Pony Express Courtship Read Online Free PDF Page A

said, “We’re done here. Let’s go.”
    Without hesitation the young men climbed in on top of the wood.
    Jacob walked with his mother, but as soon as he’d helped her up onto the wagon, he shook his head at his brothers. “Off, guys. The horses have enough to pull without adding our weight to their load.”
    Just as quickly, the young men all climbed back down.
    Seth nodded. Jacob was right. “Beni, do you know how to drive a wagon?” he asked.
    The youngest Young boy grinned from ear to ear and nodded. He quickly picked up the reins. “Sure do, Seth. Want me to drive us home?”
    Rebecca stood to disembark from the wagon also.
    â€œMrs. Young, why don’t you stay seated?” He indicated with a tilt of his head that Benjamin needed a supervisor sitting beside him. The boy held the reins tightly, waiting for his reply.
    She nodded her understanding and returned to her seat.
    Seth answered the little boy. “I’d appreciate it if you would drive the wagon, Benjamin. Your brothers and I will follow behind making sure that the wood stays in place.”
    Seth looked down at his new brown boots. He had a sneaking suspicion that he would soon be wishing he had brought his horse to town before they got back to the farm. In his rush to prove his leadership, he’d decided to drive the wagon to town, never once considering that he’d more than likely end up walking back. Lesson learned, Armstrong , he thought as he followed the wagon toward the general store.
    Other than the Pony Express horses and the two old mares, Brownie and Snow, Seth realized that the boys didn’t have mounts of their own. Once they got back to the farm, he’d remedy that and give the boys each a Pony Express horse to take care of and bond with.
    Jacob strolled along beside him. In a low voice he said, “We should have thought ahead and brought more horses.”
    Seth jerked his head around and looked at the young man. The twinkle in Jacob’s eyes attested to the fact that he, too, saw the folly of their earlier disagreement. “Yep, won’t let that happen again.”
    â€œNope, I don’t reckon we will,” Jacob agreed.
    A cold breeze stirred the hair on his neck. “I was thinking all you boys need a mount of your own to train with. What do you think?” Seth waited to see if the boy realized that he was being offered respect by his inclusion in the decision.
    Jacob nodded. “We all know how to ride, you don’t have to worry about that, but I’m a little concerned about the younger boys riding unfamiliar horses. All except Noah, who seems to be very talented with a horse as well as his gun.”
    Seth nodded and listened as the other boys joked and chatted behind them. “Well, that’s one of the first things we’ll do, then, as well as we rebuild the barn. I don’t like that the animals are out in the open.”
    â€œNeither do I.”
    The wagon stopped in front of the general store. Rebecca turned on the seat. “Jacob, would you go in and get our supplies, please?”
    â€œYes, ma’am.” Jacob stepped up on the boardwalk and entered the store. Rebecca turned back to her younger children.
    Two women stood across the street and talked behind their fans, while a couple of well-dressed businessmen stood with their hands in their front pockets and Seth noticed that the sheriff leaned on the post in front of the jail. All eyes seemed to be trained on them.
    Seth looked to the other boys. He wondered what the town must think of them all standing behind the wagon like a bunch of stray dogs. In two long strides he stood with the boys. “When we get back to the farm I’d like for you boys to go to the corral and pick out a mount. This is the last time we are leaving town on foot.”
    Excitement coursed through the boys at his words. The discussion of colors and gender filled the air. He grinned. So far his