Page 53 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
Silence filled the room as Flint waited for Susie to consider his words. Bryn watched, knowing how this went would have a bearing on how their day went. And even beyond that. Noman liked a stubborn, implacable girl although it was a trait considered admirable in boys. Would the west be different? Would Flint?
The pair studied each other as Bryn held her breath and prayed this test would go well.
Susie released a gust of air. “We ask Aunt Addie to come visit her?”
“Yup we sure can.” Flint pushed upright and held out his hand to Susie. His eyes gentle, he looked to Bryn. “Care ta come with us?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
His eyebrows rose. No doubt wondering her meaning.
A little shrug of her shoulders was her only response.
Addie saw them coming and stepped out to greet them. “Good morning to you.”
Flint explained their plans and how they’d decided it was best not to take Kitty. “Would ya check on her while we’s gone?”
“I’d be pleased to do so.” She leaned over to eye level with Susie. “I’ll make sure she’s safe. And I’ll give her a pet.”
They returned to the house. While Bryn and Flint took things to the wagon, Susie said a tearful goodbye to Kitty and then closed the door.
A few minutes later they were on their way. No sign of rain which her garden needed but for today, she welcomed the warm sunshine. At the road, they turned toward the mountains. The trail climbed upward. Soon trees crowded to the side, and branches brushed against the wagon. She didn’t ask where they were going. She didn’t care. It was enough to be with Flint and know he chose her company.
“Ya might have wondered that there’s a trail up here.”
It hadn’t crossed her mind until he mentioned it. “Why is it there?”
“We go up here to get wood for the fires.”
“Ahh. That makes sense. Also explains why it’s so narrow.” She ducked away from a low-lying branch.
“We’re as far as we can go.” Flint pulled the wagon to a halt and jumped down.
Susie, eager to explore, barely waited for him to help her.
Accepting Flint’s assistance Bryn climbed down. Intending to smooth her skirts, she instead, found her hands held by Flint and glanced up to meet his gaze and was captured by the warmth in his eyes. The welcome. The acceptance. Acceptance? But there was no other word for the way she responded to his gentle touch. She didn’t mean only this moment, his thumbs circling on the back of her hands. Her cheeks warmed as she recalled his gentle touches last night.
He cleared his throat, sending her heart skittering. “I’ll get the things from the back.”
Her hands hung at her sides. Cold. Empty. She snorted softly so he wouldn’t hear and ask what she needed. What she needed was to stop being so fanciful and concentrate on the day’s plans. She took the two quilts while he carried the picnic basket and another small sack that she hadn’t seen him put in.
“Follow me.” Flint set off on a narrow trail, Susie at his heels, and Bryn at the rear.
They broke through the trees. Flint stood aside to let Bryn take in the view. To the right and left, the trees formed a short aisle that led to a rock that looked vaguely like a pulpit. She understood why Flint thought of it as a church.
A soft chuckle from her lips broke the silence. “I can almost picture Moses standing there, reading the Law to the people of Israel.”
“Come and see the rest.” He reached for her hand and led her further into the little clearing. Logs had been set up like pews. One on each side. Susie perched on the closest.
Flint led Bryn to the second and they sat side by side. “It’s beautiful. God feels very close.” She whispered the words, unwilling to shatter the peace that enveloped her. Even Susie was stilled by the atmosphere. She sat with hands folded, her gaze straight ahead.
The words of a familiar doxology welled up inside her and burst forth in song.
“‘Praise God from whom all blessings flow.’”
Flint joined his voice to hers. A deep, soul-pleasing voice.
Her heart overflowing with praise, she did not look toward him but kept her gaze on the rock in front.
