Page 10 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes (Montana Mail-Order Brides #7)

Everything was ready and still no approaching riders. What if the rustlers had overpowered Jayce and Flint? Would the outlaws decide there were things at the ranch worth stealing?

She slammed the door closed and leaned against it. What hope did she have if ruffians rode into the yard and threatened her and Susie?

Flint could barely restrain himself from pushing his horse into a gallop.

It had been a long morning. The rustlers appeared to be gone, but neither he nor Jayce was comfortable with simply believing it and followed their trail for a couple of hours.

From a high point, they studied the view.

Saw nothing of the men. Not even a bit of dust to suggest riders in the distance.

Jayce settled back in his saddle. “Guess they’ve moved on. Hope they kept heading north. We don’t need that sort of trouble around here.”

They returned the way they’d come, but it was well past noon when home came into sight.

“Poor Bryn.” He half whispered the words not expecting Jayce to hear.

“I agree. Why don’t you take the rest of the day and spend it with her? Show her around.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” They’d hardly had any time together.

They reached the barn and took care of their horses before they made their way to their houses.

The aroma of something savory greeted him as he opened the door. “Hello?” Not a sound. He looked into each bedroom. No one was there. Where could they be? A glance out the windows didn’t reveal either of them.

Susie’s voice carried to him, and he looked down the path to see her at Bryn’s side, hurrying toward him.

“I was with Addie,” Bryn explained as soon as she was close enough to not have to holler.

“Glad to know you’ve made her acquaintance.”

She nodded. “Food is ready.”

He held the door for her as she stepped into the house. Her skirt swept against his leg as she passed. How strange. He could feel the same swishing sensation inside.

“I confess I was a little nervous being here by myself so fled to Addie.”

The look she sent him was part apology, part embarrassment. And served to make him want to make her understand he had no objections to her seeking Addie’s company.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t here.” He really didn’t mind her going to the other house. But he did regret he hadn’t been there to make Bryn feel safe.

Her hand flicked. “Don’t apologize. I know you have work to do. I’m fine.” She waved him toward the table. He pulled out his chair and sat.

In minutes she served soup and biscuits. After his short grace, they dug in.

Susie’s head nodded before she finished.

“I’ll be right back.” Bryn lifted sleepy Susie and carried her into her room. Bryn came back almost at once, a smile as sweet as morning dew on her lips.

It was all Flint could do to not stare at her mouth. Something about her smile and quiet contentment held his attention.

“She’s sleeping.” Bryn took her chair again.

Flint turned back to the food. She was a fine cook and he said so.

“Thanks.” She slathered syrup on a biscuit. “Did your morning go well?” The biscuit sat on her plate, her dark eyes watching him.

“Yup. No sign of those men. Hope if they continue their stealin’ that they get caught and turned over to the law.” Seeing her eyes widen, he wondered if he sounded hard. “Never did care for a body takin’ what wasn’t theirs.”

She nodded. “I quite agree.”

“These are good.” He chewed his mouthful of biscuit. “What did you do all mornin’?”

“Addie showed me her garden. Said I still had time to plant one of my own, so we pulled weeds from a spot she said had once been a garden.” She tipped her head to the west. “I plan to break up the soil this afternoon.”

“That’s a big job.” He paused to rethink his words. “I’ll help ya unless you want ta do it yerself.”

Her smile was wide and generous. “I’d love to have some help.”

“Good.” She welcomed his company. The warmth in his chest had nothing to do with the coffee he drank.

By the time they finished the meal and Bryn had tidied the room, Susie was awake and the three of them left the house. They went to the barn first where he chose a shovel.

“I thought we were going to work together.” Her tone made him think she wanted to help with the work, and he took another shovel down and handed it to her, smiling just a little because it made him feel so good.

They crossed to the house, and passed it. He saw right away where the ladies had worked. “Big pile of weeds.”

Her laughter rang out. “Thank goodness Addie lent me some gloves.” She held out her hands to show him what she meant. Lifted her eyes to his and her smile flattened.

Everything faded against the look on her face. Was it welcoming? Measuring? Something else he wasn’t familiar with?

“Can I go see Daisy?” Susie’s question jerked Flint’s attention back to the garden and the world around him.

“I think you should wait until Mrs. Addington is outside. Why don’t you see how many flowers you can find?” Bryn’s gentle voice gave the answer.

With a quick nod, Susie bent over the grass beyond where the ladies had pulled weeds and began her search.

Flint jabbed the shovel into the soil with less effort than he’d expected. Beside him, Bryn did the same. He slowed his pace, so she stayed at his side. Working slower gave him time to talk and he sorted through his thoughts to find one to start a conversation with.

“The Shannons grow a big garden. I’ll have to take you over there to meet them.” Really, what he wanted to ask was had he met her approval? Could she be happy living here? With him?

“That’s what Addie said.” Bryn paused to glance toward the other house. “She said she’ll help me learn how to be a gardener.” The smile she flashed at him caused him to believe she looked forward to it. “She told me about the Shannons. It sounds like they’re a wonderful family.”

“Guess so. I know they’s good neighbors.” Yes, he should take her over soon but not until he’d enjoyed a few days with her.

They continued digging, the area of turned sod growing steadily bigger.

The door to Jayce’s house clicked shut loud enough to draw his attention. Jayce waved as he strode toward the barn. The cat also left the house. It trotted toward them, going directly to Susie.

Flint chuckled. “Sure hope we ain’t stealin’ Addie’s cat.

Might have to get Susie a pet real soon.

” He shoved his hat back to consider the idea.

Seemed likely the Shannons would have more kittens to give away.

Maybe he’d make a trip over there with Susie and Bryn.

They could make a special day of it. A picnic.

Maybe a side trip to the river. Or even to the falls. They were something to see.

“Did you ever have a pet?” Bryn’s question jerked him from his meandering thoughts.

“Always got my horse but guessin’ that ain’t what you mean.” He jabbed the shovel into the ground. “Once had a dog.”

Her digging stopped as she studied him. “What was its name?”

“Mutt. That’s what Pa called him.” Long-forgotten memories rushed into his head. “Mutt was a brown and white dog. Can’t remember when I got him. Seems he was always with us. Ridin’ in front of me.” His presence was warm comfort.

“What happened to him?”

“He got old. Passed on about the time Pa died.”

“Flint, that’s sad.” She squeezed his forearm. Sort of felt comfortin’ like when Ruff leaned against him. “To lose them both at the same time. How old were you?”

“Can’t rightly say but maybe ten.”

The handle of the shovel was hard, unyielding beneath the squeezing of his hands.

“Oh, Flint.” The sorrow in her tone ached inside his chest.

“Didn’t mean to upset you. I did fine.”

“I’m not upset except to ache for you losing so much. No mother. No father. And your dear pet gone.” Her fingers pressed harder into his arm. “Were you alone or did you have family or friends to help you?”

“Camp cook took me in.” Each word felt sticky and reluctant in his mouth.

“I hope you can tell me he was kind.”

The concern on her face made him want to erase every word he’d spoken. Never should have told her ’bout that time in my life. She shook his arm gently, silently reminding him that she had asked a question. “He weren’t unkind.”

“What does that mean?”

No. He shouldn’t continue telling her but if he stopped would she take her hand away?

Leave him alone. Again. “I had chores. So long as I did them in a timely fashion, things was all right. He snapped a towel on my behind if I neglected my work.” She didn’t need to know about times when the cook used the toe of his boot to remind Flint of his chores.

He tried for a smile, but his lips refused to move in the right direction.

“Learnt to keep my mind on my business.”

Her shovel thudded to the ground. Both hands grasped his arm. His heart shivered with an unfamiliar sensation. Sort of like waiting for thunder after lightning.

“Flint, together, we can build a home where kindness is the rule. Not only for Susie—” Her gaze went toward the child and a smile curved her mouth.

She jerked her attention back to him. Her eyes brimmed with something he hadn’t seen in a long time but had secretly remembered and wanted for even longer— caring.

“But also for us.” Her words rang out like a promise shouted from the highest hill.

“I like the sound of that.” He croaked like a big old frog.

With a sharp, decisive nod, she picked up her shovel and jabbed it into the ground.

Warmth lingering on his arms from her touch, he resumed digging as well. Happiness bubbled up inside him. He grinned widely. Wasn’t she something special?

Side by side, they dug the final corner and stood back to admire their work. He rolled his shoulders to ease their ache.

“Ya must be sore.”

“A mite but also glad to have this done. Addie said it would need raking and leveling and then it will be ready to plant.”

“You wanna rake it now?” She might be ready for a break. “Or we could have a look around the place. I could show ya everythin’.” He really wanted to do that.

“I’d like to have a tour. Susie?”

No answer.

“Susie,” she called louder. “She was right there.” Bryn turned full circle. “I don’t see her.” Her words were thin and high.