Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
The Express took men and rode them hard across the West. That adventuring spirit belonged to the men, full of life, ready for whatever met them on the trail, everything, except for love.

Clay Adams longs for a place to fit in. He finds one with the Hawkins family and the express, but a chance meeting in the general store changes his goals. A soft smile, a single hello has him wanting to see the daughter of a rancher and wondering if it’s possible to fall in love at first sight?

Emma Rawlings, the only daughter of the Rawlings family, wants to begin the big adventure of carving out a ranch with her soul mate. She meets one of the express riders at the general store. His soft spoken tone and nod of his head sends her heart to flutter. Could he be the one?

Life in the Wild West is never simple. Someone is bent on causing trouble for the Express and Clay is caught in the crosshairs. Ambushed, shot, and left for dead, Clay must find his way back to Emma, but has he the right to bring Emma into such a dangerous union or is family something that he’ll just never have?

170 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 20, 2017

2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read

About the author

Nan O'Berry

65 books21 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
21 (61%)
4 stars
8 (23%)
3 stars
4 (11%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
1 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Kathy Heare Watts.
7,072 reviews175 followers
July 6, 2017
YOUR DREAMS ARE MY DREAMS

I enjoyed the second book in the Three Rivers Express series that covers a small down and some of the swing stations and riders that are used for the Pony Express, and the story will take place in 1860. The story is a romantic suspense mystery with some trouble that will take place along the route of the Pony Express because not everyone is happy with this new mode of transportation for the mail.

Clay Adams left his family and home in Texas, when his family disowned him for having a difference of political opinion about slavery, and the Union. He will take his mother’s maiden name and reinvent himself. Becoming a rider for the Pony Express, and saving his money, he plans to find land and start his own ranch raising cattle and horses.

Emma Rawlings is the only daughter in the Rawlings family. She knows, but her father’s own statement, that her two brothers, Drew and Stephen, will inherit the Rocking R, but never her. She has a sweet spirit and proves she is a strong woman of the west.

The plot will have Clay at the general store where he will meet Stephen and become bewitched by Emma. She is beautiful and charms her way right into his heart. When she tears her lavender gown on a nail, that will lead to him purchasing her new yard goods, that will set him in the sites of men working for Pierson Stage Line that is unhappy with the Pony Express. Six to one odds are never good in a fight, and with Clay injured, he will be over of the runs for a week.

Clay will visit the Rocking R Ranch and learn more about Emma and her family in an informal manner of courting. He proves himself with her father and brother and has already earned the admiration of Mrs. Rawlings and Stephen. But Emma, she knew from the first smile in the general store she was hooked. “I knew from the first smile.”

The dangers of the Pony Express will result in the murder of a new young rider, Denver, and Clay will be shot too. Life and death situations will keep the pages turning with intense scenes. The Hawkins are devastated at the loss of one their own with the death of Denver. “In God, I trust. In man, I wonder.”

Clay has an obligation to his commitment to the Pony Express, but he also knows that his future is with Emma. “She makes me know that home is where she is. Where I want to be.”

This is a sweet, clean historical based story of new beginnings. I laughed happy tears, and I cried sad ones. I look forward to the next book in this series
223 reviews7 followers
October 4, 2017
There is danger and treachery lurking in Three Rivers, with the target being the Pony Express! Clay Adams has found a home among his fellow riders and the Hawkins family. A chance sighting of Emma Rawlings at the General Store in town, however, truly rocks Clay’s heart. For Emma, the only daughter of a rancher, her own home and hearth to share with a soul mate is her heart’s desire. When at a glance she falls for the quiet, handsome Express rider, Emma heart, too, is aflutter. But someone is targeting the Express by attacking its riders. Will Clay and the Express be a casualty?

Nan O’Berry’s contribution to the Three Rivers Express series has a emphasis on the danger facing the settlers in the new Western territories of the United States and the perils of the Express riders. The interaction between Emma and Clay, and Emma’s family, was touching and well-done. But there were some nail-biting moments too, as it is clear someone is planning to destroy the Express, even if it means committing a crime! No spoilers, but I was teary-eyed at one point in the book - those scenes were heart-breaking and realistic.

An interesting point in this series is that Reina Torres and Nan O’Berry are alternating writing the books. Although I have read several similar series done this way, I have to say the writing of these two authors is not only excellent, but they also mesh so well with one another. I cannot wait for my next visit to Three Rivers!
Profile Image for SOMDReigel.
1,150 reviews
July 1, 2017
Sweet, clean romance enmeshed with a mystery. The Three Rivers Express series brings you a love story during the time the Pony Express began their mail service in 1860.
The riders were young men, on their own, trying to fit in and to find themselves. It was a chance for a new life for those young men. The new mail service did not set well with everyone. It brought jealously from the Stage Coach business and danger. Someone is determined to stop the Pony Express from succeeding and Clay finds himself in danger. Another well written story in this series which alternates between two authors. I enjoyed the plot and the characters. Sweet young love living in a harsh country where both the men and women have to stay strong. Enjoyable read. This is the second in the series but can be read alone.
Profile Image for Caryl.
1,999 reviews24 followers
April 22, 2020
I enjoy stories about the Pony Express. Handsome riders blazing the way for others to follow.

Clay Adams longs to fit in. He finds a place with the Hawkins family. He's a man of integrity and humor.

Emma Rawlings, only daughter of the family, longs to have a family and ranch to call her own. She is tenderhearted and filled with determination.

I liked this story until about a third of the way finished when it began to come apart at the seams. I came across many grammatical errors that kept pulling from the story. There are also some inconsistencies that didn't make sense. Other than these issues it was a good story. I'm to see how the rest of the series progresses.

I won a paperback copy from the author. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Kea.
1,098 reviews11 followers
April 16, 2020
Always, Clay by Nan O’Berry is book two of Three Rivers Express Series. This story is about a small town, Three Rivers, and the swing stations and riders who rode for the Pony Express. It is not all smooth riding with trouble occurring along the route of the Pony Express. Clay Adams is one of the riders, and he falls for Emma Rawlings. Life in the Wild West is never simple because someone is targeting the Pony Express, and Clay is caught in the cross-hairs. Nan O’Berry gives historical insights in the Three Rivers Express series of the danger and struggles the settlers faced in the new Western territories. Always, Clay is a sweet romance to enjoy reading.
Profile Image for Sheila Green.
57 reviews3 followers
July 28, 2017
Nan O'Berry is a new to me author and has encouraged me to read more.
Clay Adams is wanting a family and a ranch of his own. During a chaperoning trip to the general store he catches the eye of a you lady.
Emma Rawlings is just waiting for her chance to be a ranching wife. After saving Clay from the incessant talking of her younger brother, she awkwardly stumbles away catching her skirt and tears it.
A very enjoyable read with a sweet romance and a little mystery thrown in.
2,647 reviews17 followers
June 28, 2018
Always Clay

I truly enjoyed reading this second in the Three Rivers Express series of books. There is mystery, suspense and the promise of ever lasting love in this story. A short interesting book with a happy ending. There's still the mystery of who killed Denver to be answered in the future.
Profile Image for J Lundsten.
974 reviews41 followers
June 25, 2017
Sweet western novella

This is a lovely romance entwined with a mystery. Someone is determined to stop the Pony Express from succeeding and Clay gets caught up in their plans. This is the second in the series but can be read alone. I am really looking forward to the next two books!
40 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2019
So enjoying this series!

The sad scene (saying that as not to spoil) was so heartfelt and I felt I was there with them. Love getting to know these families and can't wait to read the next one.
Profile Image for Janet Swiftbird.
1,878 reviews6 followers
February 20, 2019
A danger comes

Clay feels he will. Never leave the Pony Express, that is till he meets the girl of his dream.
Emma falls instantly in lvewith the cowboy.
Follow their story as heart ache and love bind them together.
Profile Image for Carri Kelsey.
198 reviews
June 28, 2017
Wonderful

What a wonderful book, love reading the history of certain event in long ago times, the history of the pony express is every thrilling, and this series brings it to life.
2,330 reviews82 followers
November 8, 2020
Sweet Historical Romance

I enjoyed this story of love, loss, and the Pony Express. My heart just melted as young Stephen idolized Clay and even got his chance to ride!
Profile Image for Crystal Gray.
1,088 reviews33 followers
July 10, 2017
Historical Romance is really not my usual read. But I fell in love with Three Rivers when I read Always, Ransom by Reina Torres. Always, Clay is book 2 in the series, I suggest reading Ransom's story first :-)

This book had all the feelings, happy, sad, there were even tears! I can not wait to see what these lovely ladies come up with next! Amazing series. Nan is a new to me author but I will for sure be looking up more of her work.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews