Page 9 of Mail-Order Bride Mommy
“A case of them.” Matt turned to explain to Gwen. “That’s Andy’s favorite treat but I’m sure he’ll share them with you.”
“Sure.” Andy waved a hand without looking at them as he eyed the supplies. Not until he’d located the box of tinned peaches did he step back.
“You take the gal to your house and get her things inside then come back here.” Wally wagged a finger at Matt and jabbed it at the others. “I made a meal for us. Didn’t figger the little lady would want to start cooking right off.”
Matt helped Gwen back to the wagon seat and drove along the trail connecting the houses. His brothers and Lindy trotted after him.
Minutes later, Gwen’s luggage had been carried in. The supplies for his house were on the table and his brothers had taken the wagon to unload the goods for the big house. Lindy raced through the rooms, still flapping like a bird.
Gwen followed Lindy more slowly, going from room to room. Matt crossed his arms and waited for her to say something. Did the house meet her approval? He realized he’d said little about it but then three letters didn’t give him room to go into minor details. Instead, he concentrated on the important things. Why he wished for a mail-order bride and what he expected from one.
His fingers twitched on his arms. What if she didn’t like the house? Would it be the reason for her to refuse to marry him? She frowned slightly as she went to the next room. That didn’t seem like a good sign.
3
Gwen went from one room to the next, Lindy trailing after her.
The first held a bed with a green blanket on it. The tousled appearance made her think this was where Matt had slept though she got the impression the men were spending their nights at the bigger house for Lindy’s sake. A wardrobe stood in one corner.
She moved to the second bedroom, the bed neatly made with a multi-colored quilt on top. A chest of drawers sat next to the bed. It looked ideal for a young girl.
The double bed in the last room had a white crocheted coverlet. She turned to speak to Matt. “Did your mother make that?”
He nodded, his gaze lingering on the bed. “She did.”
“It’s to be my room?” Or the bridal suite depending on when he’d decided to delay the wedding.
He nodded. “It was supposed to be for us.” His voice thickened then he glanced away, giving a slight shrug of one shoulder.
Did his answer mean he’d had second thoughts late in the game, perhaps on his way to town? Although he’d explained his reasons, she still felt…well, something more than disappointment. Almost like she had been weighed and found wanting even before he saw her. But she’d agreed to his terms.
She returned to the generous-sized living room where Matt stood waiting, his arms at his waist as if he was nervous. Lindy remained in the room that was to be hers.
“The place looks nice,” Gwen told Matt.
“Pa insisted each of the houses must have three bedrooms. One for the parents, one for boys, and one for girls. He expected there to be lots of little Shannons.”
Heat stung her cheeks. According to their agreement, there would be no little Shannons in this house. Even Lindy had a different last name. She guessed he’d been hurt by a woman. That would explain his insistence on a marriage in name only. Not unlike her own reasons. Her previous beaus had made it clear that Gwen had nothing to offer a handsome young man. Here, in this house, she could find permanency and value by mothering Lindy and being a good housewife.
“Where do you want your trunks?” He glanced down at her luggage.
His question brought her to her present situation. By way of answer, she grabbed the handle on one side of the first chest. He took the other and they carried it to the bedroom and parked it against the wall then returned for the second and put it at the foot of the bed. She unlocked them both but would take care of the contents later.
Matt left the room and as soon as she finished with the locks she followed him, circling the living area, aware of Matt watching and waiting. Maybe as uncertain of the next step as she was.
Directing her attention to the room itself, and away from questions about the future, she touched the back of the sturdy-looking settee in chestnut brown fabric. Expecting it to be harsh under her fingers she was surprised to discover it soft. “Is this leather?”
“Yes. Pa had the hide tanned by one of his native friends.”
“It’s nice.” She moved on. There was a wooden rocking chair and two ladder-backed chairs beside a table with a lamp on top. A lacy doily and a little knickknack or a book would make the table less utilitarian. A tall bookcase stood against one wall holding half a dozen titles. She didn’t stop to read the spines but moved on to the window and gasped.
“The view is spectacular.” She looked over Shannon Valley, the colors fading from the bright green grass, and the vivid pink and purple of wildflowers in the foreground to muted shades on the other side of the valley. And beyond that, the rugged Rockies in variegated blues with white tops like carelessly iced cakes. “I could never grow tired of seeing this.” Her heart swelled with emotion.
“Another of Pa’s decrees. We had to build the houses to allow us to see the mountains.”
She slowly tore herself from the window. “Your pa sounds like a very wise man.”
“Yup.”
