Page 219 of Conveniently Wed
Bruce drew air into his starving lungs. The man who had sent him to the Kinsleys spoke so highly of them. But he was beginning to think the man didn’t know as much about them as he let Bruce think. Why would a good preacher and his wife suggest the woman in their home marry him—a stranger? Andeven worse—though they didn’t know this fact—a man fleeing an undeserved, but unsavory, reputation.
He made himself look at Mrs. Norwood. She met his gaze with eyes full of hard warning. He didn’t need to ask her opinion. She found this idea as unappealing as he did.
The preacher patted Bruce on the shoulder. “It’s a lot to take in all at once. Your aunt can spend the night in the parlor. Don’t imagine you’ll mind sleeping by your wagon. Pull it around to the back. Think about the idea. Pray about it and give me your decision in the morning.”
“Are you taking my agreement for granted?” Stella’s voice was soft, but Bruce heard the steel in it.
“Not at all, my dear.” Mrs. Kinsley gave Stella a little hug. “I advise the same thing. Think about the advantages. Pray for God’s direction. No one can force you to do this, but you might see the advantages.”
“Advantages?”
Bruce admired her self-control when he sensed a cauldron simmering below the surface.
Her voice could have driven nails. “Marriage is forever. It’s a big price to pay for a hired man.”
“And yet it offers you the stability you so often say you crave.”
She pushed to her feet. “If you excuse me, this is more than I can deal with.”
“Stella, don’t rush away,” Mrs. Kinsley called, but Stella quietly slipped out of the house, pulling the door closed behind her.
“You’ll have to excuse me too.” Bruce hurried to the front room.
Aunt Mary smiled at him. “My leg is set. No need to delay your trip on my account.”
“Mrs. Kinsley assures me you can’t travel until your burns and bones are better.”
“Pshaw. I can if I have to.”
“There is another way.” He pulled a chair close and sat by her side to tell her of the preacher’s suggestion.
His aunt didn’t say anything until he finished then words exploded from her mouth. “That is the most preposterous thing I’ve heard in a coon’s age. Of course, you won’t marry a complete stranger just so you’ll have a place for me to rest. Why I never heard such nonsense in all my life.”
Bruce chuckled. “I thought the same thing.” He let out a huge sigh. “And yet there are advantages.”
“I fail to see any.”
“It could be a permanent home for you unless you’re set on going to your sister’s.”
“She’s agreed to give me a home.”
Did he hear hesitation in her voice? He waited, but she didn’t say more. Didn’t say she welcomed the idea. Didn’t say she didn’t. More to the point, why was he questioning her wishes? He’d promised to take her there where she would have a home.
“Stella—Mrs. Norwood needs help to keep her homestead.”
Aunt Mary studied him. “Are you seriously considering it?”
“Of course not. Just stating the facts.”
“The children are precious.”
“They are.” He could see being a part of their lives. He shook his head. A man didn’t marry a woman simply because her children were sweet. Though it beat some of the reasons a man and woman married. At least, he would be doing it of his own free will.
Wait a minute. Where had that come from? He wasn’t intending to marry her.
“Is she a good woman?” His aunt’s question broke into his tangled thoughts.
“I met her only a few hours ago, so I can’t say. Except?—”
