Page 8 of Mail-Order Bride Secret
“Forever?” The word came from Ivy on the whisper of a breath.
Otis grabbed her hand and shook her. “There ain’t no forever. That’s just a useless dream.”
Wally couldn’t do more than promise the possibility and he waited for the pair to consider the idea.
They looked at each other. Neither uttered a sound and yet they seemed to communicate. After a moment, Otis nodded, and Ivy smiled as if she approved.
“We’ll stay for now,” Otis spoke firmly.
Wally slapped his thighs. “Good enough for me.”
Madeline stepped into the room, holding Jonny who whined. “He’s hot. I thought all along it was from being disturbed so often. Poor baby. I didn’t evenknow. What kind of mother am I?” Tears burst from her eyes.
Wally jolted to his feet. His first instinct was to wrap his arms around her and assure her everything was going to be all right, but he’d seen how she jerked away from any contact. He understood that they were virtually strangers. She’d warm up to his touches in time but now was too soon. “He’s here where he can be taken care of now. You all are. Maybe a bath would help. I’ll prepare water.” While he was at it, he might as well see about bathing the twins or—if they objected—at least giving them a good washing.
The trio followed him into the kitchen and watched as he filled the kettle and set out a wash basin for Jonny.
As soon as the water was ready, Madeline stripped the baby and sat him in the tub.
Wally studied the twins. “Seems you might be wanting to have a bath as well.”
“I ain’t dirty.” Otis scowled fit to curdle milk.
“I don’t bath in front of boys.” Ivy crossed her arms.
“I’ll put the tub in our bedroom. There’s plenty of room and it’s warm in there.”
The pair eyed him with a mixture of distrust and interest.
“Wouldn’t hurt either of you to wash off the dust of our journey.” Madeline’s voice was gentle as shedipped a cloth into the water and sponged it over Jonny. He grew calm, enjoying the bath.
Wally didn’t wait for the twins to say yes or no. He filled the kettle and two big pots with water, grateful Mr. Shannon had insisted on a pump inside the house. The oblong tub hung in the narrow entryway. He carried it to the bedroom. Paused a moment to look at the wide bed, knowing in his heart that Madeline would not share it tonight.
He could be patient.
A few minutes later, he filled the tub and Ivy went first.
“I’ll wash her hair.” Madeline wrapped Jonny in a towel and perched him on her hip. Before she closed the door behind her, she turned to Wally. “The children have only the clothes they are wearing and an old set of things. I’m sorry, but do you have anything for them to wear to bed?”
His world turned backward to when he was without anything to call his own. But at least in the orphanage they were given something. And now he was a grown man with a home and friends and the makings of his own family.
“I’ll see if Honor or Gwen have anything we can use.” He was gone before she responded.
The twins were bigger than Kit or Lindy but the ladies each provided several items.
“Enough to for a few days,” Gwen said. “I imagineyou were surprised to realize there were two more children.”
“I don’t mind.”
She patted his arm. “Wally Edwards, you are a good man.”
Matt stood behind his wife and grinned. “You better believe it.”
Embarrassed by the praise, Wally took the garments and hurried back.
The sound of a child’s laugh brought him to a halt outside the door. Softer, yet more urgent, came the cry of a sick baby and then Madeline’s voice calming him.
Gratitude overflowed his heart. This was home.Thank you, God.A warmth that was a contrast to the air around him filled his chest as he pushed open the door.
