Page 53 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
“Sorry, didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.”
“No, no.” She forced herself to look at him. “It’s just that no one’s ever said anything like that to me.”
“Not even your parents?”
“They didn’t believe in praising us. I heard them say they didn’t want us to get swelled heads.”
“Someone must have praised you, surely.”
A smile full of sweetness curved her mouth. “I told you that Mama said I was her special gift from heaven bringing her so much joy—her ray of sunshine.” That had always made her feel cherished. A distant memory surfaced. “And one time we saw a street performer playing the flute. Such cheerful music. I stood before him and drank it in. Swaying and moving to the tune. He stopped and said, ‘Little girl, never lose your joy.’ I might have lost it temporarily a few times but never permanently.”
He caught her hand and cradled it between his. “I hope you never do. I like hearing you laugh.”
She couldn’t think. Couldn’t find a word to respond. If she needed a reason to believe marriage to this man was a good idea, this afternoon and yesterday had provided it. Even more so, his words. And now the way he held her hand as if she mattered to him. And not just as a mother for Lindy.
She was thinking of a real marriage. He’d only offered a pretend one. And she’d agreed. Wishing for anything more was foolish.
She bolted to her feet. “We need to keep up with Lindy.”
* * *
He’d embarrassedher yet again. And it wasn’t a bit like him. He never talked about feelings. He never paid compliments. It was something Corine had chastised him for. How often had she insisted he say something nice about her hair or her dress?
Thankfully, Lindy pulled Gwen along, the two of them laughing. Matt hung back, enjoying the moment. The sun was warm on their shoulders, the heavens so blue.
He caught up to them. “Look at the sky. Pa called it Montana blue.”
She stopped to look upward. “Montana blue. I like that.” She fell into step beside him. “I think I’ll call this afternoon Montana pleasure.”
He chuckled. “Pa would have liked you.” He was sure both his parents would have approved of her. Thinking of his parents triggered a thought that had been hovering in the back of his head.
“Remember I said that angel picture in Lindy’s book was the same as one in Mother’s Bible?”
“I remember.”
“I located her Bible and have begun reading it.” He didn’t know when he’d neglected doing so nor why.
They stopped walking, and he led her to a grassy place to sit down before he continued.
“I recall that I often found her reading it. Seems the Good Book was never far from her. While she was alive, she read us a portion every evening.”
“That sounds nice.”
“The practice stopped after her passing. I suppose Pa discovered it hard to continue something that she’d always done.” An unfamiliar truth rose in his heart. “I know Ma would be disappointed that I haven’t continued reading the Bible as she taught.”
He turned to face Gwen because what he was about to say was important to him and he wanted to make certain she understood. Even more, he hoped she’d approve of his suggestion.
“Once we’re married, I’d like to follow her practice and have family Bible reading every day in our home.”
“I’d like that.” A gentle, sweet smile accompanied her words. “I believe that putting God first is the surest way to a happy home.”
“Then we are agreed?”
“We are. In fact, we don’t have to wait until we’re married. We could start tonight.” She lowered her gaze. “If you’d like?” Her eyes came to him, brimming with hope and—
He had no idea what he thought he saw. Or did he mean, what he wished he’d see?
Lindy trotted up to them, planted her hands on her hips, and squinted. “You gonna stay there all day?”
