Page 41 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
The door opened and a dark-haired woman entered. Her rounded belly suggested she would have a baby soon.
“I hope I’m not intruding.” Her gaze went from Bryn to Luke who chuckled.
“Never. This is my sister-in-law, Gwen. She’s married to my twin, Matt. And the little gal at her heels is Lindy.
The child who had followed Gwen inside eyed Susie.
“You want to see my cats?”
Susie’s eyes widened at the invitation. She glanced at Bryn, her eyes wide with hope and longing, waiting for Bryn to give permission.
“A lovely idea. Thank you for offering.”
“Mind you bring the cats down. Susie looks a mite too young to be going up the ladder.” Luke waited for Lindy and Kit to nod in agreement.
Susie crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. “I’m big.”
Before Bryn could add her warning to Luke’s, Flint spoke up.
“No goin' to the loft. Promise?”
Susie wrinkled her nose, dropped her arms to her side, and sighed. “Promise.”
The children hurried out the doors, Susie following at a slower pace. Wouldn’t Susie be pleased if there was a kitten the Shannons were willing to give to her?
The door clicked shut behind the children. Only then did the adults chuckle.
Honor returned, a tiny baby cradled to her shoulder. “Gwen, I thought I heard your voice.”
Deep inside, a distant buried hope sprang to life. Bryn curled her hands to keep from pressing them to her midriff. A baby would complete her happiness. Should the good Lord choose to bless her with one. Or would her deceit cause God to withhold His blessing? It wasn’t as if she told a lie, she again reassured herself. Simply omitted a few details. For the sake of everyone involved. She would tell Flint about Rowena when the time was right.
She realized he was explaining their purpose in visiting. “Susie would really like a pet and we wondered—”
Gwen laughed. “There are two kittens ready to go to new homes. She’s welcome to take her pick. Shall we go see what she thinks?”
Bryn hesitated at the door. “I should help clean up.”
Honor was at her heels. “It can wait. Let’s go enjoy this.”
“Thank you for coffee and kindness.”
Light shone from Honor’s eyes. “Coffee and kindness. I like that.”
“Me too.” Bryn grinned.
They passed a house. “Gwen and Matt’s place,” Honor said. A few steps later, she pointed to another house. “Riley and Olivia live there.” She raised her voice. “Livia, join us.”
The answer came through the open window. “Coming.”
Honor and Bryn slowed their pace to wait for the other woman. Bryn’s gaze followed Flint as he strolled along beside Luke, deep in conversation. There was no reason for Bryn to feel abandoned, and yet she wished he was talking to her, perhaps catching her hand or brushing her shoulder to direct her attention to something.
Honor introduced Olivia and the baby boy she carried in her arms. Colin, she was informed.
They drew alongside the bigger house. A blonde woman stood on the verandah watching the men walk past.
“We’re going to see the kittens,” Honor said. “Join us.”
She met Della who was married to Andy. How was she going to keep all these people straight?
