Page 249 of Conveniently Wed
Bruce opened the Bible and read. Stella could not have said what passage he’d chosen.As soon as he rose, saying he would look around for a place to cut hay, she hurried after him.
“Bruce, I need to speak to you.”
He stopped. “Of course.”
She was suddenly bereft of words. And swallowed hard. “Please don’t encourage the children.” At the way his eyes darkened, she stopped.
“You better explain yourself.”
“Very well. I know what it’s like to have someone disappoint you, and I would spare my children that.”
“I assume you are referring to your pa.”
The calmness in his voice did nothing to reassure her.
He didn’t wait for her to reply. “You agreed to marry me. I agreed to marry you. I’m tired of saying I meant those vows. Either you believe me, or you don’t. I know you don’t. But I am now your husband and as such, father to your children. I will encourage them in every way I can. I will be here for them day in and day out. Just as I will be here for you.” He stalked away without a backward look.
8
Bruce strode past the corrals, up the gentle slope, and continued walking. He’d done everything he could to convince Stella that he meant his marriage vows. Last night he’d thought they had perhaps reached a bit of understanding. He’d told her how he’d chosen jobs so he could stay with Aunt Mary. Shouldn’t that have made her see what kind of man he was? A staying, protecting, caring man? She’d let him hold her hand. And it had felt good and right. Like they could turn this marriage into mutual concern. Maybe even affection. But she was determined to see him as being like her pa. Here today, but not forever.
He reached a small grove of trees and sank to the ground with his back against a gnarly trunk. The bark poked at his skin. He welcomed the discomfort. From where he sat, he saw the barn and the trees beyond that indicated the river. Slowly, his thoughts settled.
They had agreed that God was the boss in their partnership.
Seemed that talking to Him would be a good way to fix this situation.God, I don’t know how to deal with things. I want to be a good provider, a good father, and even a good husband as much as Stella will allow. We agreed to a businessarrangement. I plan to live up to my end of the bargain, but I don’t like being constantly told she doesn’t expect me to stay. What am I to do?
He didn’t expect an answer, but it was nice to sit quietly and enjoy the scenery. Last night Aunt Mary had told him to be patient with Stella. “She’s leery of trusting people and for good reason I hear. Give her time to learn to know you. She’ll soon grow to understand you won’t abandon her.”
He had no intention of abandoning anyone. But a man could get tired of having the possibility thrown in his face over and over. How many times could he tell Stella he wasn’t leaving, and she might as well get used to the idea?
Something else Aunt Mary said erased his troubling thoughts. She’d quoted one of her many favorite verses.Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. “Bruce, keep your mind stayed on God, and He will guide your steps into peace. I’ve been praying about this arrangement between you and Stella, and I believe God has brought you two together. I fully expect you will both realize what you can have.”
“Have?” he’d asked. “We have what we want. A home for us all.”
“Both of you want more, even if you aren’t ready to admit it.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.” He hoped she wouldn’t press the matter.
“One of you needs acceptance and the other, security.” Aunt Mary had nodded vigorously at that point. “You have both found it here, but you have yet to discover that. Now leave me to rest.”
Bruce considered his aunt’s words. He could see that Stella needed security. Assurance that she could count on forever. Did that leave him as the one needing acceptance? He’d found that with his aunt.
And lost a portion of it with the vicious words Louella had said to him.
But he was over her and her accusatory words.
Right. About the way Stella was over her pa leaving all the time.
From where he sat, he saw the roof of the barn and noticed a few shingles had blown off. Repairing the roof was a chore he could do this morning before he headed out to get Stella’s cows.
He trotted back down the hill and vaulted over the fence.
Donny saw him, but remained under the tree, playing.
Bruce glanced around. He didn’t see Blossom and went closer to call to Donny. “Where’s your sister?”
“In the house with Mama.” Donny lowered his gaze to his play.
