Page 35 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
Wally’s gaze followed her like a gentle breeze against her skin. Keeping her eyes on the plate in her hand, she returned to the table, an unfamiliar and not unpleasant warmth at the base of her throat.
“Biscuit, please, Mama.”
Maddie prepared it for him. Her fingers were like strangers to her so consumed was she with awareness of Wally’s attention. Slowly, hesitantly yet eager to be the recipient of his full gaze, she raised her eyes to his. Feelings erupted inside her. A mad rush of known and unknown. She recognized the thrill of seeing his admiration. The warmth in his eyes. But the others were unfamiliar sensations. Even as the situation was like something out of a fanciful story. This man was hers. All she had to do was accept what he offered. The thought was enticing and frightening at the same time.
Somehow, she made it through the rest of the meal, serving the fruit pudding she’d made. Responding to Wally’s thanks in a reasonable fashion. Or so she hoped. Her tongue felt too big. Cumbersome. Her words stuttered from her mouth.
If he noticed, he gave no indication.
As soon as everyone was done, he pushed back. “Whose turn is it to wash dishes?” The twins did the chores assigned to them while Maddie put away food. Twice she bumped into Wally as she turned. Every time, her heart threatened to leap from her chest. The first time she recognized alarm in her response. The second time something new, different and unnamed, rushed through her. Although unable to identify it accurately it felt exciting. Full of promise. And possibility.
Today…tonight…she would explore that possibility. She would keep all her promises to Wally. She would trust him with her heart, her body, and her life.
The kitchen was clean, and they moved to the sitting room. The twins had discovered a shelf of books for children and sat down to look at them. Maddie had been teaching them their letters and numbers so she knew they could only read the simplest of texts. Fortunately, Wally hadn’t expected children of their age, so the books were mostly for very young children.
Maddie listened as they struggled over the words.
Wally leaned over their shoulders and helped them. “Good. You have it.” His gaze caught Maddie’s as he sat back.
She didn’t turn away or blink even though it was her first reaction. One born out of her past and herfears. But she was determined to overcome those and move forward with a man worthy of her heart.
Jonny let out a wail.
“He’s getting tired. I’ll get him into bed.” Did Wally catch the hint in her tone? That she’d put her son to bed and then… “He’s exhausted from being outdoors all day so should fall asleep quickly.”
“I’ll take care of this pair.”
“Thank you.” Whispered words on the heels of her plans. She carried Jonathan to the bedroom and prepared him to sleep. “Tonight you will sleep in the crib.”
He rocked his head back and forth.
“See the pretty quilt someone made you? Cow. Sheep. Chicken.” She named all the animals. Seeing his interest in them, she tried to put him in the crib. He arched his back and clung to her.
“The animals will keep you company.”
“Want you.”
She soothed him. “I’ll be right here.” All his life they’d shared the same bed. Or his cot had been so close to her bed she could reach him without getting up. No wonder he was frightened of her leaving him.
Again, she tried to get him into the crib. Again, he struggled and cried. Screamed. She recognized the sound of fear and held him, rocking him and calming him. Back and forth across the floor she walked, waiting for him to fall asleep in her arms.
His breathing deepened.
She tiptoed to the crib and eased him to the mattress and willed him to stay asleep. Moving slowly and quietly, she backed away.
Two steps later, he drew in a shuddering breath, sat up, and sobbed like his little heart had been broken.
“Oh, sweetie.” Her own heart cracked at the sound of his sorrow. She hurried back and took him in her arms. “I’ll stay with you. I’ll always be with you. I promise.”
She’d made another promise—to Wally and to herself. But that one would have to wait.
Wally tucked the twins in,all the time aware of Jonathan crying. Then it stopped. He let out a breath as he left the twin’s bedroom. Maybe tonight Maddie would come to him.
The silence ticked by. Second after second. Each successive one added another brick to his wall of hope.
And then the quiet was shattered by sobs full of sadness. Triggering feelings as familiar to Wally as his name. His heart twisted with the memories. How often had he cried? At first openly but then learning that it annoyed others, silently, in the dead of thenight, his sobs buried in his pillow. Until he learned to cork them altogether.
The floorboards creaked indicating Maddie paced with her son. A whisper of soothing words reached his ears. He sat at the table, his chin in his hands, and let the sounds wash through him. She was a good mother. He’d done right in marrying her. He’d waited all his life for what this situation promised. Home. Family. Wife. Love. A few more days of waiting—and praying—were tolerable.
