Page 3 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
He had a point. “Very well. A month.” She would be on her best behavior and not do anything annoying. The idea that she would pretend to be other than what she was made her laugh.
He quirked one eyebrow. How did he do that?
She explained what had amused her. “You see what I mean? It’s a perfect example.”
He tipped his head in acknowledgment of her words. “Maybe we should do our best to be who we are.”
Wheels rattled up the path and he gestured toward the sound. “I believe that’s your luggage. I’ll get it loaded and then we’ll be on our way.” He went to the adjoining room and spoke to Mrs. Ingram who waited for them to announce they were ready to proceed with their planned wedding. “We’ll be leaving now.”
Mrs. Ingram rushed up to them. “What about the ceremony? My husband is prepared to—”
“We’ve agreed to delay taking vows for a month.” He was matter-of-fact in his announcement.
“But…but…” She sputtered. “You can’t take her out to your ranch. With nothing there but men!” Shock made her voice squeak.
“And Lindy.” Matt indicated Gwen should accompany him outside.
Her trunks, containing everything she owned, waited in the back of a wagon. She had her winter and summer clothing, two quilts her mother had put together, one she had made, a few other mementos from home, some books, and of course, her sewing notions.
Matt helped her to the seat. She smoothed her skirt and smiled. She was about to go to her new home and, trial period or not, she meant to prove she was … she sought for a word to explain the deep yearnings of her heart. The only one she came up with was needed. But it was too weak. Maybe she meant necessary.
What she did know for certain was she intended to prove she was the best woman for the position Matt Shannon had offered.
* * *
Matt flickedthe reins and headed the horses toward home. By rights, he should have brought the buggy and provided a proper ride for the woman who would become his wife if they still agreed after a month. But he’d had to pick up supplies and he’d had no idea how much luggage Miss Humber would have. As well, he should have picked her up at the train station, but he hadn’t gone to that location since Corine had…well, since the last time he’d waited for her.
He slid a gaze to the woman at his side. She’d written that she’d been a housekeeper for her brother but was no longer needed now that the brother was getting married. She had helped care for children in several church families which gave him assurance she could handle Lindy. A plain-looking spinster was how she’d described herself. He’d imagined someone with eyes full of sadness and regret. He’d thought her mouth would be set in a permanent frown. Or at least be drawn back. She’d be a woman who had a rigid schedule, and regimented activities which were exactly what Lindy needed. The child had been running wild. Some discipline would put a stop to her mischief.
But Gwen was not at all like he’d expected. For one thing, she wasn’t plain. She was… well, she wasn’t plain. Her hair was brown but shone with brightness as if sunshine had burrowed along her scalp. Her brown eyes held a golden glint. She wasn’t dour as he’d assumed she’d be. Even when she wasn’t smiling her eyes twinkled and amusement seemed to hover on her lips.
No. She definitely wasn’t what he’d expected.
Yes, she’d come highly recommended. And he was desperate. But was this what he wanted?
He gripped the reins so hard that his knuckles turned white, and he relaxed his fingers. At the same time, he admitted to himself he had no idea what he wanted. Apart from one thing. Lindy needed a home. A mother. Stability.
Before he and Gwen tied the knot, he had to be assured the child would be properly cared for. Lindy’s parents, Merry and Roscoe, had allowed their daughter free run of the place. Roscoe was one of the ranch’s top hired man and Matt’s best friend. Merry cooked for them and ran the house. Since their passing, Lindy had grown undisciplined. It had to be stopped. This arrangement was solely for Lindy’s benefit. He’d been clear that he wanted a marriage in name only. Matt had no need of love or emotional entanglements. In his experience, they simply made a man vulnerable to unsettled, painful feelings. He had only to look back as far as the accident that claimed Merry and Roscoe’s lives. But if he cared to look further there was Corine.
Miss Humber had been recommended by the preacher’s wife back in Illinois who facilitated introducing young women of marriageable age to young men out west who longed for a wife. In Matt’s case, simply a mother for Lindy. They’d corresponded briefly. Three letters total. But there was some urgency to get things arranged for Lindy’s sake. Neither his brothers nor their older cowhand had time to devote to the child.
Miss Humber—Gwen—had said she was eager to move forward with the wedding plans. According to the information Matt received, she was about to lose her home. It seemed they were both going to benefit from their decision. Thankfully, she’d agreed to a month's trial period. It sounded cold to say each needed to assess the other, but it was necessary in his mind. He didn’t mean to make a mistake that would affect not only his life, but Lindy’s. Parenting was still so new to him, he wasn’t sure of his own path, much less how to tread with Gwen or he might have considered the one-month trial before Gwen started the trip. Instead, his decision had been formed on the trip to town. He regretted being so slow to see that a delay was wise.
“How is Lindy getting along?” Gwen asked. “I can’t imagine how difficult it is for a four-year-old to lose her parents. Goodness knows it was hard enough for me when I was seventeen.”
He glanced at the woman beside him and saw her lips tremble. Remembering her warning that she found life amusing, he was relieved to know not everything was humorous.
She continued. “And you lost your good friends at the same time.” She briefly touched his sleeve. “I’m sorry.”
He barely managed to keep from jerking away not needing or wanting that sort of behavior between them. “She’s been doing remarkably well. Of course, she didn’t have to leave her home so that helps.”
“I’m sure it does.” She opened her mouth as if she meant to say something more and he waited. “I expected you to meet me at the station.” Her voice rose in a tentative question.
“I’m not comfortable waiting for a train.” He inwardly sighed. No doubt she’d want to know why but he didn’t like talking about his reasons. The painful past was best left untouched.
She shifted to watch him as she spoke. “I was afraid you didn’t want anyone to see you greet me.” A smile touched her lips though her eyes remained guarded.
When she didn’t ask for his excuse for not being at the train station, hands he didn’t realize he squeezed so hard, relaxed. He shifted his thoughts to her comment. Did she think he’d be embarrassed that he’d ordered himself a bride? “I meant no personal slight. I don’t care what opinion others have of my decision. I’m simply doing what I think is best.”
