Pony Express Courtship (17 page)

Chapter Nineteen

O
ver dinner Seth and Ty made plans to ride into town the following morning to tell the sheriff about the holdup. It was also decided that after dinner, the boys would go get the stagecoach and bring it to the farm. Seth asked them to all go, because he felt there was safety in numbers.

The stage would be moving on after they returned from town the following day with fresh horses to pull it. Mr. Walker seemed happy at the idea of getting a good night's sleep and a couple of hot meals before he continued on with his job.

Martha and Emma also seemed content to enjoy the food and beds that Rebecca supplied. It had been established that Martha would be staying in Fay's room with her and Emma would be sleeping in Rebecca's room. Martha didn't say much to anyone, just simply ate her food and avoided eye contact with the rest of the women.

Benjamin sat at the table looking tired, but the fever had left his cheeks and the sparkle was back in his eyes. His voice sounded as if a small bullfrog had crawled into his throat. Joy laughed every time Beni spoke.

Seth noticed that Rebecca seemed quiet and wondered if she was feeling the strain of having added guests. Her attention seemed focused on Beni and Joy. None of the older boys seemed to notice their mother's silence. They were too interested in Emma.

The young woman smiled shyly at them as they passed her plates of food. Thomas and Philip seemed to compete for her attention. Although, Seth couldn't help but notice that Emma appeared to be more interested in Andrew.

He turned his attention back to Rebecca. Her gaze told him she'd caught him staring at Emma and the boys. What must she think? Seth realized his attention had been on the younger woman for too long. Rebecca's cheeks were a soft pink. She broke away from his gaze.

Had he seen jealousy in her expression? Surely not. Rebecca hadn't conveyed any interest in him. Why would she start now? And how would he feel if she was attracted to him?

He wasn't looking for love. And he had a mail-order bride to find. Seth panicked and pushed away from the table. He had to get out of the house. There was too much going on around him and he felt trapped in the thoughts that were threatening him.

Everyone turned to look at him. “I just realized I need to go check on something in the barn.”

Jacob moved to go with him.

Seth stopped him. “No, Jacob. Stay and finish your dinner.” He left his half-eaten dinner and hurried out of the house and into the fresh night air.

He walked to the barn and opened the heavy door. Warmth and the scents of hay and horse welcomed him. What was wrong with him? Was he so afraid of Rebecca's feelings that he'd run from the house like a scared mouse?

He was and he had. The realization hit him in the gut. Seth knew without a shadow of a doubt that he cared for Rebecca.

* * *

Rebecca yawned and crawled into bed. Emma was already there. “Thank you for letting me stay with you tonight. It's been a long time since I've slept in a soft bed like this one,” the young woman said, also yawning.

“You're welcome.” The sheets felt cool and welcoming.

Rebecca blew out the lamp and listened to Emma's breathing. She liked the girl and was glad to see that she hadn't egged on the boys tonight. But Rebecca hadn't liked the fact that Seth had studied the girl so intently at dinner. He hadn't come to the house for their nightly chat, but she supposed that was because he'd already told everyone that he and Mr. Walker would be running to town the following morning.

“Rebecca?”

She tried to make her voice sound sleepy. “Uh-huh?”

“Thank you for making Mrs. Ranger be nice to me.” Her voice sounded sad in the darkness. “She doesn't like it, but it's nice for a change.”

Curiosity ate at her. “Why do you work for Martha, Emma?”

Emma sighed. “My pa sold me to her. So I don't exactly work for her. She owns me.”

Rebecca knew that people had slaves, but since Emma was white, she hadn't expected her to be a slave. Her heart went out to the young girl. “I'm sorry. I guess my making her be nice to you isn't going to help you later, is it?”

“No, but for now I don't care,” Emma admitted. “She bought me when I was thirteen years old and most of the time she's kind, but sometimes, well...” Her words trailed off into the thick darkness.

To Rebecca's way of thinking it wasn't right for anyone to own another person, no matter what color their skin. It wasn't right. She tried to keep the conviction out of her voice as she asked, “How long have you been with her?”

“Five years.”

Rebecca couldn't imagine being a slave for five years. When she'd come to work for the Young family at the age of sixteen, they had treated her like family. Taught her how to cook and clean, but not as a slave. At the orphanage she'd been treated harshly, but that was the way everyone was treated. It was just the way things were.

Emma's soft breathing told Rebecca the girl had gone to sleep. It broke her heart to think that Emma had no freedom to call her own.

Rebecca woke very early with the same thoughts running through her mind. The sun was nowhere on the horizon, but she couldn't go back to sleep. Emma needed to be free. But how? She got up and let the girl sleep.

Fay sat at the kitchen table nursing a cup of coffee. A frown marred her features and she stared out the dark window.

“You're up early,” Rebecca said, helping herself to the fresh-brewed coffee.

“I've a lot on my mind this morning,” Fay answered, rocking the cup back and forth between her hands. “Why are you up so early?”

Rebecca slid into the chair across from Fay. “Same reason. Couldn't sleep.”

Fay leaned forward and whispered, “Is it our houseguests that are keeping you awake?”

She took a sip from her coffee. “Yes. I learned something last night that has me concerned.”

“I bet it's the same thing I learned.” Fay sighed and took a sip from her cup. “It always amazes me how we humans can be so cruel to one another.”

Rebecca sat her cup down. “Did Martha tell you that she owns Emma?”

Fay nodded. “Oh, yes. She plans on selling her in Missouri.”

The news shocked Rebecca. “I wonder if Emma knows.”

Fay shook her head. “No, I don't believe she does. Martha is pretty angry with her right now and I think she made the decision last night. At least that's the impression I got.”

A plan began to form in Rebecca's mind. She couldn't stand the idea of Martha selling off Emma like a piece of livestock. “How much does a slave cost?”

“I heard that they were running about eight hundred dollars.” Fay set down her cup. “Are you thinking about buying one?”

Rebecca nodded. “Yes, but that's a bit high. Did Martha say how much she wanted for Emma?”

“Can't say that she did.” Fay ran her finger over the rim of the coffee mug. “You know, I think I'll talk to her and see what she might be asking for the girl. It would be easy for me to play the old-lady card and say I needed the girl's help. Do you think you could come up with the money?”

Rebecca licked her bottom lip. “I'm not sure. The boys might be willing to help. The Pony Express pays them fifty dollars each, every two weeks, to be riders.” She knew they'd gotten paid a few days earlier and hated to ask them for their money, but to save Emma, she'd do it.

Fay's gaze moved out the window again. “The light just came on in the bunkhouse.”

Rebecca stood. “I'll ask them and come right back.” She grabbed her shawl off the hook by the door and quietly left the house.

The mornings were still cool, but the air felt nice on her hot cheeks. Would the boys be willing to help her? She wouldn't demand their help but hoped they'd offer it. Raising her fist, she knocked quietly on the door.

Andrew opened it a crack and looked out. “Ma? Is everything all right?”

She pushed past him. The scent of unwashed clothes assaulted her senses. Rebecca had more pressing matters to discuss, so she tried to ignore the odor. “Yes and no. Are all the boys awake?”

He shook his head. “No, but I can wake them.” He pulled on his shirt as he went to each bunk and woke his brothers.

Rebecca sat down by the woodstove and waited for them. Hair tousled, clothes half-on and rubbing sleep from their eyes, they slowly came to sit around her. “Noah, would you go get Jacob, please? And be as quiet as you can in doing so. Don't wake Mr. Walker, if you can help it.”

With a nod, Noah slipped out the door.

Andrew looked at Rebecca. “What's this about?”

“When Noah and Jacob get back, I'll tell everyone at once. I'm sorry to get you all up so early and I wouldn't have done so if it wasn't necessary.” Rebecca folded her hands in her lap and waited. She thought about mentioning the smell in the room and then decided against it. It wouldn't do to put them on the offensive before asking for a favor.

Her gaze moved to the closed door that led to Seth's quarters. Was he awake? If so, would he join them? She couldn't ask him to help so she prayed he'd stay in his room, at least until her business with the boys was finished.

Jacob and Noah slipped into the bunkhouse. The concern on her oldest son's face caused her to feel guilty.

“Come on in, boys.” She motioned for them to sit down.

Noah sat down on the floor at her feet. Jacob pulled a chair from the table that sat against the wall.

As soon as they were seated, Rebecca began. “Last night, I learned something that really bothered me.” She looked at each boy in turn to make sure she had their total attention. “Emma is a slave.”

“What?” Thomas and Philip looked at each other, as they both had the same reaction.

“Martha and her husband own her,” Rebecca answered.

Thomas jumped to his feet. “What can we do to free her?”

“We could kidnap her and take her away from here,” Philip answered.

Jacob growled from his chair, “Shut up and let Ma talk.”

Rebecca shook her head. “No, they'd just have the sheriff find you and both of you would be in trouble with the law.”

Philip clamped his mouth shut. Rebecca knew the boy hadn't given up on his idea.

“Fay and I have another idea. Fay is going to offer to buy Emma from Martha.” Rebecca watched their faces go from furious indignation to surprise. She smiled. “Once Martha leaves, we will give Emma her freedom.”

The boys all began to talk and ask questions at once. The room buzzed with their excited voices. Andrew's topped the others.

He asked, “What can we do to help?”

Silence filled the room as they all looked to her expectantly. “We need the money to buy her.”

Jacob stood up and walked to the stove. “How much?”

Rebecca knew this was the moment of truth. Her boys would either give her the money or tell her she asked too much. She met each boy's eyes before answering. “Whatever you want to give us. I'm not telling you how much—you all have worked hard for your money. If you don't want to give it to me, I understand.” Rebecca knew she was asking a lot from the boys.

The boys looked at each other and then slowly each rose from their sitting places. Thomas dug into his front pocket and handed Rebecca his pay. Philip moved to his bunk and pulled out a small box, then returned to hand her his money. Jacob slipped out the door.

Rebecca hadn't thought that Jacob would refuse to help, but she couldn't bring herself to be upset with him. She knew he was saving his money—he'd never said so but she was sure Jacob planned on someday going in search of his real mother.

Andrew and Clayton each gave her their wages. Noah handed her his money, as well.

“Thank you, boys. I know how much this means to you.” She held the money out in front of her. “It may not be enough. Fay said that slaves are sold for about eight hundred dollars each. I'm going to add money to this and we'll all need to pray that it's enough. If Martha refuses, I'll make sure you get your money back.”

Jacob slipped back into the bunkhouse. He walked up to his mother and gave her his money. She knew he got paid more than his brothers as a stock tender. She didn't look at the amount of money he handed her, simply tucked it with the rest. His eyes met hers and he said, “No one should be held a slave.”

“Thank you, son.” She met each boy's eyes. Her boys were no longer children, but grown men. “Thank you, all.”

They looked away, embarrassed by the look of pride Rebecca was sure shone on her face. “Before I go I have to tell you what Fay and I have in mind.”

The young men all sat back down. They leaned forward to hear her better. Each face told her that whatever she said, they would accept.

“Fay is going to offer to buy Emma. She's going to pretend that she's getting too old to take care of herself and needs a slave to help her.” Rebecca looked at them.

Clayton asked, “Why don't you just buy her?”

Rebecca shook her head. “Martha doesn't like me. I've made her treat Emma with respect while they are here. I think she would refuse out of spite.”

Thomas grinned. “What if one of us offered to marry her?”

Philip punched him in the arm. “She's not going to let me marry Emma. She wants the money.”

“I wasn't talking about you, chicken head.” Thomas punched him back.

“Knock it off, you two,” Jacob growled at them. “No one is going to marry her.”

“You just want her for yourself,” Philip mumbled.

Rebecca spoke sharply. “Boys. We're going to stick to the plan of Fay offering to buy her. But I don't want you boys acting like you know anything about it. Not that Emma is a slave. Not that Martha is planning on selling her. And most important, not that Fay is interested in buying her. Don't even mention this to Mr. Walker or Seth. Let's keep it in the family. If we want things to go smoothly, we are going to have to trust Fay to make it happen. Do you understand?”