Page 59 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
“Perhaps it’s time to end the weeping and mourning and begin the time of laughing. I suppose music is necessary for dancing so…” He trailed off, uncertain what he meant.
Her laugher was soft. “I like the sound of that.”
“Me too.” Though he couldn’t say if he meant music or laughter or what.
They finished the meal. He helped her clean the kitchen and wondered how they would spend the evening. He was too aware of her to want to sit in the living room with her close enough that his gaze might go too often in her direction, studying her lips. He’d kissed her last night. It was only because he’d been half asleep and didn’t realize what he was doing.
But a kiss had come too easily. He didn’t want it to happen again.
The sound of children laughing drew him to the window. “Kit and Lindy are chasing each other. And their parents are following. Do you want to join them?”
“I’d like that.”
He grabbed his hat and she, her shawl. They went out and fell in step with the others.
“Feeling better?” Matt asked him, giving Luke a look that Riley knew meant more teasing to come.
Quirking his brows in warning only made them laugh.
He leaned closer to Olivia and muttered. “Those two have not shown me any respect since they were twelve when they’d almost caught up to me in size. And they always ganged up on me. Two against one.” He didn’t care if the twins heard him.
She laughed softly and gave him a look of sympathy and understanding. Or so he thought.
“I’m sure they’ve made your life quite miserable.” Her eyes twinkled and he knew she understood he wouldn’t trade his life for any other. Especially his brothers. Matt and Luke caught him on each side and dragged him ahead.
“You can’t say things like that about us and get away with it.”
“Oh yeah. I’m still the oldest.”
Honor grabbed Luke’s hand. Gwen caught Matt’s. The two pulled their husbands away.
Rubbing his arms like he couldn’t get rid of the feel of them, Riley fell back. Olivia tucked her hand around his elbow and squeezed. He pressed his arm to his side, trapping her hand against his ribs. Life was good. Not even his brothers could change that.
Lindy waited for them on the path ahead bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Let’s play tag. Not It.”
Kit hollered, “Not It.”
Matt, Luke, and their wives called the same.
Riley looked at Olivia. Would she want to play a silly child’s game?
“Not It,” she whispered and ran away, leaving Riley protesting. “I wasn’t ready.”
“You’re It.” Kit darted close then shied away before Riley could tag him. He was circled by laughing and taunting people.
He turned slowly. Olivia crowded out of reach behind a tree. He jabbed his finger at her. She shook her head.
He turned and caught Lindy trying to run by. “You’re It.”
Squealing, she ran after Gwen.
Riley sprinted to Olivia, caught her hand, and dragged her farther into the trees. “They’ll never find us here.”
“But we aren’t playing Hide-and-Seek. It’s tag.”
He pretended confusion. “Are you sure?”
She laughed and pulled him back toward the game.
