'Expressly Yours, Samantha' exclusive excerpt

Becky Lower joins us today to share an excerpt from her March 16 release, Expressly Yours, Samantha, the seventh book in her Cotillion Ball Series.

Becky: Thanks so much for inviting me. This book is so exciting for me, because it leaves civilized New York behind and takes the reader to the American frontier in 1860. The Pony Express was being launched and my hero, Valerian Fitzpatrick, has always only wanted to ride horses. It's a perfect job for him, and on his first day on the job, he encounters Sam Hughes, who he believes to be a young man. In actuality, she's a girl on the run from an abusive uncle. She is hired to work in the stables at the home station where Valerian is located.

EXCERPT

"Why so glum, Sam? You've got a job with the Pony Express. It's what you wanted."

"But Mr. Russell said to get myself to Seneca before someone else showed up and claimed my job. It's got to be seventy miles or more away."

"A good horse will get you there in plenty of time. Where'd you leave yours?"

"I, uh, I don't have one. I walked here."

Valerian sensed the tension radiating off the boy's body. He needed a job with the Express desperately, Val guessed. And Val also guessed Sam was running from something. Or someone. He had noticed the haunted appearance. Was he running from the law? He couldn't imagine Sam had done anything to arouse the authorities. And he couldn't figure out why he was inclined to help him anymore than he had already done. But he wanted to.

"Where'd you come from?"

"Uh. Kansas City."

Unless Valerian totally misread things, Sam had just told a bald-faced lie. But, until Sam was willing to tell him the whole story, Val would let things slide. He thought for a moment then whacked his hat on his leg before placing it back on his head.

"Why didn't I think of this before? I know a way you can get there faster than walking. Come with me."

Sam cast a wary glance his way but followed him readily enough. Valerian untied his horses, handed the reins of one to Sam, and then headed toward the large barn where hundreds of horses were stabled. The scent of hay and horse filled his nostrils. He found Joseph and spilled his plan.

"Joseph, I've found a rider for some of your horses. Sam here needs to get to Seneca as quickly as possible, and you've got two horses slated to go there to be stabled. Why not let Sam ride one and lead the other? That way, he can switch off when one gets tired."

Joseph ran his eyes over the slight boy next to Val. "How do I know you are trustworthy, Sam?"

"I can only give you my word. But you'd be doing me a huge favor, and I won't soon forget it."

"And he's great with horses. He helped me when I was taking the two over to the corral this morning. Don't you see, Joseph? It's a perfect solution. Sam needs to get to Seneca, and you've got horses that need to get there."

Joseph continued to stare at Sam, who was exhibiting nervousness under his appraisal. Val attempted to lighten the mood. "Don't let Joseph's Indian stare get under your skin. He gives the same hard glance to everyone he meets for the first time."

Valerian turned to Joseph. "I'll tell you what. If you let Sam here ride the horses out to Seneca and he takes off with them instead of showing up at the station, you can take the cost for the horses out of my pay."

"I would rather take it out of your hide, since you are the one putting me in the middle." Joseph finally turned to Sam and blew out his breath. "So you are good with horses?"

Sam stuck his thumbs in his waistband and swaggered. "I've never met a horse I didn't like." Valerian smiled at the confident air Sam had when he talked of horses and how his head snapped up to stare back at Joseph.

Joseph replied, "Then Valerian is correct. This is a perfect solution to our problem."

Val didn't miss the way Sam's shoulders lifted, as if a huge weight had suddenly disappeared. Again, he wondered about Sam's past. But here in the West, a man's past was his own business. He'd leave whatever Sam was running from alone.

"When can I leave?" Sam asked as he patted the nose of the horse Joseph was working on.

"At dawn will be fine. It is a long ride, and there is no need to risk harm to yourself or the horses by riding at night."

"Dawn it is then," Valerian chimed in as he punched Sam lightly on the arm. "Let's go get some grub at the hotel restaurant. My treat."

"You don't need to pay my way. I'll be fine. I owe you enough already, Val. See you in the morning."

Sam darted away before Val could say anything more. He shrugged as he stood beside Joseph. "Who in their right mind turns down a free meal?"

Joseph's deep voice rang in Val's ear. "Why do you want to help this boy?"

"I don't know why. I only know I have to."

Joseph raised an eyebrow. "You are zhawenjige, Valerian, kindhearted. In my culture, we call such feelings inendaagozi. You were fated to meet. It is a sign."

"A sign of what?"

"That is what you will have to find out."

Find out more about Becky and her books at www.beckylowerauthor.com.