Page 57 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
“She was up long before her regular time going from window to window.”
“Well.” Lindy crossed her arms and looked disgusted with the slow-moving, slow-eating adults. “I want to fly.”
“Don’t you mean ride?” Gwen reminded Lindy even though she knew it was one and the same for her.
Lindy didn’t respond but sat watching Matt’s every mouthful.
His gaze connected with Gwen’s again, flashing with amusement. He scraped his plate clean and downed his coffee. “I’m done.”
Lindy was on her feet and headed for the door before Matt could shove his chair back.
Chuckling, he followed her. “It looks like she’s coming to supervise saddling the horse. Oh, by the way, could you pack a lunch for me? I won’t be back at noon.”
“Of course. No problem.”
“Thanks for breakfast.” The door closed quietly behind them.
Gwen hurried to the window to watch. Lindy raced ahead and waved at Matt to hurry. He glanced over his shoulder. Gwen couldn’t say for certain if he saw her through the glass, but he gave a little salute and then trotted after Lindy.
* * *
Matt clungto Lindy as they galloped down the road. She waved her arms and lifted her face to the wind like she wanted to take off into the air. They rode for two miles then he reined in and turned around.
“Aww, are we done?”
“’Fraid so. I’ve got work to do and Aunt Gwen will be wondering where we are.”
“I like Auntie Gwen. Don’t you?”
“Yup. I like her fine.” Just fine.
Lindy shifted so she could look at Matt. “She’s gonna stay forever, isn’t she?”
“Forever is a long time.”
Lindy’s shoulders sank forward. “She might fly away like Mama and Papa.”
“Oh, Lindy, I hope not.” He’d told himself the delay in the wedding plans was to protect this little girl. Yet, she was all too aware that people could be snatched from one’s life. Was there no way to shelter her?
The answer came so clearly. Hadn’t Ma said they needed to trust God for the future? It was a hard lesson for a child to learn.
“Fly some more,” Lindy said. Glad to oblige, they raced the last few yards going directly to his house. He carried her inside and set her down on the floor. She immediately flapped her arms. “I was almost flying.”
The affection in Gwen’s eyes as she watched the child lingered as she met Matt’s gaze. He allowed himself to believe some of it might be for him.
“Your lunch is ready.” She indicated the sack on the cupboard. “When will you be back?”
“I’m taking supplies to one of the line shacks. I should be back before dark. You don’t need to hold supper for me.” In the past, he might have spent the night away from home but not now. It wasn’t fair to leave Gwen on her own that long. At least that was his reasoning and because he didn’t intend to speak the words aloud, there was no one to argue the matter.
Luke had the pack horse loaded and ready to go when Matt reached the barn.
“I could go in your place,” he offered.
“It’s my turn, isn’t it?” They had long ago set up a schedule for the task.
“Yeah but—”
“Then I’ll be on my way.” He took the lead rope of the pack animal. His travels required he cross Shannon Valley far to the north where the land leveled out and then cut to the west. He looked at the position of the sun in the sky. He was getting a late start. There was no way he could make it back before dark.
