Page 30 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
He cleared his throat, the sound shredding the silence and unsettling her nerves.
“I didn’t know what ya wanted.” The words grated as if his throat was tight. “We’s married and all, but I don’t intend to rush ya.” His cheeks darkened with a flush.
One that no doubt matched the burning in her own face. She knew what she wanted. What must happen. But how did she make her wishes known without making them both uncomfortable? She recalled something Rowena had often said when they discussed the way things were and how they wished they’d change.
“Manfred can’t pretend he doesn’t know that I would like things to be different because I’ve spoken my mind clearly.”At this point, she’d sigh.“I see no point in cloaking our words in hints. Just say what you want. What you expect.”Then she’dshrug.“Not that it guarantees the person you’re speaking to will listen.”
Manfred certainly hadn’t. He’d ignored his sweet daughter. Just as, for the most part, he’d ignored Rowena after the child was born.
“You won’t be rushing me.” Her words whispered from her trembling heart.
Something flashed across his face. Gone before she could identify it. But she chose to believe it was, at the least, agreement… and in her dreams? So much more.
“You go on and get ready for bed. I’ll be along in a minute.”
Grateful for his understanding, she hurried to the bedroom, removed her clothes, and put on a soft cotton nightgown in palest pink. Beneath the covers, she waited for him.
A thud and then a second suggested he removed his boots. In silent, stockinged feet, he entered the room. A flicker of a smile creased his face as he saw her waiting. He turned down the lamp, leaving the room in grayness. She barely made out his shape as he took off his shirt and pants and slipped into bed beside her.
“You ever had a beau?”
His question was perhaps not unexpected. They knew so little about each other.
“There was a fellow teacher I spent time with. Mostly we talked about books and lessons.”
“What happened to him?” Interest or curiosity or perhaps both loosened his limbs. His hand brushed against her.
“When my grandparents grew frail, and I needed to go back and help them, he said he was sorry. He’d entertained thoughts of spending more time with me, but his future was in the city.”
“That musta been hurtful.” He covered her hand with his.
“At first. I didn’t like to admit that I was of no value to him.” The warmth of Flint’s hand made it impossible to recall any regret at having to leave the teacher behind. Even thoughshe knew part of the answer, she decided she should ask the question, or he might wonder.
“I suppose you’ve courted some young ladies.” There’d been Rowena. Had there been more?
He laughed softly. “Guessin’ you ain’t had the chance to look around much. Cause you’d soon realize there ain’t many young ladies out here.” He paused then added, “Sometimes one will visit, but not many care to live here.”
Bryn guessed that had been the case with Rowena. “I’d say they don’t know what they’re missing.” And she didn’t mean only the beauty of the landscape.
They lay in silence as her heart beat a waiting rhythm against her ribs.
He coughed a little. A nervous sound. “Bryn, can I kiss you?”
“I’d like that.” Would she have the same mind-shattering experience his first and only kiss at the wedding had produced?
He touched her cheek, gently, tentatively.
She pressed her finger to his chin.
They faced each other. He kissed her, his lips firm, inviting. And again, the world fell away leaving nothing but the two of them and Flint’s gentle touches.
A little later, she lay with her head against his shoulder and listened as his breathing deepened. They were truly husband and wife. Never before in her life had she felt so cherished.
Flint wakened in the predawn. Silvery light colored the sky and poked into the room. Bryn lay beside him, her hands curled to her cheeks. She’d given herself to him, welcoming him, sweetly trusting him. Never before had he felt such …such.
This was nothing like…
But then that was in his wilder days before he became a Christian. The only word he to explain his feelings was acceptance. Not since Ruff had he felt like someone cared and a dog plain and simple wasn’t the same in any sense as another human.
