Page 35 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
Bryn’s head jerked up, her eyes wide. Her glance went past him into the bushes.
He turned to see what had caught her attention, maybe even frightened her but he saw nothing but shadows and flashes of sunlight through the fluttering leaves.
“That’s right.” Her voice seemed thick and he offered her a drink of water from the jar he’d brought along.
“Did ya go live with your pa when he married again?”
“No. I was still a girl and of no use to him.”
No mistaking the reason for the thickness in her voice this time. Her pa had hurt her by turning her away because she was a girl.
“I’m sorry. He was wrong.” Something else was plain to him. “Also robbed himself of the joy of having ya in his life.”
Her throat worked. Her eyes shone with wetness.
“Didn’t mean ta upset ya.”
She reached for his hand and squeezed it. “Flint, that is the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
Turning his palm to hers, he pulled her closer. “Tis a shame ta know that.” He wasn’t one for admitting his feelings, but right then and there, he decided he would tell both Bryn and Susie that he ’preciated them. “I’m pleased ya came out west ta be my wife.”
Color filled her cheeks. He liked knowing his words had that effect on her.
“I’m enjoying being here.” She spoke softly as if she were as afraid as he was to put feeling into words.
The food was gone. The quilt they sat on was dark colors. It was in the cabin when he cleaned it out and he guessed Mrs. Roe had made it. A moment of sadness filled him knowing as he did what had happened to her and her children. And Mr. Roe. Then he shifted his thoughts to better things. A wife. A child. Yes, he knew Susie had a father, but according to Bryn’s letters, the man had signed away any interest in his daughter. He did not understand people. He pulled Bryn closer. “Guess maybe people need ta know what it’s like not ta have family in order ta want it and do what they can ta protect it.”
“I agree. I promised myself that Susie would never lack for love or care.” Her hand tightened on his.
“I promise the same thing.”
Turning, she faced him full-on. “I believe we can give that child all the love she needs.” She lowered her gaze. “But it will never completely erase the pain of her father’s rejection.”
He studied the top of her head. Her brown hair was so thick he couldn’t see her scalp. He understood Bryn didn’t speak only for Susie, but for herself as well.
Remembering his decision to say things Bryn and Susie needed to hear, he swallowed back his uncertainty and pulled her to his chest. “We’ll do our best. And I’ll do my best to help erase your own pain.” He breathed the words into her hair.
Bryn shuddered then sighed deeply, relaxing against him. For a few minutes, they sat that way and then she eased back.
“Thank you. You saying that has already helped.”
She put the picnic things back in the crate. Then looked around. “This is a nice place and so important to you.”
“And now even more so.”
Dark eyes jerked to him. “How so?”
“Being here with both of ya.” He shrugged, not certain how to explain his feelings but determined to try, he hurried on. “I told ya about findin’ God here.” Though it weren’t God who needed finding. It was hisself. “Did ya find God in church?” He imagined her in one of those big fancy churches he’d seen pictures of. The sun broken into patches of color by the stained-glass windows. High ceilings. He almost smelled the burning candles.
A slow, sweet smile curved her mouth. And her eyes gleamed as if one of those candles he imagined had been lit behind them.
“I told you I remember very little about my mother. One thing I do recall is her reading me Bible stories at bedtime. Like that woman who told you about God loving you, she told me the same thing. I grew up believing God loved me. And understanding that was why Jesus came. I was about four, before Mama died. I was standing in the kitchen. She was at the stove doing something. I asked her if I could give my heart to Jesus.” Bryn dashed away a tear.
Flint wanted to pull her close but didn’t want to interrupt her story.
“Some might have thought I was too young to know what I was doing but I have never doubted that my decision was real. And thanks to Mama’s good friend, Mrs. Blake, who lived next door to my grandparents— remember I told you about the fluffy cat?”
“And Susie tellin’ us she was big ’nough for a pet.”
