Page 39 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
“Yes, you may.” He alighted and reached up to assist Gwen. He said, “Buy anything you need. Mr. Luckham will put it on my bill.” Taking her elbow, he guided her into the store.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Luckham were there and no other customers. The older couple looked up at his entrance and immediately crossed the store toward them.
“Welcome, welcome,” Mrs. Luckham said.
“Mr. and Mrs. Luckham, I’d like you to meet Miss Gwen Humber.”
“Miss?” Shock thinned the woman’s words.
“We haven’t been to the preacher yet.”
Mrs. Luckham gave him a look of disapproval. “Why not?” She tsked. “It’s time you moved on. Put the past behind you.”
She looked about to say more. Mrs. Luckham was known as a source of news…or a busybody, depending on how you viewed it. Matt guessed she was about to blurt out something about Corine. He didn’t intend to give her the opportunity and spoke through his clenched teeth.
“Miss Humber will pick out what she wants. Lindy can have a candy stick. Here’s a list of supplies for the ranch. I’ll be back later for them.” He was out of the store before anyone could say jack rabbit. The wagon tipped as he climbed aboard and drove down the street, passing the livery and the train depot, his attention focused toward the front until the town lay behind him. He was dizzy and realized he’d forgotten to breathe.
Pulling to a halt, he stared into the distance. Why did he let Mrs. Luckham bother him? Or was he upset because she reminded him of the times he’d spent with Corine, often calling at the store to take her for an outing? His insides twisted and turned like a prairie whirlwind. He stared straight ahead until his breathing grew normal and the feelings triggered by Mrs. Luckham’s comments had vanished.
Poor Gwen. She must wonder if he’d abandoned her. He turned around and made his way back to town. He approached the train station. His gaze went in that direction and stayed there as the wagon rolled by. He had not mounted the steps to the platform since Corine’s death. But why did he let it guide his decisions now? He pulled to a halt in front of the store and sat a moment. Marrying Gwen was different than his plans to marry Corine. It was only for Lindy’s sake. So why this churning inside?
Only because he had been neglectful toward Gwen. And he meant to make up for it starting right now with the plans he’d made for the day.
He strode into the store. Gwen met his gaze. He smiled and was rewarded with the answering brightness on her face. Her eyes were soft and welcoming. A box and sacks full of beans, rice, and cornmeal stood on the counter.
“Your order is ready,” Mr. Luckham said.
“Thanks. Are you done with your shopping?” He directed the question to Gwen.
She nodded and for some reason, he couldn’t tear his gaze from her.
Mrs. Luckham chuckled, and he jerked his attention toward her. “I’ve enjoyed getting to know Gwen. I believe the two of you will make a perfect couple.”
It wasn’t that sort of arrangement. But he kept his words to himself. No one else needed to know the circumstances of their agreement. He loaded the supplies and then helped Gwen to the seat. Lindy, sucking on a red-and-white candy stick, jumped into the back on her own.
He thanked the Luckhams and drove away. “I’m sorry for leaving you there on your own.”
“Matt, I am capable of shopping without assistance. Mrs. Luckham was very helpful.”
I’m sure she was.“Did she tell you about everyone in the area?”
She laughed softly. “Well, let me see. If I’m to believe everything she says there are a dozen or more cowboys in the area who would be glad to have a pretty young thing like me arrive in town, ready and willing to get married.” She laughed. “I looked around to see if she meant me.”
“Who else would she mean?”
“I’m neither pretty nor young but if it pleases her to say so, I’ll not correct her.”
“My ma said a person should receive compliments with a gracious thank you.” Matt might have wondered if Gwen was fishing for a compliment, but her soft chuckle suggested she was teasing.
“Oh, believe me, I expressed my thanks.” Her eyes brimmed with amusement, trapping him in a web of pleasure.
She continued. “She said I must attend the next quilting bee. She’ll let me know on Sunday when it’s to be.” Gwen’s voice was round with hidden laughter. “When I said I didn’t see how I could, she patted my arm like I was missing something and said, of course, I would.” She chuckled. “I’m guessing Mrs. Luckham is used to having hersuggestionsfollowed.”
At the apt observation regarding the storekeeper’s wife, Matt laughed. “I’ll be sure you are able to attend, or she’ll be after my hide.”
Their gazes caught and held in shared amusement. She was the first to look away. “Where are we going?”
While they talked, he’d been guiding the wagon away from town but in the opposite direction of the ranch. “I thought you’d like to eat before we return home.” How easy it was to say home and mean it for her as well as himself and Lindy.
