Page 57 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
The sound of her merriment sang through his heart, and he grinned. She certainly seemed a good sport. Perhaps having to make do on charity and what she and her mother could earn had taught her to find pleasure in small things.
“My ma used to say we should seek joy and wonder in everything. And then joy and wonder will find us.”
Her laughter silenced though her eyes continued to sparkle. “I like that. It sounds like something my pa used to say, quoting a Bible verse, of course. ‘A joyful heart is good medicine.’”
Her gaze captured his. Nothing existed but the two of them and a shared moment that, to his mind, drew them close.
Something rattled in the trees. Perhaps a pinecone dropping or a small animal running over dry leaves. The sound served to jerk Andy back to what he should be doing. He held out a hand to Della and they continued toward the wagon. A few minutes later they reached the place where he’d parked. Unable to think of any reason to dally longer, he helped her aboard, and they traveled homeward.
She bounced forward on her seat. “That was fun. Thank you for taking me.”
“My pleasure.” More so than he cared to admit.
After a bit, they passed the place where they could climb to the falls. “I’ll take you before you have to leave.”
She sat back and folded her hands in her lap. “I’d like that.” Her tone was subdued. Was it because she would have liked to visit for more days?
Or was he wishing for things he couldn’t have? Of course not. He was Andy Shannon. A young man with dreams and plans. None of which included marriage.
* * *
Della wasn’tanxious to return to the ranch. Partly because she didn’t belong but also because she’d been able—for at least part of the day—to forget why she was here. She squinted into the distance but saw no rider. Would she ever lose the specter of Mr. Hartman coming after her? Not so long as she remained in the west. A jolt shook her. What if he followed her to Toledo?
“Something wrong?” Andy asked.
“That man wouldn’t follow me back home, would he?”
“I wouldn’t think so.” He understood who she meant.
“You don’t sound convinced.”
He patted her hand which did nothing to reassure her. “Back there, he’d have to deal with a lot more people who would object to his behavior.”
“True.” Nevertheless, she shuddered. “I wish I’d never encouraged Ma to write to him.”
“He is a scoundrel of the worst sort.” The words steamed from Andy’s lips.
Della hugged to her heart the idea of him as a protector. Since Pa had died, she’d been the one to make sure Ma was taken care of. But no one had taken care of her. That wasn’t exactly true. Ma worked hard to make sure they had food and heat. But Della had never felt she could let down her guard, stop being responsible, or refuse to take on any and every job someone offered her if only for a few pennies. She’d quickly learned that every penny counted.
Andy continued, “Everyone at the ranch knows to watch out for him. He won’t find he can carry on his dirty deeds unobstructed.”
“I can’t thank you enough.”
The wide brim of his cowboy hat brushed her forehead as he dipped closer to hear her softly spoken words.
“I’ve enjoyed our time together.” His gaze held hers.
“Me, too.” Her voice was barely audible.
They traveled along the edge of the valley. Shannon Valley. She smiled to think of Andy’s father naming it.
Andy noticed her smile and she explained what she was thinking. He grinned. “He tried to have Crow Crossing renamed Shannon Crossing but encountered some opposition.”
“I suppose the name has some significance to others.”
“It was named by a native tribe and there were those who felt they couldn’t change it.”
The buildings lay before them. This time Andy identified them. The first they passed, perched on the brim of the valley, was Luke and Honor’s house that they shared with Kit. Across the dusty trail was Matt and Gwen’s. Little Lindy looked up from playing beside the house and Gwen peered out the window and waved. Riley and Olivia’s house lay between Matt’s and Andy’s. The latter was larger than the other three.
