Philip rode out of town feeling happier than he had in a long time. He’d asked around and discovered that Marlow Brooks had left. That alone had given him a sense of peace. He’d also stopped by the general store and not only had he sold the rocker and the table, but he also had orders for more. Tonight he’d talk to Bella about moving into town.
Plans of buying a building to work from filled him. Before he realized it, he was back at the relay station. He headed to the barn, where he was sure Thomas would be working.
He slid from his saddle and tied his horse to the hitching post beside the barn. Philip listened at the door until he heard Thomas humming inside, then he entered. It took a few seconds for his eyes to adjust, but he saw Thomas sitting on a barrel by the tack room.
“What brings you back my way?” Thomas asked with a wide grin. “Since you’ve gotten married, I don’t see you alone much anymore,” he teased.
Philip walked toward him. “Isn’t that the truth? Caleb is almost glued to my side most days.” He leaned against a stall door.
Thomas stopped oiling the bridle he held across his lap and studied Philip. “You look as pleased as a mama hen with new chicks. What is going on?”
He couldn’t hold it back any longer and blurted, “The rocker and table sold at the general store. Not only that, but I have orders for more. Mr. Jones says he believes I could start my own store and never run out of business.” Philip took a deep breath. “What do you think?”
Thomas went back to oiling the leather. “I’m glad Mr. Jones bought the general store a couple of months ago. He’s been doing a right nice job.”
Frustrated, Philip asked, “What does that have to do with what I just told you?”
“Nothing. You asked what I thought. That’s what I was thinking.”
Thomas kept his head lowered. Philip suspected it was to keep him from seeing the teasing glint in his eyes and the smile on his face. “You know good and well what I meant.”
“I think he’s right. You probably could make a living selling your furniture. I’ve been telling you that all along.” Thomas looked up and sure enough the smile and teasing look were there for Philip to see.
He nodded. “I’m beginning to think so, too. But if I move to town and start a business, what will you do out here?” Philip’s concern was for Thomas. They’d started working the Pony Express station together. He hated to leave Thomas alone with all the work required to run it.
Thomas laid the bridle to the side and picked up another one. “I’ll keep doing what I’m doing. If you quit riding, I’ll quit also.” He held up his hand to stop Philip from interrupting. “I’ll stay on as the station manager until I find farmland. Then I’ll ask the superintendent to find a replacement for me.”
Philip let his brother’s words settle in his mind. Thomas had already been thinking about what to do if he quit the Pony Express. “You knew.”
His brother nodded. “Yep, you’ve been thinking and talking about your furniture for months. How does Bella feel about it?”
“I’m sure she’ll be fine with moving to town.” But he wasn’t as sure as he sounded. Bella had begun to nest, as the old saying went. Would she really want to move to town? And the boys would be forced to accept change once more. Was it too much to ask of his new family?
Thomas stood and stretched out his back muscles. “Well, then I don’t know what could possibly hold you back.”
Now that Marlow had moved on, Philip felt the same way. But he needed to get home and talk to Bella. After that, he’d have to let the Pony Express superintendent know that he would no longer be an employee of the Pony Express.
The dinner bell rang out. Thomas slapped Philip on the back. “Would you like to stay for supper? I’m sure Josephine won’t mind.”
Philip knew Bella was making pot roast for supper at his house and he didn’t want to miss it. “No, thanks. I told Bella I’d be home in time for supper. If I eat here, I’ll be late getting home and she’ll worry.”
“Maybe next time.” Thomas led the way out of the barn.
Philip untied his horse from the hitching post and said, “Sure.” He climbed into the saddle and then headed home.
Excitement coursed through his blood. So much was going to change, but he felt sure it would be for the best. Marlow Brooks was gone, and they would be moving to town and starting a new business. What could possibly go wrong?
* * *
The winter dance came and went, but Bella hadn’t been able to enjoy it because of Marlow and his threats. Time was running out. Bella was no closer to figuring out a way to avoid leaving with him than she had been the day he’d threatened her. Maybe she should get advice from someone, Bella thought as she pulled the pot roast off the fire.
She lifted the lid and the aroma of meat, potatoes and carrots filled the room. But whom could she confide in? Josephine was Philip’s sister-in-law, so there was a possibility she’d tell Thomas and then Thomas would tell Philip. No, she couldn’t tell Josephine. There was always Hazel. But Hazel was as honest as the day was long and might feel obligated to tell Philip.
Her mind had made this trip around the bush before and Bella realized the path ended in the same place. There was no one she could share this burden with.
The sound of boots stomping on the porch told her Philip would soon be entering the house. Unlike her and the boys, he seldom removed his boots before entering.
“Bella! I’m back,” he called as he entered.
She looked at the table and saw that it was set for supper. While her mind had been busy, her hands had completed the task. “Good. You are just in time to eat.”
He looked around the house. “Are the boys downstairs?”
“No, Hazel took them to her house earlier. They should be back before too long.” Bella poured a cup of coffee for him and a glass of water for herself, then sat down at the table.
He sat also but asked, “Should we wait for them?”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure when they will be back, and knowing Hazel, she’s already fed them.”
Philip nodded, then bowed his head for prayer.
Bella imitated his actions. She never tired of listening to him pray.
When he said, “Amen,” his gaze met hers. “It’s just as well that they aren’t here. I have something to tell you.”
She buttered their bread and handed him a chunk. “Something good happen in town?”
“Two things.”
Bella waited for him to continue. His eyes were filled with excitement and his lips hadn’t stopped smiling since he’d brought up the subject.
“First, Marlow Brooks has left town.” He waited for her reaction.
She steeled her features, praying that they wouldn’t give away her shock at the news. Where had he gone? Had he given up on her returning with him? Panic filled her. Was he already telling the sheriff where to find her? Attempting to sound calm, she said, “Well, that is good news.”
“But my second news is even better.” He leaned forward. “Both pieces of furniture have already sold at the store.”
Bella tried to focus on that news instead of the dread that filled her heart. “That’s wonderful.”
His voice rose with excitement. “And Mr. Jones gave me orders for more pieces. He suggested I open my own furniture store. Of course, he plans on buying pieces from me to sell in his store also. He said that was the fastest money he’s ever made.”
The excitement in his voice was contagious. “I’m so happy for you. Didn’t I tell you your work was excellent?”
He faked hurt feelings. “An ‘I told you so’ speech? That’s the best you can do?”
She laughed at his expression and nodded. “Afraid so.”
Philip chuckled. He took several bites of his food.
Bella felt uneasy. Philip had more to say and she could tell that he was trying to figure out how to say it. Several questions popped into her mind, but she waited for him to speak again.
Her own thoughts returned to Marlow and his sudden departure from Dove Creek. Bella had assumed he’d stay until she’d given him an answer. What was he up to?
Philip swallowed and then said, “On the way home, I stopped at the relay station and talked to Thomas.” He waved his spoon about as he continued. “We discussed me quitting the Pony Express and moving to town.”
Bella felt a moment of hurt that he’d talked to Thomas before her. She pushed down the feeling. They weren’t really married and why wouldn’t he talk to his brother? After all, his quitting the Pony Express would affect Thomas and the relay station. “I see, and what does he think?”
“He supports me in the decision. He and Josephine are still looking for land to start a ranch on and he says he’ll probably be quitting soon, too.” He finished his food and leaned back in his chair.
She got up and refilled his coffee cup. “Would you like dessert?”
Philip shook his head. “No, why don’t you sit down and tell me what you think about moving to town?” He reached for her hand after she’d sat back down.
Bella looked around her cozy home. They’d just settled in. The thought of moving into town both excited her and scared her. She allowed Philip to hold her hand. It soothed her frayed nerves and made her feel closer to him. “If you want to move, Philip, we’ll move.”
“What do you want?” he asked.
What did she want? A real marriage. One where she could talk openly with her husband. Tell him her fears. And know he’d be there for her when she was being threatened. But that wasn’t an option. She looked into his excited blue eyes and smiled. “I want you to be happy. I want security for the boys. So if moving to town will guarantee those two things, then I want to move to town.”
He patted her hand and then released it. “I want those things, too, and really feel like this is our opportunity to grab them.” Philip walked to the sitting room and stood by the fire. “Just think, Bella. If we move to town, then the boys can go to school. Caleb can start as soon as we’re settled.”
If only it was true, but Bella felt as if she and the boys would be leaving soon. Marlow would come back for them or the law would. Either way, she’d be leaving Philip and Dove Creek. Her heart ached at the idea. When had she fallen in love with her husband? It had been so gradual that she hadn’t fought it the way she should have.
Bella forced a smile and said, “Then let’s move to town.”