Page 245 of Conveniently Wed
“I told her you were checking the trees along the river in preparation for the return of the cows.”
A secret understanding passed between them. An affirmation that they were in this together and trying to make the best of it. Learning to exert a degree of faith and trust.
“Everything is ready for the cows. I’ll ride over tomorrow and bring them home. Are you comfortable, Aunt?”
“Stella has taken good care of me. She’s very efficient housekeeper. You did well to choose her.”
Bruce glanced at Stella, but her attention was on slicing the meat. Had they discussed him while he was gone? Would Aunt Mary have told her how dirty and ignorant he had been when she took him in?
“Supper is ready.” She called the children in. As Bruce and the children washed, Stella put a platter of meat on the already-set table. She added bowls of vegetables and a jug of gravy.
“Smells mighty fine.”
“Thank you.”
He sat in the same spot as before with Stella facing him and the children on either side of them. He said grace and filled his plate.
It was all so ordinary. A meal around the table. At the same time, it was so foreign he wasn’t sure how to feel. Aunt Mary injured. Children and a wife at the table.
He was now a married man even though he had decided he would never marry. The sort of woman who would accept him—a former homeless boy—was not the sort of woman he would want to marry. Louella had made that abundantly clear to him in one of her verbal attacks.
Yet Stella seemed a decent woman.
Who had married him in name only.
A business deal.
He could hope for nothing more.
Bruce helped get his aunt to bed. She had asked to speak privately to him, and Stella had slipped from the room wondering what Aunt Mary had to say. In a few minutes Bruce came out. He offered no explanation, and she expected none.
“Would you like tea?” she asked. It was something Preacher and Mrs. Kinsley did each evening. But why had she thought it would be suitable for her situation?
He looked surprised. Recovered quickly. “That would be nice. Thank you.”
It was too late to withdraw her offer. She made tea, filled cups, and carried them to the table. Bruce didn’t sit.
“Let’s drink this outside.” He nodded toward the door.
A trickle of pleasure played at her lips. She’d always longed to enjoy the evening quiet with Frank, but he said he didn’t care to be outside after a long day of working out there.
Outdoors, Bruce grabbed two pieces of firewood and stood them against the house.
“Not fancy. Sorry.”
“No need to apologize.” She sat on one. After a beat of what she took for as hesitation he sat beside her. At first, he sat up as straight as the tree sheltering the house. Then, with a sigh, he leaned back against the house.
Stella was at a loss to think why it should be so, but she experienced a bit of satisfaction when he relaxed.
He asked about her cows. How many? Did she have a plow horse?
“An ox. Frank said they were hardier than a horse. His name is Brute.”
Bruce slowly brought his gaze to her. “I’ve never driven an ox.”
“You won’t have a problem. Brute is gentle and cooperative.”
“Good to know. I could break that field.” He pointed to the bit of land with one furrow turned over. “I’ll also need to find hay to put up. I expect your cows are in good shape, seeing as Kade has been caring for them.”
