Page 28 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
“Tell me what your days look like. I’m imagining you riding across the hills, but I realize you must do more than that,” she said.
He chuckled.See there, Luke, I haven’t lost my sense of humor.“We do ride a lot though some of us have been sticking close to home to watch Lindy.”
“Do you meanyouhave?”
She was astute. “It’s been mostly me though the others have taken turns.” Having Gwen here would free all of them to get back to ranch work.
“What do you do when you’re riding?”
“The cows are on open range but unless we keep them from going too far, they might end up in Canada or lost in the mountains. There’s branding, doctoring sick animals, arranging with the neighbors for round-up. There are supplies to buy. We grow oats for feed and we put up hay so that has to be taken care of.” He shrugged. “Doesn’t sound like much but on a place this size there is always something to do.”
The path led past Luke’s house and bent toward the valley. They reached a place that allowed them a good view of the blue river below them. The sun rimmed the mountains to the west in pink gold and cast dark shadows across the land. They stood side by side, content to enjoy the scene.
She gasped and caught his arm. “What’s that?” She pointed to the bottom of the valley floor.
Lindy stopped running to see what caught Gwen’s attention.
A majestic deer dipped his head into the stream of water.
“That’s an eight-point buck. He’s been hanging around for years. No one on our property will shoot him but I’m surprised other hunters haven’t done so. You’re fortunate to see him. He doesn’t often come out in the open.”
“I am blessed.” She exhaled softly then turned shining eyes toward him. “Thank you.”
He chuckled. “I had nothing to do with it.”
She lowered her gaze and then slowly brought it back to him. “You have everything to do with it. You invited me here.”
His mouth went dry as her eyes held his, brown and steady. He licked his lips but couldn’t think how to respond.
Lindy raced by, her arms in the air.
She was going fast. They were too close to the edge.
He reached for her, but she slipped from his fingers.
“Lindy, stop,” he roared, his heart in his mouth. There was nothing to keep her from plummeting down the side of the hill.
6
Gwen saw Lindy heading at breakneck speed toward the embankment. One misstep and she’d tumble down the slope. Matt roared for her to stop but she was going too fast and didn’t hear him. Gwen reacted out of fear and instinct and leaped forward, putting herself directly in the child’s path. Lindy plowed into Gwen, knocking the breath from her. Gwen staggered back a step under the impact.
“Whoa there, little girl.” She held Lindy tightly, waiting for her own breathing to settle down and for her heart to stop thumping madly.
Matt caught Lindy’s shoulder and pulled her from Gwen. “That was a very foolish thing to do. What if you’d tripped? You’d have—” He shook her. “Don’t ever run toward the edge again. Do you hear me?”
Lindy’s eyes filled with tears at his harsh tone. “Yes, Uncle Matt.”
Matt turned to Gwen. “Are you all right?” He touched her arm.
A sensation like warm sunshine on a spring day spread from where his fingers brushed against her. She nodded. Her throat was so tight it was impossible to get out a word. And then he stepped back taking the warmth with him. It was shock. Nothing more, she told herself and studied the green grass at her feet as her thoughts returned to almost normal. Not that she even knew what normal was at the moment. Everything was new and unfamiliar. New house. New address. New role. New people. Everything.
Except who she was inside. Gwen Humber. But wasn’t that soon to change to Gwen Shannon? No wonder she felt off balance.
Matt took Lindy’s hand and led them back along the trail toward their house.
The three of them walked in silence. Gwen could feel Matt’s displeasure rolling off him like a blast of heat and wasn’t sure what to expect. He was understandably upset but how would he handle it? How would he deal with Lindy? The child kept to his side, subdued after his scolding.
He released her. “Lindy, get ready for bed. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” And he strode away.
