Page 36 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
He sat back, smiling up at the ceiling. So far getting to know her better had been nothing but enjoyable. The future was in God’s hands—His capable, trustworthy hands.
The next morning,he whistled as he helped with barn chores. Of course, everyone took note, nudging each other and grinning. He didn’t care. Let them make their assumptions. He lived his own life. Always had; though that life was closely intertwined with the Shannon family.
God would work out the details. He’d learned many valuable lessons from the Shannons but that one might be the most important.
The day was occupied with making preparation for riding out to the herd on Monday. They’d spend the better part of the week separating their cattle from theneighbors and moving theirs to lower pastures. It was a busy time of year, but he always enjoyed it. As he’d told Maddie in one of his letters, he was happiest on the back of a horse trailing after cows. Only now it had taken second place to being home with his family.
Maybe she’d miss him. Miss him enough to… he chuckled. The time would come.
Being Saturday and all, that evening he heated water for baths, and because he wanted to enjoy the luxury, he set up the tub in his room…their room.
“The water’s ready. I’ll tend the children.” Jonathan came to him. Holding the little guy was a growing pleasure. So was spending time with the twins. Parenting was important to him. Filling an emptiness in his life. At least, on this, he and Maddie were united. She was a good mother.
She hurried to the middle room and returned with her arms full of bath things. He tried not to look at them and imagine…
The bedroom door closed behind her. In a few minutes, he heard water splashing and then her singing softly. He strained to make out the words. It was impossible to discern them, but it was a happy sound that settled into the troubled spots—touching the scars from his past.
He turned his attention to the children, rolled a ball back and forth for Jonny while guiding the twins as they read.
A little later, Maddie slipped out, wrapped in a dark blue dressing gown, her hair hanging loose and wet down her back.
The air left the room, making it impossible to say a word. His tongue stuck to the roof of his mouth, and he couldn’t speak.
“I need to dry my hair.” She hurried to the kitchen and brushed her hair before the stove.
He didn’t know how long he might have stared…as silent and motionless as a big old boulder if she hadn’t stopped and looked at him.
“You’re beautiful.” The words carried on a whisper. A hope. A prayer.
Her hands fellto her side. Color flamed up her neck and took up residence in her cheeks. She opened her mouth. Closed it. Blinked.
He’d made her uncomfortable. Himself even more so. He considered heading out to the herd immediately and staying there until his careless remark was forgotten.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured.
She straightened, hairbrush hanging at her side. “You didn’t mean it?” No mistaking the warning…or was it hurt?...in her tone.
“I meant it.” With his whole heart. “Every word. But I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” His voice had deepened to a rumble.
Her restless gaze darted away and then returned.Held steady. Her throat worked. Words trembled from her mouth. “A woman doesn’t object to being told nice things.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Pleasure at having said the right thing pulsed through his body. Little flames that teased each other, promising bigger and better.
Jonathan trotted over to his mother. She sat on a chair and pulled him to her lap, continuing to brush her hair with one hand.
Watching her, watching them, made the strangest thing happen inside. He couldn’t even describe it, let alone name it. The feeling made him want to smile. Laugh. Sing.
“I want it.”
“I’ve got it.”
A scuffle between the twins drew his attention away from Maddie. “Put the books away for now. It’s time to get ready for bed.” He guided them through their bedtime routine, said their prayers, tucked them into bed, and returned to the kitchen.
Maddie had her hair braided. Jonathan cuddled in her arms.
Their eyes met across the room. The air shimmered with awareness. Seconds ticked the time.
Jonathan whimpered and she turned her attention to him.
