Page 28 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
“A picnic? That sounds like fun.” She cleaned herplate and sat back with her coffee. “There’s lots of food I can use but I’ll have to make bread soon.”
The way she tapped her fingers on the cup and the distant look in her eyes informed him she was planning her work.
His chair creaked as he pushed away from the table. “I’ll take care of chores and hitch the horses to the wagon. How long will it take for you to get ready?”
“I’ll be prepared when you return.”
“Great.” He liked the sound of that promise. Even though she referred to their plans for the day, he let himself apply them to other parts of their lives. She’d be ready when the time was right. Until then, he would wait. He’d enjoy time spent with her and the children.
Several times as he helped with barn chores one of the Shannons chuckled or Matt and Luke nudged each other. Their amusement was at his expense as he’d missed a question or comment aimed in his direction.
“I’m going to show them around today.” Without waiting for a response, he took the milk to the house then caught up the horses and hitched them to the wagon.
He returned to the house. “All set?”
A basket sat on the table. Two quilts were folded next to it. The children wore sweaters and Maddie smiled at him. “Ready.”
He put the picnic things in the wagon. “I’ll show you the place first. Who wants to see the barn?”
Otis shrugged. “Seen it.”
“Aunt Maddie hasn’t.” Walking by her side, Jonny toddling along and the twins racing ahead, felt exactly right to Wally.
They reached the barn, and he led them inside. Horses whinnied a greeting. The odor of the animals filled the air, mixed with the sweet scent of hay. Overhead, tiny feet rustled. A cat meowed.
Otis and Ivy called, “Kitty, kitty.” Purring cats surrounded them, rubbing around their ankles. The children dropped to the floor to pet felines. Jonny joined them.
Maddie squatted down to enjoy stroking the cats while Wally leaned back on his heels, enjoying the scene. She glanced up.
“Don’t you care for cats?”
Not wanting her to believe such a thing he sat cross-legged on the floor and pulled the mother cat to his lap. “This is Cat. These are some of her kittens.” Cat rubbed her face against his chin. “I like cats. They weren’t allowed in the orphanage, but I think I had one as a young child. Every time I hold one”— Cat curled up in his arms, purring contentedly. “It brings up memories. Nothing specific, mind you. Just the feeling that this is familiar and…” He sought for a word but found no explanation... “Comforting.” Embarrassed by how needy that sounded, he focused his attention on the scene before him.
Maddie stroked the cat he held, their hands doing a follow-the-leader dance. “I don’t know whether to say that’s sweet or sad. Guess it’s both.”
He slowly brought his gaze to hers. Wide brown eyes, brimming with concern.
Her hand paused. His fingers reached hers. Carefully, tentatively, he edged his hand forward until it topped hers. Comforting. Inviting.
“I don’t mind if we have a cat in the house.” Did her voice sound husky or was it his own thoughts that developed a hitch?
No words came. His tongue lay idle. It might as well have been dead. Emotions overwhelmed his ability to talk. Memories of a cat. Her offer to have one in the house. But mostly the fact she left her hand under his and didn’t seem the least uncomfortable at the touch.
Voices outside reminded him of his plans. He put Cat down, pushed to his feet, and pulled Maddie to hers. He stared at her for a heartbeat then she called Jonny and the twins, and they left the barn.
He opened the bunkhouse door. Already some of the hands were sleeping there on occasion. Often enough to give the place a lived-in odor. She waved her hand before her nose. “Not exactly a welcoming smell.”
Laughing, he took her hand and pulled her away from the building.
She eased her hand free, reaching for Jonny but the boy trotted away, not wanting to be carried.
She’d purposely withdrawn from his grasp. But the time would come when she’d reach for him. He had to believe that. He led her to the cookhouse.
They looked at the roof and then at each other. Silent gratitude brimmed her eyes. His own filled with acknowledgment of how different Otis’s situation might have turned out. Thank God for His hand on the boy.
“Boots’s domain,” she said, chuckling. “I can’t wait to meet him and your cowboys.”
“You soon will. Once the herd is all down at the lower slopes, close to home, the cowboys take turns staying with the animals. The rest of the time, they hang around, begging Boots to feed them.”
