Page 7 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
He returned to the alcove and opened the door on the left. There were two narrow cots. “The beds are still made up from when the Shannon twins lived here.”
“Twins? Like us?” Ivy’s eyes widened.
“Yup. Only they’re both boys and now grown up.”
“Aunt Madeline told us that. Remember?” Otis seemed disgusted that his sister had forgotten.
Ivy stuck out her lip. “I ‘member. Just didn’t think they’d lived in our house.”
Otis caught her hand and held it. “Ain’t our house. Don’t forget it.”
Wally looked about ready to say something, but Otis gave him a look that clearly forbade it. Instead, Wally indicated a second door. “Riley and Andy slept here. The oldest and youngest Shannon boys. I left the bed and put up a crib for Jonathan.”
Her mouth too dry to answer, Madeline nodded. It was kind of him.
Wally swung open a door to reveal a third bedroom and a wide bed big enough for two adults,covered with a brightly colored quilt. The red and orange screamed at her like a frontal attack.
“Our room.” His voice was deep, inviting, and uncertain.
Be calm. Be calm.The words bounced around like drops of water on a hot skillet. She could not sleep in that bed with him. Yes, she’d promised. She’d thought it possible. But at the very idea, everything inside shriveled up and threatened to die.
Jonny’s protests had grown louder. “I don’t think the baby is going to let me out of his sight.”
Wally heardthe panic in Madeline’s voice. He understood her baby provided her an excuse to avoid sharing his bed. But she was right to put her son first. The little one had not stopped whimpering since their arrival. “Is he sick?”
“Sick? I don’t know.” She seemed surprised at the possibility. “I think he’s tired and out of sorts.”
“I suppose a long journey could upset him.” He touched Jonny’s brow which shocked the baby into momentary silence before he leaned to Madeline’s shoulder and wailed. “He feels a little warm, don’t you think?”
Madeline stared at him. She blinked. Pressed her cheek to Jonny’s forehead. “He’s plenty warm.” Sheraised eyes wide with worry to Wally. “I hope he’s not ill.” She brushed Jonny’s damp hair back. Ignoring Wally and the twins, she backed into the room meant to be the nursery and lay Jonny on the cot. “Otis, run and get my travel bag please.”
The boy was back in seconds.
“I need to change his diaper.” The look she gave the others suggested she preferred to do it in private.
“Come along, you two.” Wally held out his hands to the pair.
Ivy hesitated a heartbeat then took his hand. Her pleased smile warmed Wally clear through. Otis put distance between them, indicating he wasn’t ready for such gestures. Wally nodded. “I understand.” More than they knew. Life in an orphanage had taught him to keep people at arm’s length or more. Living with the Shannons had cured him of that.
Now he wanted people to be close. Wanted to know love between a man and a woman. Between a man and his children.
They returned to the sitting room and the three of them perched on chairs, studying each other.
“How long we staying?” Otis’s tone was belligerent.
Wally took no offense. All too well he understood that permanency was but a dream for orphaned children.
“Madeline—” He remembered how they’daddressed her. “Aunt Madeline said you have an uncle. Isn’t he going to want you back?”
Ivy rocked her head back and forth but waited for Otis to answer.
“He don’t want us. Don’t even like us.”
Wally felt the children’s pain clear through him; like the words had been delivered by a sharp arrow.
Madeline wanted to keep the pair. Wally had no objection. Fact was, he realized, taking in two parentless children somehow made him feel like he was mending his own childhood.
“I’ll tell you what. If your uncle has no objections and you agree, I’m willing to let you stay here forever.”
