Pony Express Christmas Bride. Rhonda Gibson

should have tried the dress on last night. Then I’d have known it was too big and could have taken in the sides.” She sighed, wishing for another dress but knowing that the only other dress she had fit just as this one did.

      Store-bought dresses never fit right. If only she’d had the foresight to buy material, but she hadn’t. At the time she’d bought the two dresses, Josephine hadn’t cared how they would look on her, but after just a few days around Thomas, she did care.

      Josephine sighed. He deserved a pretty bride. Last night as she lay thinking about her wedding day, she realized that Thomas really was a good man. The fact that she was pretty sure he’d given up sleep to check on her made Josephine want to please him. It had been a long time since anyone had thought of her and put their own needs aside.

      Hazel studied her a moment, then snapped her fingers. “I have just the right thing.” She returned a few moments later with an exquisite belt made of soft, supple leather with lace overlay and a dainty gold buckle.

      Josephine let out a long, audible breath. She fingered the belt reverently. “Oh, Hazel. It’s lovely.”

      “Well, put it on, girl. Let’s see what it does for you.”

      Josephine buckled the belt about her waist, then turned to look in the mirror. The belt pulled the material snugly over her shoulders, accentuating her womanly curves and tiny waist. Of its own accord her smile broadened in approval. Hazel tugged here and there in the back and then met her eyes in the mirror. “Are you about ready to go? Thomas and Philip arrived a few moments ago. They are hitching up the wagon now.” She touched one of Josephine’s many curls.

      Butterflies took up residence in her stomach. She placed her hand over the flutters. “As ready as I’ll ever be.” Josephine picked up her handbag and hat, then turned to the older woman. “I know I’m getting married today, but it doesn’t feel the way I thought it would.”

      Hazel opened the door. “What did you think you’d feel?”

      Josephine knew she was being silly. Growing up, she’d fantasized about the perfect wedding, with her papa by her side and the man of her dreams standing at the church altar waiting for her. Her white dress would flow about her instead of the green dress she now wore with a belt to take up the slack. The thoughts saddened her. As a child, she’d dreamed of love and romance.

      She picked up the green cloak that matched her dress. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter.” Josephine put on the cloak and then stepped around Hazel. With her head held high and her stomach in knots, she walked out the front door.

      Thomas turned in the saddle to look at her. What did he see? She felt her cheeks grow warm under his steady gaze. His eyes no longer looked clouded with weariness, and for that she was thankful.

      “Green is a pretty color on you,” he said, swinging down from the horse.

      He was just being kind. Still Josephine answered appropriately as she made her way to the wagon. “Thank you.”

      He helped her up onto the wooden bench and did the same for Hazel. Josephine busied herself tucking a blanket around her cold legs. The older woman scooped up the reins and smiled. “It might be cold, but the sun is shining. A perfect day for a wedding.”

      Philip laughed and swung his horse around. He led the way down the muddy road that led to town. Thomas brought up the rear.

      Josephine wished she could see Thomas’s face. Was he as nervous about today as she was? Or was this simply a chore that he needed to get done and over with?

      It was at times like this that Josephine wished her mother were still alive. She pulled her mother’s gold-plated necklace out from under her dress. Her hand wrapped around it. If her mother were here, Josephine knew, she wouldn’t be marrying Thomas Young. She’d be home preparing to become the wife of a man of stature. Not a Pony Express rider who, thanks to his brother’s meddling, felt obligated to marry her.

      Josephine glanced over her shoulder. Thomas was looking to the left. She took the brief moment to study the side of his face. Even with the faint scar that ran from his temple to his chin, he was probably the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

      Thomas swiveled in the saddle to find her gazing at him. Embarrassed to be caught staring, Josephine quickly turned her head to face forward once more. She worried her lip between her teeth as they rode in silence.

      This was the day she’d been waiting for. The day when she’d finally have freedom from her uncle and his evil intents. It was supposed to be the happiest day of her life.

      Josephine sighed heavily. If only it were a happy day. Instead the four people heading to town all looked as if they were walking to the gallows.

      Was she making the biggest mistake of her life? Would marrying Thomas turn out worse than marrying an old, fat gambler? Could she ever trust Thomas? Probably not.

      As soon as her uncle found out she was married and left, Thomas would be finished with his need to help her. She’d be alone. Josephine raised her chin and looked straight ahead. Don’t fall in love or trust this man, she told herself.

      * * *

      Thomas felt her rejection as strongly as if she’d slapped him. Oh, she said their vows and acted like she’d meant them, but earlier he’d seen the way she quickly turned after staring at his scarred face. He wasn’t fooling himself into believing that Josephine would ever grow to love him. If anything, she’d put up an invisible wall.

      “You may now kiss your bride.”

      What? Kiss your bride? He’d forgotten all about this part. Should he have discussed it with Josephine before the ceremony? He looked into Josephine’s upturned face. Her eyes were closed as she waited for his kiss. A kiss he was sure she’d despise.

      Philip slapped him on the back. “Go on, kiss her,” he encouraged a little above a whisper.

      Thomas leaned in and gently touched his lips to hers. A soft shock tickled his lips. He opened his eyes to find her looking into his with an emotion he’d never seen there. Had the spark between them surprised her, too? He pulled away.

      Hazel grabbed Josephine and hugged her fast. “Congratulations.” Tears filled her eyes.

      His new wife’s soft voice responded with a quick “Thank you.”

      Thomas thanked the traveling judge and quickly paid him for his services, then followed Hazel and Josephine from the small office.

      Philip clasped an arm around his shoulders. “I wish you a lifetime of happiness, little brother.”

      “I’m only a month younger than you, Philip,” Thomas answered, shrugging Philip’s arm away.

      They stepped out into the sunlight. Thomas squinted his eyes. His gaze quickly found Josephine. She and Hazel stood beside the wagon. They’d parked it under a tree off to the side of the sheriff’s office, where the ceremony had taken place. His horse was tied to the gate of the wagon along with Philip’s.

      “Tell Ma and Seth I said hello,” Philip said, falling into step with him as he walked toward the women.

      He sighed. “I wish you could come with us.”

      Philip chuckled and dropped his voice. “Why? Afraid of your new bride?”

      Thomas glared at him. “Never mind. On second thought, I’m glad you aren’t coming.”

      “Yeah, me, too. When Ma finds out you got married without her, she’s going to skin you alive.” Philip shook his head in mock sorrow and then hurried on toward Hazel and Josephine.

      Thomas pushed air from his lungs. Philip was right. He should have given the family time to come to the wedding. But on the way home, he’d remembered how afraid Josephine seemed and he’d only wanted to protect her and get married as soon as possible. Now that he was sure her uncle could never hurt her, Thomas knew it was time to tell the rest of the family and his mother that they’d gotten