Page 29 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
She laughed as he’d intended she should.
They proceededto the storage sheds. He opened the door of each, so she got a glimpse of the interior. A tool shed. Harness shop. Food supplies. A few steps past the last one, they reached a trail through the trees. He led the way until he could point out the houses where the Shannons lived then they returned to where the wagon waited. And if his fingers lingered on hersas he assisted her to the seat, who was to know? Besides, it was entirely appropriate. She was his wife.
He handed Jonny up to her. The children were already in the back, eagerly awaiting the trip.
The trail he chose led between the houses—Andy’s, Riley’s, and Matt’s on one side. Luke’s on the other, on a spit of land overlooking the valley. They left the buildings behind and traveled along the rim.
“I remember when we first arrived here,” he said. “Mr. Shannon named the valley after himself. Mrs. Shannon said it might already have a name. He said he didn’t care. From now on, it would be known as Shannon Valley.” He grinned down at Maddie. “I have never heard anyone suggest otherwise.”
“He sounds like a man used to having his orders followed.”
“He was that. But he was fair and kind. I can’t imagine where I’d be if he hadn’t hired me.”
“I expect he got his money’s worth.”
He wasn’t sure how to interpret her tone. Dry. Judgmental? Or was it approving? Giving her opinion that he was of value to the Shannons? He decided he liked the latter.
“I always tried to give my best.”
Perhaps she heard something in his voice that he was only slightly aware of for she shifted, and her gaze focused directly on him. “I have no doubt that you do.” Their gazes held, lingered, assessing, searching.Something ticked in the back of his head. He wasn’t sure exactly what it was but the closest he could think to call it was satisfaction. Satisfaction that she had given him her approval. That she saw him as valuable.
Reluctantly, slowly, he shifted his attention back to the trail and the horses though the animals needed little guidance.
“To the left—” He indicated various things that might be of interest—the huge boulder to one side, the blue ribbon of river, the pond that lay at the bottom of the valley. They reached the place where rocky walls pushed to the side of the trail. “If we went that direction—” He pointed. “We’d reach the trail that climbs to the waterfall. But we’ll go that way.” They headed toward the hidden lake that he enjoyed.
They broke into the open, the rocks behind them and the wide-open spaces before them. The hills swept on and on in golden waves of autumn grass. He pulled the horses to a halt.
“It’s as you said. You can see forever.” Maddie gulped in air. “It takes away my breath.”
“Wait until we go a little farther.” He drove until they reached a hill that allowed them an even better view.
“It refreshes my soul.”
He heard the reverence in her voice. “Mrs. Shannon came here often. And many times brought her sons and me. She’d stand on the crest of this hill,clasp her hands together and quote a verse. ‘For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.’ Then she’d laugh and clap her hands.”
Maddie brought her gaze from the distance to him. “Wally, that’s lovely.” Her eyes lingered on his as if examining him.
He opened his heart to her, let her search deep, welcoming her.
She licked her lips. Drew in a long breath. Released it so slowly and softly he would have thought she held it except for the gentle sinking of her shoulders.
Jonny squirmed.
Otis called, “Can we get down?”
Wally pulled himself from drowning in her look. “Certainly. Look around.” The twins were on the ground before he finished speaking and they ran about, arms outflung as if they’d never seen so much space. Or felt so much freedom.
Jonny almost fell from the wagon in his rush to join the other two and Wally lifted him down, chuckling as the little guy chased the twins, trying to run with his arms out as they did.
Maddie accepted his assistance. He held her after her feet hit the ground.
Her gaze swept the view. “Not a building in sight. Nothing but space and nature.”
“Nothing but possibility.” He exerted the tiniest bit of pressure in the hopes of drawing her close.
Curtains dropped across her eyes, closing her off to his hope and suggestion. He lowered his arms to his sides. He needed to be patient.
Pushing would not achieve what he wanted. Home and love.
