Page 252 of Conveniently Wed
Stella realized she wasn’t paying attention and collected her thoughts. “I suppose it means you understand about crops and animals.”
“Yup. I sure do. Can’t wait for our animals to come home.” He perched on the front of his chair. “Could I go with Uncle Bruce to get them?”
“Not this time,” she said, without giving it any consideration. He was too small to ride that far and having him would only hinder Bruce.
“Ahh.”
Blossom blinked back tears at her brother’s disappointment.
Stella studied her two children. She wanted to do everything in her power to make them happy, but there was no way she could grant this request.
“Tell you what,” Bruce said. “How would it be if I give each of you a ride on my horse right after dinner? Before I leave.”
Both children nodded and smiled.
Bruce’s words came back to her. He wanted to see the joy in people’s faces and do what he could to add to it. He was certainlydoing that for the children and for that, she admitted a bit of affection for the man.
Aunt Mary cleared her throat, bringing Stella’s attention her direction. The older woman smiled and nodded, her gaze going from Bruce to Stella. “Two weeks,” she mouthed.
Stella turned away. Let Aunt Mary have her hopes and dreams. It wouldn’t change anything.
The children gulped their food and stared at Bruce as he ate more slowly.
“We’re done,” Donny said.
“Uh huh. I see that.” Bruce held up his cup. “I think I’ll have a refill.”
Stella wondered at his delay as she rose to get the coffeepot. She was about to fill his cup when he held up a hand to stop her.
“Are you two anxious to get going?” He spoke like the idea was a surprise.
“Yes.” Donny squirmed right off his chair and stood at the table.
“What about you?” Bruce asked Blossom.
“I ready now.” She scrambled from her chair and headed for the door.
Bruce laughed. “Guess I’m done too. Thanks for the meal, Mrs. Reynolds.” He planted his hat on his head and left the house, a child clinging to each hand, and made his way to the barn.
Stella watched. He was good at bringing joy to her children’s lives. She couldn’t deny it.
“You’re discovering he’s a good man, aren’t you?”
She didn’t turn away from the window at Aunt Mary’s question.
Aunt Mary continued. “He’s struggled with his past. It’s often been tossed in his face, as if it has anything to do with the sort of man he now is. If anything, he is a better man for the things he’sdealt with, and I include Louella in that. I’m assuming he told you about her?”
“He said she was hurtful when he didn’t want to court her.”
“Both she and her father were cruel. Made him feel unworthy.” A beat of silence in which Stella hoped Aunt Mary was finished.
But Aunt Mary wasn’t. “I wouldn’t want to see him hurt again.”
Stella spun around to face the older woman. “I have no intention of either saying cruel things to him or judging him for his past.”
“That’s reassuring.”
Stella hurried to the kitchen to clean up from the meal. But was she guilty of judging him forherpast? Hadn’t she suggested he might be like his pa—a wandering man? Was she being cruel in doing so?
