Page 65 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
“I don’t know how long this will take. I don’t like to leave you on your own.”
His concern warmed her insides. “Will anyone be staying at the ranch besides Lindy and me?”
“I doubt it. Like Riley said, all hands are needed.” He got as far as the door and waited. She couldn’t guess why. Did he want more than a goodbye? Or was that her own wish making itself known?
“Goodbye,” she said. “I hope everything goes well.”
Lindy rushed over and hugged Matt. “Goodbye. See you soon.”
The days passedwith sullen slowness. One. Two. Three. On the fourth day she stopped counting. That afternoon someone rode into the yard. The rider didn’t stop at any of the houses but went to a supply shed.
Gwen and Lindy trotted over to investigate. Wally hurried to load a pack animal with sacks of beans, rice, cornmeal, and canned goods. He paused long enough to greet them.
“It’s turned into quite a job.” He added more items to his load. “We was just about finished when something spooked them and we have to start all over. Cows can be unpredictable critters.”
“How much longer will it take?”
“No telling for certain. There’s many places them cows can hide.” He rubbed his chin. “But I’d say at least three more days. Give or take.” He secured the ropes on the pack and prepared to remount.
“How is everyone?” What she really meant was how is Matt?
“Riding every daylight hour and more. I gotta go. Bye, miss. I’ll tell Matt you asked after him.”
“But I didn’t.” Her words were lost in the clop of departing hooves.
Lindy took her hand and together they returned to the house. Gwen tried to keep busy, tried to keep her mind occupied, but she’d never felt so alone. If not for Lindy, she might have given in to her loneliness and walked to town. How absurd. It would be a very long walk.
There was only so much baking one could do when only she and Lindy were there to eat it. She worked on the doll in the evenings, finding enjoyment in the task. She read her Bible and prayed for Matt and the men out among the cows. At least Lindy seemed happy enough. She often disappeared but always came when Gwen called.
“Lindy,” she called her for lunch. When she heard no response, she called again and waited. After several minutes the child trotted down the path toward Gwen. “Where were you?”
“Playing with the kittens. You should see them. They’s getting so big.”
She’d love to see them but not if it meant going up to the loft. “You’re spending a lot of time with them.”
“Yup.” She skipped ahead to the house and sat at the table.
As time dragged by, Gwen began going to where the trail drew close to the valley and staring out, hoping for some sign of the men returning, or even of Matt coming back on his own.
But not once did she see anyone. Today was no different although she’d stood there for an hour squinting into the distance. Right after breakfast, she’d baked a lardie cake in the hopes he’d return and enjoy the surprise.
With a sigh that came from the depths of her being, she returned to the house to make lunch. A little later, she called Lindy and waited. Then moved down the trail toward the barn and called again. And again. Lindy must be too busy playing to hear her. She went to the barn door and called.
“Lindy.” When the child didn’t answer, Gwen forced herself to climb the ladder until she could see into the loft. “Lindy?” No sign of the child.
She returned to ground level and left the barn. Calling Lindy, she searched the garden, the little clearing, and around each house. She went into Andy’s house, calling as she looked through the place. No little girl. She even checked every bed in case Lindy had fallen asleep on one of them.
There was still Wally’s house and she forced herself to go in the neat, three-bedroom cabin. But no child. Had she gone into one of the other houses and hadn’t heard Gwen call? A quick search of each revealed no missing child.
Gwen stood in the yard and hollered her name over and over.
No need to worry, she soothed herself. Lindy often got preoccupied. But after another search and enough calling to make her throat hurt, she retraced her steps in case they had crossed paths somewhere.
Nothing. Her breath caught on her parched tongue. Had she lost the child? Taking care of her was the only reason she was here. She must find Lindy.Please, God. Help me. Let her be safe.
She broke into a run. Her heart and lungs stalled as she raced by Luke’s house to the trail leading down to the valley floor. What if she’d gone down the forbidden path. Gwen wiped the sweat from her eyes and studied the ground. No evidence of a small-sized shoe. She squinted and forced herself to breathe slowly so she could scan the valley floor. There was no telltale movement below.
Where was she? A sob clawed up her throat. She couldn’t fail. Not now. Not when she wanted to stay here more than anything else.
