Page 17 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
Normally, he would have been out with the animals. “It’s true. I told you that feeding, brushing, talking to them is soothing.” His laugh was self-mocking. “I hope that didn’t make me sound pathetic.”
Brown eyes widened and she faced him full-on. Surprise in her expression gave way to something gentle and approving and she chuckled. “It certainly doesn’t.”
His shoulders squared at her reaction. “I could use another cup of coffee before I go.”
“Oh.” Such a startled sound. She rushed to the stove and shook the kettle. Set it down. Picked up the coffee pot and looked at it as if it was a foreign object.
Grinning, pleased at her response, he reached over her shoulder and took the pot, drained out the grounds, put in fresh grounds, and filled it with water. He put it on the stove. “It’ll be ready in a few minutes.” He plunked down at the table, prepared to wait.
And perhaps get her to talk.
“Tell me about the twins.”
He congratulated himself on his success when she sat kitty-corner from him. He shifted his chair so he could look directly at her.
“I don’t know how their parents died but they said they were about five years old.” She paused, considering him.
He let her take all the time she wanted.
“You were even younger.” She shook her head, the corners of her eyes dipping with what he took to be sorrow. She drew in a sharp breath. “They were sent to live with their uncle…a man who didn’t want children. They were often on their own. A few months ago, I caught them stealing food just to survive. Since then, I’ve had them staying with me much of the time.” Softness curved her mouth. “I fed them. My boss deducted the meals from my pay, but I didn’t mind. As Jonathan started getting underfoot, they helped take care of him.”
“They were fortunate you found them. Who knows…?” He shook his head. Experience had taught him that abandoned children learned some unsavory habits and often developed bitter feelings.
“Just as you were blessed to find a home with the Shannons.” Her sweet smile caressed him. Momentarily. Before she lowered her gaze.
“By the way, the ladies are cooking up a joint meal for supper tonight to welcome you—”
“And inspect me.”
He laughed even though there was no humor in her words. “You make it sound like one of the horses being shown to a prospective buyer.”
She acknowledged his comment with a twinkle in her eyes.
Nice to see she could laugh at herself. “We don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
“Well, with Jonathan being sick and all…” Her sudden chuckle surprised him. “I’ll bundle him up. He’ll be fine. Yes, I’d like to meet the others and see if your description is accurate.”
Their gazes met and danced away. He brought his back to her and waited for her to look at him again. There hung between them promise wrapped up in uncertainty. He hadn’t exactly opened his heart to her, nor had she opened hers, and yet they’d been frankenough in their letters for him to know they shared similar goals and dreams.
“We both want family and security,” he reminded her. “We’re at the beginning of that journey. Now we have to work together to achieve our goal.”
Her look reached into his heart seeking….
He was about to remind her of his promise when they married—to do everything in his power to make things good between them. Before he got the words out, a racket outside distracted him.
They hurried to the window. Kit and Lindy rocked back and forth on their heels, looking up at something and shouting.
There was no sign of either Ivy or Otis.
“Something’s wrong.” Wally dashed from the house.
5
Madeline had seen enough of the twins to know they didn’t always follow rules and foreboding prickled up the back of her neck and scratched at her scalp. She grabbed a shawl for herself, wrapped Jonathan in a blanket, and hurried after Wally.
She recalled the information he’d given in his letters. There was a pen for horses past the barn and then the bunkhouse, the cookhouse, and after that three storage sheds.
The first building came into sight. Lindy and Kit stood back. Lindy cried. Kit yelled words she didn’t pause to decipher. Standing closer to the wall, Ivy rocked back and forth, her hands twisting, and tears rushing down her cheeks.
