Page 54 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
“‘Amen.’”
Silence filled the air as they finished the song. But a silence that drew her thoughts toward God. Washing through her like cleansing water.
Flint shifted and pulled something from the small sack he’d brought. “’Member I told you 'bout Mrs. Murphy?”
“The ranch lady who taught you about God?”
“She gave me a Bible. I’ve tried to read it. Can make out some of the words. But it’s hard.” He rubbed his fingers along the black cover.
“Would you like me to read it out loud so we can both enjoy it?”
“I’d like it very much.”
Susie sidled over, pressing to Bryn’s side, seemingly content to be with them.
“Mama read me the Bible,” Susie whispered.
A lump closed off Bryn’s throat. She swallowed hard before she could speak.
“Any place in particular you’d like me to read?”
He opened to a bookmark. “I like what I can read here.”
It was Psalm Ninety and she began to read. “‘Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place.’”
Such comfort in those words. It didn’t matter that her father had rejected her. God didn’t. She continued, blessed by reminders of God’s faithfulness until verse eight where she stumbled over the words. “‘Thou has set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.’”Oh God, I cannot hide the truth from you. But I fear telling Flint. Please, please, let him not find out. I have no place to go if he sends me away.
Susie looked up at her, no doubt wondering why she hesitated so long. Steadying her voice, she continued to the end of the Psalm.
“The words make sense when ya read them.” Flint’s voice was deep with emotion.
The words of the psalm were full of God’s blessing and glory. Except for one verse. He sees our iniquities.
“Can we sing that song again?” Flint’s request drew Bryn back to the beauty and peace of their surroundings.
They joined their voices in singing the doxology. Bryn dismissed her nagging concerns about not being totally honest with Flint. It wasn’t as if she’d lied.
Flint pushed to his feet. “Let’s have a look around.” He held out his hand. With a happy smile, she took it. With Susie trailing after them pausing to pick up twigs and examine hidden tiny white flowers they walked down the short aisle to the rock pulpit.
Bryn paused at the rock that was almost as tall as she and pressed her fingers to the surface. She appeared to be fascinated with the boulder.
Flint tugged her hand gently and they moved on. Past the rock lay a silvery pond of water. Birds squawked and lifted off the surface. Others disappeared into the plants at the shore.
Side by side, they meandered along the edge of the stream. His thoughts were mellow. This mail-order bride business was proving to be a good thing for him. And for her too, he guessed, for she seemed content to be with him. No need for conversation.
“I’s hungry.”
Susie’s words made him realize how far they’d wandered.
Chuckling at how he’d been so lost in the feel of Bryn’s hand in his, and the way her steps matched his, he turned around. His stomach grumbled.
“Sounds like someone else is hungry.” Bryn waggled her eyebrows and grinned.
He tugged her closer. “Can’t wait to see if there’s something besides tiny biscuits.”
Her face tipped up to his. Her eyes were dark and bottomless. Her lips. Oh, he’d tasted those lips and found them to be full and generous. Slowly, he lowered his head. Pleased clear through when she leaned closer, standing on her tiptoes to meet him.
Their kiss was slow and sweet. Like honey from the honeycomb.
