Page 230 of Conveniently Wed
“Do you want more laudanum?” Stella asked.
“I wouldn’t mind.”
Stella gave her a dose, and then they left her. She pulled the door closed and then stalled, unable to face what this new life might entail.
She’d saved her homestead. That was what mattered.
Except she knew it wasn’t. What if she had jumped from the frying pan into the fire, all for the sake of returning to her home?
5
Bruce wanted to assure Stella she didn’t need to look so wary. So tense. He half thought of touching her to let her know he cared how she felt, but he wondered if she would jump like a frog. Causing her to do so would be unkind. He’d seen and experienced enough unkindness to never want to be responsible for inflicting it.
“Let’s unload the wagon as we talk.” Keeping on the move would surely drive away some of the tension in her.
She followed him outside. He gave her a box of supplies and carried in a larger one. They crowded into the narrow pantry and began filling the shelves.
“What sort of rules do you want?” she asked.
“I hadn’t thought of rules. All that matters to me is that Aunt Mary is cared for. I owe her so much.” His voice deepened. “If not for her, I don’t know where I’d be or how things would have turned out.”
Stella emptied her box and began to lift items from his. “We were clear about that. And about you helping with the farm. Until I got sick, I was taking care of it on my own after Frank died.”
Now seemed like a good time to learn more about that. “How did he die, if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Pneumonia, a year ago.”
“I’m sorry. It must have been tough for you.”
“One of the hardest things was not having a preacher here. The Kinsleys hadn’t arrived yet. Neighbors were farther apart then too. Norm White learned of my situation and sent some of the good people from town to help lay him away. There were already plans for the new church, so at least he is in the graveyard there.”
Her hands had grown idle. Her gaze went to the distance. Bruce understood she was seeing into her past.
“Did you think of leaving the homestead? Perhaps moving into town?”
Her gaze hit him with enough force to make him settle back on his heels. “This is my home. I intend to keep it.” She swallowed visibly, seemed to pull her thoughts back. “With your help. That’s all I want.”
This had all been discussed prior to their marriage.
Her brown eyes probed his gaze. He wasn’t sure what she sought or if he could offer it. “We’re new to this. I can’t say what things we will disagree on. Or if I’ll disappoint you. Let’s agree to address issues as they arise. If something bothers you, or you aren’t happy with something I’ve done, I’d just as soon you told me. My experience had led me to believe that things kept hidden eventually break loose, and it’s not usually in a nice way.” He couldn’t have explained to anyone why he had given such a long speech about a simple discussion. Thankfully, she didn’t ask for more detail.
“I like that. We can discuss problems as they arise.” She put the last item on the shelf, and they returned to the wagon. “Only one thing I need to make clear.”
He waited, wondering what expectations were going to be thrust upon him.
“I’d like to be kept informed.”
“Of what?”
“Everything and anything. This is now your farm, but it’s mine too. If there is something amiss, or a change of any sort, I need to know about it.”
“Do you think I can’t manage on my own?”
“Not at all. Besides, how would I know that?” Her eyes narrowed. “Unless you’re meaning to warn me of something?” She waited, but he had nothing to say to that. “Fine. I want to be involved in the farming. After Frank died, I had to learn all sorts of things by trial and error. I prefer to be better informed this time.”
“This time?” He shuddered. “You’re expecting me to die?” Didn’t she say her husband had died of pneumonia? Had anyone verified that? Had he married a black widow?
She chuckled.
