Page 52 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
“Where are we going?” Bryn waited for him to direct them.
“Do you want to watch the sunset?”
“I’d love to.” Side by side, with Susie running ahead, they wandered down the trail. The mountains could be seen from ‘most any place on the ranch and all they had to do to see the sunset was look in that direction.
Pink flared across the sky. The sun dipped toward the jagged mountain tops, filling the horizon with purple and orange.
Color still lingered in the sky when Susie yawned and rubbed her eyes, and they turned back to the house. Time to put her to bed. Though he was in no hurry to end their time together.
“Did you get the garden planted?”
“We did. Do you want to see it? Though there’s nothing to see yet. Addie says a good rain is needed.” She scanned the sky. “No sign of rain tonight.”
Rain would be good, but he hoped it would hold off for at least tomorrow.
On the way back to the ranch he had come up with a plan. One he hoped she’d welcome.
Chapter Thirteen
Church outdoors! Flint’s suggestion last night had surprised Bryn.
“I’ve never thought of doing that.” Church back home had been in a building with frosted windows along one side, and at the front, a stained-glass window showing Jesus holding a lamb, His hand extended in invitation. But seeing Flint’s eagerness to show her where he liked to go on a Sunday when they couldn’t make the trip to town, she’d readily agreed. Not that it was difficult to do so. More and more she enjoyed his company and his attention. At his suggestion, she had packed a lunch so they wouldn’t have to hurry back.
She hummed as she put sandwiches and cookies in the basket. Flint had said they'd take the wagon part way but would then have to walk.
The rattle of harness and clop of horse hooves informed her he was at the door.
“Susie, it’s time to go.”
Susie stood in the doorway to her room, her arms crossed, her bottom lip out. “Don’t see why Kitty can’t go with us.”
“I’m afraid she might run away and get lost.” They’d had this discussion several times already.
“No, her won’t.”
“You’d be very sad if something happened to her.”
“It won’t.”
Nothing Bryn said was going to convince Susie. For a second, she was tempted to allow Kitty to go with them, but her reasons were valid.
Flint entered the house in time to catch the conversation and notice how far Susie’s lip stuck out.
Bryn shook her head at the display of determination and stubbornness in a three-year-old package. The few times Manfred had visited his daughter and witnessed her refusal to greet him as he thought was his due, he’d muttered about the child needing discipline. Bryn knew that meant he thought every sign of independence should be beaten out of Susie. Bryn understood she needed to learn to temper her spirit but not the way Manfred meant. She leaned against the table and waited to see how Flint would respond.
Facing the determined child, he spoke calmly. “Susie, why don’t we ask Addie to check on Kitty while we’re gone?”
Susie studied the man. Not a hint of fear nor of relenting. “She’ll miss me.”
“Yup. I’m sure she will, but then she’ll go ta sleep and wait fer ya ta come back home.”
Susie’s arms fell to her sides. Her hands balled into tiny fists. “How she knows I’s coming back?”
Flint knelt in front of the girl. “Little one, have ya ever done anythin’ ta hurt Kitty?”
“I wouldn’t.”
“Kitty knows she can trust ya, so she’ll be happy to wait. We can shut yer door, so she doesn’t accidentally get out.”
