Page 24 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
The handle of the shovel was hard, unyielding beneath the squeezing of his hands.
“Oh, Flint.” The sorrow in her tone ached inside his chest.
“Didn’t mean to upset you. I did fine.”
“I’m not upset except to ache for you losing so much. No mother. No father. And your dear pet gone.” Her fingers pressedharder into his arm. “Were you alone or did you have family or friends to help you?”
“Camp cook took me in.” Each word felt sticky and reluctant in his mouth.
“I hope you can tell me he was kind.”
The concern on her face made him want to erase every word he’d spoken.Never should have told her ’bout that time in my life.She shook his arm gently, silently reminding him that she had asked a question. “He weren’t unkind.”
“What does that mean?”
No. He shouldn’t continue telling her but if he stopped would she take her hand away? Leave him alone. Again. “I had chores. So long as I did them in a timely fashion, things was all right. He snapped a towel on my behind if I neglected my work.” She didn’t need to know about times when the cook used the toe of his boot to remind Flint of his chores. He tried for a smile, but his lips refused to move in the right direction. “Learnt to keep my mind on my business.”
Her shovel thudded to the ground. Both hands grasped his arm. His heart shivered with an unfamiliar sensation. Sort of like waiting for thunder after lightning.
“Flint, together, we can build a home where kindness is the rule. Not only for Susie—” Her gaze went toward the child and a smile curved her mouth. She jerked her attention back to him. Her eyes brimmed with something he hadn’t seen in a long time but had secretly remembered and wanted for even longer— caring.
“But also for us.” Her words rang out like a promise shouted from the highest hill.
“I like the sound of that.” He croaked like a big old frog.
With a sharp, decisive nod, she picked up her shovel and jabbed it into the ground.
Warmth lingering on his arms from her touch, he resumed digging as well. Happiness bubbled up inside him. He grinned widely. Wasn’t she something special?
Side by side, they dug the final corner and stood back to admire their work. He rolled his shoulders to ease their ache.
“Ya must be sore.”
“A mite but also glad to have this done. Addie said it would need raking and leveling and then it will be ready to plant.”
“You wanna rake it now?” She might be ready for a break. “Or we could have a look around the place. I could show ya everythin’.” He really wanted to do that.
“I’d like to have a tour. Susie?”
No answer.
“Susie,” she called louder. “She was right there.” Bryn turned full circle. “I don’t see her.” Her words were thin and high.
Chapter Six
“Susie!” Bryn yelled her loudest. How was it possible she had forgotten to watch the child? She should never have let herself be distracted by Flint. Yes, she felt sorry for him. A ten-year-old child was orphaned and no family to take him in. Susie had family— Bryn— but that wasn’t doing her any good if Bryn couldn’t be responsible.
Flint touched her shoulder, the pressure of his fingers easing the tightness in her muscles. She wasn’t alone. Flint would help her.
“She can’t have gotten far. And there’s nothin’ much around here that’s a danger.” He took a step. “Come on. She was here a few minutes ago.”
Sticking close to him, Bryn followed across the soddy soil and into the tall grass.
Flint stopped so suddenly that she bumped into him and stayed with her palm against his back, feeling its strength and drawing comfort from it.
“Have a look,” he whispered.
She peered around his shoulder. Relief flooded her. Susie sat on the ground, arranging flowers and twigs around Daisy whocurled up at Susie’s knees. The murmur of Susie’s singsongy voice reached them.
