Pony Express Christmas Bride
Want Ad WifeMail-order bride Josephine Dooley’s trip west was supposed to end in marriage to her intended groom—not with the discovery that he hadn’t actually placed the bridal ad! Now her only choice is to convince pony express rider Thomas Young to wed her anyway, to save her from her scheming uncle.A bride shouldn’t be a surprise package and when Thomas finds out about his meddling brother’s ruse, he plans to send his would-be wife packing. However, when he realizes Josephine desperately needs his help and a marriage of convenience is the only way he can protect her, he vows to become the husband she needs. But he quickly learns that it will be hard to keep his new bride at arm’s length…because Josephine is his perfect match.
Читать Pony Express Christmas Bride онлайн беплатно
Want-Ad Wife
Mail-order bride Josephine Dooleyâs trip West was supposed to end in marriage to her intended groomânot with the discovery that he hadnât actually placed the bridal ad! Now her only choice is to convince Pony Express rider Thomas Young to wed her anyway to save her from her scheming uncle.
A bride shouldnât be a surprise package, and when Thomas finds out about his meddling brotherâs ruse, he plans to send his would-be wife packing. However, when he realizes Josephine desperately needs his help and a marriage of convenience is the only way he can protect her, he vows to become the husband she needs. But he quickly learns that it will be hard to keep his new bride at armâs length...because Josephine is his perfect match.
âLook, Iâm not sure what you are expecting from this marriage.â
Thomas took his hat off his head and wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. âBut it isnât going to be a real marriage.â
âWe said vows, Thomas. Vows that I have been raised to keep.â Now that they were alone, was this his way of saying heâd changed his mind? How could he do such a thing?
His gaze met and held hers. âI agree, but this isnât a real marriage, Josephine. The only reason I agreed to it was because I wanted you to be safe from your uncle and his evil plans. I have no intention of falling in love.â
All Josephine could think to say was âAll right.â Inside she told herself she was happy that he harbored no desire to fall in love and live happily ever after.
Tension eased from her body. If he felt that way, then he couldnât expect her to love him, either. How could anyone love another when they werenât even sure they could trust them?
Still, a twinge of worry etched its way through her mind. âDoes this mean you want to get out of the marriage?â She didnât want to not be married to him; she needed the protection of his name.
âNo, weâre married and you have the protection of the Young name, but that is all.â
When I was researching the Pony Express, I came across a letter from a little girl who asked if there were any girl Pony Express riders. The gentleman who answered her letter said, ânot that history recorded but that doesnât mean there wasnât one.â That got me to thinking, and Josephineâs story was born. I enjoyed telling Thomas and Josephineâs love story.
Thank you so much for reading Pony Express Christmas Bride. I hope you are enjoying reading this miniseries as much as I am writing it.
Warmly,
Rhonda Gibson
RHONDA GIBSON lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life, and writing stemmed from that love. When she isnât writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at rhondagibson.net. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.
To everything there is a season.
A time for every purpose under heaven.
âEcclesiastes 3:1
A special thank-you to my family.
I love you all very much. James Gibson, your support means the world to me. Father God, thank You for the stories You place on my heart and for being with me when I write.
Contents
Dove Creek, Wyoming
October 1860
Josephine Dooly lay low over her horseâs back. She whispered soothing words in his ear, even though she felt sure he couldnât hear them over the yells of the bandits in hot pursuit of her. Her heart raced, adrenaline ran full throttle through her veins and pounding heart.
She doubted the bandits were after her money; they wanted the bags of mail in her possession, but if they stopped her, theyâd get both and it wasnât in her to let them have either. She meant to keep the hard-earned money she had on her personâand her motherâs locket. Josephine had a wedding trousseau to buy and a household to set up. Bandits out for the thrill of the steal were not going to alter her plans one little bit.
âJust a little farther, boy. Weâre almost there.â The Pony Express station just ahead was Josephineâs destination. Once she rounded the bend, she knew the men would stop chasing her. Ole Mac, the previous stock tender, had said so when heâd given her instructions about this part of her run.
Thankfully, this was Josephineâs last ride for the Pony Express. She still couldnât believe that cutting her hair and shortening her name to Jo had gotten her employment with the Pony Express. But she thanked the Lord that it had. Thereâd been some close calls and a few lonely days, but sheâd made it by the grace of God.
