Page 42 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
The entourage increased even more when two children joined them.
Honor waved at them. “Wally and Maddie’s twins. Otis and Ivy. They’s nine years old. Here comes their mama. That’s Jonny with her. He’s two going on three.”
More introductions kept Bryn busy trying to keep track of everyone. Luke appeared to be the only man present which made it somewhat easier.
If Bryn wasn’t mistaken, both Della and Maddie were also in the family way.
God, I promise to tell Flint the truth when the right time comes. Don’t hold it against me that I haven’t been totally honest with him.
She stood back and let Flint explain to Susie that she could have one of the kittens.
Susie looked at Bryn. “Can I?”
“Yes, you may. Mind you, only one.”
Susie held the two kittens big enough to leave their mama. She held one and then the other to her face. Then leaned over and buried her face against them both. The kittens purred and rubbed against her cheeks. This was going to be a hard choice for her.
Bryn stayed with the women watching the children while Flint went with Luke to look at one of the horses.
Honor studied her a moment, her gaze probing. “Hope you don’t mind me asking but what made you decide to be a mail-order bride?”
Did Bryn’s laugh sound self-mocking to the others?
“You mean apart from the fact that I’m well past marriageable age?”
“Apparently not.” Gwen nodded toward Flint and then chuckled softly. “No family back east?”
“No one that matters. Or cares.”
“Sorry.” Della patted Bryn’s arm. “We all have our own reasons.”
Silence greeted Della’s comment as if they were all remembering what had brought them west as mail-order brides, then Honor voiced the question that was surely on the minds of the others. “I noticed that Susie calls you aunt.”
“My dearly departed sister’s child.” Her pain and loss welled up inside her. Her throat tightened.
Honor patted her arm. Thankfully, no one asked any more questions about her family.
Honor observed that Bryn’s gaze had gone to Flint.
“He’s a good man.” The women all turned their attention to Bryn.
“It’s true,” Della added. “Andy and I met him when he was working for the Bar-B-Bar Ranch. Cattle had been stampeded in a fire. Terribly dry last fall.”
“I’ve never been so thankful for rain.” Honor shuddered.
Della continued. “Flint did a little investigating. Discovered the fire had been deliberately set and fifty head were missing. He asked the trail boss to report to the manager. The trail boss refused. Said it didn’t hurt anyone if he didn’t tell. After all, it wasn’t as if he lied.”
Heat stung Bryn’s cheeks. Guilt had a name.
“Flint said not telling the whole truth was the same as lying in his opinion. He reported what he’d learned and discovered the manager and trail boss were rustling cattle a little at a time. He quit that day.” Awe and respect filled Della’s tone.
Shame filled Bryn’s thoughts. She hadn’t told the whole truth. Now she didn’t dare to do so knowing that Flint would consider it the same as an outright lie.
The line from a poem she’d enjoyed came to mind.Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.Not that her intent was to deceive. At least only until she believed she mattered more to him than Rowena had.
Flint studied Bryn out of the corners of his eyes. She didn’t look near as pleased with the result of their visit as he’d expected. Susie, though, couldn’t stop smiling and rubbing her cheek against the furry pet she’d chosen. A gray and white little cat with a purr like a growl.
“Funny to hear such a loud purr from such a tiny critter.”
