Bella looked from him to Cara. Confusion filled her eyes. Her forehead crinkled. “Why would he be glad to be gone?”
Philip answered. “Relay stations can be very lonely. I’m sure John is enjoying being at the Young home station. My brothers are probably telling him all kinds of stories.” Philip bit into the most delicious biscuit he’d ever tasted—and his adoptive ma’s were pretty good. Last night’s had been good, but this one seemed to melt in his mouth.
Understanding lit up Bella’s face, then remembrance. “Oh, you said you’d tell me about your family.” She smiled.
He savored the buttery bread for a moment longer before swallowing. “I did, didn’t I?”
She nodded her agreement.
Philip smiled. “Well, I was adopted when I turned twelve. John Young and his wife, Rebecca, not only adopted me, but also six other boys. Plus, they had a little girl of their own. So all together I have six brothers and a sister. Sadly, John passed away, but not before he signed all us boys, except Benjamin, up to be Pony Express riders.”
“How come Benjamin didn’t get to be a rider?” Mark asked around a mouthful of eggs.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Mark,” Bella scolded in a gentle voice.
The little boy ducked his head. “Sorry,” he muttered.
“Because he’s only eight years old. Oh, I take that back. He just had a birthday, so he’s nine now.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Bella said. She stood.
Philip enjoyed the gentle swishing sound her skirt made as she walked to the washtub. “Thank you.”
“I imagine that your adoptive father’s death was hard on Rebecca,” Cara said with a frown.
“It was, but then Seth Armstrong showed up at the farm as the Pony Express station manager and the two of them fell in love. They were married and now we are all a happy family again.” He pushed his chair back and carried his plate to Bella.
She took it and slipped it into the hot, soapy water. “I’m glad she found a man who would take in all you boys.”
Was that bitterness he heard in her voice?
She looked up at him with sadness in her eyes. Philip remembered her talking about her fiancé rejecting her after he discovered there would be children to raise that weren’t his. His heart went out to the broken woman in front of him. What could he do to bring the smile back on her face?
Philip vowed that he’d make her smile again.
“Do all these brothers and sister have names?” Bella asked as she wiped the food from the dishes.
“As a matter of fact, they do. I’ll start with the oldest and work my way down to the youngest. Jacob, Andrew, Clayton, Thomas, Noah, Benjamin and, lastly, Joy.”
Cara walked to them. “Bella, go sit down and enjoy your coffee. I’ll do these dishes. After all, you did most of the cooking this morning and gathered the water.” She held her plate and the boys’.
“I can help,” Bella answered. “The job will get done faster with more hands and then we can all three enjoy another cup of coffee.”
Philip went to the table and gathered the remaining dishes. He set them on the counter. She wondered if he would always be this helpful.
“Aunt Bella, can we be excused?” Caleb asked.
She glanced at her nephews. “Are your hands clean?”
Both boys looked down at their fingers and nodded.
“Then I suppose you can.”
They scooted off their chairs and hurried into the sitting area, where their toy horses awaited them. Caleb rushed ahead and handed Mark his toy. Bella heard Philip chuckle and turned to face him.
At her inquisitive look, he said, “Caleb reminds me a lot of Benjamin.” Philip shook his head.
“How so?” Cara asked. “If I remember right, they don’t look anything alike.”
Philip shook his head. “Not in looks but in actions. Ben is always looking out for Joy.”
Bella had to admit that Caleb tried to look after Mark. Unfortunately, she’d learned really quickly that the little boy didn’t care much for his older brother bossing him around. “Yes, but Mark doesn’t always want his help.”
They finished the dishes. Cara excused herself and left them sitting at the kitchen table nursing cups of warm coffee. Bella looked into the dark liquid and inhaled its rich fragrance.
“You are a very good cook,” Philip said, complimenting her.
She looked up at him. “Thank you. I love to cook and bake.” Bella twisted the cup in her hands. She’d always dreamed of someday owning her own café and serving fresh desserts. Her gaze moved to the boys. But now that dream was gone.
Philip chuckled, drawing her attention again. “Well, that’s good, because I like to eat.”
Bella smiled. “Most people do.”
The door came open with a bang and John Turnstone entered the room. He pulled off his coat and looked around. Cara came from the bedroom with a bright smile on her face. “Did you have a good ride, dear?”
“I did.” He walked across the room and hugged his wife tightly.
Bella pushed her chair back and walked to the stove. She avoided watching the other couple’s greeting. Instead she asked, “John, would you like a cup of coffee?”
“That sounds wonderful.”
She poured the rich liquid from the pot and then turned. John had walked to the table. “So what do you think of your special delivery?” he asked Philip.
Philip grinned. “I like it.”
Mark and Caleb came into the kitchen, too. “What’s a special delivery?” Caleb asked, climbing into the nearest chair.
Bella felt her cheeks flame to life. She watched as Philip scooped up Mark and tickled him.
“You two are,” he told the two boys.
Bella sat the mug in front of John.
Cara stood beside his chair, smiling at the boys and Philip. She patted her husband’s shoulder. “Would you like something to eat?”
His gaze moved to the stove, where the pan of leftover bread sat. “I’d love a couple of those biscuits.”
“With sausage?” Cara asked, heading to the stove.
“Yep, that sounds good.” John picked up his cup and took a swig of the coffee. After he swallowed, John said, “That ride home was a cold one.”
“I figured you’d get here later today.” Philip grinned.
John shook his head. “Naw, I wanted to get back here.” He grinned at Cara as she handed him his plate with two sausage biscuits.
Philip looked to Bella. “What do you think? Ready to head out?”
“Yes, but how are we going to get there? I mean, I didn’t bring a horse or a buggy with me and you came in on a Pony Express horse.” Bella couldn’t