Page 56 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
Bryn had no doubt that Susie missed her mother, but she couldn’t help but think that she was expecting sympathy from Flint.
He nudged Bryn. “I suppose it’s time to get back.”
“I suppose.” But neither of them moved. Bryn was determined not to be the first to do so.
Susie got to her feet and stared at them. “We go now? Please.”
“Very well.” Flint rose and extended his hand to pull Bryn to her feet. He held her close to his chest. “It’s been a wonderful day. Best Sunday I can remember.”
His warm gaze did delicious things to her insides. She practically tasted honey flowing through her veins.
They gathered up the picnic things and returned to the wagon. They got on board, and he turned the wagon around and headed home.
They had gone a short distance when he called, “Whoa,” his voice low as he pulled on the reins. “Stay quiet.” There was no mistaking the urgency in his voice.
Bryn pulled Susie to her knees and held her tight as she scanned the trail to discover what alarmed Flint. There was nothing but trees, leaves, and dark shadows.
One of the shadows moved and her heart climbed up her throat and clung there. The icy grip of fear claimed every limb as she recognized the shape.
A bear.
She grabbed Flint’s hand and held on as if her life depended on it.
“Don’t move,” he whispered. “The wind is to us so it might not realize we’re here. We’re a good distance away.”
It didn’t seem like a good distance to Bryn. She scanned the trees on either side. Was there more than one bear? Were they waiting to have their own picnic lunch? How fast could she run? Right now she didn’t know if her legs would hold her up let alone run. Nor was it possible for her to unwind her arm from holding Susie, nor her hand from gripping Flint’s.
The bear emerged into the open. She’d once seen a bear in an animal show, but it had been half the size of this beast. She choked back a sob that clawed up her throat. An aroma of wet dog and rotten garbage came from the huge animal making it even more difficult to swallow.
The bear whoofed and rose on its hind legs.
The horses snorted. “Quiet,” Flint murmured to the animals, his knuckles bulging as he tightened his grip on the reins.
Bryn’s skin turned icy.Oh Lord God, Thou who seest all. See us. Help us. If You save us, I’ll find a way to tell Flint the truth.
The mountain of animal sniffed, waved front paws that were the size of dinner plates, whoofed again then dropped to all fours. It stayed in the middle of the trail.
Please move. Please go away. Please leave us alone.Words and prayers tangled silently in her head like dancing circus dogs.
After an eternity of Bryn waiting, praying, and forgetting how to breathe, the animal shuffled into the trees.
Bryn did not relax. She might never again be able to breathe deeply. Beside her, Flint remained as tense as she. Susie whimpered softly.
“Is it gone?” Susie’s voice was wet with tears.
“We won’t move for a bit.” Flint’s voice was firm, assuring.
Except Bryn wasn’t reassured and wouldn’t be until they reached the ranch and she barricaded herself in the house.
They waited. For what? For the bear to return? She wanted to tell Flint to race home as fast as the horses would go but he held the animals steady and kept his gaze on the trail ahead.
Finally, after what felt like hours, he released his breath in a slow, quiet way. “I don’t see any more bears and it hasn’t returned. Let’s get home.”
Although she wanted to go at a gallop, he kept the horses to a trot.
“We don’t wanna break an axle or anythin’.” His calm tone settled Bryn’s nerves.
Susie sat up. “We almost got ates by a bear.” Her eyes sparkled as if it was a huge adventure.
