Page 20 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes (Montana Mail-Order Brides #7)

Chapter Eleven

B ryn didn’t care how the story about Flint had made her conscience twitch.

She wasn’t about to spoil this sweet moment with Flint by telling him that Susie was the daughter of a young woman who’d rejected him.

According to Rowena— and Bryn had no reason to doubt her sister’s words— Flint had offered to marry her.

Begged her. She’d fled home. She’d told Bryn she couldn’t imagine living in the west. To a man who didn’t even have a home of his own.

Well, now he had a home and a ranch and cows and horses.

And he was good and kind and generous. Going out of his way to give a little girl something so precious.

Not just a pet that would comfort her but his gentleness and his interest. The fact that Susie immediately accepted him spoke volumes because the child usually withdrew around men.

Of course, her father had made it clear he didn’t care for her.

Thank you, dear Father in heaven, for bringing us to someone like Flint. May nothing ever ruin this sweetness.

They turned toward home. Home. One of the sweetest words Bryn knew. One that until now had meant coldness and disinterest.

Flint guided the wagon to the doorstep and jumped down. He helped Bryn and then took the kitten so Susie could climb down.

“We better take yer pet in so’s she knows this is her new home.” He strode toward the door. “Someone’s nailed a note here.” He tore it off and handed it to Bryn to read.

“It’s from Addie. She says she’s made supper for us and to go on up as soon as we get home. That’s nice of her.” It would save Bryn from having to rush inside and make a meal.

Flint helped take the picnic things indoors then drove away to take care of the horses.

By the time he returned, she’d put away the quilts, emptied the picnic crate, taken Susie outside with the kitten to introduce her to a place to do her bathroom business, and she’d cleaned up herself and Susie in preparation for visiting her nearest neighbor.

This time she’d meet Jayce and she wanted to make a good impression.

Wanted him to see that Flint had made a good choice in asking her to be his bride.

Boots thudded outside. They scuffed as if Flint rubbed the dirt off them and then he stepped inside.

His gaze swept over the clean dress she’d put on.

A steel gray one she’d once worn for teaching.

She’d brushed her hair into a tidy bun. Her hair was her best feature.

Shiny and black and thick. She might be long in the tooth as Susie’s father had said when she’d announced she was going west to marry.

“Won’t find desperate men here. There’s lots of young women to choose from.

” Yes, she might be considered an old maid by many, but she could take advantage of her best feature.

“Looks like yer ready ta go.”

She let herself believe he seemed pleased. “I am.” Though part of her would have enjoyed a quiet evening at home with Susie in bed and Bryn and Flint side by side on the couch, holding hands and talking. Never mind, she consoled herself. There’d be plenty of time for that.

“I has to leave my kitty?” Susie appealed to Flint with big sad eyes, her bottom lip quivering.

“I have already told her the kitten must remain here. We made a nice little bed in Susie’s room for it.”

“Whyn’t you show me?” Flint held his hand out to Susie.

Susie sighed loudly as if to inform them that she thought adults were difficult then she took Flint’s hand and they went to inspect the bed where the kitten lay curled in a ball, sound asleep.

“She looks pretty happy. May be best if we don’t move her.” Flint sounded so concerned that Bryn covered her mouth to hide her amusement.

“She’ll be scared if she wakes up and I’s not here.”

“I think she’ll look around and see it’s yer room and she’ll be fine.”

The pair studied the kitten with such concern that Bryn shook her head.

“I guess so.” Susie understood the adults weren't going to change their minds.

Another few seconds of intense study before the pair left the room, Bryn in their wake.

“I believe we’re ready to go.” Flint winked at Bryn.

The man understood her amusement. But he also understood Susie’s need for reassurance.

This was not the kind of man she was used to, but he was the kind she had wished for all her life. Thankfully, Susie would experience what Bryn had been denied— a gentle caring father.

She again vowed she would not do anything to risk ruining what they’d found here.

Flint held the door open, and they walked side by side up the path to Jayce and Addie’s house.

Jayce opened the door as they approached. “Come on in.”

Flint introduced his partner.

Bryn had seen him and knew he was a tall man but he seemed even taller when she stood before him.

Susie pressed to Bryn’s side, wary of this big stranger.

“Welcome. Both to the west and to our home.” He ushered them into the warm kitchen where the aroma of cooking venison and fresh bread greeted them, bringing a flood of saliva to Bryn’s mouth.

Addie turned from the stove. “It’s about ready.”

This was what home should smell like. And feel like, she added as Jayce brushed his hand to Addie’s shoulder.

They gathered around the table. Jayce prayed and the food was passed.

“We went to the Shannons today.” Flint smiled at Susie. “Got a kitten.”

Susie edged forward on her chair. “I gots her for a pet.”

Addie clapped her hands. “That’s wonderful. Now we both have an extra friend.”

Susie nodded. “I hopes Daisy likes her.”

“I’m sure she will.” She turned to Bryn. “Did you meet everyone?”

“All the wives.”

“Only the wives?” Jayce gives Flint a questioning look.

“The men were out with the cows. ’Cept for Luke, His wife has a baby, so he stayed back.”

“Another baby?” Addie turned to Bryn. “Boy or girl?”

“A little girl they’ve named Anna,” Bryn answered.

“That’s two babies there.”

Bryn grinned. “It looked to me like there will be a couple more soon.”

“That’s wonderful.” Addie turned to her husband. “Isn’t it, Jayce?”

“The world can always use more Shannons.” Their gazes lingered with such intimacy that Bryn lowered her gaze to her plate.

Were they thinking the world could use more Addingtons too?

What about Marches? If God so chose to bless them.

She cleared her throat. “I was surprised to learn that all the wives out here are mail-order brides.”

Addie gave a soft laugh. “I didn’t come as one.” She continued. “I came looking for my pa. Thought I was going to be a housekeeper for Mrs. Ingram.”

Jayce reached across the table to cup her hand with his. “I wanted a housekeeper, but Mrs. Ingram said it wasn’t appropriate. I’d have to marry.”

Bryn had heard the story from Flint, but it still amazed her.

“You might say she married me by mistake.” Jayce’s deep laughter brought a pink tint to his wife’s cheeks.

“I had banged my head and didn’t quite know what I was doing when I said, ‘I do’ and signed the papers.” Though her words were meant for Bryn, Addie’s eyes never left Jayce.

“I’m sorry you weren’t able to find your pa.”

Addie folded her hands together. “I was able to learn what happened to him and that satisfied me.”

Jayce leaned back with the look of a man who was pleased with life. “But she found me.”

Bryn laughed along with the others.

Flint told them of the invitation to the July Fourth picnic that included Jayce and Addie. It still amazed Bryn that the invitation had been extended when it was several weeks until that day. But then she wasn’t used to not being able to see her neighbors often.

After they’d discussed that, Jayce changed the subject. “I’m uneasy about the herd. I don’t think Jeff and Joe would stand a chance against the rustlers if they’ve decided to return. I think we should check on them tomorrow.”

“I agree.” Flint’s jaw hardened.

Bryn didn’t need to be told that it would mean she would be alone for the day.

Addie turned to Bryn. “I can help you plant your garden tomorrow.”

“I’d appreciate that.” Not only did it need to be done as soon as possible as it was getting late in the season, it would help pass the time.

Before they had finished dessert, Susie’s head nodded.

Bryn met Flint’s gaze over Susie. “She’s tired.”

He pushed his chair back and pulled her to his lap. She rested her head against his shoulder and slept.

Tears burned at the back of Bryn’s eyes at how readily the child trusted Flint, and he’d done nothing to earn it except be himself. Be kind and interested in her. Find her a kitten.

Her attention was drawn back to the conversation.

“We need to get firewood in.” Jayce’s gaze went to the woodbox by the stove.

“Yeah. Guess so.” Flint shifted Susie. “Hate to leave the womenfolk unattended though.”

Addie’s gentle laugh surprised Bryn. Why did she consider that amusing?

“Don’t recall the same concern when you and Jayce rode away to get the cows.”

Flint’s face darkened. “Things is different now.”

The way Jayce and Addie looked at each other made Bryn’s own face grow hot as she understood that what was different was not any danger but the fact that Flint was now married.

Not for the world would she say she didn’t fancy being alone. Especially when what she really meant was having Flint gone.

Susie shifted and fussed. Flint adjusted her and she stirred restlessly. “We better get this little one home,” he said.

“But I should help with dishes first.”

Addie waved away her offer. “Jayce will help me, won’t you?”

Jayce waggled his eyebrows. “My pleasure.”

Bryn looked away from the obvious affection between the two. She was encouraged to know that mistakes could be corrected.

Susie’s hair tickled Flint’s chin as he carried her home.

He’d never held a child before Susie. It felt like a dream come true.

A wife and a child. A home that didn’t pack up and move so often he couldn’t remember where he was.

He took Susie to her bed and then stepped aside to let Bryn slip off her frock.