Page 43 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
“That’s cause she’s happy.” Susie slanted a smile toward him. “See. I’s big ‘nough for a pet.”
He cupped his hand to her head. Her hair was soft as the kitten’s fur. “She’ll be your friend.”
Bryn watched Susie with the cat. She smiled but Flint wondered if the smile wasn’t half-hearted. Had something gone wrong at the Shannons? He couldn’t imagine any of the women had spoken unkind words. Didn’t seem like them but of course, he hardly knew them. More by what others said than his own experience. Only one thing came to mind that she might be unhappy about.
“Didcha not want to go to the July Fourth gatherin’?” He’d accepted the invitation to join the Shannon family without asking Bryn’s opinion. “I shoulda asked ya before I agreed.”
“No need. It sounds like fun.” Her eyes darted to him and away again.
She might say it was all right, but something wasn’t. He might come right out and ask her if not for Susie. The little one didn’t need to hear about grownup troubles.
Instead, he told her about the horse Luke had taken him to see. “He injured his leg somehow. But looks to me like it’ll be fine given some rest.” And then he could think of nothing more to say. He didn’t mind not talking when he had only his own company to think about, but the silence was awkward with Bryn sitting beside him. Was it only a few hours ago they had been in the clearing and talk had come so easy between them?
He could not think what he might have done to change things. Any more’n he could ignore it. Far better to find out the truth.
“Susie, whyn’t you sit in the back and play with the kitten?” She readily agreed and he lifted her over the seat to the wagon box where she settled down with the kitten in her lap. Talkingto the little critter. Making it easy for him to ask Bryn what was wrong.
He cleared his throat.
Bryn barely turned toward him even though the sound was harsher than he expected.
There was a space between them where Susie had been sitting. He shifted slightly hoping she would meet him halfway, but she didn’t move. Not a single inch.
“Bryn.” The word scraped from his tight throat. “Have I done somethin’ ta offend ya?”
She jerked around to face him, her eyes wide. “No, of course, you haven’t. Why do you ask?”
His breath wheezed in. “Because you’ve barely spoken a word since we left the Shannons. And before… Well, you seemed happy, seemed to be enjoyin’ the countryside. And ya talked.”
A shudder rippled over her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”
Those were not the words he needed to hear. Nor did they ease his mind.
She held his gaze, her eyes steady but he got the feeling she was hiding something. Not wanting him to know the reason for her change.
The idea caused his heart to buck. He didn’t care for secrets. Seemed to him they always had a kick in the end. But how was he to make her see she didn’t need to be afraid of telling him what happened to change her into this frightened person?Lord, I’ve learned ta trust ya and ask fer yer help. Now here’s a time I could use it. Show me how ta... ta…He wasn’t even sure what she needed. “Bryn, I wish ya’d tell me what’s botherin’ ya.” Did she hear the pleading in his words? “I miss the person you were at the trees.”
Her smile crinkled around her eyes and captured her lips, turning them up. And easing the tightness in his chest.
“I’m sorry. I guess I’m like little Susie there. Sometimes things overwhelm me.”
“Ya mean leavin’ home. Losing yer sister? Havin’ a father who don’t care?”
“Well, now that you mention it. Yes.”
Relief whooshed out of his lungs. “Maybe ya need ta remember the things ya found. A sweet child. A beautiful country. A home.”And me.But he wasn’t about to beg for her affection.
“That’s not all.”
“Really?” Hope and caution sprang up. “What else is there?”
She ducked her head, interested in her hands.
“I have more than a home.” A deep breath as if gaining courage. She lifted her eyes to his. Steady and open and— he swallowed loudly.
“I believe I have found a man any woman would be proud to call her husband.”
Her words scooped out every doubt. Every past rejection. Every past failure.
