Page 33 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
“Lindy’s excited about the idea. It’s cinnamon coffee cake. My mother taught me to make it.”
“Then I assume it is very special.”
She beamed. “It’s also very delicious.” His acknowlegment meant far more than he would ever know.
He washed his hands and took his place at the table. Lindy was already seated and waiting.
“Aunt Gwen let me lick the bowl but said I had to wait until you got here to taste anything more.” Lindy squirmed. “I never had breakfast cake before.”
“I haven’t either. Pa always insisted there must be eggs and meat and potatoes at breakfast. He allowed pancakes or fresh biscuits as well. Nothing different though. Guess we all just followed his orders. Though I can’t think why we continue to do so.” He chuckled.
A sound that settled into the pit of Gwen’s stomach like a warm, sweet drink. The man ought to laugh more. It suited him.
“Hurry and pray, Uncle Matt.” Lindy’s gaze was riveted to the cake Gwen had put in the middle of the table, alongside a bowl of boiled eggs—did Matt prefer them always fried?
After he’d said grace, she offered him the platter holding the savory potato pancakes and explained, “They don’t need syrup though my father liked applesauce on his. Try them and if you don’t like them, I won’t make them again.”
He took a cautious bite while she waited. His eyes widened but she couldn’t tell if it was in enjoyment or dislike. He swallowed. “Gwen, that is the best thing I’ve ever had for breakfast.”
“I’m glad.” Pleasure made her blink twice.
Lindy ate one pancake and an egg. But her gaze lingered on the coffee cake. She wiped her plate clean. “I’m done.”
Although he’d eaten much more, Matt finished seconds after Lindy. His gaze also went to the cake and then he raised his eyes to look at Gwen.
Laughter rippled across her lips. “Look at the two of you.”
Matt shifted his attention to Lindy and chuckled. “We’ve never had cake for breakfast.”
“I hope I haven’t built up unreasonable expectations.” She slid a large square to Matt’s plate and a smaller one to Lindy’s then sat back to await their verdict.
Lindy ate a mouthful. “It’s good.” She didn’t even raise her gaze from her plate.
Matt lifted a forkful to his mouth and chewed. He grinned, making his eyes crinkle at the edges. “It’s delicious.” He glanced at the serving bowls and the empty platter. “I do believe this is the best breakfast I’ve ever had. Thank you.”
Happiness bubbled inside Gwen. She’d impressed him. They finished the meal and Matt excused Lindy from the table. She ran outside to play, leaving the house quiet. Matt seemed content to linger over a second cup of coffee. Gwen could think of no reason why she shouldn’t remain as well and pulled her cup closer even though it was empty.
“Matt, I didn’t get a chance to express my feelings last night after you told me about Corine. Let me say that although I can’t begin to understand the shock of learning of her death, I am truly sorry for your loss. It’s obvious you were very much in love.” She’d never known that sort of love and knew she never would. The few times she’d had a beau seemed such a pale comparison to his feelings.
He studied the contents of his cup and then slowly lifted his head to look at her. “It was four years ago.”
“Something as earth-shattering as that isn’t easily forgotten. I believe it shapes our lives in ways we can’t comprehend.”
His gaze returned to the cup cradled between his palms. “Thanks for your understanding.” He downed his coffee in three gulps and pushed from the table. “Time for me to get to work. Thanks for breakfast.” With that, he was gone.
Gwen remained at the table. Understanding? Did she want that? But what else was there? She refused to acknowledge the hollowness pressing at her heart, tightening her throat.
Enough pining over what could not be hers.
She stored away the food, gathered up the dishes, washed them, and put everything back on the shelves. From the kitchen window, she glimpsed Lindy flitting back and forth and smiled. Gwen could create tasty meals and be a mother to the child. She did not want more. She did not long for a love that filled her heart and life to overflowing.
Scolding herself for useless thoughts, she turned to study the kitchen. There were no cookies in the house. She meant to correct that immediately and pulled out mixing bowls and baking sheets. Soon the kitchen held the sweet spicy scent of ginger cookies.
The outer door opened, surprising her. She expected the aroma had carried outside and drawn Lindy in. But the footsteps were too heavy to be a child’s. Matt entered.
“We have visitors. Thought I should warn you.”
“Visitors? And just in time for fresh cookies. Help yourself.” She indicated the cooling rack. “Where are they?”
