Page 42 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
He scrambled to his feet and reached out a hand to assist her. “Come along.”
They returned to the viewpoint. She sank to the ground, aware that he watched over her shoulder as she sketched the falls.
When she closed the sketchbook and returned it to her pocket, he caught her hand again. “Come on. I’ll show you the falls from up higher.”
She let him draw her to her feet. They faced each other, a mere six inches separating them. She lost herself in the darkness of his eyes. Nothing else existed but the muted roar of the falls. If only he would accept her.
He broke free of her gaze.
She turned her attention back to the rushing waters, filling her mind with the peace it gave her, and then he urged her onward and they climbed an incline so steep they both bent forward. She lifted the hem of her skirt so she wouldn’t trip on it and with her free hand caught branches beside her to assist in the climb. Pine scent filled the air. They broke into another clearing that allowed them to see the falls from a higher point of view.
Again, she stopped to consume the scene. He stood at her side, close enough his arm brushed her. They remained that way for several minutes. Not only did she enjoy the sight, but she also enjoyed his presence. Both were calming. Again, she wished it could be like this always. She did two more quick drawings.
“We should start back.” His words jolted her from her thoughts.
“Do you mind leaving me here a few minutes?”
“Uh. Sure. I’ll wait at the trail.”
She didn’t turn as he moved away. She closed her eyes.Lord, God, my heart yearns for belonging. A home. I’m not asking for love or even romance, it’s enough to know I am wanted and needed.Like it was when Mama and Papa were alive. She’d been loved—cherished even, but she’d settle now for being appreciated. God would have to work in Riley’s heart, so he’d accept her.
She stayed there, quiet and waiting, hoping for God to change Riley this very minute. But as she joined him at the trailhead, he didn’t seem any different.
“Thanks for bringing me here.”
“Glad you enjoyed it.”
She slipped on the descending path, and he caught her hand to steady her. A perfect opportunity for him to pull her close and speak of marriage.
“Be careful. I still don’t like the idea of carrying you down the mountain.”
Olivia smiled past her disappointment. So much for hoping for romance. Wait a minute. She didn’t want romance. Hadn’t she made that clear? Had her heart not gotten the message?
10
“Riley!” Luke’s shout startled Riley. He’d been lost in thought, remembering Sunday’s picnic. He’d tried so many times to put Olivia’s gentleness down to good upbringing and to relegate his desire to pull her close as only protectiveness. Which he had promised his brothers he was.
“What?” he called back.
“Do you know how many times I’ve asked you to toss me that hammer?”
Riley’s mind had wandered but he meant to make Luke feel he was responsible. He made a scoffing noise. “Am I supposed to keep track for you?” They were building a gate on the newly-fenced pasture.
“You’ve been daydreaming.” Luke hooted. “Or should I say wishing?”
“Huh? What would I be wishing for?” Besides things he knew he couldn’t have. Or did he mean, he wouldn’t allow himself to have? Romance or love or whatever one chose to call it.Romance. Love. The words had echoed in his head since that picnic. His pa had courted his ma. Vigorously if they were to believe the stories his parents told. As one of their sons, he’d seen the affection between them even when they disagreed on a matter.
Riley had found that with Nina. He’d courted her. Loved her to distraction. She’d loved him back. But love hadn’t been enough. Not enough to keep her happy. Not enough to keep her safe. He bore permanent scars deep inside his constricted heart.
He picked up the hammer and slammed it against a nail hard enough that the thump reverberated up his arm.
He wasn’t willing to ever risk the dangers of love again. But why was he even thinking along those lines? Neither he nor Olivia wanted love. Shoot. He banged his hammer into the fence again. He wasn’t even prepared to consider marriage to her without love.
Luke closed the distance between them. “You’re wishing for a sweet little wife but you’re too stubborn to take what’s right in front of you.”
Too stubborn or too wise? But Riley kept his retort to himself as a rider approached. “Company coming.” He’d never been so happy to see a visitor.
They set aside their tools. Matt stepped from the barn and Andy came from the harness shed to join them. The four of them went to greet the rider.
