Page 24 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes (Montana Mail-Order Brides #7)

Chapter Thirteen

C hurch outdoors! Flint’s suggestion last night had surprised Bryn.

“I’ve never thought of doing that.” Church back home had been in a building with frosted windows along one side, and at the front, a stained-glass window showing Jesus holding a lamb, His hand extended in invitation.

But seeing Flint’s eagerness to show her where he liked to go on a Sunday when they couldn’t make the trip to town, she’d readily agreed.

Not that it was difficult to do so. More and more she enjoyed his company and his attention.

At his suggestion, she had packed a lunch so they wouldn’t have to hurry back.

She hummed as she put sandwiches and cookies in the basket. Flint had said they'd take the wagon part way but would then have to walk.

The rattle of harness and clop of horse hooves informed her he was at the door.

“Susie, it’s time to go.”

Susie stood in the doorway to her room, her arms crossed, her bottom lip out. “Don’t see why Kitty can’t go with us.”

“I’m afraid she might run away and get lost.” They’d had this discussion several times already.

“No, her won’t.”

“You’d be very sad if something happened to her.”

“It won’t.”

Nothing Bryn said was going to convince Susie. For a second, she was tempted to allow Kitty to go with them, but her reasons were valid.

Flint entered the house in time to catch the conversation and notice how far Susie’s lip stuck out.

Bryn shook her head at the display of determination and stubbornness in a three-year-old package.

The few times Manfred had visited his daughter and witnessed her refusal to greet him as he thought was his due, he’d muttered about the child needing discipline.

Bryn knew that meant he thought every sign of independence should be beaten out of Susie.

Bryn understood she needed to learn to temper her spirit but not the way Manfred meant.

She leaned against the table and waited to see how Flint would respond.

Facing the determined child, he spoke calmly. “Susie, why don’t we ask Addie to check on Kitty while we’re gone?”

Susie studied the man. Not a hint of fear nor of relenting. “She’ll miss me.”

“Yup. I’m sure she will, but then she’ll go ta sleep and wait fer ya ta come back home.”

Susie’s arms fell to her sides. Her hands balled into tiny fists. “How she knows I’s coming back?”

Flint knelt in front of the girl. “Little one, have ya ever done anythin’ ta hurt Kitty?”

“I wouldn’t.”

“Kitty knows she can trust ya, so she’ll be happy to wait. We can shut yer door, so she doesn’t accidentally get out.”

Silence filled the room as Flint waited for Susie to consider his words.

Bryn watched, knowing how this went would have a bearing on how their day went.

And even beyond that. No man liked a stubborn, implacable girl although it was a trait considered admirable in boys.

Would the west be different? Would Flint?

The pair studied each other as Bryn held her breath and prayed this test would go well.

Susie released a gust of air. “We ask Aunt Addie to come visit her?”

“Yup we sure can.” Flint pushed upright and held out his hand to Susie. His eyes gentle, he looked to Bryn. “Care ta come with us?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

His eyebrows rose. No doubt wondering her meaning.

A little shrug of her shoulders was her only response.

Addie saw them coming and stepped out to greet them. “Good morning to you.”

Flint explained their plans and how they’d decided it was best not to take Kitty. “Would ya check on her while we’s gone?”

“I’d be pleased to do so.” She leaned over to eye level with Susie. “I’ll make sure she’s safe. And I’ll give her a pet.”

They returned to the house. While Bryn and Flint took things to the wagon, Susie said a tearful goodbye to Kitty and then closed the door.

A few minutes later they were on their way.

No sign of rain which her garden needed but for today, she welcomed the warm sunshine.

At the road, they turned toward the mountains.

The trail climbed upward. Soon trees crowded to the side, and branches brushed against the wagon.

She didn’t ask where they were going. She didn’t care.

It was enough to be with Flint and know he chose her company.

“Ya might have wondered that there’s a trail up here.”

It hadn’t crossed her mind until he mentioned it. “Why is it there?”

“We go up here to get wood for the fires.”

“Ahh. That makes sense. Also explains why it’s so narrow.” She ducked away from a low-lying branch.

“We’re as far as we can go.” Flint pulled the wagon to a halt and jumped down.

Susie, eager to explore, barely waited for him to help her.

Accepting Flint’s assistance Bryn climbed down.

Intending to smooth her skirts, she instead, found her hands held by Flint and glanced up to meet his gaze and was captured by the warmth in his eyes.

The welcome. The acceptance. Acceptance?

But there was no other word for the way she responded to his gentle touch.

She didn’t mean only this moment, his thumbs circling on the back of her hands.

Her cheeks warmed as she recalled his gentle touches last night.

He cleared his throat, sending her heart skittering. “I’ll get the things from the back.”

Her hands hung at her sides. Cold. Empty.

She snorted softly so he wouldn’t hear and ask what she needed.

What she needed was to stop being so fanciful and concentrate on the day’s plans.

She took the two quilts while he carried the picnic basket and another small sack that she hadn’t seen him put in.

“Follow me.” Flint set off on a narrow trail, Susie at his heels, and Bryn at the rear.

They broke through the trees. Flint stood aside to let Bryn take in the view. To the right and left, the trees formed a short aisle that led to a rock that looked vaguely like a pulpit. She understood why Flint thought of it as a church.

A soft chuckle from her lips broke the silence. “I can almost picture Moses standing there, reading the Law to the people of Israel.”

“Come and see the rest.” He reached for her hand and led her further into the little clearing. Logs had been set up like pews. One on each side. Susie perched on the closest.

Flint led Bryn to the second and they sat side by side. “It’s beautiful. God feels very close.” She whispered the words, unwilling to shatter the peace that enveloped her. Even Susie was stilled by the atmosphere. She sat with hands folded, her gaze straight ahead.

The words of a familiar doxology welled up inside her and burst forth in song.

“‘Praise God from whom all blessings flow.’”

Flint joined his voice to hers. A deep, soul-pleasing voice.

Her heart overflowing with praise, she did not look toward him but kept her gaze on the rock in front.

“‘Amen.’”

Silence filled the air as they finished the song. But a silence that drew her thoughts toward God. Washing through her like cleansing water.

Flint shifted and pulled something from the small sack he’d brought. “’Member I told you 'bout Mrs. Murphy?”

“The ranch lady who taught you about God?”

“She gave me a Bible. I’ve tried to read it. Can make out some of the words. But it’s hard.” He rubbed his fingers along the black cover.

“Would you like me to read it out loud so we can both enjoy it?”

“I’d like it very much.”

Susie sidled over, pressing to Bryn’s side, seemingly content to be with them.

“Mama read me the Bible,” Susie whispered.

A lump closed off Bryn’s throat. She swallowed hard before she could speak.

“Any place in particular you’d like me to read?”

He opened to a bookmark. “I like what I can read here.”

It was Psalm Ninety and she began to read. “‘Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place.’”

Such comfort in those words. It didn’t matter that her father had rejected her.

God didn’t. She continued, blessed by reminders of God’s faithfulness until verse eight where she stumbled over the words.

“‘Thou has set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.’” Oh God, I cannot hide the truth from you.

But I fear telling Flint. Please, please, let him not find out.

I have no place to go if he sends me away .

Susie looked up at her, no doubt wondering why she hesitated so long. Steadying her voice, she continued to the end of the Psalm.

“The words make sense when ya read them.” Flint’s voice was deep with emotion.

The words of the psalm were full of God’s blessing and glory. Except for one verse. He sees our iniquities.

“Can we sing that song again?” Flint’s request drew Bryn back to the beauty and peace of their surroundings.

They joined their voices in singing the doxology. Bryn dismissed her nagging concerns about not being totally honest with Flint. It wasn’t as if she’d lied.

Flint pushed to his feet. “Let’s have a look around.” He held out his hand. With a happy smile, she took it. With Susie trailing after them pausing to pick up twigs and examine hidden tiny white flowers they walked down the short aisle to the rock pulpit.

Bryn paused at the rock that was almost as tall as she and pressed her fingers to the surface. She appeared to be fascinated with the boulder.

Flint tugged her hand gently and they moved on. Past the rock lay a silvery pond of water. Birds squawked and lifted off the surface. Others disappeared into the plants at the shore.

Side by side, they meandered along the edge of the stream. His thoughts were mellow. This mail-order bride business was proving to be a good thing for him. And for her too, he guessed, for she seemed content to be with him. No need for conversation.

“I’s hungry.”

Susie’s words made him realize how far they’d wandered.

Chuckling at how he’d been so lost in the feel of Bryn’s hand in his, and the way her steps matched his, he turned around. His stomach grumbled.

“Sounds like someone else is hungry.” Bryn waggled her eyebrows and grinned.

He tugged her closer. “Can’t wait to see if there’s something besides tiny biscuits.”

Her face tipped up to his. Her eyes were dark and bottomless. Her lips. Oh, he’d tasted those lips and found them to be full and generous. Slowly, he lowered his head. Pleased clear through when she leaned closer, standing on her tiptoes to meet him.

Their kiss was slow and sweet. Like honey from the honeycomb.

“Auntie Bryn.” Susie’s tone made her disapproval very clear. “Youse shouldn’t be kissin’ Uncle Flint.”

Bryn broke free. “Why not?”

Susie jammed her hands to her tiny hips and tsked. “Cause I’s hungry.”

Laughing, Flint lifted Susie to his arms, perched her on one hip, and with Bryn’s hand in his on the other side, he strode back to where they’d left the food.

Rather than sit on the quilts they’d spread on the ground, they perched on the log benches, facing away from the rock.

He tossed his hat to one side and prayed his thanks for the meal.

Not long ago he would have felt awkward at praying aloud but it felt good and right with Bryn and Susie at his side.

She pulled out a tray covered with a towel, hesitated, let out a long sigh then folded back the towel to reveal— she replaced the cover and looked into the distance.

What had she brought that had her so worried?

Sighing again, she slowly removed the towel to reveal thick biscuits and if he didn’t miss his guess, they held generous amounts of cheese and— he took one and peeked at the filling— slices of dill pickle. He regarded her with narrowed eyes. “Why was ya actin’ so worried?”

“Me?”

He wasn’t fooled by her wide-eyed surprise. He examined the biscuit again and took a cautious bite. “Tastes good.” Uncertainty thickened his words. What was she not tellin’ him?

And then he saw the flash in her eyes just before she laughed. “It was fun to see you worried about the lunch.”

He joined his laugh to hers. “Yer a tease, are ya?”

“Never thought I was. Maybe it’s because—” She developed a lot of interest in the biscuit she held.

He waited but she didn’t finish, and he had a real need to know what she’d been goin’ ta say. “Because what?” Would his gentle tone persuade her to answer? He waited patiently and hopefully.

About the time he decided she wasn’t gonna tell him, she sighed and said, “I feel safe with you.”

The words were soft but had the power of a large-bore rifle shell, piercing through years of being alone and the rejection he’d felt four years ago.

“That’s the nicest thing anybody’s ever said to me.

” He curled his finger under her chin and lifted hoping she’d meet his gaze.

For a thunderous heartbeat, she kept her eyes lowered and then looked directly at him.

At that moment he knew his heart had found a safe resting place and vowed he would give her the same.

Needing to reach into the picnic basket for more food, she slipped to the ground and sat pressed to his knee. He lowered his hand to her shoulder. This feeling was better than home. It was more than anything he’d dreamed. It filled his whole being with spring joy and summer warmth.

On the pretense of needing something from the basket, he slipped to the ground to sit beside her pressing every inch of his side against her.

Neither of them spoke as they finished the food and watched Susie exploring. He couldn’t say her reasons. His was because he had no words that explained how he felt. Nor did he want to minimize the moment by talkin’ of things that didn’t matter while they sat here.

He’d be happy if this was what their future together looked like.