Page 44 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
She touched his hand.
Warmth and joy raced up his arm and he turned his palm to hers.
“I hope ya never change yer mind.”
Her smile said more than any words. Making talk unnecessary.
He kept hold of her hand as they continued homeward.
“It was a good day.” Better’n he expected.
She squeezed his hand. “It was. Thank you.”
Contentment settled over them as they made their way back to the ranch that he and Jayce were now proud owners of. They’d fixed up the place real good. The barn was cleaned out. The chicken house was now home to chickens that Addie tended. The grass and weeds around the graves on the hillside had beencleaned up. New fences had been built to make pastures for the horses he and Jayce were training. But nothing made him happier nor pleased him more than having a wife who was proud to be married to him. No sirree. That was the best feeling he figgered he’d ever have.
Chapter Eleven
Bryn didn’t care how the story about Flint had made her conscience twitch. She wasn’t about to spoil this sweet moment with Flint by telling him that Susie was the daughter of a young woman who’d rejected him. According to Rowena— and Bryn had no reason to doubt her sister’s words— Flint had offered to marry her. Begged her. She’d fled home. She’d told Bryn she couldn’t imagine living in the west. To a man who didn’t even have a home of his own.
Well, now he had a home and a ranch and cows and horses. And he was good and kind and generous. Going out of his way to give a little girl something so precious. Not just a pet that would comfort her but his gentleness and his interest. The fact that Susie immediately accepted him spoke volumes because the child usually withdrew around men. Of course, her father had made it clear he didn’t care for her.Thank you, dear Father in heaven, for bringing us to someone like Flint. May nothing ever ruin this sweetness.
They turned toward home.Home.One of the sweetest words Bryn knew. One that until now had meant coldness and disinterest.
Flint guided the wagon to the doorstep and jumped down. He helped Bryn and then took the kitten so Susie could climb down.
“We better take yer pet in so’s she knows this is her new home.” He strode toward the door. “Someone’s nailed a note here.” He tore it off and handed it to Bryn to read.
“It’s from Addie. She says she’s made supper for us and to go on up as soon as we get home. That’s nice of her.” It would save Bryn from having to rush inside and make a meal.
Flint helped take the picnic things indoors then drove away to take care of the horses.
By the time he returned, she’d put away the quilts, emptied the picnic crate, taken Susie outside with the kitten to introduce her to a place to do her bathroom business, and she’d cleaned up herself and Susie in preparation for visiting her nearest neighbor. This time she’d meet Jayce and she wanted to make a good impression. Wanted him to see that Flint had made a good choice in asking her to be his bride.
Boots thudded outside. They scuffed as if Flint rubbed the dirt off them and then he stepped inside. His gaze swept over the clean dress she’d put on. A steel gray one she’d once worn for teaching. She’d brushed her hair into a tidy bun. Her hair was her best feature. Shiny and black and thick. She might be long in the tooth as Susie’s father had said when she’d announced she was going west to marry. “Won’t find desperate men here. There’s lots of young women to choose from.” Yes, she might be considered an old maid by many, but she could take advantage of her best feature.
“Looks like yer ready ta go.”
She let herself believe he seemed pleased. “I am.” Though part of her would have enjoyed a quiet evening at home with Susie in bed and Bryn and Flint side by side on the couch, holding hands and talking. Never mind, she consoled herself. There’d be plenty of time for that.
“I has to leave my kitty?” Susie appealed to Flint with big sad eyes, her bottom lip quivering.
“I have already told her the kitten must remain here. We made a nice little bed in Susie’s room for it.”
“Whyn’t you show me?” Flint held his hand out to Susie.
Susie sighed loudly as if to inform them that she thought adults were difficult then she took Flint’s hand and they went to inspect the bed where the kitten lay curled in a ball, sound asleep.
“She looks pretty happy. May be best if we don’t move her.” Flint sounded so concerned that Bryn covered her mouth to hide her amusement.
“She’ll be scared if she wakes up and I’s not here.”
“I think she’ll look around and see it’s yer room and she’ll be fine.”
The pair studied the kitten with such concern that Bryn shook her head.
“I guess so.” Susie understood the adults weren't going to change their minds.
Another few seconds of intense study before the pair left the room, Bryn in their wake.
