Page 36 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
Where had he heard that? Likely from Luke and as such, he dismissed it. He had no time or room in his life for silliness. Romance was for children and the unwary. He was neither. Nor did he wish to repeat painful lessons of the past.
“Luke and I are riding to the northwest to check on the water supply. The others are taking goods to the line shacks.” Even Wally, he realized. “You’ll be alone.” Maybe he should tell Luke he’d have to go without him.
“I’ll be fine. You go about your work and don’t worry about me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Matt, what would your father expect of you?”
“I admired my father. He was a wise rancher. But he wasn’t the wisest husband. I don’t want to be like him in that regard.”
Something shifted in Gwen’s expression. She grew thoughtful. He was tempted to say yearning filled her eyes. Obviously, he was muddled from thinking of his parents.
“I’ll be fine. You go riding with Luke. Enjoy the day. Lindy and I are going to keep busy.”
That piqued his curiosity. “What do you have planned?” Should he stay behind and make sure they didn’t encounter problems?
Her eyes twinkled as if she knew what he was thinking. “We’re going to check out the garden. Maybe pick flowers. Nothing of importance. I simply want to spend time with the child.”
Nothing he was needed for. Not that he was disappointed. “Well, enjoy your day.”
“You too,” she called as he strode away.
It might be fun to spend the day with Lindy and Gwen. But he had work to do and wasn’t part of his reason for asking Gwen to come to free up the men to do their work?
Luke greeted him in the barn. They saddled their horses and rode from the yard. “I can see you’re thrilled with my company.”
Matt smiled though it didn’t do much but lift the corners of his mouth.
Luke continued, not bothered by Matt’s lack of response. “You know everyone would understand if you stayed behind. This is the month you’re supposed to be getting to know Gwen. Can’t do that if you’re out riding the range.”
“Let’s go check that draw.” He urged his horse forward. But Luke made a valid point.
How was he to get to know Gwen if he didn’t spend time with her? Never mind the evenings together. Or the morning he’d spent having tea with her and the Dixons. The latter certainly didn’t count.
Could he find a way to be with her more? Did he want to?
8
Gwen checked her hair in the glass one last time. It was neatly coiled around her head. Lindy was in a clean dress, her twin braids tied with ribbon.
“We’re ready,” Gwen announced.
Matt had informed them last night that he needed to make a trip to Crow Crossing to get supplies. When he asked if she’d like to accompany him, her answer had come eagerly.
“I’d love to. I saw little of the town when I arrived.”
“That’s my fault.” He rubbed at the back of his neck. “I should have realized we needed a delay before you started your journey.” His mouth pulled down. “That was an oversight on my part.”
She’d chuckled and patted his hand… something she wanted to do more often than she could find reason for. “I’m not blaming you, circumstances being what they were.”
“Still, I should have given it more thought.”
She wasn’t sure if he meant the trip from town, or his decision to put off the wedding and hoped was the latter. Last night, she’d posed the question, “Do I need to prepare anything? A lunch?”
“Make a list of things you need to buy.” He paused then added, “Lunch would be nice.”
Lindy bounced up and down at the prospect of the trip. Gwen contained her excitement to soft laughter at the child’s enthusiasm.
