Page 50 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
“How do you know I haven’t let them?”
A smile spread from his heart to his mouth. “Let’s see. You faced life on your own, dealt with opposition.” Society judged harshly an unmarried woman carrying a baby. “You’ve kept your child against criticism. Managed to provide for him without assistance. Then you found a way to move on. You came here to give your son a good life.” All those letters that had flown back and forth between them had been part of her journey, equipping her to take a giant step forward. “I praise God that He brought us together.”
Her gaze darted to her cup then slowly, hesitantly returned to his. She sought deep, wide, high. She paused a moment on his mouth then rose to meet his eyes. Probing. Searching. Her eyelids flickered.
“I’m getting more than that.” Her breathy wordsbrushed his heart clean. She didn’t say so but he knew she meant the ranch, and him were a blessing to her.
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Aunt Maddie.” At Ivy’s call, they sprang into action. Together, they gave the twins water to drink and rejoiced when Ivy said she was hungry, knowing it meant improvement. They worked side by side, their fingers touching often, each time causing them to pause if only for a second and look at each other before returning to the task.
The air sizzled with awareness and possibility. He couldn’t wait to see what the day held for them.
13
Maddie felt like she lived in two worlds. One where she tended sick children, grateful for the improvement in both twins but still cautious regarding Otis. His mind seemed good. His eyes were working but they would keep him in a darkened room for the time being. It was too soon to think there might not be long-term consequences.
In the other world, she was a woman. If she read Wally’s glances accurately, a woman who was valued. Maybe even treasured. Despite her past. Though he didn’t know everything that happened to her.
Someone knocked at the door, and she went to answer. Honor held out a pot.
“Chicken soup. How are the children?”
Maddie reported on Otis’s improvement.
“Thank God. We’ve all been praying.” She turned to leave.
“How are Lindy and Kit?”
“They seem fine. Maybe they won’t get it.” Honor probably thought she sounded positive, but Maddie heard the note of concern in her words. Of course, she worried for Kit.
“It’s Sunday. Aren’t you going to church?”
“We’ve decided to stay home to be sure we aren’t spreading the disease.”
Maddie felt a load of guilt for being responsible for measles being in their midst. “I’m sorry.”
Honor shook her head. “Don’t be. No one can be blamed. The trouble with measles is a person can carry it without knowing they have it.”
Maddie watched her leave. Honor was correct in saying a person didn’t always know they were spreading it. But if she hadn’t come…
She shook her head, trying unsuccessfully to drive away her regrets. As Miz Allie often said when Maddie expressed concerns, “If ifs and ands were pots and pans,there'd be no work for tinkers' hands.” The saying had done little to qualm her worries back then and did even less now.
She took the soup to the kitchen.
Wally looked out from the twin’s bedroom. “Is anyone going to church today?”
“They’ve decided against it.”
He studied her. “What’s wrong?” Before she answered, he crossed the room to stand by the table, his gaze ripe with concern. “Did she say something to you?”
She rolled her head back and forth. “I brought this disease to the ranch.” Had she made her words matter of fact? Just an announcement?
Wally closed the distance between them and put warm, strong hands on her arms. “What if Otis and Ivy got sick back in Kellom? You’d be on your own. Maybe even forced to leave. Here you are safe and sheltered.”
Safe and sheltered? Promises she didn’t deserve. She studied the button in the middle of his chest. Off-white bone. Slightly irregular in shape.
“Maddie, my wife, you are here so I can help. So you and the children have a home. No one regrets you coming.” His voice deepened. “Least of all, me.” With his finger on her chin, he tipped her face upward, so she had to choose between keeping her eyelids lowered to stare at his shirt or raise them to look into his eyes. Without making a conscious decision, she met his gaze. Resistance melted before his look.
