Page 240 of Conveniently Wed
“Tell me how you hurt yourself,” Flora said, pulling a chair close to Aunt Mary’s side.
“Just a clumsy old woman. We were on our way to Washington Territory, and I was rushing about getting things from the wagon, and I fell.”
Stella’s face went from smiling to scowling at Aunt Mary’s words. Bruce tried to think why it should be. Was it the mention of Washington Territory? Did she think he hankered after reaching their initial destination? Maybe her caution was to be expected having known so much uprooting at the hands of herpa. He could reassure her again that he meant to stay, meant to live up to his vows, but she’d have to find that out for herself.
How long would it take? He smiled to himself. She could take as long as she wanted, and he would still be here.
Stella went to the stove and made a pot of coffee. She cut slices of cake for everyone. Blossom slipped from her bedroom, saw the visitors, and smiled.
Flora held out her arms. “Hello, little one. Come and give me a hug.”
Blossom ran into Flora’s arms. Donny stuck like a burr to Kade’s side.
Aunt Mary seemed right at home with the others.
Bruce felt like an outsider even though he was legally owner of the farm.
“Children, sit at the table.” Stella put out cake and cups of water for them.
Flora jumped up to help Stella take the adults coffee and cake. They all clustered around Aunt Mary. She smiled from one to the other. “Isn’t this nice?”
“What brings you over here?” Bruce asked.
“We were out riding,” Flora said. “Kade was sure he saw smoke, so we came to investigate. Sure never thought to find Stella here and with a husband at that.”
Aunt Mary chuckled. “When Bruce told me this morning they intended to marry, I was surprised. But it makes perfect sense. It’s just what the both of them and the children need.”
“And what is that?” Kade asked in a hard voice.
“Stability. Permanency. Mutual concern.” She sounded pleased with the arrangement.
Stella’s expression went from pleased to wary in the time it took Aunt Mary to give her opinion.
“Mama made lotsa smoke,” Blossom said, which required a full explanation.
Kade laughed and turned to Bruce. “I’m surprised you didn’t toss a bucket of water into the house before you knew what was happening. ’Fraid that’s what I would have done.”
Feeling a bit more accepted, Bruce grinned. “Thought I better see to getting the ladies out first. Aunt Mary couldn’t get out by herself.”
“I sure don’t want to be burned again,” Aunt Mary said.
As the others talked and laughed, Bruce began to relax.
Aunt Mary spoke to Flora. “Stella tells me you are adopted.”
Flora grinned. “There are six Kinsley girls, and we are all adopted.”
“Oh my. That’s quite a lot. Where are they all?”
“Five of us are married and live nearby. Tilly stayed in Verdun. She hopes to marry back there.” Flora’s smile momentarily fled. “Sure wish she would join the rest of us out here. She’d love Montana Territory once she got used to it.”
Bruce tried to keep track as Flora and Stella told about the girls. But there were names of Flora’s sisters, names of their husbands, names of several children, and names of older folk. “I’ll never figure it all out.”
“It will take time,” Stella said.
“Something you’ll have lots of,” Kade added.
“Bruce fits right in with the Kinsleys,” Aunt Mary said. “Him being an orphan and all.”
