Page 24 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
“That’s correct. All the trees and flowers you could imagine, but they had to go to the one they were told not to go to.” She turned back to look at the forbidden buildings. “All this land, lots of places to explore. Right? But where do we want to go?”
Lindy grinned. “Where we aren’t ’posed to.”
Gwen pulled Lindy to her side. “Sometimes it’s hard to obey but you do, don’t you?”
Lindy pressed against Gwen’s leg. “Mostly. You want this flower?” She held it up to Gwen.
“Thank you, sweet child.”
“Welcome. There’s nothing here. Just plants. Uncle Wally pulls the weeds. Sometimes Mama helped him.”
“But the plants produce food that tastes good.” She studied the growing vegetables. If the weather cooperated there would be plenty of harvest from the verdant rows. She hoped she’d get a share to can and preserve. Rhubarb thrived in one corner. A row of flowers grew near the fence. Only a few were in blossom but the bright yellow and pink added color.
“I like peas. But not beans.” Lindy shook her head so hard her hair sprayed out.
It was only hair, Gwen reminded herself. But how she’d like to tidy it. Instead, she responded to Lindy’s comment. “Do you eat them when they’re served?” She wondered if the child was forced to eat everything on her plate.
“I just say no thank-you and pass the bowl on.”
Gwen laughed at her matter-of-fact response.
They moved on down the trail, by smaller buildings. Lindy importantly opened the doors and explained what each was—a storeroom with shelves full of supplies, all neatly arranged. Harness room—saddle trees that were mostly empty. Empty hooks for the most part but some harnesses hung from the others. The third shed held tools—shovels, axes, picks, saws—a great array. Again, placed in perfect order. Gwen wondered if all the Shannon men were this tidy or if Matt kept the sheds as neat as he expected the pantry to be.
They moseyed along, Lindy keeping up a running commentary. This was the place where she’d fallen and scraped her knee. Papa had put ointment on it. That was where Mama picked yellow flowers. That was where Mama and Papa went for walks. “Sometimes they took me. Sometimes they waited ’til I was in bed. Papa said it was so he could kiss Mama.” Lindy covered her mouth and giggled.
Gwen laughed too. She was so enjoying this delightful child. But the sun was heading toward its zenith.
“It’s time for us to go to the house and have dinner.”
“Wanna see a shortcut?”
Gwen followed Lindy down a narrow path through a thicket of trees and bushes. They entered a small clearing. Gwen knew from the way the grass was flattened that Lindy had been here before.
Lindy stopped. “We can pretend it’s our secret house.”
“That’s a lovely idea. What do we need?”
“A table and chairs. Maybe a curtain.”
“Where would we get them?”
Lindy beckoned with her finger. “I show you.”
Gwen followed her to a woodshed where Lindy examined logs and picked out those that were what she determined to be right. Gwen helped her carry them back to the clearing. It took several trips, but they soon had five in a tight circle to form a table and four laying sideways as stools.
Gwen sat on one of the chairs watching as Lindy gathered objects. What was the child doing?
Lindy placed four green leaves on the table. “Our plates.” She gathered withered rose hips and tore leaves into tiny pieces and put some of each on the plates. She looked around and then dashed away.
Gwen waited, wondering if Lindy was coming back or had she lost interest? Before she could think if she should continue to wait or go to the house, the child trotted back, carrying an empty tin can holding three white flowers. She put the arrangement in the center of the wooden table.
“Mama loved these,” she announced solemnly then sat across from Gwen and pretended to eat. “You like my cooking?”
Gwen pretended as well. “It’s very good. Thank you.” She nodded toward the two empty spots. “Are you expecting company?”
Lindy’s hands grew still. She blinked. Then burst to her feet. “Yellow Bird likes to fly.” Spreading her arms, she raced down the trail.
Gwen rose more slowly as she realized Lindy had set places for her mama and papa. Pain pierced her heart to know how much Lindy missed her parents.
