Pony Express Christmas Bride. Rhonda Gibson

a real marriage.”

      “We said vows, Thomas. Vows that I have been raised to keep.” Now that they were alone, was this his way of saying he’d changed his mind? How could he do such a thing? Bitter bile rose in her throat.

      His gaze met and held hers. “I agree, but this isn’t 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.”

      All Josephine could think to say was “All right.” 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 couldn’t expect her to love him, either. How could anyone love another when they weren’t even sure they could trust them?

      Still, a twinge of worry etched its way through her mind. “Does this mean you want to get out of the marriage?” She didn’t want to not be married to him; she needed the protection of his name.

      “No, I married you before God. I just want you to know that there will be no children and no romance. We are married and you have the protection of the Young name, but that is all.” His Adam’s apple jumped in his throat as he swallowed.

      Josephine lowered her eyes. Would her uncle be content with this sort of arrangement? Could he take her away if he knew they were sharing a name and nothing more? She hadn’t thought of this before because she hadn’t wanted a real marriage any more than Thomas did. Josephine still didn’t want a real marriage and prayed that her uncle would be none the wiser.

      The warmth of his hand enveloped her shoulder. “Look, no one else has to know our personal business. Ma knows why I married you, but none of my family knows.” He grew silent for a moment, then continued, “Well, that may not be entirely true. I’m sure by now she’s expressed her concerns to Seth.”

      So his adoptive parents knew. “I see.” She raised her head and looked at him. “Are we keeping it a secret from everyone?”

      Thomas sighed. “No, tonight we’ll tell my family and make sure that they know how important it is to keep our secret. That this isn’t something we want shared with the world. My family will understand.”

      The warmth of his hand seeped through the fabric of her dress. The comfort it offered wasn’t enough to keep the cold fingers of fear away. “I know you trust them, Thomas, but I don’t.” She placed her hand on top of his. “Trust isn’t something I offer easily and I’m scared. What if one of them lets it slip to my uncle or Mr. Grossman that we’re married in name only? Could he have the marriage annulled if he knew?”

      “I don’t think so, and even if he wanted to use that as an excuse, it could easily be rectified.” His hand moved to touch one of the many curls that surrounded her face. “Would it make you feel better if we didn’t tell the others?”

      Hadn’t she just said that? Josephine sighed. “It would.”

      He jerked his hand from her hair and turned back toward the front. “All right. I’ll talk to Ma and Seth when we get there.” Thomas flicked the reins over the horse’s back and then set them on the road and headed to his family farm. “Philip knows, also. I told him to move his things into my room before we get back. You’ll be staying in his room.”

      So he’d already made arrangements to move her into another room before he’d spoken to her about it. Josephine wondered how Philip had taken the news that he no longer had his own bedroom. “Was Philip all right with the move?”

      Thomas shrugged. “He’s fine with it. He’ll have the room to himself two days a week.”

      “What about the rest of the week?” Josephine asked out of curiosity.

      “He’ll be on the Express trail two days a week and the other three we’ll share the room.” Thomas glanced over at her. “Don’t feel sorry for him. He brought this on himself.” His gaze returned to the road.

      Josephine hated that Philip had invited her to marry Thomas, and she hated that she’d had to come, but most of all she hated that both men had to change their way of life for her. It hadn’t been fair to either of the men and yet there was nothing she could do about it now.

      “Thomas?”

      “Yes?”

      Josephine took a deep breath. She wanted to make up for his lost freedom and way of life. “I’m sorry you are upset, but I promise I’ll be a good wife. I can cook and clean, and I’m learning to sew.”

      He grinned but continued to face forward. “I’m sure you will be.”

      Josephine heard the doubt in his voice. Did he expect her to fail at being a wife?

      She’d failed at being a good daughter. Why else would her father have abandoned her after her mother died? What made her think she could be a good wife? Maybe Thomas was wise to doubt her abilities.

      Josephine turned away from him. She didn’t want to fail. With hard work, she’d prove she’d be a great wife and Thomas Young would be glad that he’d married her. She clutched the chain of her necklace and fought the tears that threatened to spill from her eyes. This day just continued to get worse and worse.

      * * *

      Thomas pulled into the front yard of his parents’ house. He jumped from the wagon and helped Josephine down. She’d remained quiet the rest of the way to the farm.

      Rebecca hurried out of the house with a smile on her face. “Thomas! I can’t believe you’ve come back for a visit so soon.” She turned her blue eyes on Josephine. “You must be Josephine. Thomas has told me all about you.” She hugged Josephine quickly.

      Thomas wished she hadn’t said that. It was bad enough that he’d not told Josephine anything about his family. Now she was going to be angry that he’d told Rebecca all about her. “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Young.”

      His mother looked from Thomas to Josephine.

      Thomas handed Josephine her basket. “Ma’s last name is Armstrong. She married Seth not too long ago,” he explained.

      “Oh, I’m sorry.” Josephine glared at him.

      He thought he’d told her Rebecca’s last name was now Armstrong. Maybe he should have mentioned it again. Thomas touched Josephine’s arm. She pulled away from him. “I’ll take the wagon to the barn and be right back.” He climbed back on the wagon and turned the horse toward the barn.

      Rebecca’s soft laughter filled the tense air. “No harm done. Call me Rebecca. Mrs. Armstrong makes me sound old. Come on inside, Josephine. I can’t wait for you to meet the rest of the family,” Rebecca said, wrapping her arm in Josephine’s.

      He was in big trouble, Thomas thought. He had no idea how to act around his new wife. He should have told her more about his family. Thomas jumped from the wagon and unhitched the horse.

      Andrew stepped from the barn. “I see you brought a woman home to meet Ma.”

      “Not just any woman, my wife.” Thomas looked to his older brother.

      “Wife?”

      “Yep, we got married this morning.” Thomas leaned against the wagon and crossed his arms.

      Andrew whistled softly. “Congratulations. I can’t believe you got married.” He shook his head and then looked sharply at Thomas. “Does Ma know?”

      Thomas groaned. “No.” He’d sent his new bride inside and hadn’t mentioned they were married. Would he be facing two angry women when he went back to the house?

      The front door slammed as Benjamin, Thomas’s youngest brother, ran out onto the porch. He yelled, “Thomas! Ma wants you in the house.” He leaped from the porch and continued running toward them.

      Andrew slapped Thomas on the back. “Don’t look so stricken.