dismounted.
“Obliged.” Hamilton leaned over the fence. “Ah, ladies, that looks great!” He took a big wedge of pie from Laney and downed it in four huge bites.
While he ate, Galen sweet-talked the lathered pony as he yanked off the large, square leather mochilla . The mail in the four corner pouches barely shifted as Galen tossed the carrier onto the fresh mare. Long, customized slits allowed the saddlehorn and cantle to serve as anchors when the blanket-like leather carrier draped over the saddle.
Eager to work, the mare pranced in place. Galen untied her. “Ready to go.”
The rider accepted the glass Ruth held out. He emptied it in a few quick gulps, passed it back, and mounted up. “Thanks!” With that, he was gone.
“Wasn’t that exciting?” Laney looked up at Galen all brighteyed.
“Absolutely,” Ruth agreed. “I read all about the Central Overland California and Pike’s Peak Express, but words on a page didn’t do that justice.”
Laney’s smile melted into a look of utter confusion. “The Overland is the stage company.”
“Overland Stage is what brought Ruth,” Josh said, “but Central Overland California and Pike’s Peak Express is the formal name for the Pony Express.”
“Oh. I see.” Laney’s smile returned. “Galen, you were so quick changing out the mail.”
Ruth twisted the empty cup she held and agreed, “You were. I’m surprised at a few things, though. It never occurred to me that the rider would sit on that whole mail pouch thing.”
Galen shrugged. “His weight holds the mochilla in place and protects it. The four corner pouches distribute the weight so the horse carries it easily.”
“But the horse …” Ruth cast a dubious look at the mustang. “I read that they were using the best-blooded horses money could buy. Back East, they have magnificent Morgans.”
Galen chuckled and picked up the mustang’s reins. “No horse is sturdier or hardier for California terrain than these mustangs. They’re smart and tough. Whoever bought the horses paid attention to the task at hand and made a wise decision.”
“I’m sorry.” Ruth winced. “I didn’t mean to insult your stock.”
“No offense taken. You were merely thinkin’ aloud and asking a reasonable question. Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I need to give this baby a cooldown.”
The lasses went back into the house and Galen began to walk the beast around the yard.
Josh took a few paces along with them. “I led the girls to believe I rode over to let you know about the horses and to make sure Ruth wouldn’t kill herself by falling off her mount.”
“So why did you really come?”
Josh grimaced. “I can’t swear to it, but I have an odd feeling that Toledo is following Ruth. I’ve caught him watching her the past two days.”
“She’s comely. Lively too. Such a lass is bound to catch any man’s attention.”
His friend shook his head. “I can’t explain it. Something doesn’t feel right. Do you mind if they stay awhile?”
“Ma always wanted a daughter. Whenever Laney drops by, Ma’s the happiest woman in three counties. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled with Ruth, too. Hold no worries about it, Josh. They’re more than welcome to brighten Ma’s days.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“I’ll keep a look out for anything strange.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Trying to lighten the mood, Galen said, “Ruth looked capable in the saddle.”
“She had to be.” Josh finally chuckled. “God knew I didn’t have the patience to teach a woman to ride.”
After Josh left, Galen finished cooling down the Pony Express mount, then took it into the stable. Motes danced on the golden streams of light, turning the wooden structure into a haven. Galen loved the stable. A pleasant breeze blew through the doorway, helping cool the horse as Galen removed his saddle and tack.
Nostrils still flared and skin hot, the horse showed how hard he’d run to perform his duty. He pushed toward the
“Obliged.” Hamilton leaned over the fence. “Ah, ladies, that looks great!” He took a big wedge of pie from Laney and downed it in four huge bites.
While he ate, Galen sweet-talked the lathered pony as he yanked off the large, square leather mochilla . The mail in the four corner pouches barely shifted as Galen tossed the carrier onto the fresh mare. Long, customized slits allowed the saddlehorn and cantle to serve as anchors when the blanket-like leather carrier draped over the saddle.
Eager to work, the mare pranced in place. Galen untied her. “Ready to go.”
The rider accepted the glass Ruth held out. He emptied it in a few quick gulps, passed it back, and mounted up. “Thanks!” With that, he was gone.
“Wasn’t that exciting?” Laney looked up at Galen all brighteyed.
“Absolutely,” Ruth agreed. “I read all about the Central Overland California and Pike’s Peak Express, but words on a page didn’t do that justice.”
Laney’s smile melted into a look of utter confusion. “The Overland is the stage company.”
“Overland Stage is what brought Ruth,” Josh said, “but Central Overland California and Pike’s Peak Express is the formal name for the Pony Express.”
“Oh. I see.” Laney’s smile returned. “Galen, you were so quick changing out the mail.”
Ruth twisted the empty cup she held and agreed, “You were. I’m surprised at a few things, though. It never occurred to me that the rider would sit on that whole mail pouch thing.”
Galen shrugged. “His weight holds the mochilla in place and protects it. The four corner pouches distribute the weight so the horse carries it easily.”
“But the horse …” Ruth cast a dubious look at the mustang. “I read that they were using the best-blooded horses money could buy. Back East, they have magnificent Morgans.”
Galen chuckled and picked up the mustang’s reins. “No horse is sturdier or hardier for California terrain than these mustangs. They’re smart and tough. Whoever bought the horses paid attention to the task at hand and made a wise decision.”
“I’m sorry.” Ruth winced. “I didn’t mean to insult your stock.”
“No offense taken. You were merely thinkin’ aloud and asking a reasonable question. Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I need to give this baby a cooldown.”
The lasses went back into the house and Galen began to walk the beast around the yard.
Josh took a few paces along with them. “I led the girls to believe I rode over to let you know about the horses and to make sure Ruth wouldn’t kill herself by falling off her mount.”
“So why did you really come?”
Josh grimaced. “I can’t swear to it, but I have an odd feeling that Toledo is following Ruth. I’ve caught him watching her the past two days.”
“She’s comely. Lively too. Such a lass is bound to catch any man’s attention.”
His friend shook his head. “I can’t explain it. Something doesn’t feel right. Do you mind if they stay awhile?”
“Ma always wanted a daughter. Whenever Laney drops by, Ma’s the happiest woman in three counties. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled with Ruth, too. Hold no worries about it, Josh. They’re more than welcome to brighten Ma’s days.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“I’ll keep a look out for anything strange.”
“I’d appreciate that.”
Trying to lighten the mood, Galen said, “Ruth looked capable in the saddle.”
“She had to be.” Josh finally chuckled. “God knew I didn’t have the patience to teach a woman to ride.”
After Josh left, Galen finished cooling down the Pony Express mount, then took it into the stable. Motes danced on the golden streams of light, turning the wooden structure into a haven. Galen loved the stable. A pleasant breeze blew through the doorway, helping cool the horse as Galen removed his saddle and tack.
Nostrils still flared and skin hot, the horse showed how hard he’d run to perform his duty. He pushed toward the
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