Page 68 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
“Back to my story. I had fried two eggs for each of us and was seasoning them. I sprinkled on salt then grabbed the pepper shaker and gave it a shake. The lid came off and I emptied the entire amount on the eggs. Sylvia gasped. I looked at the mess and asked if anyone liked peppered eggs. We ended up laughing ourselves silly. I scraped it out. The dog sniffed it and took a bite. He sneezed and shook his head. He backed away and then returned to take another taste. I guess he could smell the eggs and knew he liked them. He ended up eating the whole mess then drank water the rest of the morning.” She tried to look apologetic, but her twinkling eyes informed him she’d had a good laugh over the incident.
“Poor dog,” he murmured.
She chuckled. “No one made him eat it.”
“True.”
“At least I can cook eggs now.”
His gaze circled the table. “And lots of other things.”
“Like I said, I’m a fast learner and I always check the lids on the salt and pepper now.”
Riley chuckled. “Did you learn who had loosened the lid?”
She developed a sudden interest in the edge of her dessert dish, running her finger round and round it. “I might have forgotten to put it on after I filled it,” she mumbled.
He roared with laughter.
She lifted her gaze to him, and her expression went from surprise to embarrassment to a low chuckle. She looked at the clock on the wall. “Goodness where has the time gone?”
“I’ll put bath water to heat while you clean up.” They both hustled into action.
As he passed her repeatedly while bringing in water, he fought the urge to brush against her back, touch her shoulder, or linger at her side.
As soon as he had the tub filled in her bedroom, he dashed outside and didn’t slow down until he stood at the far end of the new pasture. Needing an excuse for fleeing so far if anyone took notice, he checked the gate and tested the wires. Then he headed for the water trough.
* * *
Olivia sankinto the warm water. She’d fretted silently most of the day wondering if he purposely stayed away to avoid her. Thankfully, he returned, and things seemed normal. He’d been interested in her drawing and shared a family joke with her. In fact, everything had been going so well until she’d told her silly story and then Riley had withdrawn. He couldn’t wait to get away.
She buried her face against her updrawn knees. What was she doing wrong? Thanks to Honor and Gwen’s help she’d learned to make decent meals. Her cakes were getting better every time she made one. Bread? Well, she hadn’t conquered that challenge yet. But she would.
Did he object to the time she spent drawing or playing the piano? But she’d never detected a hint of disapproval. In fact, he’d claimed that one picture to frame. So, what was she doing wrong?
She thought of the letter from Sylvia that Alfred had brought her yesterday.
By the time you get this letter, I will be a married woman. My joy knows no bounds. I understand Riley being put off by receiving a substitute mail-order bride, but he will soon come around. I know you can handle any challenge this new life hands you. I pray daily for your happiness and trust God to bring you what your heart yearns for.
Love and prayers, Sylvia
Sylvia was married. But Olivia was not and saw no sign that Riley would ask her.
The words of Sylvia’s letter burrowed into her mind.What your heart yearns for.Did she even know what it was? A couple of weeks ago, she would have insisted she did. She might have been seeking escape from the ugliness she endured at her home and hoping to find safety and security in fulfilling the requirements of Riley’s letters. But now her desires had grown more defined. She wanted a home where she was judged for her abilities and valued for her company. And she wanted it right here on the Shannon Ranch. In this very home shared with the man she’d planned to marry.
She finished her bath, pulled on her nightgown, put on her wrapper, and closed it tightly. Footsteps informed her someone had entered the house. She instantly recognized it was Alfred. She went to the stove and began to brush her hair dry.
Still no Riley.
Picking up the buckets, she prepared to empty the tub. Riley entered the house at that moment, saw the buckets in her hands, and reached for them. “I’ll do that.”
Water glistened in his hair, informing her what he’d been doing. She sat in the front room, Alfred nearby, as Riley took care of the bathwater and the tub. He finished and stood at the doorway. It seemed obvious that he was waiting for her to go to bed so he could retire. She said good night and hurried to her room.
Her heart beat a tattoo against her ribs. She wanted him to need her. Want her. Ask her to stay. But what more could she do? Except pray.
She fell on her knees by her bed and poured out her heart to God. A few minutes later her prayer ended, and she rested her forehead on her bed. She’d grown to love Riley, but he wasn’t offering love in return although he’d shown his tenderness and after all, weren’t actions louder than words? Was hoping and believing he loved her enough?
But it wasn’t enough to satisfy her heart. She needed to hear him say he loved her.
