Page 217 of Conveniently Wed
Which left her with no other option than to remain here until she was strong enough to manage on her own or could afford a hired man. And how was that to happen when she struggled to pay for the essentials?
Caring for Miss Rivers in exchange for help from her nephew would have been ideal.
But he was right. People would talk.
Someone rapped on the front door. The preacher left the parlor to answer the summons.
“Mr. Reynolds, I’m glad you’ve come back. I hope you and Stella reached some sort of an agreement.” He shifted his gaze to Stella.
“Yes, sir. She understands why I can’t accept her offer.”
“So, what are your plans then?”
Stella wished she could close a door to block out the conversation as Blossom and Donny heard every word. “Children, it isn’t polite to eavesdrop.”
“I can’t make my ears not hear,” Donny said.
“Mine too.” Blossom and her big blue eyes…the picture of innocence.
“Bruce.” A thin voice came from the parlor. “I can travel if that’s what you want to do.”
The man would have to be deaf not to hear the pain in his aunt’s voice.
“You rest for now, my dear.” Mrs. Kinsley left the room, pulling the door closed.
Stella could imagine the look that passed between the preacher and his wife. Knew she was correct when the preacher said, “Mr. Reynolds, could we talk in the kitchen?”
Stella smiled. It wasn’t a request so much as an order. “Children, let’s go outside.”
The preacher reached the table. “Stella, send the children out, but I think you might want to be part of this conversation.”
She hesitated. She didnotwant to be part of it. But she wasn’t about to ignore the preacher’s “suggestion.” “Children, play in the yard.” At least they didn’t need constant supervision.They’d learned the boundaries in the weeks…months…they’d been there.
She sat as the preacher indicated she should.
Mr. Reynolds sat too, his expression wary and guarded. Was he thinking this preacher would judge him as the one back in Kansas had? Stella could have assured him that Preacher Kinsley was a kind, understanding man… but one who brooked no nonsense and struck fear into the heart of many a wayward man.
“Mr. Reynolds?—”
Mr. Reynolds held up a hand.
Stella couldn’t believe he had the nerve to interrupt.
“Please, would you call me Bruce?”
“Fine. Bruce, your aunt cannot travel.”
Mrs. Kinsley nodded. “It is too great a risk given her injuries and age. I could put her up in the sitting room, but it isn’t ideal, and I have to be honest. I don’t want to see her exposed to whatever the Zimmerman family has. If she were to get what they have…” The woman held up her hands.
Mr. Reynolds—Bruce—sat very still, his face revealing nothing. “Is there an empty house in town I could rent?”
“I’m afraid not.”
“Then I must move on.”
The preacher leaned forward. “I asked your aunt about you, and she assures me you are an honorable man. I’d like to ask you a few questions and hear your answers.”
The preacher often quizzed the cowboys who visited in the home, but it was soon apparent that he wanted to know more than usual about Bruce. To what avail? Stella wondered.
