Page 50 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
Matt crossed his arms over his chest. He didn’t have to answer to Luke or anyone. “She agreed.”
“Did she have a choice?”
“Of course, she did.”
Luke leaned back and considered Matt. Matt held his gaze. They’d done this staring thing many times. He could outlast Luke any day.
“Tell me.” Luke’s words were soft. “What would you have done if she refused to delay the wedding a month? Would you have sent her back? Left her in town?”
Matt didn’t have to give Luke an answer. He knew in his mind why he’d asked to wait but he didn’t expect anyone to understand that he needed to be sure that…What? That he could guarantee the future? Make it safe?
He shook his head. Where were those arguments coming from? He didn’t need them…wasn’t prepared to listen to them. His decision had been made with Lindy’s best interests in mind.
“Lindy needs her.” Luke took one step away. “You need her.” He strode toward the barn.
Matt began to follow then changed his mind. What did he need her for except to make a home for Lindy?
It wasn’t as ifheneeded a home. Or anything else. No sir. He preferred to keep thoughts of love out of his head.
Love? Who’d said anything about that? Love meant pain. He wasn’t going that route again. Ever.
11
Gwen left the house and stopped when she saw Matt. He stood a few feet away, his arms crossed as he stared at Luke heading toward the barn. She could feel the tension in the air. Was it because of her? She didn’t want to be the cause of strife between the brothers. What was that verse in the Bible? In Proverbs somewhere. One of the six things the Lord hated.He that soweth discord among brethren.
Matt joined her and they returned to their house.Theirhouse? His continued insistence in delaying their marriage sent doubt skittering through her brain. Was she unknowingly failing in some direction?
He cleared his throat. “I apologize for the scene at church.”
She digested his words. “Can I hope that I’ll pass your test?”
He stopped. Blinked. “It wasn’t a test. It was as much for your sake as mine. I wouldn’t want you to be unhappy stuck out here.”
The idea of her not wanting to be there was so ludicrous she laughed. She didn’t need time to think about this decision, but uncertainty fluttered through her. Would the delay give him an opportunity to decide she didn’t meet his standards? A distant ache, one she tried to ignore, reminded her of the times she had not been enough for others. She shook her head as if she could throw off those thoughts. “I can’t think of any place I’d sooner be. The view is stunning. I love Lindy. And there’s lots of pleasant company.”
“Good to know,” Matt said, meeting her gaze.
The air between them grew shiny. In the distance, a crow cawed. Closer to them, Lindy sang and whirled in the dust.
He broke free of the look first. “I promised to show you the valley. Would you like to do that this afternoon?”
Grateful that the discussion and the uncertainty were to be set aside, she answered, “I’d love to. Give me a moment to change out of my Sunday clothes.” She called Lindy and they hurried to the house.
Matt waited in the kitchen a few minutes later when Gwen left her bedroom. He stared out the window. She drew to a halt at the expression on his face. Did she see regret? He turned at her approach and his face lit. “I was thinking of all the things to show you down there.”
Nice to know he was eager to spend the afternoon with her, showing her his world. “I’m looking forward to seeing it all.”
Lindy raced from her bedroom, her braid flapping against her back. She was out the door, the adults following at a more leisurely pace. They passed Luke’s house and continued along the path. The valley floor lay beneath them, the water at the bottom shimmering with reflected sunshine.
Gwen swung her arms at her side and smiled as the light echoed in her heart. She loved it here and would prove she belonged.
The trail turned toward the bank and slanted downward.
“Lindy, you stay behind us,” Matt called.
The child stopped and obediently waited for the adults to go ahead. Matt went first, taking sideways steps as he reached out a hand to Gwen. For a heartbeat, she hesitated, remembering how her heart and mind had reacted previously. Even at innocent touches. But the trail was steep. She needed his help. And what better excuse to hold his hand and assess her reaction. Was it anything more than strangeness?
She clung to him as they eased down the path, but her uncertain footing gave her no time to dwell on her feelings.
