at Molly. “Eat up. If I finish my sandwich first I might be tempted to eat your cookie, too.” Jake took a big bite from his sandwich.

A twinkle filled Leah’s eyes as Molly grabbed her own ham and bread and began to eat at a fast pace. “Remember, ladies thoroughly chew their food before they swallow,” Leah reminded the little girl.

Molly nodded and her eyes danced with pleasure as she ate and drank her milk. Leah picked at her sandwich and looked about the room.

Leah seemed to know exactly what the little girl needed to know to grow up into a young woman with manners and healthy eating habits. How was he going to be both mother and father to the child? To take his mind from the scary thought, Jake glanced around his room.

He was thankful he’d stopped long enough this morning to make the cot up. “I hope you don’t mind eating here. Other than the main dining hall there was no other place, and I wanted to talk to Molly before I spoke to Mr. and Mrs. Frontz.”

“This is fine,” Leah assured him.

Molly’s stopped chewing and looked at him. He read the question in her eyes. She wanted to know why he’d want to talk to her.

He put his sandwich down and placed his elbows on the table, one on each side of his plate. Molly continued to stare at him. She cocked her head to the side and waited.

Jake took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly. Lord, please help me say the right thing. “Molly, did your daddy ever tell you he had a brother?”

The little girl shook her head.

John and Sally had never told Molly about him. What had he expected? He’d abandoned his family. Only, where did he go from here?

Jake continued to hold her gaze. She looked so much like Sally, with her corn-silk hair, heart-shaped face and rosy cheeks. The only difference was her eyes. She had John’s expressive brown eyes.

Seeing John’s eyes looking back at him tore into his very soul. Over the years he’d missed his brother and realized that his memories of Sally were fading, but he’d never forgotten his brother.

Molly slid off Leah’s lap and came around the table. Jake turned so that he could still face her. The little girl reached her arms upward and he pulled her onto his lap. She stretched her small hand up and touched Jake’s hair and then ran her fingers over his lashes.

He closed them so she wouldn’t poke him in the eye. Was she searching for similarities between him and his brother? Or was she simply curious about him? When he felt her hand on his head again, he looked into her face.

Leah said in a soft, encouraging voice, “Go ahead and tell her.”

Molly looked from him to Leah and back to him again. She placed her hand on his heart and leaned her head against his shoulder.

“I’m your Uncle Jake, Molly. I’m your daddy’s brother.”

She raised her head and smiled at him. Had she already guessed? “Your daddy sent me a letter and in it he said you can live with me now. Would you like that?”

Molly nodded and then pointed to Leah.

Was she asking if Leah could live with them, too? Jake looked to the young woman. Her cheeks were turning a lovely shade of pink. It wasn’t his place to tell Molly that her friend would soon be leaving to marry Mr. Harris.

Jake found himself holding his breath as he waited to see what Leah would say. Molly climbed down from his lap. She hurried back to Leah and waited to be picked up. Molly was small for her age and weighed very little.

“Molly, you will be staying here with your uncle Jake, and I will continue on to meet my new husband. Remember? I told you that I was coming out here to get married.”

Tears filled Molly’s eyes. She wrapped her arms around Leah’s neck and hid her face. Leah’s sorrow-filled gaze searched out Jake’s. He wanted to help them but didn’t know how. His experience with heartache hadn’t prepared him for raising a child who had lost so much already. Or helping a young woman who seemed to be looking at him for reassurance—or something else that he knew he’d never be able to give her.

Leah gently pulled Molly back. “I’m not leaving right now, little one. We have a few days to be together. Let’s not be sad during the rest of our time together. All right?”

Molly wiped the tears from her cheeks and offered Leah a wobbly smile. She patted Leah’s face as if to say, I’m all right. Her sad eyes seemed to say that it wasn’t fair and that she felt as if she were losing her best friend.

* * *

Later that evening, cold air swept through the room, announcing that Jake had entered the parlor. Leah glanced his way and then faced Mr. Frontz once more. With her hands planted firmly on her hips, she protested, “I don’t understand why a pony express rider can’t take me on his next run and drop me off at the Harris ranch.”

The old man shook his head. “Send him a letter. I won’t risk sending you out to him.”

Exasperation and weariness filled her. “But I’ve already told you. I sent a letter last week and haven’t received an answer.” Fear crept up her spine, sending chills down her back. The letter should have gotten to him days ago. Why hadn’t he come? Had Thomas changed his mind?

Two pony express riders, Cole and Timothy, sat on the settee, snickering. Leah scowled at them. Didn’t they realize this wasn’t funny? This was about her future. Her new home. The older man snorted and she turned her glare back on him.

Molly tugged her small fingers free of Leah’s and hurried to Jake. The little girl grabbed his hand. Her big brown eyes took in the scene that was unfolding before them. His seemed to be doing the same.

Leah and Molly had kept their distance from each other. Truth be told, Leah had pretty much isolated herself from everyone because she didn’t want to see the questions in their eyes. But, even so, she’d sensed he wanted no part of being around her. He’d come inside and play with Molly or take her out to the barn to ride the horse but he’d said very few words to Leah over the past week.

Mr. Frontz’s firm voice drew her attention once more. “Pony express riders don’t deliver women, they deliver mail.” Mr. Frontz turned his back and stoked the fire in the fireplace.

Leah took a deep breath and slowly released it, then spoke her thoughts. “Well, I am a mail-order bride. Thomas Harris has paid my way to your stagecoach stop and I’m sure he will pay any cost you want to charge to deliver me to his ranch.”

The old man hooted with laughter. “Honey, even if he could afford it, I’m sure Mr. Harris wouldn’t pay for you to be delivered like the U.S. mail.”

“Not at five dollars a half ounce,” Cole muttered loud enough for everyone in the room to hear.

“I’ll wager that gal weighs about one hundred and twenty pounds, give or take a pound.” Timothy snickered back.

Leah glanced at the two young men. Each wore a wide grin and had laughing eyes. But that didn’t stop her. She stood a little taller and glared at each of them. “I’ll have you know, I only weigh one ten. Not that that is any of your business.” She turned back to Mr. Frontz feeling foolish for arguing with the boys like a child.

Mr. Frontz looked Leah straight in the eyes. “Look, it’s not just your weight, it’s also not safe. These boys have to ride fast and they face all kinds of dangers while out on the trail. That’s why they get paid twenty-five dollars a week to be riders.” He dropped the poker into the wrought-iron holder on the hearth. “Plus, that weather out there has turned for the worst and would have you shivering so much you’d throw the horse and rider off balance.”

Leah wasn’t ready to give up. She raised her chin and declared, “I’m willing to face the dangers, Mr. Frontz.”

“Well,” the old man smothered a yawn with his hand and said, “I’m not willing to have you face danger and I don’t believe these young men are, either.” He yawned again, this time not bothering to hide the fact that he was tired, sleepy and finished with their conversation. “The subject is closed for discussion, Miss Hollister.”

Leah marched after him. He pointed at the riders behind her. “If I can talk one of them into taking me, would you forbid it?” She dared him to say yes.

“Not at all. You are welcome to ask away, but I’m telling you—” he nodded at the group behind her “—and them, no one is taking you anyplace.”

The express riders stood at once, as if they’d received some unspoken code. They hurried from the house like chickens with their heads chopped off, scattering in all directions.

Dejected, Leah plopped down in the chair beside the fireplace. Molly released Jake’s hand and hurried to her side. The little girl wrapped her arms around Leah’s neck, offering comfort in the only way she knew how.

Ike, another young rider, stepped from the shadows. “Miss Hollister, did you say Thomas Harris?”

She looked up hopefully and nodded. “Would you be interested in taking me to him, Ike?”

The young man shook his head sadly. “No, ma’am, and it pains me to tell you but I think I know why he hasn’t rit you back.”

Confused, Leah asked, “Why not?”

Ike’s words rushed from him like water over river rocks. “When I was in Julesburg yesterday I heard that Mr. Harris died. He got caught in that last storm and froze out by his pond.”

Leah gasped. Sorrow and despair hit her at the same time. Thomas had seemed so nice in his letters. It was a shame that he’d died. But what was she going to do now? Where would she go? Not back to Texas since there was nothing and no one there for her. Then the thought hit her. She tried to stand but dread weakened her knees so that she couldn’t rise from the chair. How on earth was she going to pay for the nights she’d stayed here and the food she’d eaten?

Jake moved to stand beside her. He placed a firm hand beneath her elbow. Was this his way of offering comfort? Why would he do so?

“Is this information from a reliable person, Ike?” Jake asked, bringing her thoughts into focus once more.

“Yep,” Ike said as Leah watched his Adam’s apple bob up and down as he swallowed hard before continuing. “The sheriff was talking to the undertaker.”

With Jake’s support, Leah got to her feet, picking Molly up. Her voice was strained as she said, “Thank you for letting me know, Ike. If you will excuse me, gentlemen, Molly and I will retire now.” She walked to the stairs with her head held high, refusing to let them see that her world had just crumbled at her feet and that she had no idea how to make it all right again.

Chapter Three

The next morning, Jake sat at the dining table facing his employers, Mr. and Mrs. Frontz. It was still early and everyone else rested in their warm beds, something Jake hadn’t done comfortably since Miss Hollister and his niece had arrived.

Mrs. Frontz yawned, then said, “Thanks for making the coffee this morning, Jake, but I wish you’d get on with whatever needs to be said. I have breakfast to cook.”

He lowered his drink. “All right, then, I’ll get to the point. Miss Hollister learned last night that her fiancé has passed away.” Jake watched both of them nod and focus their gazes on the cups in front of them. He couldn’t help but wonder how long they’d known about the demise of Mr. Harris. He shook his head and continued because that simple fact really didn’t matter right now. “That means she will be leaving soon.” Again he watched them nod.

“What does that have to do with us, son?” Mr. Frontz asked, raising his head and meeting Jake’s eyes.

The older man called everyone son, so Jake didn’t take any notice. “Well, if Miss Hollister leaves, I assume full responsibility for Molly’s care. So I guess I’m trying to tell you I’ll be leaving soon, too. I can’t raise a girl in the tack room off the barn.”

Mrs. Frontz’s face saddened. “Where will you go?”

“Back to Texas. I guess the family spread is mine now.”

He didn’t want to move back to Texas. Too many memories were there for both him and Molly. How would she feel going back to the place where her parents had died? But it was his only choice.

He didn’t tell them he had no idea what he was going to do on that small piece of land. He’d hoped to make enough money to start a horse ranch, but now, with a child to raise, Jake just wasn’t sure what he’d do. And he still had the problem of how to care for the child once he did have a work plan.

“Now, boy, you aren’t making any sense,” Mr. Frontz grumbled. “You’re going to leave a good job here to go to Texas. For what? So the girl will have a place to live? What’s wrong with living here?”

“Yeah, what’s wrong with living here?” Mrs. Frontz echoed, fully awake now.

“I told you, I can’t raise her in the tack room. At least back in Texas, I have a cabin.” Jake didn’t like it any more than they did but what other choice did he have?

Mr. Frontz studied him over his coffee cup. He took a drink and then plopped it down on the table. “So are you saying that if you had a roof over your heads, then you’d stick around?”

Jake nodded. “I reckon so.” He loved working for the pony express and taking care of the horses. Most of them were mustangs and half-wild but he did love them. There were a few, like the one he allowed Molly to ride, that were tame. All of them were intelligent.

They sat in silence for several long minutes before Mrs. Frontz spoke. “You know, Charles. He could move into the old homestead. It needs a little work but it’s livable.”

Mr. Frontz nodded. “Yep, I could get the boys to clean the place today and have it ready to move into by this evening.” He picked up his coffee once more.

“I’m sure I could round up some sheets and other things you’ll need to make it a fine home for the little girl,” Mrs. Frontz added in a hopeful voice.

Jake shook his head. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea. The other men aren’t going to like that I have a nice home to live in when all they get is a room that they must share with each other.”

“You leave the boys to me. Besides, the cabin’s not that much bigger than their room.” Mr. Frontz pushed his chair back. He dropped a big, callused hand on Jake’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re staying. I didn’t look forward to replacing such a good stock tender.” He shoved his hat on his balding head and stomped to the back porch.

Jake studied the grounds in the bottom of his cup. That was one problem taken care of, but he had others to deal with.

Mrs. Frontz laid her hand on his. “Something else is bothering you. I can tell. Want to talk about it?”

He looked into her bright blue eyes. “I’m just thinking that if Miss Hollister leaves I’ll need to hire someone to watch Molly.” Jake sighed, his choices in babysitters were majorly limited here in South Platte. Other than Mrs. Frontz, there were only a handful of women and most of them were past their prime and unhealthy. The others were too young and looking for a husband. Jake Bridges had no intention of letting any of them look at him as husband material.

“I’ll be happy to watch her for you,” Mrs. Frontz volunteered.

No, Jake knew he couldn’t ask her to take on Molly’s care. Her slumped shoulders spoke of how tired the older woman was. She already cooked and cleaned from sunup to sundown. He couldn’t imagine her trying to keep up with an active four-year-old child, too. “That’s nice of you to offer but I’ll think of something. She’s a handful and you already have plenty to take care of with the riders.”

She nodded and stood. “Yeah. Speaking of the boys, they’ll be down soon needing breakfast. Who’s up first today?”

Jake grinned ruefully. He noticed she hadn’t argued with him about Molly’s care. “Ike.”

“I’ll make sure he gets an extra helpin’ this morning.” She muttered to herself as she pushed through the kitchen door.

Well, having a house to live in would be a big help but what was he to do about Molly’s care? Jake knew he couldn’t take her to the barn with him every day or have her follow him about the place while he made repairs. She needed a woman’s care. A soft whisper filtered through his mind. She needed Leah Hollister.

What would Leah do now that Thomas Harris was no longer available to offer her marriage? Would she return to Texas? To what? Why had she left in the first place? There were so many things he didn’t know about her. But he did know that she cared for Molly. She’d also shown no special interest in him or the other young men.

Would she be willing to marry him to assure herself that Molly would have a home? As far as he knew, Leah and Thomas hadn’t really known each other before she agreed to be his bride. Perhaps she’d consider replacing Thomas with himself.

It sounded crazy as Jake ran the thoughts through his mind but a marriage of convenience might be what both of them needed. He sighed and took a sip of his now-cold coffee. Of course, he’d have to tell her that he couldn’t offer her a real marriage, only friendship and a home. Would that be enough to keep Leah here with Molly?

Long before he could actually see her, the sound of her skirts swishing against the hardwood floors alerted him to Leah’s arrival.

Molly entered the room seconds before Leah. His niece looked sweet this morning with her hair up in two braids like pigtails. Her cheeks were pink, as if she’d just endured a good scrubbing. She swung the rag doll by one arm. He reminded himself he would have to rearrange his entire life to accommodate Molly and prayed Leah would go along with him for the same reason.

* * *

Leah came to an abrupt stop when she saw Jake sitting at the table. A quick glance about the room revealed that he was the only one there. Molly waved as she skipped past him and headed for the kitchen.

“Good morning.”

The richness of his voice flowed over her like melted butter over hot potatoes. She offered him a smile and replied, “Good morning.”

Leah pressed on to the kitchen to talk to Mrs. Frontz about working to pay for her room and board. She’d lain awake most of the night and had come to the conclusion that this was the only way to pay back what she owed. She wasn’t good at cooking, but Leah did know how to clean. Maybe Mrs. Frontz would teach her how to cook and then she could help out in both the kitchen and with the housework.

“Do you have a few minutes to spare this morning? I’d like to talk about last night and I have something I need to ask you.” Jake’s deep voice interrupted her line of thought.

Leah turned to face him. He cradled his coffee cup between his two large hands. Rich brown eyes surveyed her face. Wasn’t it bad enough that he’d witnessed her reception of last night’s bad news? Did he really want to talk about it now?

“I should probably go help Mrs. Frontz with breakfast.” Her hand flapped toward the kitchen of its own accord. She hoped he’d not noticed her lack of helping in the past.

“Please. I promise I won’t take long and I’d like to talk without Molly’s little ears hearing.” He gestured for her to sit across from him.

He seemed determined, so Leah thought she might as well get it over with and sat down.

“Thank you.” He rubbed the checkered tablecloth absently as if having difficulty forming his next words. “I’m sorry to hear about Thomas Harris. I understand he was a good man.” Jake paused and took a sip from his cup.

Honestly, Leah didn’t know if Thomas was a good man or not. They’d only known each other through the sparse letters they’d shared. She nodded, hoping Jake would continue.

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you’d never met, is that right?”

Leah sighed. “That’s right.” What was his point? Was he going to suggest that since she had no marriage prospects she wasn’t fit to watch Molly any longer? Did having one’s fiancé die make her unfit? The irrational thoughts raced through her mind.

“So there is no chance you were in love or anything like that?” Jake leaned his arms on the table and stared into her eyes.

Feeling uncomfortable, Leah answered. “No, we weren’t in love. Mr. Harris needed a wife to help out on the ranch. His mother is getting up in years and she hinted that if he should marry, his wife could take over the cooking, cleaning and such.” Leah didn’t mention the grandchildren Mrs. Harris had wanted and now would never have since Thomas was an only child. She wondered what would happen to Thomas’s mother now that he was gone.

“So would you say it was a marriage of convenience for both of you?” Jake pressed, never taking his gaze from her face.

Leah felt heat crawl up her neck into her cheeks. This wasn’t a conversation any woman wanted to have with a man she’d met only a few days ago. “Mr. Bridges, would you please just tell me where we are going with this conversation?”

He nodded. “After you answer my question.”

“Fine. Yes, it was more of a marriage of convenience, but I would have made him a fine wife.”

Jake leaned back in his chair. “Good.” He continued to study her long and hard.

She pushed up out of her chair. “Well, if that is all you wanted.”

“Wait.”

Why she did as he said, Leah didn’t know but she found herself back on the hard wood seat. “Why?”

Jake leaned forward once more. “I want to offer you the same deal as Harris.”

“What?” The one word squeaked from Leah’s throat. Was he offering to marry her? Was this God’s answer to her prayer? It was so sudden.

He reached across the table and snagged one of her hands. Leah wasn’t sure if he was trying to be endearing or simply holding her hand to keep her from leaving the room.

“I don’t understand. What exactly are you proposing?”

“Well, I can’t promise you love but I can promise you a home.” He raked his fingers through his hair with his free hand. “Molly needs a mother and I have to work. So if you and I were to marry, she’d have someone to take care of her and you’d both have a home.”

Home.

The word sank into Leah’s heart. Hadn’t she always wanted a home? Just last night she’d pleaded with God and asked for a home. She didn’t ask for love. No one could or would love her, and if they claimed to, she’d always wonder what their motives were. After all, her own parents had given her away and they were the people she’d expected to love her forever. Love wasn’t something she could rely on, her whole life she’d relied on herself, not her parents and not a man. No, as long as love wasn’t involved, Leah felt sure she’d be all right. She raised her eyes and studied Jake. He wasn’t offering love, or even pretending to offer love, but he was offering her what she’d always wanted. A home.

“Look, I know it’s not much, but it’s all I can give you. I’m not a man who is going to fall in love with you. But I can offer you a house, food and a life with a little girl who needs you more than you’ll ever know.” His eyes pleaded with her to understand what he was proposing. “You will never want for anything as long as you are my wife.”

Leah couldn’t find words to express how she felt. It was a lot to take in. She’d gone from having no plans or future, to having a man offer her marriage and a daughter. She loved Molly, and yet she still couldn’t get out the word yes.

Molly burst out of the kitchen door and ran to Leah. The little girl grabbed her free hand and tugged for Leah to follow her to the kitchen.

Leah gently pulled her back and said, “Go tell Mrs. Frontz that I’ll be there in a few minutes.” It was only after the little girl hurried away that she remembered Molly couldn’t or wouldn’t speak. How was she going to tell Mrs. Frontz what she’d said?

Leah turned her attention back to Jake. He still held her hand firmly in his. “What about friendship, Jake? Can you allow yourself to be my friend? My best friend?” Leah didn’t need love but she did need friendship.

He squeezed her hand gently and warmth filled his voice. “I will give you friendship and respect, and I believe we will get along fine, Leah. Just don’t ask for my heart, my love or more than hand-holding.” He rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand before releasing it.

His words both shocked and comforted her. Leah inhaled deeply. As she exhaled Leah whispered, “Then I’ll marry you, Jake.”

“Thank you.” He got up and came around the table.

Leah stood also, unsure what he planned to do. Just moments before he’d said she should expect no more than hand-holding from this union. She turned to face him. Did he plan to seal their engagement with a kiss? Her heart quickened. Her first kiss from a man—her soon-to-be husband.

Jake took both of her hands in his, leaned down until their foreheads were touching and in a warm, low, gravelly voice whispered, “I promise, I’ll be the best husband I know how to be now, and with time I’ll hopefully get better at it.”

Electricity snapped between them. Leah felt as if every hair on her head stood on end. It took her voice away once more. She nodded against his head.

He released her hands and straightened to his full height. “Now that that’s settled, I better get back to work.”

Leah watched him go through the door to the kitchen and heard the back door close. She took a deep breath punctuated with several even gasps. Her heart thumped madly. Her mind was a crazy mixture of hope and fear. The one clear thought she latched on to was that she was a soon-to-be bride once more.

What did the future hold for her? Leah rested a hand against her chest in a feeble attempt to stop its erratic pounding. Momentary panic gnawed away at the new hope she’d just experienced. Had she jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire?

“Lord, I hope I haven’t just made the biggest mistake of my life.” Leah realized she’d said the prayer aloud and quickly looked about. Fortunately she stood alone in the room. The words hung in the air, as if taunting her as she headed to the kitchen. Was this the biggest mistake of her life? What if she married Jake, then her true love came along? Was there such a thing? She shook the fanciful thoughts from her mind. No one else had ever loved her, so she effectively squashed such fairy-tale images. She felt an acute sense of loss. Would she forever be unlovable? And even if she did find love, would she be able to trust that it was true? Could she count on another person not to abandon her?

* * *

The heavy smell of bacon and eggs greeted her as she entered the overheated kitchen. Mrs. Frontz stood beside the stove dishing up breakfast. She glanced over her shoulder. “Good morning, Leah. I hope you had a good night’s sleep.”

Leah didn’t want to lie to her hostess, so she simply answered with, “Good morning.”

For the first time since her arrival, Leah took a good look about the kitchen. It wasn’t very big. Pots hung from hooks over the stove. A cabinet held other dishes. Molly sat at a makeshift table, made from two large barrels with a board stretched over the top, munching on a buttered biscuit. Her doll was propped up against another large bowl filled with biscuits.

“I hope you don’t mind that I gave the small fry a biscuit,” Mrs. Frontz said as she tipped scrambled eggs into a large bowl.

“Not at all. Is there anything I can do to help?”

The woman smiled over her shoulder at her. “Nope, I’m used to doing things my way. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes. Why don’t you go sit at the table? The men will be arriving any minute.” If she found it curious that Leah was in her kitchen, Mrs. Frontz didn’t let on.

Leah frowned. After the previous night’s events, the last place she wanted to be was alone at the table with Mr. Frontz and the pony express riders. Besides, she couldn’t bring herself to eat breakfast again, at least, not without making arrangements for payment for the meals she’d already eaten.

Mrs. Frontz turned toward her. “Is something on your mind this morning?” she asked, picking up the cooked eggs and a platter of bacon.

“Yes. I was wondering if you could use some help around here.” Leah pressed on before the older woman could protest. “I have recently learned that my fiancé has passed away and I now find myself in debt to you and Mr. Frontz for my previous meals and my room.”

Mrs. Frontz motioned for Leah to pick up the bowl full of biscuits that sat on the table in front of Molly. “Yes, I heard about that, but I don’t want you to feel indebted to us.” She pushed through the kitchen door and walked to the table where she spaced the food out on the table.

“I can’t stay here and not work for my keep,” Leah protested, handing her the bowl.

The older woman wiped her palms on her apron. “So, your intentions are to stay here?”

Leah nodded. She felt like a schoolgirl under Mrs. Frontz’s steady gaze. It was if the older woman tried to read her mind, learn her plans and then judge her based on what she’d learned.

“For how long?”

Jake hadn’t mentioned when they would be married and Leah wasn’t sure if he’d want her to work, once they were. It just hadn’t come up but she didn’t think he’d care. “I’m not sure but I’m willing to work and pay you back.”

Mrs. Frontz nodded and returned to the kitchen. Leah hesitated, uncertain if she should follow her or not. She knew there were still plates to set out and coffee to pour. After several moments, Leah followed her.

As soon as she entered the kitchen Mrs. Frontz asked, “So what are you willing to do?”

Leah walked over and picked up plates to take back to the table. “Whatever you need done. Although, I must admit I don’t know how to cook. Growing up in an orphanage I didn’t learn. But, I can clean, make beds and fetch whatever you may need.”

The older woman smiled at her. “That sounds lovely. These old bones seem to get stiffer and more tired every year. I could use the help and I’d also be willing to teach you how to cook. Someday, you’ll get married and we don’t want your man to starve now, do we?” A teasing glint filled her eyes.

Leah thought of Jake and how hard he worked with the horses. The last thing she wanted was for him to starve. “No, ma’am, we don’t.”

“Well, now that that’s settled, you have got to stop calling me ma’am and Mrs. Frontz. My name is Agnes and all my friends call me by my name.” She scooped up clean coffee mugs and the coffeepot and headed back to the dining table.

Leah’s confidence spiraled upward. How quickly things could change. She’d woken this morning uncertain of her future. Now she was to get married and had made a new friend, both events taking place before breakfast. That had to be a good sign. What could possibly go wrong?

* * *

Jake entered the house and inhaled the wonderful fragrance of breakfast. Mrs. Frontz was the best cook in the small town and he realized he would miss her meals once he and Leah were married. All morning he’d been thinking about what married life would be like and just couldn’t fathom it. Neither did he understand the feeling of elation that took him through chores and remained with him at this very moment. He couldn’t afford to be distracted by romantic notions. He rejected such ideas as absurd.

Everyone took their places at the table and Mr. Frontz said grace. As soon as the amen was spoken, he looked about the table and announced, “We’re going to do things a little different today, boys.”

That got their attention. Forks no longer clattered against serving bowls and plates. Jake’s heart jumped in his chest. Surely Leah hadn’t told anyone of their engagement. His gaze sought out hers. Her eyes met his with a quizzical gleam in their depths, as if she wondered the same thing as he.

“Mrs. Frontz and I decided this morning that we want Jake to have the old homestead as his and Molly’s new home. The girl needs a strong roof over her head and room to grow. You men will be helping me and Jake clean the place up for them today instead of whatever you had planned.”

All eyes turned to Jake. He had expected them to be angry, but instead, smiles filled their faces. Now was as good a time as any to announce to everyone that he intended to marry Leah and supply a mother for Molly. “I want to let everyone know that I asked Leah to marry me this morning and she’s agreed.”

Everyone turned to look at Leah. A light pink filled her cheeks as she nodded. He smiled at her as the men began hooting and slapping him on the back. Mrs. Frontz laid her hand on Leah’s and smiled.

Mr. Frontz’s deep voice broke through all the noise. “Well, that’s an even better reason for us to get started on cleaning up the old homestead.” He nodded in Leah’s direction.

Jake marveled at the joy his friends expressed. They ate and chatted about the upcoming wedding. Leah didn’t say much. She simply smiled. Molly hugged Leah and he watched as Leah whispered something in the little girl’s ear. Molly smiled happily and then began eating her breakfast.

Half an hour later, Mr. Frontz pushed back his chair. “Come on, boys. Let’s see if the fireplace still works at the homestead.”

Will, Cole and Ike followed him to the front door where they gathered coats and gloves and left.

Mrs. Frontz excused herself and asked Molly to carry her plate into the kitchen. Jake appreciated the fact that everyone gave him and Leah a few moments alone.

He walked to her side of the table and knelt down beside her chair. She turned to face him. “I hope you don’t mind that I announced our upcoming wedding like that.”

She gave him a smile. Her hand came up and she brushed the hair off his forehead. “No. We were going to have to tell them later, anyway.”

He enjoyed the sensation of her warm fingers on his brow, almost too much, and pulled away. Jake stood. “Good, I’m glad.”

Leah rose and began gathering dirty dishes from the table. “I have offered to help Agnes out around here. I hope you don’t mind.”

“Of course I don’t. She needs the help. It was nice of you to offer.” Jake walked to the front door and pulled on his own coat and gloves. “I’ll see you later.” He stopped and looked at her.

Cheeks flaming now, Leah said, “Have a good day.” She didn’t make eye contact with him but simply continued gathering the dishes. He wondered if she’d embarrassed herself by sweeping the hair out of his eyes.

“You, too.” Jake felt the blast of cold as he opened the door and stepped out onto the porch. Storm clouds hung low in the sky, promising snow.

He reached up and touched the spot where Leah’s fingers had grazed his forehead. Had he made a mistake asking someone he’d just met to marry him? What if she expected to someday fall in love? Jake dropped his hand. He ducked his head against the cold wind and walked toward the old homestead.

As he went, Jake silently prayed. Please Lord, don’t let her fall in love with me or try to make me fall in love with her. You and I both know that can never happen. I can’t allow my heart to be broken again.

Chapter Four

“Have you set a date yet as to when the wedding will take place?” Agnes asked as Leah walked into the kitchen carrying the breakfast dishes. She handed Leah an apron to wear.

Leah tied the apron around her waist and shook her head. “No, we haven’t really talked much about it.”

“A spring wedding would be nice.” Agnes began grating slivers of soap into the tub of hot water.

“I would kind of like to have a Christmas wedding. When I was ten years old, a couple got snowed in and had to stay at the orphanage. They wanted to get married at Christmas and the headmistress let them have the wedding there. The bride wore a white dress and had red flowers with big petals. We got to decorate the dining hall with strings of cranberries and popcorn. I thought it was the most beautiful wedding I’d ever seen.” Leah felt heat fill her face.

Agnes tsked as she placed coffee cups in the now-soapy water. “That does sound lovely but I’m not sure that’s possible. Parson John isn’t due to come back this way until the early part of the year.”

Leah picked up a dish cloth and began drying the cups as Agnes handed them to her. “Parson John?”

“He’s our traveling preacher. We see him about every three months or so.”

“Oh.” Disappointment squeezed Leah’s chest. If the preacher wasn’t due to return for several months, then she wouldn’t be having a Christmas wedding.

Agnes handed her a plate. “Don’t fret, child. It’s not that long, and that will give us plenty of time to plan the wedding.”

Leah nodded. “Are there any other preachers in the area?”

“Nope.”

“Normally Parson John would be here during the holidays, but his sister is sick and he wanted to spend time with her and her family, so he left town last week to be with them.”

The two women continued cleaning the kitchen. Agnes showed Leah where to place the plates, silverware, pots and pans. Just as they finished, the sound of the stagecoach pulling into the front yard drew their attention.

A beautiful rosewood mantel clock that sat on a shelf above the sink gonged out the time. Leah realized it was already ten o’clock.

Agnes set the coffeepot back on the stove and grabbed several cups. “Leah, look out the front window and see how many passengers are on the stage.”

Leah hurried to do as she was told. The stagecoach driver was already down and placing a small stool in front of the door. She felt a stirring of excitement. The stool could only mean a woman would embark. The men never used a stool to step down on. The driver didn’t look like the same man who had delivered her a week earlier. Expecting to see a woman descend the steps, Leah was surprised when the door to the stage opened and a small man stepped out, a bowler hat perched on his head. He wore a business suit and shiny black boots. She waited a minute longer to see who else might disembark. Seeing no one, she hurried back to the kitchen. “Looks like just one gentleman,” she said.

Agnes pulled an apple pie from the pie safe and sliced two pieces. She poured steaming hot coffee into two mugs.

Leah watched her work with the skill of a practiced hand. “Do you think they will stay for pie and coffee?”

“The stagecoach driver, Mr. Porter, hardly ever leaves without a slice and a hot drink.”

Leah searched her memory for the name of the stagecoach driver that had dropped her off and came away empty. “Why didn’t the man who dropped me here stay for pie and coffee?” she asked.

Agnes pulled a tin of dried beans down and carried them to the table where Molly sat. She dumped them out in front of the child before answering Leah. “I suppose Mr. Edwards didn’t want to get trapped by the snow. But, to be honest, he hardly ever comes inside. He drinks something stronger than my hot coffee or tea. Mr. Edwards just drops folks off and hightails it back to Julesburg.” She walked to the cupboard and found a big pot. “He’s probably at the Beni ranch now enjoying the wilder side of life.”

Leah remembered Julesburg. They’d passed through the town without stopping but what she’d seen out the stagecoach window hadn’t impressed her much. It was small and dirty, and loud music and shouts could be heard coming from the large sod house that sat beside a small trading post. She was thankful Thomas had told her to come to South Platte and wait for him here.

Agnes placed the pot next to Molly. “Think you can go through those beans and put the good ones in my pot?” she asked the little girl.

Molly smiled and nodded. She stood up on her stool and began sorting beans.

“That’s a good girl,” Agnes said, grinning at the child. “We’ll make a fine cook out of you in no time.”

Leah didn’t recall a ranch being in or near Julesburg. “The Beni ranch?”

Agnes turned to Leah. “That’s Jules Beni’s place. He’s the pony express station master in Julesburg.”

“Oh, I didn’t realize that there could be two home stations so close together.” Then again, Leah realized she knew very little about the pony express.

“Julesburg is the main pony express home station in these parts. We’re considered the swing station. Jake and some of the boys didn’t care for the rowdy town, so when Mr. Slade, the division superintendent for the pony express, asked if we’d be willing to house some of the boys and a stock tender, we agreed. And here we are.” Agnes took a wet cloth and returned to the dining area. She vigorously wiped the table clean.

A few moments later she called out to Leah. “Would you mind bringing those plates and coffee cups to the dinner table?”

Leah did as she was asked, happy to feel as if she was contributing a little toward her keep. She watched the men enter the house and take seats at the table. Agnes placed a cup and plate in front of the passenger and gave each man a fork. Leah served Mr. Porter his pie and coffee.

“Thank you, Mrs. Frontz,” Mr. Porter said, picking up his fork and digging into his pie. Around a mouth full of crust and fruit he asked, “And who might this lovely lady be?”

Agnes put her hands on her hips. “Now, you behave yourself, Porter. That’s Miss Hollister, soon to be Jake’s bride.”

Mr. Porter gulped down his pie and smiled. Both his front teeth were missing. “I’ll see that I do, Mrs. Frontz.” He turned to the gentleman who sat across the table from him. “Ladies, I’d like for you to meet Mr. Isaac Dalton.”

“It’s nice to meet you.” Agnes and Leah spoke in unison.

“The pleasure is mine.”

Mr. Dalton wasn’t a tall man. As a matter of fact, in comparison to Jake, Leah found him to be short. He was small boned and looked like he belonged in an office out East rather than here in rugged Colorado. Leah checked her thoughts. What was she doing, comparing a complete stranger to her future husband?

Agnes slipped into one of the chairs. “Are you staying the night, Mr. Porter, or heading to Denver?”

“Mr. Dalton and I have discussed it and with the storm coming in, we’ve decided to head on out. I take it you have no other passengers staying right now?”

She shook her head. “No, Miss Hollister and sweet little Molly are our only boarders at the moment.”

Leah felt an anxious tension shiver down her spine. She turned to find Mr. Dalton studying her. She felt uncomfortable under his green gaze. “Speaking of Molly, I should go check on her. If you gentlemen will excuse me.” Leah didn’t wait for their answer. She hurried into the kitchen.

Standing on the other side of the door, she heard Mr. Dalton say, “She seems awfully young to have a daughter.”

Agnes ignored his statement and asked a question of her own, “What do you do, Mr. Dalton?”

“I am taking a position at the bank in Denver,” he replied.

Leah thought she heard a great deal of pride in his voice. Everything about Mr. Dalton screamed “businessman.” She pushed away from the door and went to help Molly sort beans. There was something about the man that made her feel uneasy. He was nothing like Jake.

How could she think such a thing? Leah realized she knew very little about Jake. She tried to picture him in business attire. A smile touched her lips. She’d soon see him in both, Leah thought. At their wedding surely he would dress in a suit and shiny boots. Or would he? Truth be told, she had no idea what her future husband might or might not wear to their wedding. She just prayed he’d take off the gun belt for their special day.

Leah picked at the beans. Maybe it was a good thing the preacher was out of town. She knew nothing about Jake Bridges, other than he was a stock tender for the pony express.

A flicker of uneasiness swept through her. Did anyone really know him? How long had the Frontzs known him? Hadn’t Thomas said in one of his letters that the pony express had just started up in April?

She looked to Molly who seemed focused on picking rocks and blackened beans from the pile. Had her feelings for the little girl gotten her into a bigger mess than she’d already been in? A tiny flicker of panic began to take root in her thoughts.

Leah bowed her head and silently prayed. Lord, if I’ve made a mistake, please help me to get out of my promise to marry Jake. And if it’s not a mistake, please help me feel your assurance and help me to get to know him better. Amen.

* * *

Jake dug into lunch with a feeling of accomplishment. He and the others had worked on the cabin all morning. So far, they had cleaned out the chimney, reinforced the windows and the door, swept the floors and removed cobwebs that had developed in what seemed like every corner of the house. Then they’d mixed hay, dirt, water and rocks to pack the cracks in the log walls.

His gaze moved to the stagecoach passenger, Mr. Dalton. The man’s eyes followed Leah’s every move, much the way a hungry cat watches a sparrow hop from branch to branch. At the moment she was carefully cutting Molly’s meat into tiny pieces. Jake wondered if he should start sitting closer to her and the little girl. After all, they would soon be a family.

Mr. Frontz took a sip of hot coffee and then said, “Mr. Dalton, Agnes tells me you’re a banker.”

Mr. Dalton wiped his mouth. “Yes, sir. I’m looking forward to beginning work at Clark, Gruber and Co.” He, too, pushed his plate back and picked up his mug.

Jake thought of the money he had stashed in his room. He’d considered putting it in the bank, but in all honesty, he just didn’t trust them. He’d heard of banks being robbed and folks losing everything.

“That’s that two-story building they built back in July, right?” Will asked from his position at the table.

“I don’t rightly know what it looks like. This will be my first trip to Denver,” Mr. Dalton confessed as his gaze slid back across the table to land on Leah, who gently wiped Molly’s face.

Jake cleared his throat. “Leah, if you and Molly are finished eating maybe you’d like to come down to the stables with me and check on the horses.” He hadn’t planned on taking them, but he also didn’t want her in the same room with a wealthy banker, either.

Leah looked up at Jake and grinned. “I think we’re about done, aren’t we, Molly?”

Molly nodded and pushed out of her chair.

Leah looked to Agnes. “I’ll be back in a few minutes to help clean up the kitchen and this mess.”

Agnes waved her away. “Don’t worry about the dishes, they’ll be here when you come back.”

Leah offered Jake a small, shy smile. “We’ll go get our coats and be right back.” She pushed Molly along in front of her toward the stairs.

“Would you like a slice of pie while you wait?” Mrs. Frontz asked Jake.

“No, thanks.” Jake pushed away from the table. “Lunch was wonderful. Thank you, Mrs. Frontz.”

Agnes smiled. “It was my pleasure.”

“I’d like another slice of that pie, Mrs. Frontz, and then Mr. Dalton and I will need to be on our way. I’d like to beat the storm into Denver.” Mr. Porter held out his plate for her to put the pie on.

She took his plate. “You’re welcome to stay overnight,” Agnes said, cutting out a large section of the apple pie.

Jake silently prayed the stagecoach would be on its way. He didn’t much care for Mr. Dalton, even though he’d just met the man. He moved to the door and pulled on his own coat and gloves.

“Thank you, but I’m sure Mr. Dalton is in a hurry to get to work. Besides, with the storm coming in I really don’t want to get snowed in here.”

Mr. Dalton’s eyes moved to the top of the stairs, where Leah had disappeared. For a moment, Jake thought he’d argue with the stagecoach driver. He turned back to the table and said, “He’s right. I appreciate the hospitality, but the sooner I get to Denver the sooner I start my new job.”

Jake felt himself exhale. The sound of little feet pounding down the stairs alerted him to Molly’s return. He looked to the little girl and grinned. She ran to him and jumped. Instinctively Jake caught her up and swung her around. He marveled that she didn’t squeal with joy.

“She sure is a lively kid, isn’t she?” Disapproval dripped from Mr. Dalton’s voice.

Jake turned to glare at the man only to find him staring up at the stairs and watching Leah descend. Her skirt swished as she crossed to him.

“She is very lively, but we love that about her, don’t we?” Leah replied, looking Jake in the eye. Or was she looking at Molly?

He lowered Molly to the floor. “Yes, we do.” He tweaked Molly’s nose but held Leah’s gaze.

Leah turned and opened the door. Molly ran past her and bounded off the end of the porch.

Jake placed his hand on the small of Leah’s back as she crossed the threshold. He hoped that Mr. Dalton would notice and realize that Leah wasn’t available, to him or any other man. He didn’t understand his possessive feelings and told himself that, if she was to be his wife, he wasn’t sharing her with anyone but Molly. He closed the door behind them.

“Mr. Porter is an interesting man, isn’t he?” Leah asked as she followed Molly off the edge of the porch.

“How so?” Jake hadn’t ever really thought about him.

She glanced at him. “His life seems very adventurous.”

Again Jake felt at a loss. “Really?”

“Well, he was telling Mr. Dalton and me about the time the Indians chased him to Denver. They seemed to think he had something they wanted, but since he didn’t stop and ask them what, he said he’ll probably never know why they were chasing him. And, when I asked if that happened a lot, he said yes, and that he’s even been held up by new settlers, too.” Her eyes shone with excitement.

Jake nodded and tucked his hands deep into his coat pockets. He noticed that Leah shivered in her thin coat. Would she object to him buying her a new one? Maybe he’d surprise her with an early Christmas present. She couldn’t object to that, could she?

“But he told me if I thought that was exciting, I should have some of the boys tell me about their adventures as pony express riders. Do you think the boys would share their stories with me about their rides?” She looked up and saw Molly try to pull the doors to the barn open. “Molly! Wait for us,” Leah said.

The little girl turned to face them. She waved her mitten-covered hand in a way that said, come on!

“We’re coming,” Leah called back to her.

Jake smiled at the way she could seem so young one moment and yet act so motherly the next. “I’m sure the boys would be happy to share their adventures.” He pulled the barn door open and grabbed Molly’s hand before allowing her to run inside. “Molly, no running in the barn and remember to watch where you step.”

From the corner of his eye he caught the smile that trembled on Leah’s lips. Jake turned to face her, took one of her hands in his and teased, “Leah, no running in the barn and watch where you step.” He glanced down at her scuffed boots. “We wouldn’t want to soil those lovely slippers, now, would we?”

She laughed and gave him a gentle push. “I’m freezing. Let us in. We’ll remember the rules.” Leah looked down at Molly who was smiling from ear to ear. “Won’t we, Miss Molly?”

The little girl bobbed her head.

Behind them, Jake heard the front door of the cabin open. He hurriedly ushered them inside the barn. Just before he closed the door, he glanced over his shoulder to see who had left the house. Mr. Porter and Mr. Dalton stomped down the front steps and hurried to the stagecoach.

Good. With Dalton leaving, Leah could go back to moving about the house without a stranger gawking at her. What did he care? He didn’t. Did he?

* * *

Exhaustion filled every bone in her body. Leah slipped into the dining room chair and sighed. How did Mrs. Frontz, a woman twice her age, do this every day? Cook, clean, cook some more, clean some more, it was an endless cycle. Leah had helped out at the orphanage but she hadn’t cleaned up after four pony express riders and visitors who arrived on the stagecoach.

The highlight of her day had been when she’d been in the warm barn with Molly and Jake. Molly had been beside herself with excitement. Jake seemed to relish the child’s enthusiasm and lifted her up so she could pet the horses. Not once had Molly acted afraid; in fact, Leah could see they would have to teach Molly the dangers of getting under the horses’ hooves. She needed to have a bit of fear if she was going to be around the big animals. Leah enjoyed the brief tour of the barn and seeing the various mustangs.

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