Pony Express Courtship by Rhonda Gibson

under his wing. He had Beni mucking out one of the stalls and Joy rubbing oil into the leather on one of the saddles. Jacob himself forked fresh straw into each of the stalls. The other five boys each had a chore and were busy doing them. Seth sniffed appreciatively. New wood and new leather. What a combination.
    â€œJacob, I need you to make sure everything runs smoothly while I’m gone.” Seth leaned against the barn door and met the young man’s eyes.
    Jacob laughed. There was no anger or animosity in his voice when he said, “I was doing that before you came along. I think I can do it again for one day.”
    Seth chuckled. “See that you do.”
    An hour later, he arrived in town. The streets teemed with people coming and going. He pulled the wagon beside the livery yard. Seth leaped down and walked to the general store. In most towns the general store was the meeting place for everyone. Seth hoped to get a bite to eat and then find out where Mrs. Miller lived. He pushed the door open and the little bell sounded off, announcing his arrival.
    The storekeeper came out from behind the counter. “How can I help you, stranger?” he asked.
    The place was empty of customers, which surprised Seth. He walked over to the apple bin and pulled out a handful of dried apple. “I mainly came in for directions,” he answered, taking a big bite from the fruit.
    â€œAs soon as you pay for the apples, I’ll be happy to give you directions,” the big man answered.
    Seth looked at the marked price and pulled money from his pocket. “That should cover this handful.” Seth handed it to the storekeeper. “Sorry about that. I forgot myself.”
    The big man took the money and walked back to his counter and the register. “Where do you need directions to?” he asked, dropping the coins in the drawer.
    â€œMrs. Miller’s house,” he answered, studying the man while he chewed. The store owner was tall and big-bellied, and his eyes were hard. Nothing about the man appealed to Seth. He seemed like a bully, which might explain why there were no customers in his store.
    â€œNow, what business do you have with that sweet old woman?”
    Seth could tell that the man didn’t care about the woman but was simply being nosy. “It’s a private matter and my own.”
    The man nodded. “I see.” He stepped from around the counter and puffed up his chest, all the while tapping the side of his head and squinting as if he’d forgotten something. “You know, my memory isn’t as good as it used to be.”
    â€œThen I won’t waste any more of your time.” Seth turned on his heels and left the store. He stood on the boardwalk and looked up and down Main Street. The last time he’d been in town he hadn’t really taken the time to look around. He figured he had a few minutes and decided to do just that. His eyes scanned each building.
    Dove Creek wasn’t a very big town. Next to the general store was a small house—he assumed the general-store owner lived in it—and next to it was the doctor’s home and office. On the next block sat the bank. It seemed to fill the whole block.
    Seth walked toward the bank. Surely the banker would know where Mrs. Miller lived.
    He entered the bank and looked about. Dark panel covered the walls and floor. A big desk sat in the middle of the room. He noted offices off to the sides and a staircase that led to the second floor.
    Several people stood around the room. A line had formed in front of the bank-teller cage. He noticed that a checkerboard had been set up in one corner of the bank and two elderly gentlemen sat playing the game.
    It dawned on Seth that this had become the meeting place of the townspeople instead of the general store. How odd, he thought.
    â€œMay I help you?” asked the man sitting at the desk.
    Seth walked over to him. “Yes, I am looking for a Mrs.