Page 29 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
The three of them made their slow, careful way down the trail, shining the light into the trees. None of them liked snakes and liked even less, wild animals that might attack. Again, Riley assured himself no wild animal would linger with the noise and lights. Unless it was crazy. A shudder snaked up and down his spine and stalled mid-chest.
“Did she say how big this thing was?” Luke asked.
“She never saw it. Only felt it. We hurried home. I didn’t want to hang around with her along.”
Luke chuckled. “Course your first thought was to get her out of danger.”
“As it should have been.” Matt gave his twin brother a playful slap on the shoulder.
They were back to where Olivia had felt whatever it was. Riley held the lantern high as they examined the ground and trees for any sign of an animal. He drew in a breath and held it as slanted yellow eyes caught the light.
“It’s a cat!” Luke whispered.
Riley knew none of them had expected a wild cat to hang around. And if one did, Olivia’s screams would have surely scared it away but there was no mistaking what they saw.
Matt leveled the rifle at the cat.
The animal came toward them. They backed away.
“Shoot,” Luke yelled.
“Meow.”
Matt lowered the gun and hooted. “It’s the cat Lindy calls Mittens.”
The pet cat sauntered up to them and rubbed against Luke’s leg.
“Well, I’ll be.” A tame cat had them all peering into the shadows ready to shoot anything that moved. Riley shook his head. “Wait until I tell Olivia.”
The cat wound around his ankles. Riley scooped it up and it rubbed against his chin. Laughing and jostling each other good-naturedly, the three of them returned to their homes. Riley put the cat down before he opened the door.
Olivia clutched her hands to her chest when he entered the house and returned the rifle to its safe position.
“You’re safe and sound. What did you find?” Her voice was thin with concern. For him? He allowed himself to think so.
“Do you know a cat called Mittens?”
“It’s one of Lindy’s pets.” Her eyes widened. “You mean…?”
He let in the cat who meowed and looked from him to Olivia. “Looking for attention I think.”
She burst into laughter.
Alfred chuckled. “That is good news for us and the cat.” He went to his room leaving Riley and Olivia.
She sobered. “Come into the sitting room. I have something for you.”
He shooed the cat outside then followed her and sat in a chair as she went to her room. She returned her hands behind her back.
“I told you how Sylvia and I studied the Bible together. Well, this is it.” She brought the black leather-bound book forward. “I thought I’d leave it on the shelf, and we could read from it whenever we want.”
He took the Bible. The gold edge on the pages was worn in places indicating where she’d spent much time. He gingerly opened the fly leaf.
To Olivia, my dear friend and sister in Christ. Wherever our paths may go we will always be united in our fondness for each other and our love for God and His holy word. Sylvia.
A verse had been written below.Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39
“You must miss her a lot.”
