Page 9 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes
“They eats food they don’t like?” Susie’s screwed-up face made it plain that she found it hard to believe.
“Guess they do. Can’t say why though.” He met Bryn’s gaze over Susie’s head.
Bryn’s eyes brimmed with amusement that curled her mouth into a wide smile.
Susie looked at the flowers. As they passed, she turned to watch them out of sight then sat down with a thump.
“Flowers is pretty.”
Understanding that she meant in contrast to the bitter roots, Flint chuckled. “Reminds me of something my pa said. ‘A pretty face can’t hide a bitter heart.’” He stopped speaking. Why had he blurted out those words? “Bryn, please don’t think I’m meanin’ anything by that. Just repeatin’ somethin’ I remember Pa sayin’.”
“I never thought otherwise.” Her gaze was steady, somehow making him feel more settled.
“I don’t usually talk about Pa. Guess it’s havin’ a child beside me that brings him to mind.”
“It sounds like you have good memories of him so I’m glad. Feel free to tell us more about him.”
He nodded though he certainly didn’t mean to pepper every conversation with things about his pa. Time to think in a different direction.
“Say, Susie, how’d you like to see somethin’ special?”
“Yes.” She bounced twice.
“Your manners, please.” Bryn’s voice was gentle but had the desired outcome as Susie added please to her request.
The place where he meant to turn aside was a few yards ahead when it hit him that he could no longer make decisions on his own. As his wife, Bryn needed to be consulted, or at least… what? He had no idea what. The only marriage he’d seen was Jayce and Addie’s and they’d only been married a few weeks.
Did he ask? Did he inform? Simply tell her? If he did the wrong thing, would she be upset? Maybe angry?
A glance to the sky offered no answer. For sure none came from his experience. Apart from something his pa had said to someone once and Flint had heard him. He couldn’t believe he even remembered, but he did, and it was the exact answer he needed.
Begin as you mean to continue.
Chapter Three
Bryn watched Flint out of the corner of her eyes. Susie leaned forward, anxious for whatever Flint had offered to show her. Yet the wagon didn’t move, and Flint stared straight ahead. If only she knew him well enough to guess why he had stopped talking and why the wagon sat motionless.
Perhaps he’d seen something to concern him. But a quick study of her surroundings revealed nothing she would consider out of the ordinary and his gaze remained fixed.
Susie squinted up at him. “Uncle Flint, didcha forget where we going?”
The question jolted visibly through him. Air rushed from his chest as if he’d been holding his breath. Then rather than answer Susie’s question, he spoke to Bryn.
“Bryn, if I show Susie what I got in mind, it’ll take us longer to get home. I’m happy enough to take both of ya another time if’n yer anxious to get home.”
Her mouth opened, but not a word came out. When was the last time a man… any man, but mostly she meant her father and brother-in-law… had cared what she thought about anything? Despite the fact she’d gone to college and had taught school for a couple of years before her grandparents needed her to carefor them, they continually treated her as if any opinion she had would be wasted words.
Seeing his waiting patience, she explained exactly that to him.
To his credit, he nodded. “I don’t wanna be like that. How’d it be if we’s equals in our marriage? Each of us doin’ different things but both important?”
Those welcome words knit together threads left dangling by her father’s indifference.
“I’d love to see whatever you have in mind.” There was an unfamiliar roundness to her words. Yes, she was anxious to see her new home, but things might change when they moved into their new roles. Out here with just the three of them, they could learn much about each other without the interference of responsibilities.
The way his eyes crinkled at the corners and a smile twitched at his mouth, she knew her answer had pleased him. It pleased her too.
With a flick of the reins, he guided the horses and wagon off the trail. They bumped over the grass, past scrubby evergreens, and along a border of leafy deciduous trees. The air filled with the sweet scent of growing things. And a fragile hope that grew sturdier with every passing minute.
