Page 63 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
“It was kind of Della to offer to keep the children,” she said.
“I think they got together and decided we needed an outing by ourselves.”
She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face to his shoulder. “I totally agree with them. What are we going to do?”
He slanted a teasing look at her. “What would you like to do?”
Tapping her chin and pretending to give it concentrated consideration, she hummed. “I don’t suppose we could go to a dinner theater?” She didn’t wait forhim to answer. “No. I suppose not. A circus?” Again, she shook her head.
His eyes filled with concern. “Maddie, I’d offer you the world and everything in it, but our world is this little town, the ranch, and the people there.”
“That’s the only world I want.”
He kissed her nose. “You were teasing.”
“I am happy to be with you. I need nothing else.”
The horses trudged down the road without any attention from Wally as he kissed Maddie thoroughly. “Have I told you lately that I love you?”
Happiness filled her insides to overflowing. “I’ll never get tired of hearing it. By the way, I don’t think I’ve told you recently that I love you more than words can say.”
His pleased laughter rang out. He turned his attention back to the horses as town came in sight.
“I have letters to mail. And a few things to pick up.” She needed fabric and more thread so she could sew clothes for the children and yarn to make winter mittens.
They pulled to a halt in front of the store and went inside to conduct their business. Despite Mrs. Luckham’s attempt to delay them so she could catch up on all the news, they slipped away as soon as they’d made their purchases. They stowed things in the wagon and then lingered beside it, his finger trailing down her arms.
Aware of the storekeeper watching from the window, she suggested they should move on.
Chuckling at the heat that flooded her cheeks and revealed her embarrassment, he helped her to the seat, his hands lingering at her waist.
She faced forward knowing that anyone looking her way would wonder at how flustered she looked.
The wagon dipped as he climbed up and sat beside her, sitting closer than was necessary.
Not that she minded.
“I thought we’d go for a little drive. I know a pretty place by the river where we can be alone to enjoy our love.”
If her cheeks grew any hotter, they’d be in danger of igniting.
He turned the wagon around. A man rode toward them from the train station.
She gasped so hard her breath was trapped in her lungs. “It’s Delroy!” She squeezed out the words. “What’s he doing here? I hoped to never see him again after what he did to me.” She gripped Wally’s arm so hard her nails would likely draw blood as words poured from her, driven by fear and anger.
“Jonathan’s father? You said he didn’t know about his son.”
“Jonny is not his son.” Her teeth chattered.
Wally stopped the wagon. “But you said he was.”
Delroy dismounted to adjust the cinch on hissaddle. “That man forced himself on me. He hurt me. Jonny can never be his son.”
The words fell like hot coals. Like yellowed leaves fluttering to the ground. Dying. She saw the coldness in Wally’s eyes and knew he saw her as soiled.
Death gripped her innards.
“Are you saying that man raped you?”
