Page 8 of Mail-Order Brides Wishes (Montana Mail-Order Brides #7)

Had she ever been so alone? Knowing no one except for the sleeping child. She rushed into the bedroom she meant to share with Flint and looked out into the dark. Yes. There was a glow coming from the house across the way. She wasn’t alone. Adele was over there.

Back in the living room she took her Bible from the shelf and settled down in one of the two green upholstered chairs. The lamp on the table beside her provided light for reading. But the words floated before her eyes and after a few minutes she leaned her head back.

Should she wait up for him? Or be in bed when he returned?

Another rush of heat flooded her face.

Wouldn’t it be less awkward if she was already in bed when he came?

Sunlight lightened the room, wakening Bryn. Her body jolted in alarm before she remembered she was now Mrs. March, and this was her new home. And she was alone.

In two seconds she was fully awake and out of bed, reaching for her clothes.

Had Flint not come home? Had misfortune befallen him?

Finger brushing her hair into place, she stepped into the living area and ground to a halt.

Flint lay on the sofa. Too long to stretch out, his feet were propped up on the round arm.

Strange feelings twisted her insides, making her stuff her fist to her mouth to keep from crying out. Was this how their marriage was to be? Sleeping apart? Found wanting in his opinion? Rejected? Again?

An unfamiliar noise wakened Flint. He cracked open his eyes and groaned at his uncomfortable position. Why was he sleeping on the couch? Remembrance jerked him to a sitting position and his gaze found Bryn standing in the doorway of the bedroom, looking at him.

“Glad to see you got back safely.” Her tone seemed a little… he wasn’t sure what he heard but it was enough to send guilt through him.

“It was past dark when we got back. Ya was sleepin’ and I didn’t want ta disturb ya.” He pulled on his boots as he talked and raked his fingers through his hair.

Bryn remained where she stood. Her eyes darted from the window behind him to the table to the floor at his feet. 'Peared there was something on her mind.

“Ya gonna tell me what’s botherin’ ya?” His booted feet hit the floor as he rose.

They stood ten feet apart. Something on the floor continued to hold her interest, but he wasn’t fooled into thinking there was anything there and he waited for her to answer him.

“I don’t want misunderstandin’s or secrets between us. ”

Her head came up. “Very well.”

He almost backed up from the fire in her eyes. What had he done wrong? Nothing came to mind.

“Are you planning to make a habit of sleeping on the couch?”

His mouth opened but not a single word came out. Seeing she was about to head for the kitchen, he forced words. “No, ma’am. No such intention. None a’tall.” A grin he couldn’t control tugged at his lips.

Bright red cherries appeared in her cheeks. She blinked but didn’t shift her gaze away.

He chuckled. “Good to know you was waitin’ for me.”

The red spots brightened. Like a fire beneath her skin. “We are married.” Her protest was airy.

“Mama.” Susie’s pain-filled cry jerked Flint’s attention to the bedroom.

“I’m coming, little one.” Bryn rushed past him.

Shifting so he could watch, he saw Bryn scoop the child into her arms, perch on the side of the bed, and rock the little girl. Bryn’s gaze met his. So filled with sadness that he took a step forward, driven by an unfamiliar need to comfort them both.

Susie shuddered. Her cries ended.

Bryn shifted so she could wipe tears from Susie’s face. “Are you hungry?”

“Umm hmm.”

“I’ll help you get dressed.”

Flint turned away to give them privacy and scrubbed at the back of his neck.

A family of his own had been his dream even before he admitted it.

A wife and child. And more children if God saw fit.

But he’d not considered that their hurts would be his hurts.

Though gladly he would carry them if it helped in any way.

While he waited for them, he started the fire and put the coffee to boil.

“I meant to do that.” Bryn crossed the room toward the stove, Susie at her side.

“Been doin’ it myself a long time.” Was she annoyed? He backed away. “Just tryin’ ta help.”

“Thank you. I didn’t mean to be sharp. Everything is strange and I confess I feel a little uncertain.”

This was one time he could make things easier for her. “Bryn, you’ll figger things out as ya go along. We both will.”

“And me?” Susie demanded.

“Yup. All of us.” Sensing that Bryn needed a little space, he headed for the door. “I’ll take care of some chores and return for breakfast if’n that suits you?”

“Suits me fine. Give me half an hour or so.”

“That I can do. And thanks for the supper.” He indicated the empty plate on the table before he ducked outside.

“You’re welcome.” The words followed him as he made his way to the barn.

Jayce was there already, pumping water to the trough for the pen of horses. “How’s married life treating you?” His voice had a teasing tone to it. Jayce knew it was way past bedtime when they rode home.

“So far, it’s great. Bryn’s makin’ breakfast. Susie’s up.” He leaned on the top rail of the fence, his attention on the horses. Or so he wanted Jayce to think.

“Sorry we were so late getting home last night.”

“The job had to be done.”

“Yup. Guess we should ride out again today and see if that bunch kept riding.”

“Yup.” Flint’s gaze was not on horses. Nope. He looked toward the little house that now held a family for him.

Jayce cleared his throat, but Flint paid him no mind.

“Think I’ll see if breakfast is ready.” Flint strode toward the house, Jayce’s soft laughter following him. Not that he cared one little bit.

Bryn looked up at his entrance a smile on her face. “Perfect timing. Everything is ready.”

Susie sat at the table, her feet swinging. “You gots cats out there?”

“Mrs. Addington has a cat.”

“I can see it?”

“If’n Mrs. Addington don’t mind.”

Susie jumped from the chair.

Bryn caught her. “Not right now. We’re going to have breakfast.”

“Aw.” Susie hung her head as she returned to her chair.

Flint chuckled. “Someone has a one-track mind.”

Bryn rolled her eyes. “Maybe she’d like to see the horses.” Under her breath, she muttered, “Or anything else.”

“That’s a great idea. Why don’t I take both of you out and show you around.” Seeing Susie about to get off her chair again, he added, “After we’ve eaten.”

The chair at the end of the table scraped on the floor as he pulled it out and sat down. Watching Bryn carry food to the table was a pleasure he hadn’t imagined he’d feel.

She sat to his right, Susie bouncing in her chair to his left.

His pleasure deepened. Realizing they waited for grace, he bowed his head and offered a quick prayer. Silently adding thanks for something he figgered would satisfy a need other than to fill his stomach. Having a family had made him aware of hungry feelings gnawing in his heart.

Susie barely waited until Bryn had put food on her plate before she turned to Flint.

“Where’d you go last night?” The way her chin jutted out, he guessed she didn’t like him being gone. The thought pleased him.

“Susie, mind your manners,” Bryn scolded.

“Sorry.” Susie ducked her head but shot him a look from the corner of her eyes that demanded Flint answer.

Grinning as he spoke, he explained what he could to her. “Some of our cows were in trouble and we had to rescue them.”

“Can I see the cows?”

“Of course. But not this very minute.” He grinned at Bryn who shook her head, but smiled at the same time.

Their lips curled upwards, and they met each other’s gaze for a long happy moment as Susie announced she was done.

“You may be excused,” Bryn said.

Susie trotted to her room.

“Flint, did you manage to rescue the cows?”

The concern in Bryn’s voice made him think she was interested in the ranch and maybe even what he did. “I think so.” Should he tell her what happened, or would it be too much for her to carry?

“Think so? That doesn’t sound certain. What happened to them?”

“You sure you want to know?”

Her eyes held steady as she nodded. “I would like to be part of everything in your life if you have no objections.”

“None a’tall. No, ma’am.” He drawled the words wondering if she’d remember him saying much the same thing when she’d asked if he meant to spend his nights on the sofa.

More cherries in her cheeks made him think she did.

Pleased with how things were going, he tipped his chair back, nursing his second cup of coffee. “A rag-tag bunch thought they’d like to take some of our cows for their selves.”

Her eyes widened. “Rustlers?”

“Yeah.”

“Flint, did they have guns? Might you have been shot?” She leaned back as if the strength had left her body.

“I’ve upset ya. Guess I shouldn’t have told ya. We was never in any danger.” Mostly not at any rate. “We outsmarted ‘em.”

Bryn opened her mouth. Closed it again without speaking a word. Swallowed hard enough for him to hear. Rocked forward. Then jerked to her feet, the chair skidding away.

He set his cup down and rose slowly.

Was she going to tell him this was more’n she expected when she married him? Perhaps demand to be taken back to town? Would he be able to convince her to stay?