Occupation: Pony Express Rider/Ghost
If I’d known it would be my last ride . . . well, I wouldn’t have gone that way, I s’pose.
The job was a good one, and I sure had needed a job. A wife, a baby, and me being not even twenty years old yet. Not many were hiring the likes of me. But The Pony Express had given me the chance I needed. And I was good at it, really good.
The Express had been lookin’ to hire young men who were skinny or wiry and who could ride a horse real fast-like, and who’d be willing to carry some mail as they rode their horse over stretches of wide open countryside. Easy enough.
Even though the job was pretty much the same thing every day, there were always some surprises on the trail. I’d wait at the station for my turn, for a rider to come in and give me his mochila and the letters that were inside it, slip that mochila over my horse’s saddle and get on out of there. Ten miles wasn’t too far to get to the next station, but those miles sure could be unpredictable. Sometimes animals got in the way, the trail wasn’t ever smooth and worn even, the weather was always doing something different, and we always had to be careful of other people. We didn’t want to run anyone down, but we also didn’t want to be bothered by someone with mean intentions on their mind, and there were some of those kinds, that’s for sure. We had a job to do and it was mostly about getting from one spot to the next spot as quickly as we could. We couldn’t let anything stop us or slow us down.
But that day of my last ride. Well, if I’d only known that I’d never see my family ever again, I’d never ride again, I’d never do anything again, I would have made some different choices. ‘Cause no matter what, it all comes down to choices, doesn’t it?
The Pony Express and my hometown, Broken Rope, were good to me. Real good. Up until that last day, up until the very end. No matter what happened, I’m sure grateful for what they gave me, but I wish I’d made it home.
Find out more about Astin in If Catfish Had Nine Lives, the fourth book in the “Country Cooking School” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first book in the series is If Fried Chicken Could Fly.
GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on August 15 for the chance to win a print copy of IF CATFISH HAD NINE LIVES. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, unless specified.
Meet the author
Paige Shelton lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, with her family. When she’s not working on a book she can be found either reading or looking for something good to watch on T.V. You can find more information about her and her four mystery series on her website, www.paigeshelton.com.
One of my favorite series and favorite fictional town. Looking foreword to another visit.
Great series, can’t wait to read this new one.
Since I live in Missouri I am always wondering what will happen next in Broken Rope. Wondering if I will see a relative visiting there.
This is a new author for me. I would love to win a copy of the book.
I really enjoy this series and am looking forward to reading this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ll put the first in the series on my t-b-r list 🙂
This is a great series!!! Love it!!!
I would love to win!!
I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!
Sounds great, would love to win
This is a fun series, thank you for the chance to win
cute title, hope to get a chance to win, thank you!
Love the cover on this book. Looks like a great cozy mystery.
Sounds great! Thanks for the chance to win
Hi, everyone – it’s great to see some familiar faces as well as meet some new friends here at Dru Ann’s. Thanks for letting Astin stop by, and good luck!
I love Paige Shelton’s books. Thanks for the offer.
Sounds interesting. A different story time than usual.
This series has been lurking on my book list. It sounds great!
This sounds interesting!
Sounds great. Thanks for the giveaway
Sounds like a great series.
I want to see how the ghost figures in to this mystery.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I love this series, I so glad the next book is out, thanks for the chance to win.
I’ve never read Paige Shelton’s books but would love the opportunity. Cozy mysteries are my favorite read and even more so if they have recipes and a ghost too. Would sure love the opportunity.
Love this series! It’s one of my favourites- I’m always waiting for the next one and wondering who will be the next visitor in town and what secrets will they bring with them.
The Pony Express has reached the cozies?!? This should really be interesting. Love to cover. Makes me want to go out and find a fish fry!!
You had me at Pony Express. Love a look back. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sounds different and interesting…
Love Paige Shelton books. Can’t wait to read this one. Thanks for the offer.
elisanabby at gmail dot com
Looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the chance to win.
this is a GREAT series!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
Nice to meet the latest ghost in this wonderful series! Can’t wait to read it! Thanks!
The Pony Express didn’t last long, but it left quite an impression on our nation.
Great series.
I haven’t read any books by this author, but it sure sounds good. Thanks for having the giveaway.
Another favorite series.
kaye.killgore@comcast.net
The titles got me started on this series but the characters keep me coming back. Thanks for the giveaway!
Sounds like fun!!
These have great titles and I like the blue on the cover. I have the one about mashed potatoes and I have some of her books in her other series.
Great title, great cover, and if the story is as good as it sounds, I’m in. Thanks for the giveaway.
contest is closed.