Page 27 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
Gwen’s laughter rang out and Matt saw the humor in Lindy’s protest and chuckled. He met Gwen’s eyes and felt something at their shared amusement. Not that he had any idea what the warmth in his chest meant. Only that it felt good to push aside his critical thoughts and see the happier side of something. Maybe Luke was right. He’d grown…well, he’d never admit togrouchy.
Gwen brought him a slice of pie. He tasted it and his eyes rounded. “I’ve never cared much for rhubarb pie, but this is delicious. Thank you.” So what if the other pie was black?
They finished and he pushed from the table. “We’ll help with dishes, won’t we, Lindy?”
“Sure.” The three of them took dishes to the basin where Gwen washed. Lindy and Matt dried. The kitchen cleaned, he looked at the burnt pie on the cupboard.
“I could take it to Scamp. He’d enjoy it.”
Gwen looked startled then grinned. The grin grew to a low chuckle. “Poor Scamp must be very hungry to be willing to eat this.”
“Considering he likes to eat offal and roll in it, this will be the best dessert he’s ever had.”
She chortled delightfully.
His own grin came from deep within at being able to amuse her. The pie in one hand, he escorted Gwen and Lindy out the door. He would have gone along the bank of Shannon Valley and pointed out various things, but he needed to deal with the burnt food first, so they turned the other direction. He held his breath as they passed the main house, hoping Lindy wouldn’t insist she run inside, but she skipped ahead, flapping her arms and humming. At the barn, he called Scamp and set the pie on the ground. Like he’d expected, the dog dug in, his hindquarters wriggling as he ate.
“See. What did I say? He’s so happy he’s practically dancing.”
A low laugh rumbled in her throat and, grinning at his success, Matt led her into the barn. “I know you were here with Lindy but let me explain things.” He told her about dealing with horses. “We break our own.”
She shuddered. “Break is such a harsh word.”
“It’s just a term. You might say we train them. From a young age, they are handled. We want them to trust us.” He led her to the pasture behind the barn and pointed out the horses. “That one’s mine.” A beautiful bay with one white sock. “His name is Lucky.”
“Why Lucky?”
“Because he’s lucky to belong to me.” He waited for her response and wasn’t disappointed. Her eyes sparkled and her lips twitched.
Lucky whinnied and trotted to them. Matt stroked his neck. “You’ve been out all day. Time for you to rest.” They moved on, Lucky following along the fence until he came to a corner and could go no further.
They reached the bunkhouse, and he opened the door. “There’s no one here right now.”
She peered over his shoulder. “It looks cozy.”
He chuckled, amused by her description. “It can get a little rank when there are a dozen hard-working men here.”
She backed away. “That’s ruined my enjoyment of the place.”
The way her eyes crinkled at the corners informed him she wasn’t displeased. They moved to the cookhouse. She entered and looked around. Lindy clattered in at Gwen’s heels and raced around the big table. Matt opened his mouth to scold her but changed his mind. What harm was she doing? No point in him being grouchy though he preferred to think of it as careful.
A fly buzzed around them, and Gwen waved it away. That reminded him of something he’d heard in town one day. “Why don’t cowboys shoo the flies buzzing around?” He asked in an innocent tone.
She swatted at the persistent fly. “Why?”
“It’s easier to let them go barefoot.”
Her mouth opened and closed. She stared at him. And then the music of her laughter burst free. Guess he’d proved Luke wrong. He hadn’t lost his sense of humor. Ma had always found a reason to be happy. He did her memory a disservice if he didn’t do the same.
They moved on, sauntering down the trail. “I know so little about you.” He was determined to keep the conversation moving along pleasant lines. “What things do you like to do?”
“I’m quite enjoying the evening air. It’s so sweet compared to the city. We smell the river and the passing of many men and horses. Here I catch the spicy scent of grass. I can even smell the leaves on the trees.” She waved toward the trees along the path. “And birds. So many birds.” She paused and tipped her head toward the branches then brought her gaze to him. “I think this might be my new favorite thing to do.”
He couldn’t think of a single word of response. He couldn’t explain why he’d thought she might object to the vast outdoors of the ranch, but he had.
She began walking again. “I also like to read and sew. I’m quite well known for some of my sewing creations.”
His thoughts skittered back to seeing Ma bent over a project with needle and thread, the tip of her tongue pressed to her upper lip as she concentrated. Pa had always teased her about how she did that. Lost in memories of days, people, and events that were now gone, he startled when Gwen spoke.
