Page 19 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes (Montana Mail-Order Brides #7)

More introductions kept Bryn busy trying to keep track of everyone. Luke appeared to be the only man present which made it somewhat easier.

If Bryn wasn’t mistaken, both Della and Maddie were also in the family way.

God, I promise to tell Flint the truth when the right time comes. Don’t hold it against me that I haven’t been totally honest with him.

She stood back and let Flint explain to Susie that she could have one of the kittens.

Susie looked at Bryn. “Can I?”

“Yes, you may. Mind you, only one.”

Susie held the two kittens big enough to leave their mama. She held one and then the other to her face. Then leaned over and buried her face against them both. The kittens purred and rubbed against her cheeks. This was going to be a hard choice for her.

Bryn stayed with the women watching the children while Flint went with Luke to look at one of the horses.

Honor studied her a moment, her gaze probing. “Hope you don’t mind me asking but what made you decide to be a mail-order bride?”

Did Bryn’s laugh sound self-mocking to the others?

“You mean apart from the fact that I’m well past marriageable age?”

“Apparently not.” Gwen nodded toward Flint and then chuckled softly. “No family back east?”

“No one that matters. Or cares.”

“Sorry.” Della patted Bryn’s arm. “We all have our own reasons.”

Silence greeted Della’s comment as if they were all remembering what had brought them west as mail-order brides, then Honor voiced the question that was surely on the minds of the others. “I noticed that Susie calls you aunt.”

“My dearly departed sister’s child.” Her pain and loss welled up inside her. Her throat tightened.

Honor patted her arm. Thankfully, no one asked any more questions about her family.

Honor observed that Bryn’s gaze had gone to Flint.

“He’s a good man.” The women all turned their attention to Bryn.

“It’s true,” Della added. “Andy and I met him when he was working for the Bar-B-Bar Ranch. Cattle had been stampeded in a fire. Terribly dry last fall.”

“I’ve never been so thankful for rain.” Honor shuddered.

Della continued. “Flint did a little investigating. Discovered the fire had been deliberately set and fifty head were missing. He asked the trail boss to report to the manager. The trail boss refused. Said it didn’t hurt anyone if he didn’t tell. After all, it wasn’t as if he lied.”

Heat stung Bryn’s cheeks. Guilt had a name.

“Flint said not telling the whole truth was the same as lying in his opinion. He reported what he’d learned and discovered the manager and trail boss were rustling cattle a little at a time. He quit that day.” Awe and respect filled Della’s tone.

Shame filled Bryn’s thoughts. She hadn’t told the whole truth. Now she didn’t dare to do so knowing that Flint would consider it the same as an outright lie.

The line from a poem she’d enjoyed came to mind. Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. Not that her intent was to deceive. At least only until she believed she mattered more to him than Rowena had.

Flint studied Bryn out of the corners of his eyes. She didn’t look near as pleased with the result of their visit as he’d expected. Susie, though, couldn’t stop smiling and rubbing her cheek against the furry pet she’d chosen. A gray and white little cat with a purr like a growl.

“Funny to hear such a loud purr from such a tiny critter.”

“That’s cause she’s happy.” Susie slanted a smile toward him. “See. I’s big ‘nough for a pet.”

He cupped his hand to her head. Her hair was soft as the kitten’s fur. “She’ll be your friend.”

Bryn watched Susie with the cat. She smiled but Flint wondered if the smile wasn’t half-hearted.

Had something gone wrong at the Shannons?

He couldn’t imagine any of the women had spoken unkind words.

Didn’t seem like them but of course, he hardly knew them.

More by what others said than his own experience.

Only one thing came to mind that she might be unhappy about.

“Didcha not want to go to the July Fourth gatherin’?” He’d accepted the invitation to join the Shannon family without asking Bryn’s opinion. “I shoulda asked ya before I agreed.”

“No need. It sounds like fun.” Her eyes darted to him and away again.

She might say it was all right, but something wasn’t. He might come right out and ask her if not for Susie. The little one didn’t need to hear about grownup troubles.

Instead, he told her about the horse Luke had taken him to see.

“He injured his leg somehow. But looks to me like it’ll be fine given some rest.” And then he could think of nothing more to say.

He didn’t mind not talking when he had only his own company to think about, but the silence was awkward with Bryn sitting beside him.

Was it only a few hours ago they had been in the clearing and talk had come so easy between them?

He could not think what he might have done to change things. Any more’n he could ignore it. Far better to find out the truth.

“Susie, whyn’t you sit in the back and play with the kitten?” She readily agreed and he lifted her over the seat to the wagon box where she settled down with the kitten in her lap. Talking to the little critter. Making it easy for him to ask Bryn what was wrong.

He cleared his throat.

Bryn barely turned toward him even though the sound was harsher than he expected.

There was a space between them where Susie had been sitting. He shifted slightly hoping she would meet him halfway, but she didn’t move. Not a single inch.

“Bryn.” The word scraped from his tight throat. “Have I done somethin’ ta offend ya?”

She jerked around to face him, her eyes wide. “No, of course, you haven’t. Why do you ask?”

His breath wheezed in. “Because you’ve barely spoken a word since we left the Shannons. And before… Well, you seemed happy, seemed to be enjoyin’ the countryside. And ya talked.”

A shudder rippled over her shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

Those were not the words he needed to hear. Nor did they ease his mind.

She held his gaze, her eyes steady but he got the feeling she was hiding something. Not wanting him to know the reason for her change.

The idea caused his heart to buck. He didn’t care for secrets.

Seemed to him they always had a kick in the end.

But how was he to make her see she didn’t need to be afraid of telling him what happened to change her into this frightened person?

Lord, I’ve learned ta trust ya and ask fer yer help.

Now here’s a time I could use it. Show me how ta.

.. ta… He wasn’t even sure what she needed.

“Bryn, I wish ya’d tell me what’s botherin’ ya.

” Did she hear the pleading in his words?

“I miss the person you were at the trees.”

Her smile crinkled around her eyes and captured her lips, turning them up. And easing the tightness in his chest.

“I’m sorry. I guess I’m like little Susie there. Sometimes things overwhelm me.”

“Ya mean leavin’ home. Losing yer sister? Havin’ a father who don’t care?”

“Well, now that you mention it. Yes.”

Relief whooshed out of his lungs. “Maybe ya need ta remember the things ya found. A sweet child. A beautiful country. A home.” And me. But he wasn’t about to beg for her affection.

“That’s not all.”

“Really?” Hope and caution sprang up. “What else is there?”

She ducked her head, interested in her hands.

“I have more than a home.” A deep breath as if gaining courage. She lifted her eyes to his. Steady and open and— he swallowed loudly.

“I believe I have found a man any woman would be proud to call her husband.”

Her words scooped out every doubt. Every past rejection. Every past failure.

She touched his hand.

Warmth and joy raced up his arm and he turned his palm to hers.

“I hope ya never change yer mind.”

Her smile said more than any words. Making talk unnecessary.

He kept hold of her hand as they continued homeward.

“It was a good day.” Better’n he expected.

She squeezed his hand. “It was. Thank you.”

Contentment settled over them as they made their way back to the ranch that he and Jayce were now proud owners of.

They’d fixed up the place real good. The barn was cleaned out.

The chicken house was now home to chickens that Addie tended.

The grass and weeds around the graves on the hillside had been cleaned up.

New fences had been built to make pastures for the horses he and Jayce were training.

But nothing made him happier nor pleased him more than having a wife who was proud to be married to him.

No sirree. That was the best feeling he figgered he’d ever have.