Page 56 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
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Andy looked out across the lake and did his best to dismiss the suggestions pressing at his tongue. He could offer Della an answer to her problems. Except he’d vowed to see she got safely back to her mother. The solution crowding his mind did not fulfill that promise.
Instead of voicing his thoughts, he began to reminisce about his mother. “Ma was a good cook. I’m not complaining about Mrs. B. She makes excellent meals, but I miss Ma’s cooking.”
“I think you simply miss your mother. Just as I miss my father.”
“You’re right, of course. Being here brings back so many memories. I remember—” They spent the next couple of hours recalling outings with their beloved parents. He told of the trip to Montana, driving cattle. How he’d helped his mother.
She told of visiting people from her father’s church and walks along the river with her father who told her the history of the city, pointing out things of nature and remembering his life in England. He understood that those talks were largely the motivation behind her desire to go to Europe.
“What prompted your father to move across the ocean?”
“He said it was the call of God.” She turned slowly to face him. “I don’t recall him ever explaining exactly what he meant.”
“Did he regret leaving the old country?” He wondered if that was the reason her father felt it was so important for Della to return.
Lines furrowed her brow as she considered the question. “Not that I’m aware of.” She worried her bottom lip. “But maybe that was why he wanted me to go there.” Clouds filled her eyes.
He shouldn’t ask probing questions. In the hopes of diverting her from her thoughts, he got to his feet. “I haven’t shown you the rest of the lake.”
A brightening of her eyes was his reward as he helped her to stand. The ledge they had been sitting on continued into the trees, slowly descending to the rocky shore where walking was awkward. They held hands, helping each other to balance. His foot slipped off a smooth rock and he stumbled to the side, pulling Della after him. He managed to right himself and catch Della before she landed on her knees. His heart racing, he steadied her, his eyes taking in her startled expression that quickly gave way to something different. Whatever she felt, it brought a flush of color to her cheeks.
She lowered her eyes and stepped back, needing no help from him to balance.
The shoreline was treacherous. One of them could fall. Perhaps even break a leg. But before he could suggest they turn back, she moved forward, steadying on each rock with care.
Worry and caution accompanied his steps as he followed her, staying close enough to catch her if she stumbled but not holding her hand for fear it would prevent her from keeping her balance.
They reached a break in the rocks and paused. A study of their surroundings revealed another way back. If they climbed here and skirted the trees, they could avoid the rough path that brought them there.
Della looked out across the lake, seemingly lost in thought. Andy settled back on his heels and watched her. He could only see her profile, but it was enough to know she enjoyed the scene. Just as she’d appeared to enjoy the trip even though the trail had been rough. She’d even said she was glad to have climbed the rocky incline in the morning. Was it possible she’d realize that exploring the mountains might be even more satisfying than poking through old castles?
A duck splashing on the water thankfully diverted him from his wayward thoughts. The bird tipped over to find food, his bottom sticking up.
Della chuckled at the sight. Half a dozen more ducks joined in the feeding ritual.
Andy had watched ducks, geese, and mud hens many times, and no doubt she had too, but it was like seeing them for the first time to stand beside Della and share the event.
A sigh from Della brought the moment to an end. He shook himself. “We’ll return a different way.” He pointed out the route they’d take. One that would take longer but he welcomed the idea which was not something he meant to take time to analyze.
The climb upward was gentle enough that they could walk side by side, hand in hand—the latter—he assured himself—because he had to make sure she didn’t slip. They reached a place where they could angle back toward the wagon. It involved scrambling over a number of fallen logs.
She perched on one after he’d assisted her to climb over, laughing as she swung her feet.
“It’s fun to explore. Apart from the natives, who do you think was the first person to see this area?”
“My pa believed he was. Nor did he care for anyone to suggest otherwise.” Andy laughed as did Della.
“Am I to understand that he had a special bond to this land?”
“He certainly did. Even places that had been previously named were often renamed by him.”
“Like the lake?”
He shrugged. “I can’t say if it’s been put on a map and officially named but I’ve never heard it called anything but Alice Lake.”
She seemed in no hurry to continue on their way, so he perched on the log beside her. His weight caused it to shift, and they both jumped to their feet. Her startled reaction gave way to laughter that rolled up and down the hill.
