Page 20 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
Wally joined them, handing a sack to Andy. It was food for the day which wouldn’t last until noon if Andy oversaw it.
Riley reached for the sack. “I’ll take that.”
Andy gave it up with a muttered protest.
Matt and Luke looked at each other and chuckled. Sometimes it was nice to have a twin who understood what he was thinking without him saying it.
Matt returned his attention to Riley. “It won’t take long.”
Riley sighed heavily. “I suppose we can wait a few minutes. Luke can saddle your horse to save time.”
Luke groaned. “Why do I always get stuck with his work?”
“Because you’re my twin.” Matt stepped from the house. “Where’s Lindy? I want her to come too so there’s no misunderstanding.”
Riley looked at the other two and they all laughed.
“You’re going to try and clip the wings on that little girl? I can’t wait to see how that goes,” Luke said.
Matt ignored them as he headed for the barn. Their dog, Scamp, stayed there when he wasn’t working, and Lindy often spent time with him. There was a mother cat and three kittens in the loft. Another of her favorite places. She had more places she sought out, but he wasn’t even sure where they were as she would appear out of nowhere when he called.
“Lindy.” He raised his voice. She’d hear if she were nearby.
She darted from the barn. “Yes?”
“We’re going to show Auntie Gwen around.” He held out his hand, but she skipped ahead, her arms wide. Did the child never grow tired of holding her arms aloft?
They reached his house. Before he could open the door, Gwen stepped out, her face alight with excitement. “I can’t wait to see everything.”
Lindy took Gwen’s hand as they walked beside Matt. His intention was to return to the barn and corrals, but he realized there were other things he needed to point out.
“Shannon Valley has steep banks. There is a trail down to the bottom. I’ll show it to you someday.”
“I’m not ’posed to go there,” Lindy announced airily.
“That’s right.” He turned his attention back to Gwen. “She can’t go into Riley or Luke’s houses without permission from them. She knows that, don’t you, Lindy?”
“Nothing there anyway.” She spoke with such disgust that he knew she’d inspected each thoroughly. With permission, of course. At least he hoped so.
“What about the big house?” Gwen paused. The place in question was dead ahead.
“She’s had the run of the place.” But things had changed. “However, Lindy, I don’t want you going in unless Uncle Wally or Uncle Andy is there.”
She ground to a halt, jammed her little fists to her nonexistent hips, and glowered at him. “That’s my house, you know. I live there.”
“Not any—”
Gwen’s hand pressing to his arm cut his words off. She shook her head just enough for him to understand she didn’t think he should continue. He clamped his lips together. He didn’t expect her to argue with everything he said. Though to be accurate, she hadn’t said a word. Nor did she need to.
Lindy raced away, flying into the house.
Matt took a step after her.
Her hand still on his arm, Gwen stopped him again. “She needs time to adjust to this change.”
He shook her hand off and hurried after the child with Gwen on his heels. He’d known Lindy since she was born. Her parents had been his best friends. How could Gwen think she knew more about what Lindy needed than he did?
The sound of doors banging led him to the little bedroom that had been Lindy’s since her birth. It was a nursery off her parents’ bedroom. He paused at the doorway and stared at the bed where Roscoe and Merry had slept together as husband and wife. And now they were gone. He ground his teeth and crossed to where Lindy opened and closed dresser drawers with a shuddering slam.
