Page 62 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
He lay back and stared into the blue sky. He had all he wanted. All he’d even dreamed of. God was good.
A tiny, almost imperceptible twitch caught at his thoughts.
One thing he’d learned growing up was not to count on good things lasting.
That was in his past. The last few years, being a part of the Shannon ranch, had been wonderful. If Mr. and Mrs. Shannon had taught him anything it was that he didn’t need to fear the future. It was safe in God’s hands. And it didn’t hurt that Wally had been surrounded with people he could trust.
16
Madeline had never expected to be so happy. So content. When she’d come west with the intention of marrying Wally, she’d hoped for acceptance and safety. She’d found so much more. Wally’s love and tenderness were far above and beyond anything she might have dreamed of.
She stole glances at him as she helped the other ladies put away the picnic things.
Jonathan lay on Wally’s stomach, talking to him. They both laughed. Wally looked at her. Their gazes fused like hot metal from the forge.
It was all she could do not to laugh aloud from sheer joy.
Nothing must be allowed to mar this. Certainly not actions that sprang from her past.
No one thought her reaction to Riley running intoher was anything but having her breath knocked out. There was no way they’d guess she panicked at the way his body slammed into hers. She’d been able to pull herself back from that memory. Soon, she assured herself, the event would fade like an old photo and become shadowy and indistinct.
The men took up the baskets and they headed back toward the ranch, sauntering lazily, no one in a hurry.
The scenery caught Maddie’s attention. The water flashed with reflected sunlight. Silver promises. She smiled. Silly thought. Deciduous trees had shed their leaves. She stared at one tree where a solitary yellow leaf clung to the tip of a branch.
A shiver raced across her shoulders, stalled at the base of her neck. She tried to turn from the sight but found she couldn’t. That dull yellow leaf seemed to carry a warning.
No matter how hard it clung eventually winds, rain, snow or death would send it to the ground to join the other leaves rotting into the soil. The odor of decay filled her nostrils.
She hurried past the grove of trees. Wally kept in step.
“What’s your rush?”
“Oh, sorry. No hurry.” The trees behind her, she slowed her steps.
But she glanced over her shoulder. The breezepulled at the leaf, twisting it on its stem. It jerked free. Fell to the ground to die and rot.
She faced forward. Why was she allowing such morbid thoughts to intrude into her perfect world?
Thankfully, they soon reached the steep path and climbed the hill. They each went to their own homes. Wally and Maddie were alone with their children after Andy and Della turned aside. She breathed relief when they entered the safety of their house.
The evening shadows lengthened as they cleaned up and got the children ready for bed. Once they were tucked in, Wally drew her into the living room and wrapped his arms around her.
“Have I told you how much I love you?”
She tipped her head back to look into his deep, promising gaze. “You’ve never come right out and said it.”
“I haven’t.” Surprised, he chuckled. “Guess I thought I had.” He looked deeply into her eyes. “Madeline Edwards, my dear wife, I love you more than I dreamed possible.” He bent. She knew his intent was to kiss her, but she leaned back. There was something she had to say first.
Her throat threatened to close off and choke her. Her lungs refused to do their job. Her heart continued to function though at a furious pace.
“Maddie?” At the uncertainty in his voice, sheforced air into rebellious lungs and swallowed past the tightness in her throat.
“Wally Edwards.” When had her voice crackled in such a fashion when she meant to speak the most important words of her life. She coughed a little. “Wally Edwards.” Her voice cleared, grew stronger. “I love you so much my heart can barely contain it. I am so grateful to be your wife.”
He silenced her with a kiss. One full of such sweetness that tears pooled in her eyes. She blinked them back as she reveled in his embrace, rejoiced in his kisses, and exulted in his love.
Two days later,they sat side by side in the wagon, on their way to town.
