Page 51 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
He patted her on the head. “Sounds good.” The corners of his mouth turned up to hear her enjoyment. It pleased him that he’d given the child a home too.
Bryn waited until he washed up and sat at the table before she spoke again. “How was your day? Were the boys all right? And the cows?” Did her words rush from her like maybe she had other things she wanted to ask? Or was that only his own thoughts?
He pushed aside the question because it made no sense. Except maybe that he was hoping she’d missed him and wanted more’n a report on the day. Nevertheless, he’d answered her.
“They ain’t seen any rustlers but young Joe had cut his leg bad. They had a garbled story about how it happened. Seems he was swimmin’ and not payin’ attention. Somethin’ about racin’ Jeff. Anyways, he slashed his leg on a sharp rock. Pretty nasty lookin’ though it took some persuadin’ to get him to show us.” He paused to eat a mouthful of the stew. “Good.” He nodded at his plate to indicate what he meant.
“Thanks. So about Joe? What does his leg look like?”
“The cut’s jagged. He’ll have a scar to brag about.”
“Huh?” Bryn jerked toward him. “Brag?”
Pleased to have surprised her, he chuckled. “Young cowboys like ta compare their scars tryin’ ta prove theirs is better or worse or bigger than any of t’others.”
Her laugh sifted through his insides. Sweetness and music.
With a decisive nod, he continued. “We didn’t see any pus. Told him if’n it didn’t continue to heal to come to the ranch. He might need to lay up a few days havin’ it tended.”
“Other than that, did you find everything to your liking?”
“Cows chowin’ nearby. Jeff had been ridin’ herd on them by hisself. Joe looked scared when we heard that. Said he’d be up to ridin’ right soon. We told him to let his leg heal.” He scraped his plate clean and sat back. “Jayce and me is gonna ride out every couple of days until Joe’s leg is healed up.”
Was it his imagination that told him Bryn ducked her head, but not before he saw how her eyes narrowed? Was she wanting him to stay close to home? Well, if so, no more’n he wanted it.
After the meal was done, he slipped out to tend to chores and check the horses while she cleaned up. Normally, he’d lean on the top rail and watch the young stock, assessing them for their strong points, and planning how he’d work with them, but this evening the horses didn’t hold his attention.
“I’ll go see if Bryn needs anythin’.”
Jayce’s soft laugh meant his partner understood his need to spend more time with his new wife.
Bryn stood before a cupboard, the door open as she studied the contents. She turned at his entrance and smiled a smile that landed inside him with a soft plop. He barely resisted rolling his eyes. He was nothing but a cowboy. Had spent most of his life on the back of a horse, staring at the back end of cows or sitting around a campfire listening to other cowboys string impossible stories. Wouldn’t they all laugh if they read his thoughts of smiles plopping into him?
But there weren’t any cowboys here ‘xcepting for him. But there was a woman with a warm smile.
“Would you have any objection to me making something for Jeff and Joe? Like a cake or cookies or biscuits? You could take it to them the next time you go out.”
“They’d surely ‘ppreciate it.” He leaned against the door frame and watched her. Every movement was slow and smooth as she closed the cupboard and turned to meet his gaze.
She rubbed her palms on her sides. Shuffled her feet. Lowered her gaze and brought it back to him.
Realizing he was making her nervous, he cleared his throat. “How’d you and Susie like ta go fer a walk?”
Hearing her name, Susie trotted from her room, carrying the kitten. “Can kitty go?”
“Kitty?”
Susie’s hair flapped as she nodded. “Auntie said her needed a name. So, it’s Kitty.”
“Good name. Easy to remember.”
“Yup. Can she come?”
“If it’s all right with your aunt.” He shifted his attention to Bryn.
Bryn shrugged. “She follows Susie like a dog, so I don’t think there’s any chance she’ll get lost.”
Flint stepped aside, letting them go ahead into the evening sun.
