Page 2 of That Fateful Ride

“I’ll be outside.” She tugged briefly on the brim of her hat before heading back out.

Despite it being hot and unpleasant, she breathed a bit easier. Test one had been passed. He never even assumed she wasn’t Robert.

The wind had picked up again and she leaned against a pole of the shelter over Polaris. Simply being in his presence, calmed her. Behind them sat the barn, which housed The Pony Express horses.

Off in the distance a cloud of dust grew closer and closer. Like a lightning bolt piercing the sky, the air changed. Crackling with energy, it skated up and down her spine. Even Polaris must have felt it for he lifted his head, ears swiveled toward the incoming rider and snorted. She untied him and double-checked her saddle. She looked up to see Ethan nearing.

“You know you’re supposed to use our horses.”

Yeah she knew, but she trusted Polaris with her life, so she’d ride him. “This is my sister’s horse. He runs like the wind.”

Ethan stood beside her. He was a large man and she watched him run sure hands over her mount. A grunt of approval before he patted the horse’s side.

“Good and sturdy. Looks like one of those Injun horses from the Blackfoot region. Saw some of them a whiles back. Good stock. Keep an eye on this horse, people are liable to want to steal him.”

She hesitated, she’d not expected him to know the region she’d acquired him. Thankfully, the approaching rider made it so she didn’t have to. She mounted, the familiar feel calming her nerves. This was it. The time had come.

Polaris sidestepped beneath her, feeling her anxiousness. Absently, she patted the muscled neck.Easy boy, it’s almost time.She shifted and relaxed a bit more at the accustomed creak of leather.

Ethan hurried out into the sun yet she hesitated. Two deep breaths before she touched her heels to Polaris and moved him out. Butterflies swarmed in her belly and she sought to keep her doubt hidden.

You’ll be fine,she told herself. She knew the route, had gone over it numerous times until she was confident. Yet, all that assuredness slipped to a hiding spot back in the dark recess of her mind.

The hoof beats grew louder and she felt the tingle race up her spine again. Excitement began to replace the uncertainty. A brown horse thundered into view, wet with sweat and blowing hard. The man sawed back on the reins and the animal slid to a halt, almost sitting on the ground.

Ethan ran and grabbed the delivery and waved at her. “Let’s get going, boy!”

She moved Polaris near, ensuring to keep her hat low over her eyes. The moment he secured the mochila, the mail pouch, she set her heels to Polaris and they shot off. Part of her almost sent him off in a dead run, but she knew that would be stupid. He would exhaust himself. Therefore, they loped. Polaris had a large stride and they would make good time. Also, if they ran into any hostiles, he would have some speed left in his reserves to get her out of danger. As they headed out of sight, she cast a glance over her shoulder.

She’d done it!

Managed to fool them into thinking she was her twin brother and had set out on her first leg of running the Pony Express.

Cyrus “Cy”Spencer paused in the act of checking over the horse tied to a hitching post as a new sound broke through the fresh morning. It sounded like an incoming rider but surely, it couldn’t be. Overnight rides usually took longer and Robert hadneverbeen this early. If it was Robert.

The station,Stuart’s Station, was still recouping from the attack from a group of Indians, which had killed the old station manager along with stealing the horses. Stu’s death was why he had come on in replacement. He’d served with him in the Army. When he’d heard what’d happened and that needed someone to replace him, he’d stepped up and taken the job.

As close as I’ll get to being part of the Pony Express.

Shaking off his uncertainty, he ran to the bunkhouse and woke the next rider before hurrying to the stable. He knew he had about five minutes before the rider made it all the way in. The horse was saddled in half that and ready when Bill stumbled from the building, food shoved in his mouth buckling his woolen pants.

The riders who did this were amazing. Anytime day or night they were ready when called upon. Bill was no different from the others. An orphan, he’d joined the Pony Express when it started and was one of the more trusted riders.

“The boy’s early.”

Cy didn’t do anymore than grunt. Bill and Robert had a strenuous relationship, but it always remained professional. He handed over the reins and Bill swung up. Together they watched the dust cloud grow closer.

A large dun pounded into view and came to a halt. Gloved hands deftly undid and extended the pouch. Cy took it. He looked up and found himself staring into Robert’s eyes.

“Robert,” he said with a nod. “Made good time.”

No response so he glanced back up to find him still watching him. With a shake of his head, he turned to Bill and attached the delivery. Bill wheeled his horse around, said, “Boy,” and then took off.

Cy turned back to see Robert heading for the stable which thankfully hadn’t been burned completely to the ground during the attack so repairs hadn’t taken too long. Crossing his arms, he observed them. Something was different. He just couldn’t quite put his finger on it. True, he didn’t know Robert all that well, but he was a man who paid attention to the small things.

Most obvious was the horse. Yes, the Pony Express had plenty of mounts. Still most men he knew had a favorite. And Robert’s favorite was a roan not this dun. This horse looked barely winded as it continued to move easily. And, it wasn’t shod.

“Where’s Reaver?” he called out.

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