Page 25 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
Maybe she could help Lindy still have a good time.
She returned to the house and gathered up food for a picnic. Crackers, cheese, and a tin of Andy’s cherished peaches. She plucked a checkered dishtowel from the drawer and chose two plates from the cupboards. For a moment, she hesitated, wondering if she should take four plates but decided it felt too much like intruding into Lindy’s private world.
Back at the clearing she spread the cloth over the log table and set out the food. “Lindy,” she called. She heard the child humming...a bird-like sound. “Lindy, I’ve made us a picnic.”
Lindy flapped into sight. “Yellow Bird hungry.” She skidded to a halt as she saw the table. Then she dropped her arms to her side and walked sedately to the log seat across from Gwen.
“Shall I say grace?” Gwen hoped her voice indicated she’d be willing to let Lindy do so.
Lindy bowed her head and clasped her hands together.
Tears stung Gwen’s eyes and clogged her throat. What a precious child. She managed to choke out a prayer, hoping Lindy wouldn’t notice the hoarseness of Gwen’s voice.
The little girl talked between bites. She knew a lot about birds and what she didn’t know she’d made up. It seemed there were crows at a certain tree who talked to her. Lindy repeated the pretend conversation.
“They have babies now. Mama crow told the babies they had to stay in the nest. She and papa crow fly away to get food then come back. The baby crows whisper to each other ’cause they don’t know if mama and papa will come back or if they fly away forever.” She waved her arm over her head. “They might fly away so high they never come back.”
It seemed Lindy had chosen a story that mirrored her own.
“Uncle Matt told me baby birds will soon fly away. I told him I was going to learn to fly.” Lindy flapped her arms.
They lingered over the picnic as Lindy entertained Gwen with her imaginative tales.
“Miss? Miss?”
The call jerked Gwen to her feet. Goodness, she’d spent a large portion of the day with Lindy. Not that she regretted it. Wasn’t it the very reason she was here? To mother the child?
But also to take care of meals and the home. And she dared not fail in either department.
She rushed toward the house. Wally stood at the door.
“I brought meat for you.” He lifted the pot he held.
“Thank you.”
“If you start it roasting now it will be ready for supper.”
“I’ll do that.” She took the pot.
“How’s the little one doing?” He nodded toward Lindy who ran and flapped down the trail.
Gwen chuckled. “She’s such a delight. Full of life and imagination.” She blinked back tears.
Wally patted her arm. “Matt did right to bring you here.”
“That’s very kind of you. I’ll do my best to…” She didn’t know how to finish. Was Wally even aware of Matt’s expectations from this delay?
“Don’t you let Matt’s ways get under your skin. He’s learned to be cautious. And it’s not a bad way even though some might find it trying at times. Now, is there anything you need?”
He’d learned to be cautious? Because of overhearing his mother crying and praying and his decision to not be like his pa? Though he’d not come right out and said that. Certainly, losing his friends would shock him and make him want to control what he could. She knew so little about him. Were there other reasons? A broken heart? Disappointment in love? People showing little or no concern for his feelings?
Or was she only remembering some of her own reasons for thinking a marriage of convenience was the safest thing?
She pulled her thoughts back to the present. “Matt said he likes dessert. I thought of making a pie or two.” It was one way she could show her worth and perhaps make him feel like he was valued. “Do you mind if I help myself to some rhubarb?”
“You take all you want. The garden is as much yours as anyone’s.”
Gwen wasn’t about to believe that but thanked the man. She browned the roast and stuck it in the oven then called Lindy and they returned to the garden. Lindy skipped down the path between two rows of peas, singing a tuneless song about crows.
