Page 47 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
Lindy sucked in a noisy breath. “I guess that’s right. Papa said no one could cook like Mama.” She finished the last bite of her biscuit before she added hope-filled words. “But I might like your rice pudding too.”
Gwen laughed. “Then I shall make some and let you decide.”
Matt chuckled. “Something to look forward to.”
“What is a favorite thing your mother made?” she asked him. “Maybe I can make my version of it.”
“Well, I don’t know.” His gaze drifted to her, but she guessed he wasn’t seeing her but something in his past. She didn’t blink. Didn’t move, not wanting to break this tenuous connection between them. “I know. Lardie cake. You ever made it?”
“I have. It was one of my father’s favorite delicacies.” She liked the idea of a shared special treat. “It seems I’ll be busy tomorrow. Oh, wait.” She sat back. “Tomorrow is Sunday.”
“We’ll go to church. We usually have the noon meal shortly after we return.”
Her thoughts raced. Normally, she would have done some preparation on Saturday, but the day was already gone. What could she make that would be ready for Sunday dinner?
Matt pressed his palm to his forehead. “I plumb forgot. Wally said he’d planned a meal for us all tomorrow. So you don’t have to do anything.”
“I’ll be better prepared next time.”
“I’m done. Can I go?” Lindy looked like an anxious bird about to take flight.
Gwen glanced at Matt. He was shaking his head. She agreed.
“Honey,” she said. “It’s late. Time for you to get ready for bed.”
“Ahh, do I have to?”
Gwen hugged the child. “Would you like us to read your book to you again? Or should I find the Bible story book I brought?”
“Can I do both?”
“Yes, if you hurry.”
Lindy reached her room before Gwen finished speaking. Gwen couldn’t help but see the humor in Lindy’s hurry. Gracious, the girl loved her stories. As she glanced around the room, Matt’s unbroken attention caught her completely. Before warmth could spread from her neck to her cheeks, he looked away and the moment fractured into a million pieces.
“Goodness.” She hurried to her feet. “I’d better get the table cleaned before she’s back.”
“I’ll help.” They worked in unison, taking dirty dishes to the basin of hot water. Their hands touched as she handed him a wet plate to dry. It was all she could do not to jerk away. What was wrong with her that suddenly his presence put her off balance and the slightest touch jarred her like being struck by lightning?
Lindy returned, shifting impatiently from one foot to the other before the last spoon was back in the drawer. She held her new book to her chest.
Gwen hurried to get the other book from her trunk, taking a moment to breathe deeply and regain her composure. Why was she acting so foolishly? She’d known she’d share a home with Matt when she left Kellom. She’d understood there’d be awkwardness from time to time as they moved around each other. She reasoned they’d get used to it. What she hadn’t realized was that there would be moments of acute awareness.
She’d get used to that too. After a bit.
A few minutes later, they had read to Lindy and Gwen heard her prayers with half her attention, listening to Matt move about in the living room. The thought of rejoining him sent shimmers of excitement through her. Or was it nervousness?
But when she returned, Matt stood at the door. “I’ll say good night.”
The shimmering stopped. Her skin grew taut. Seems he couldn’t wait to rush away. “Thank you for the pleasant afternoon. I really enjoyed it.” She barely got the words from her mouth before he ducked out the door. She stared at the wooden barrier. “Well, at least we won’t be awkwardly bumping into each other or worrying about what to say.”
Determined to force her thoughts to normal things, she finished cleaning the kitchen and then sat in the rocking chair, her Bible in her lap. But she kept losing her place on the page as her mind wandered. The awkward and abrupt ending left her thoughts twisting. Had she put more importance on their time together than it warranted?
Remember you are only here to be a mother to Lindy. You agreed the marriage would be in name only.
Sunday morning dawnedgolden and bright. Because they hadn’t bathed Saturday, Gwen rose early to heat water so they could both have a sponge bath. She dried Lindy’s hair as best she could by the stove, brushed it out, and braided it from the top of Lindy’s head.
Her own hair hung loose in the hopes it would dry before they had to leave for church.
