Page 34 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
“Coming down the trail. They’ll be here in ten minutes or so.”
“Perfect. That’s all the time I need to finish cleaning up.” She’d already washed the mixing bowls and quickly scoured the last baking tray. She put away everything and spread a clean tablecloth on the table. Too bad she didn’t have something to put in the center to brighten the place. She glanced around. She’d hung a few pictures, but the house needed more decorating.
Matt stood in the kitchen eating his third or fourth cookie.
She studied him. “Do they pass inspection?”
He grinned. “They sure do. Gwen, you’re a fine cook.”
“Thank you.” At the sound of an approaching wagon, she whipped off her apron and hung it behind the stove. She smoothed her skirt and ran her hands over her hair
Matt watched her. “You look fine. Just fine.”
Her cheeks warmed at his approval and then she went to the door with him to greet their visitors. A young couple with two children—a boy, Gwen guessed to be about Lindy’s age and a girl maybe a year or two older.
“It’s the Dixons,” Matt murmured close to her ear. “They live to the north about ten miles.” He introduced Gwen to Mrs. Dixon.
“Please call me Opal. We’re your nearest neighbors so no need for formality.”
“Her husband, Vern Dixon.” Gwen heard the amusement in Matt’s voice.
Opal indicated her children. “Sarah and Junior.”
Gwen welcomed them into the house. For a moment, she wondered if she should show them to the sitting room but before she could make up her mind, Opal told Vern to get something out of the wagon. He returned with a large pot holding a flowering rose.
“I’ve kept it inside all winter that’s why it has so many blooms,” Opal explained. “You can keep it indoors or plant it somewhere. Whatever you like. It’s my way of saying welcome to your new home. I hope you’ll be very happy.”
“Thank you.” Gwen took the gift and dipped her head into the roses. “They smell so good.”
“Not near as good as those cookies,” Mr. Dixon said, eyeing the cooling rack.
“Vern,” his wife scolded.
Laughing, Gwen waved them in. “Please join us for fresh cookies and tea…unless you prefer coffee?”
“Tea is fine,” Opal said. “Where’s Lindy?”
Matt stepped outside and called her. She eased from the bushes. “Come on, Lindy. It’s the Dixons that come for tea. You know them. Sarah and Junior are here to play.”
Gwen wanted to linger and see what Lindy was going to do but her guests required her attention. Mr. Dixon pulled out a chair and sat down, solving Gwen’s questions as to whether they should go to the sitting room. Matt and Lindy joined them though Lindy seemed reluctant.
Gwen thought she would be glad for the company, especially as Matt indicated she knew them. Matt got a bench from outdoors and put it along one side of the table for the children to sit on. The adults used the chairs
Mr. Dixon directed his question to Matt. “How does the grass look where your cows are?”
“It’s not growing the way it should this time of year.”
“Sure could use a rain.” Mr. Dixon took the cup of tea Gwen offered him and helped himself to two cookies.
The children each took one. All three of them shifted on the bench, as uneasy as if they were in church.
Gwen looked at Opal. “Would you be offended if the children took their cookies and went to play?”
“That’s a good idea. Run along.” She shooed them toward the door.
The two Dixon children raced away. Lindy finished her cookie before she left the house.
Gwen watched her go, wondering if she felt strange around the other children. The child was used to being with grown-ups. Her only playmates were the dog and cats. She glanced out the window to see Lindy racing after Junior. Satisfied the little girl was happy playing with the others, she turned her attention back to the adults.
