Page 14 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
“Where’s Scamp?” The twins pressed to the window seeking the dog they’d seen last evening.
“Perhaps feeding him could be your chore.” Wally leaned back on his heels and waited for the twins to respond.
Ivy clapped her hands. “Can it?”
Otis scowled though it lacked the anger he infused into most of his expressions.
Wally’s knowing grin and a tip of his head toward Otis indicated he knew full well the boy was eager to feed the dog but too guarded to want anyone to know. She blinked and lowered her attention to Jonathan.
Wally was a good and kind man as she’d hoped he’d be which made it all the harder to keep her secret. Being honest would interfere with their marriage. To her dismay so was keeping it bottled up inside her.
With a lingering smile, Wally turned back to the stove to stir a pot. “I’ve made oatmeal porridge. Is anyone hungry?”
She shifted Jonathan to one arm. “I apologize. I meant to be up and make breakfast.”
He turned toward her, the wooden spoon still in his hand.
They were within touching distance, close enough she saw lines fanning out from his eyes. Were they from smiling? Or simply from squinting into the sun?The skin on his face was bronzed from hours outside. He’d told her he liked nothing better than being on the back of a horse riding after cows. He didn’t smile at the moment. His expression was serious.
“Madeline, we are a team. Partners. Yes, for the most part, you will make meals and tend to the children but that doesn’t mean I can’t help or that I won’t. I want us to be a family. Caring for each other, sharing everything.”
She tried to nod but couldn’t. Everything? No. Some secrets must remain locked away forever.
He patted Jonathan’s back. But rather than jerk away, her son looked at him with a degree of interest, perhaps realizing this man had helped ease his earache. Wally’s hand slipped from Jonathan to give Madeline’s shoulder a slight squeeze. He withdrew before she had time to react.
“Table needs setting,” he murmured.
Jerking herself into action, Madeline carried bowls to the table and put out cutlery. They sat in the same spots they had the day before. She managed to persuade Jonny to sit in the chair pulled close to her.
Wally dished out the oatmeal, set a plate of sliced bread before them, filled cups of milk for the children, and coffee for the two of them.
“I’ll ask the blessing.” He waited until the twins bowed their heads. Looked at Madeline. She ducked her head and held Jonathan’s hand.
“Father, God. Thank You for bringing us safely through the night. Help Jonathan’s earache to get better. Thank you for sunshine and food. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
For a heartbeat, Madeline kept her face averted. There was something comforting about Wally praying. Something she missed. Or maybe she’d never had.
Jonathan required her attention. She checked on the twins. Wally had already given them a dash of molasses on their porridge. They dug in with gusto. One thing about this pair, they were satisfied with anything in the way of food.
Madeline let Jonathan feed himself, occasionally guiding his hands or scooping up something he dropped. It didn’t interfere with her own eating, and she discovered she was very hungry.
The children had bottomless stomachs. They cleaned their bowls then ate two thick slices of bread slathered with more molasses. They drained their glasses of milk twice. Having nothing more offered to them, they sat back smiling secretly at each other.
Madeline ducked her head to hide her amusement. All Wally had to do to win their affection was provide food and plenty of it.
Her smile flattened. What would it take for him to gain her affection? Not that she didn’t have some kind regard for him. She wouldn’t have traveled west and married him otherwise.
Wally pushed from the table, sending a jolt of alarm through Madeline’s veins.
The sound startled Jonathan and he wailed. He calmed as soon as she picked him up.
“The twins will help me clean the kitchen.” Wally reached for the jar of molasses and two empty glasses.
She wanted to protest.
He must have guessed at her intention. “This can be one of their chores.” He filled the dishpan with hot water and lowered dishes into it. “You can take turns washing. The other can dry. Both of you can clean up the table.”
Otis looked about ready to argue but Wally forestalled him.
