Page 247 of Conveniently Wed
They both settled back. He still held her hand, and she didn’t try to pull away. Why should she? They were man and wife, even if it was only a business arrangement. But there was no reason she shouldn’t enjoy the comfort and camaraderie that their marriage offered.
She was overstepping the terms of their agreement. Opening herself up to disappointment. “It’s time for me to go to bed.” She stood, pulled her hand from his grasp, and hurried inside.
His footsteps followed. She heard him close the door as she reached her bedroom.
“Goodnight,” he called. “I enjoyed our evening.”
She stepped into the bedroom and closed the door. She’d enjoyed the evening too. And despite her many warnings to be careful or she would be hurt, she smiled as she climbed into her bed.
The next day she hurried to get the children up. Today, she promised herself, she would not forget that she and Bruce were business partners and nothing more, even if there was a piece of paper declaring them man and wife.
She changed the dressing on Aunt Mary’s burn, happy to see it looked clean and healthy.
“Would you like to sit in the living room or rest in quiet?” Stella asked.
“I don’t care for too much quiet.”
Stella chuckled. “Good to hear. Two children can be noisy at times.”
She signaled Bruce to come and help her.
He greeted them both and gave Stella a smile that poked a hole in her determination to see him as only a partner.
“Happy noise is music to the ears,” Aunt Mary said.
“I’ve heard nothing but happy noise,” Bruce said, as he lifted his aunt and carried her to the living room, settling her into her chair.
“The children are darling,” Aunt Mary said.
Stella hugged her. “Thank you. I’m not about to disagree.” Having both of them approve of her children went a long way to making Stella think this decision was a good one. All she had to do was remember the terms of their agreement.
She made breakfast while Bruce went outside. She glanced out the window to see what he did. He wandered to the barn, obviously not in a hurry. He filled the water trough and led his horses from the barn to turn loose into the pasture. At least the grass was lush after lying idle for the past few months.
Bruce leaned against the top rail. At first, she thought he watched his horses, but then he turned. Did his gaze go to the river? Did he detect danger? She waited to see if he would go that direction. He smiled and nodded as if satisfied with what he saw.
She wished she knew what pleased him. Was it the farm? Her family? A familiar question bubbled to the surface. Was he seeing—hearing—the call of the distance?
“He’s a good and faithful man.” Aunt Mary spoke quietly. “You won’t regret marrying him.”
Stella returned to preparing breakfast. “I believe that remains to be seen.” Her words were a whisper, but Aunt Mary heard them.
“What has made you so distrustful?”
“My past experience. My pa taught me the folly of expecting a man to keep his word when he promised we would stay in our home.” She made herself stop. No need to tell Aunt Mary about all the disappointments in her life.
“Perhaps, my dear, it is time to look ahead, rather than back.”
Stella’s hands stilled. She would gladly embrace the future with someone she could trust. As she’d said, only time would tell if Bruce met that criteria. Until then, she would accept his help but guard her heart.
A few minutes later they sat around the table as she served breakfast. She’d asked Aunt Mary about Bruce’s preferences so had made a large pot of coffee and filled his cup. He drained it before she had served the children their eggs and ham.
“More?” She held the coffeepot toward him.
He held out his cup. “Thanks.”
Aunt Mary chuckled. “I warned her you need three cups in the morning before you’re civil.”
Those words had sent fear skittering along Stella’s nerves. What exactly did not civil look like?
