Page 18 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes (Montana Mail-Order Brides #7)

Chapter Ten

“ W hat did ya mean?” Flint’s words were softly spoken yet demanding.

He deserved an answer. The real one— that she was nervous about people asking innocent questions about her background.

She’d have to guard her words and remember not to say Rowena’s name.

My sister . That had to be enough. There was a less important reason.

One she could tell Flint. One that would explain her nervousness about visiting the Shannons.

“So many people to meet all at once. I might not be able to keep them sorted out.”

He chuckled. “You’ll learn in time.”

“I might offend them if I struggle to put the right name to the right people.”

Another chuckle. “You’ll be safe enough callin’ them Mr. or Mrs. Shannon.

” He lifted Susie into the wagon. “Cept for Wally. He’s a hired man.

Been with them a long time.” He scratched his forehead.

“I don’t even know his last name. And sure don’t know his wife’s name.

” He extended his hand to help her up to the wagon seat.

The color of his eyes faded against the dark green of the trees behind him.

“Guess we’ll have to learn the names together. ”

Together. There was some comfort in that. She only had to remember not to say Rowena’s name.

The seat jolted as he took his place beside her and they were on their way, out of the trees and the dappled light into the bright sunshine that made the colors look faded after being in the clearing.

They traveled down a dusty track. The scent of wild roses wafted to them from bushes growing alongside the trail.

The leaves of the trees fluttered, tipping up their underside then dropping back into place as if guarding their modesty.

The grasslands between the groves of trees swept away in rolling hills.

Bryn concentrated on the details of the scene around her in an attempt to chase away the specter of meeting their neighbors.

Not only was she concerned that they might be curious about her family, but she also regretted leaving the sanctuary and privacy of the clearing.

Those little brushes of their hands or the pressure of their shoulders against each other had set her heart to fluttering with memories of last night and anticipation of more tender touches.

But her cheeks burned to think that one of the Shannons might notice how she reacted when Flint touched her, even in the most innocent of ways.

Could she calm her insides and think of something else when he was around?

She’d concentrate on the people she was going to visit.

There were four brothers and a hired man— Wally— all married to mail-order brides.

At least in that, she'd be right at home.

The buildings of the Shannon ranch came into sight.

The big barn that she’d seen on her journey to Flint’s home.

Now her home. She shivered with the joy of it.

Flint guided the wagon off the road and up the trail.

To the left as they entered the yard, stood a low cottage.

Red gingham curtains peeked from the window.

Red and yellow flowers bloomed below the window giving the place a very warm appearance.

Past the barn was a larger house with a covered veranda.

Green vines crept up the corner posts. The trail led past that house.

“Andy lives in that house with his wife. The other brothers live beyond.” Flint nodded in that direction.

A man wearing a cowboy hat and walking with the rolling gait of someone who’d spent many hours in a saddle crossed the pasture toward them, leading a horse behind him.

“Howdy, Flint,” he called. “And Mrs. Flint.”

Flint laughed, sounding rather pleased at the name Bryn had been called. “My wife, Brynlee March. And our little girl, Susie.” Susie pressed to Bryn’s side. “Bryn, this is Luke Shannon.”

Luke’s smile was warm and welcoming. “Pleased to meet you. Come with me.” He tied the horse to the fence. “Honor will have my hide if I don’t take you over for coffee.”

The three of them left the wagon and accompanied Luke across the yard, past the house she’d observed, and two more to the right. They veered to the left toward a house sitting on the edge of a valley.

Bryn ground to a halt to stare at the view. A blue ribbon of water trailed through the grass and ducked under trees at the bottom of the vale. Hills rose beyond on the far side, climbing to the mountains in the distance. “What a view!”

Luke laughed. “Shannon Valley. Our pa ordered all of us to build houses that allowed us to enjoy the view. It was a good idea on his part. There’s something about the scene that fills a man with hope and courage.” He opened the door. “Honor, we have company.”

“Wonderful.” A blonde woman with a smattering of freckles and a welcoming smile crossed to them.

Luke made introductions as they were waved to the kitchen table.

“I’ll have coffee ready in a minute.” Honor set a pot of coffee to boil and filled a plate with cookies.

“You are the latest mail-order bride to become part of our community. I’m hoping you’ll enjoy the adventure as much as the rest of us have.

” She looked out the window. “There’s Kit.

” She called to him, and a boy burst into the house. Bryn guessed him to be seven or eight.

“This is our son Kit.” Honor gave the boy a sideways hug. He managed to look pleased and embarrassed at the same time.

Susie eyed the boy— taller than her, with the look in his eyes of having lived life beyond his years.

Four white china mugs were set on the table along with two glasses of milk.

The fragrant scent of coffee filled Bryn’s nostrils as Honor filled the mugs.

Honor gave a quick glance around the room, pulled out her chair, and was about to sit when the sound of a baby crying came from the other room.

“Anna’s awake. Excuse me. The rest of you go ahead.” Her footsteps shushed across the floor as she hurried to the other room. “There, there sweet baby. Mama’s got ya.”

The baby’s cries softened. In a couple of minutes, Bryn made out sucking sounds.

The children each ate two cookies and downed their milk.

Luke and Flint talked about the horses and the weather.

Bryn attempted to follow the conversation, but it failed to hold her attention.

Although she’d been nervous about meeting all the Shannon women at once, she’d anticipated meeting at least one of them.

The door opened and a dark-haired woman entered. Her rounded belly suggested she would have a baby soon.

“I hope I’m not intruding.” Her gaze went from Bryn to Luke who chuckled.

“Never. This is my sister-in-law, Gwen. She’s married to my twin, Matt. And the little gal at her heels is Lindy.

The child who had followed Gwen inside eyed Susie.

“You want to see my cats?”

Susie’s eyes widened at the invitation. She glanced at Bryn, her eyes wide with hope and longing, waiting for Bryn to give permission.

“A lovely idea. Thank you for offering.”

“Mind you bring the cats down. Susie looks a mite too young to be going up the ladder.” Luke waited for Lindy and Kit to nod in agreement.

Susie crossed her arms over her chest and huffed. “I’m big.”

Before Bryn could add her warning to Luke’s, Flint spoke up.

“No goin' to the loft. Promise?”

Susie wrinkled her nose, dropped her arms to her side, and sighed. “Promise.”

The children hurried out the doors, Susie following at a slower pace. Wouldn’t Susie be pleased if there was a kitten the Shannons were willing to give to her?

The door clicked shut behind the children. Only then did the adults chuckle.

Honor returned, a tiny baby cradled to her shoulder. “Gwen, I thought I heard your voice.”

Deep inside, a distant buried hope sprang to life.

Bryn curled her hands to keep from pressing them to her midriff.

A baby would complete her happiness. Should the good Lord choose to bless her with one.

Or would her deceit cause God to withhold His blessing?

It wasn’t as if she told a lie, she again reassured herself.

Simply omitted a few details. For the sake of everyone involved.

She would tell Flint about Rowena when the time was right.

She realized he was explaining their purpose in visiting. “Susie would really like a pet and we wondered—”

Gwen laughed. “There are two kittens ready to go to new homes. She’s welcome to take her pick. Shall we go see what she thinks?”

Bryn hesitated at the door. “I should help clean up.”

Honor was at her heels. “It can wait. Let’s go enjoy this.”

“Thank you for coffee and kindness.”

Light shone from Honor’s eyes. “Coffee and kindness. I like that.”

“Me too.” Bryn grinned.

They passed a house. “Gwen and Matt’s place,” Honor said. A few steps later, she pointed to another house. “Riley and Olivia live there.” She raised her voice. “Livia, join us.”

The answer came through the open window. “Coming.”

Honor and Bryn slowed their pace to wait for the other woman.

Bryn’s gaze followed Flint as he strolled along beside Luke, deep in conversation.

There was no reason for Bryn to feel abandoned, and yet she wished he was talking to her, perhaps catching her hand or brushing her shoulder to direct her attention to something.

Honor introduced Olivia and the baby boy she carried in her arms. Colin, she was informed.

They drew alongside the bigger house. A blonde woman stood on the verandah watching the men walk past.

“We’re going to see the kittens,” Honor said. “Join us.”

She met Della who was married to Andy. How was she going to keep all these people straight?

The entourage increased even more when two children joined them.

Honor waved at them. “Wally and Maddie’s twins. Otis and Ivy. They’s nine years old. Here comes their mama. That’s Jonny with her. He’s two going on three.”