Page 5 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes (Montana Mail-Order Brides #7)

Chapter Three

B ryn watched Flint out of the corner of her eyes. Susie leaned forward, anxious for whatever Flint had offered to show her. Yet the wagon didn’t move, and Flint stared straight ahead. If only she knew him well enough to guess why he had stopped talking and why the wagon sat motionless.

Perhaps he’d seen something to concern him. But a quick study of her surroundings revealed nothing she would consider out of the ordinary and his gaze remained fixed.

Susie squinted up at him. “Uncle Flint, didcha forget where we going?”

The question jolted visibly through him. Air rushed from his chest as if he’d been holding his breath. Then rather than answer Susie’s question, he spoke to Bryn.

“Bryn, if I show Susie what I got in mind, it’ll take us longer to get home. I’m happy enough to take both of ya another time if’n yer anxious to get home.”

Her mouth opened, but not a word came out.

When was the last time a man… any man, but mostly she meant her father and brother-in-law…

had cared what she thought about anything?

Despite the fact she’d gone to college and had taught school for a couple of years before her grandparents needed her to care for them, they continually treated her as if any opinion she had would be wasted words.

Seeing his waiting patience, she explained exactly that to him.

To his credit, he nodded. “I don’t wanna be like that. How’d it be if we’s equals in our marriage? Each of us doin’ different things but both important?”

Those welcome words knit together threads left dangling by her father’s indifference.

“I’d love to see whatever you have in mind.

” There was an unfamiliar roundness to her words.

Yes, she was anxious to see her new home, but things might change when they moved into their new roles.

Out here with just the three of them, they could learn much about each other without the interference of responsibilities.

The way his eyes crinkled at the corners and a smile twitched at his mouth, she knew her answer had pleased him. It pleased her too.

With a flick of the reins, he guided the horses and wagon off the trail. They bumped over the grass, past scrubby evergreens, and along a border of leafy deciduous trees. The air filled with the sweet scent of growing things. And a fragile hope that grew sturdier with every passing minute.

Words burst from Bryn’s mouth. “I read about the west. How wild and wonderful it is. So far it has exceeded my expectations.”

“’Tis grand fer sure.”

She laughed. “I couldn’t have said it better.”

His eyes shone like silver, a glittering contrast to the green of the leaves behind him. A moment filled with shimmering hope.

It took a minute for her to realize the wagon no longer moved. If not for Susie’s excited question as to whether this was the place, Bryn didn’t know how long she would have sat in her bemused state.

Flint secured the reins. “We’ll walk the rest of the way, but Susie, we need to be quiet. So quiet—”

“Like a mouse?”

Flint chuckled, a deep rolling sound that echoed in Bryn’s heart.

“Can ya be quieter than a mouse?” he asked Susie.

Susie pressed her lips together and nodded.

“Good. Then let’s go.” He helped them down and then led them along the border of trees, the leaves dancing and whispering.

“We’re gonna see gophers.” He spoke so softly that his words disappeared almost before they reached Bryn.

“You ever seen them?” he asked Susie who shook her head.

Then directed his attention to Bryn. She shook her head as well.

“They’re little critters who dig holes in the ground for their homes. There’s a whole bunch of them where we’s goin’.”

Bryn caught Susie’s hand to slow her down. “Let Uncle Flint lead the way.”

The grass rustled beneath their feet as they continued.

The ground rose in a gentle slope. At the top of the knoll, he indicated they should stop, drawing them into the shelter of the trees, signaling them to be quiet.

Not that he needed to do the latter. The only sound they made was the gentle padding of their feet and the sighing of their breath.

He pointed toward the open area beyond the trees. Little clumps of dirt lay scattered across the hilltop.

“Wait.” The whispered word carried on a breath.

Surrounded by nature’s stillness, Bryn leaned back against the smooth bark of the nearest tree.

Flint did the same on the tree next to her.

Overhead leaves rustled. Beside her, a man relaxed.

Seemingly happy to share his time with her.

She couldn’t think of a more pleasant way to spend an afternoon.

His elbow nudged her.

Her fingers jerked into fists and then, silently laughing at her reaction, she relaxed.

This was her husband. So far, he’d shown her nothing but kindness and acceptance.

She’d yet to see any reason to be wary of him.

It was too soon to be completely convinced but her initial assessment was that God had indeed seen her unhappy situation and provided an escape.

Flint jabbed a finger toward the hill to direct her attention. She did and saw little brown heads poke out of several of the holes.

The way Susie twitched against her leg, she knew her niece had seen it too and squeezed the child’s shoulder to warn her to remain still.

The gophers emerged completely and stood on their hindquarters, front paws folded in front of them.

More and more joined them. Three of them scampered away to nibble at the grass.

One, apparently keeping guard, remained at attention.

It gave a sharp whistle and the little animals all raced back to their holes.

Or maybe they used the nearest hole. She didn’t know.

Flint pressed his finger to his lips. They waited quietly and in seconds heads began to again peek out.

Beneath Bryn’s palm, Susie quivered with excitement. Bryn exerted a little more pressure to reassure and hopefully calm the child.

Susie drew in a breath that lifted her shoulders and then burst forward. “I catch ‘em.” Her little legs churned as she raced forward.

Her approach was greeted with whistles by the gophers. In a heartbeat, all that remained on the hill was mounds of dirt and apart from Susie’s disappointed cry, silence.

Flint chuckled. “They’s fast.”

Susie tromped from one hole to the next. “Here, gopher. Come out. I want to take you home ‘n hug you.”

Amusement so deep and wide it surprised Bryn, escaped in ringing laughter.

Together, she and Flint laughed. For Bryn, it was a precious moment of shared enjoyment. Something she hadn’t experienced since Rowena’s passing. Her laugh choked off, replaced with a sob she sucked back, hoping Flint wouldn’t notice.

Silence hung between them.

He cleared his throat. “Somethin’ wrong?”

The kindness and concern in his tone were almost her undoing.

But she wouldn’t cry. Not when a new life lay ahead.

She’d determined to put the past behind her.

But it clung to her thoughts. Not only was Rowena gone, but Bryn must not speak of her in order to ensure acceptance for both herself and Susie.

Except she could talk about her without using her name.

“Not wrong exactly. But I couldn’t help but think how much Susie’s mama would have enjoyed watching her daughter chasing gophers.” She drew in a shaky breath. “I miss her.”

“Your sister?”

“Half-sister. I’m eight years older and was raised in a different home, but after Susie came along, I spent a lot of time with the two of them. We became close.” Her throat tightened so she couldn’t continue.

“I’m sorry fer yer loss.”

Her shoulders rose and fell as she sucked in the air. “Thanks. I am also sorry for your losses.”

“Me?”

“Your mother. And your pa.” Recalling the things he’d said about his pa, she added, “Sounds like he was a good father.”

“He done the best he could that’s fer sure.” He straightened. “We best be movin’ on. Susie girl, time ta go.”

Bryn understood he was moving on in other ways. From his past, it seemed.

The wheels rattled down the road as they continued on their way.

The mountains glistened in the afternoon sun, deepening the purple in the crevasses, and highlighting the white crowns.

Wildflowers dotted the grassy slopes they passed.

The scenery was beautiful. Bryn knew she would never tire of the way the changing light affected the color of the sky, mountain, and nearby hills.

But as they drew nearer to her new home, tension clamped down on her chest making it hard to breathe.

The moment they began their new life together as husband and wife, sharing home and responsibilities, she would learn how real Flint’s words were when he said they would be equals.

Words were easy. Actions were what mattered.

She’d come west and married hoping to find something missing from her past. Acceptance and value. Was she wanting the impossible?

Her fingernails dug into her palms, and she instructed herself to relax her fingers… to no avail.

Flint watched Bryn out of the corners of his eyes.

Her hands knotted into fists. Nervous? Scared?

Disappointed? He understood the first two.

After all, she knew nothing about what she was getting into except for the few things he’d had Mrs. Ingram put in his letters.

He chased around words in his head, trying to find a way to tell her she didn’t need to be afeared of her new home.

But if she’d found him lacking there weren’t much he could do. Except, hope she would be happy with the cabin and the situation of ranch living.

Susie broke the silence that hung heavy on Flint’s thoughts.

“Mama said I coulds have a pet when I’s older.” She directed her blue eyes toward Flint. “I’s older now. I’s free.” She held up three fingers.

“Uh-huh.” He smiled when Susie crossed her arms and looked like she wasn’t happy with his answer.

“You gots a pet?”