Page 19 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
A sharp squeal filled the air. Madeline realized it came from her and held her breath to stop the sound.
Wally leaped to the side, catching Otis. He staggered backward three steps, righted himself, and set Otis on the ground.
Otis was safely down. Madeline’s heart pounded so hard it echoed in her head. She rushed forward and wrapped an arm around the boy, pressing hercheek to his head, Jonathan crushed in between them.
“You’re safe. Thank goodness. You frightened me.”
“Me too.” Wally’s voice caught on the words. His arms came around the three of them. His forehead tipped against Madeline’s.
She squeezed Wally’s forearm. “Thank you. Thank you.” Aware of their audience and even more aware of how natural it felt to touch him, she eased back.
A smile, rich in wonder and surprise at her gratitude and likely a good dose of relief at Otis’s safety, warmed Wally’s face and left an indelible mark on Madeline’s heart.
Ivy rushed to them. The others crowded around, and she was introduced to Matt and Andy, just as she’d guessed.
“You’ll meet everyone else later today.” Della waved goodbye and headed for her house.
“I’ll put this in a safer place.” Matt took the ladder and left.
Madeline’s emotions raced from embarrassment at having everyone see her reaction, to relief that Otis was safely down, to jittery uncertainty. She’d touched Wally of her own free will and it had not sent her into a frenzy, giving her assurance that they could make this marriage work.
She’d make it work. And if fears from her past rose up and threw her thoughts into hysteria she wouldrecall this moment—when Wally had caught Otis, hugged them and her heart had burst with gratitude.
“We need to take these children home.” Wally turned the twins toward the house.
Ivy looked over her shoulder, her eyes round, her face pinched.
“She’s worried,” Madeline said. Afraid of how Wally would deal with Otis.
Otis, on the other hand, faced straight ahead, his shoulders rigid, his hands fisted.
Wally’s expression gave no clue as to what he was thinking.
They reached the house and stepped inside. Wally closed the door quietly and led them to the table where he pointed to a chair and indicated Otis should sit.
“Let me see your hands.”.
Otis stuck his hands behind his back and glowered at Wally, stubbornly refusing to comply.
Wally pulled out another chair and sat facing the boy. “Madeline, there’s ointment in the cupboard. Middle shelf to the right of the stove. Would you bring it, please?”
She scurried to obey.
Ivy nudged Otis. “Do as he says,” she whispered in a voice as quiet as a tiptoeing mouse.
Otis shrugged her away. “Who’s gonna make me?”
Madeline understood he meant to sound tough butthere was no mistaking the tremor in his voice.
“I only want to see how badly you’ve scraped your palms.” He reached for the tin of ointment Madeline held. “This will take the sting from them.”
“They don’t hurt.”
“They will.” Wally waited. When Otis still held back, Wally gave the boy a gentle smile. “I guess you know you shouldn’t have climbed to the roof.”
“Kit said I wasn’t allowed.”
“Otis and Ivy, there are rules that must be obeyed on a ranch. Not just for children but for all of us.”
