Page 33 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
“It’s time to go home.” The twins followed him back to Maddie. They gathered up everything and began the walk back to the wagon, Jonny in her arms.
They reached the narrow, rocky pathway and he stopped, letting the twins go ahead while he faced Maddie. She lowered her gaze, saw she couldn’t get by him, and shifted her attention from one side of him to the other. He waited. He had nothing but time. And a desire to erase the mistake he’d made.
Finally, she looked directly at him.
“Maddie, I’m sorry for stirring up sad memories. It was wrong on my part. But I am not moving another step until I see you smile again.” He crossed his arms and widened his stance to signal his intention of standing his ground.
She studied the full length of him, taking her sweet time. Did she like what she saw? His shoulders squared as if they needed to prove something. His fingers tapped out a waiting rhythm.
Her eyes bored into his. “I can be very stubborn.”
A grin began somewhere behind his heart, inched upward, and twitched at the corners of his mouth. “Me too.”
Dueling gazes. She blinked first. She scrubbed her lips together. A burst of laughter escaped.
Knowing she had forgiven him, and sweet peacehad been restored, he grinned. “Let me take Jonny boy.” He held out his arms and the little guy went to him. Another victory.She’ll be more willing to accept me if her boy does.
The path here was too narrow to walk side by side but as soon as it widened, he slowed so they kept in step.
Ahead of them, the twins jumped along on the grass, like happy rabbits. Everything felt right and Wally chortled.
“What’s so funny?”
“Me. It’s good you learn I am stubborn… and patient.” Another chuckle. “And very pleased to have the family I’ve always dreamed of.” He caught her hand and pulled her along at a faster pace, ignoring her initial resistance. Joy flowed through his veins when her hand relaxed, and she even squeezed back though that might be only because she needed to keep up with him.
They reached the wagon, and she tugged her hand free.
A smile claimed his lips, amusement filled his lungs, joy took up residence in his heart.
Cocking her head to one side, she regarded him, eyes solemn, squinting as if looking into the sun.
“I hope you will always feel that way.”
“I will.” Something about her expression made his smile slip. “You got some reason to think I won’t?”
One shoulder came up. A gesture that could mean anything. Or nothing. “Just saying it’s early to be so certain.” She reached out to pull herself to the wagon.
“Wait a minute.”
She stopped but didn’t turn.
“If there’s something I should know then tell me.”
Something in the distance held her attention but he didn’t look to see what it might be. He’d learned to read people and watched for any sign of…Shoot. What do I expect to see? Nothing.“Maddie, I knew before you came that this was what I wanted. Thought it was what you wanted too.” His stomach knotted.
Moving with the speed of a lazy ox, she turned toward him and jerked her head up and down. “Thisiswhat I want.”
Did he imagine her hand was cold as he took it to assist her to the seat? She’d said the right thing and yet it didn’t sit comfortably.I have to stop being on guard. I’m no longer an orphan boy about to be sent away. Haven’t been for a long time.
Mrs. Shannon would have told him to trust and pray. Believe in God’s goodness and love.
He meant to do exactly that which left no room for doubts and fears, especially from his past.
But were they from his past or his present? Even his future?
8
All the way home Maddie soothed her conscience. She’d tried to tell Wally the truth. Tried and failed, her inner voice screamed. She squelched that voice and concentrated on making conversation, answering questions from the twins, and laughing when Wally told stories about mishaps and misadventures.
