Page 243 of Conveniently Wed
“What’s causing your brow to furrow?”
“Is it?” She rubbed at her forehead.
He watched, his gaze kindly.“What’s the problem?”
“It’s probably nothing, but I thought I saw something moving through the trees earlier today.”
“An animal?”
“I expect so. Or perhaps my imagination. I was feeling a little anxious.” She dug in her pocket for the bit of beaded leather. “I found this by the raspberry bushes.”
He took the leather and studied it. “Can you show me where you found it?” The deadly calm in his voice did more to alarm her than if he’d been surprised or worried,
He unfolded to his feet in one swift movement while she struggled with her tangled skirts. He offered her a hand, and she took it and allowed him to pull her to her feet. He retained her hand long enough for her to look up to his face.
“Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”
Again, that quiet calm. Was he angry that she hadn’t mentioned her discovery before now? Did his calm hide anger? Would it explode into fists? She pressed her lips tight. He’d said otherwise when the preacher questioned him, but words and actions did not always jibe. If he was of that nature, she would run him off the place. She knew the husbands of the Kinsley girls would help her do so.
“I started to tell you when Flora and Kade rode up.”
“Good to hear, because this is one of those times when I need to know something you know. Especially if I am to protect you and the children.”
At the mention of them, they both looked toward house.
And the empty yard.
Bruce looked to the left and the right. His neck muscles knotted. Where had Donny and Blossom gone? His hand fisted around the bit of leather Stella had found. It indicated the presence of Indians. And not so long ago that the leather was wrinkled and shrunken.
“Donny. Blossom.” Stella’s voice rang across the yard.
But no children answered or came running.
She grabbed her skirts and raced from the garden.
Bruce passed her and reached the house ahead of her.
He threw open the door. Aunt Mary had been drowsing in her the chair and jerked awake at his noisy entrance.
“Are the children here?” he asked.
Aunt Mary glanced about. Confused by his question. “I was asleep.”
Stella clattered into the house and went directly to her bedroom.
“Donny. Blossom.”
He followed her, watching hopefully as she looked under the beds and into the corners. There were few places to hide.
She pushed past him. “I have to find my children.”
“Wehave to find them.”
“What’s going on?” Aunt Mary shifted in her chair and moaned as the movement brought pain.
“The children are missing.” Bruce called the words over his shoulders as they hurried across the floor.
“God, keep them safe,” Aunt Mary said.
