Page 253 of Conveniently Wed
Not intentionally. But perhaps she was being unfair.
He liked to bring joy into other’s lives. She’d seen that and liked it.
Donny’s voice drew her back to the window. He sat alone in the saddle with Bruce leading his horse. Donny’s grin spoke of his great enjoyment.
Stella shifted her attention to the horse. Tried to keep it there. A big gray horse with black socks. A handsome animal. But her gaze refused to remain on the horse. Instead, she looked at Bruce. He said something to Donny and patted the boy’s leg then led the horse down the path.
As they turned to retrace their steps, she had a good view of Bruce’s face. She couldn’t stop staring at him. The wideness of his smile as he helped her son said more to her than any of the words of promise he had spoken. This man cared about Donny. Cared about Blossom. Cared about making them happy. What more did she need?
Yet she couldn’t deny she wished for more though she couldn’t say what it was. Wouldn’t confess to it, even if she knew.
He led the horse back to the barn, helped Donny dismount, then lifted Blossom to the saddle. He stayed at her side, holding her steady as he guided them down the path.
She could see Blossom’s big smile. Heard her distant laughter. Stella smiled, her heart filled with joy.
She’d forgotten Aunt Mary was watching.
“I can’t see what he’s doing, but knowing him as I do, I expect he is giving the children a ride, just as he promised.”
Stella murmured a yes.
“I remember a time shortly after I took him in. He was so eager to please. I had only to mention a task I needed done, and he ran off to do it. He scared me half to death one day. I heard a noise in the back and went to investigate. That little boy was chopping wood. I grabbed the axe and stopped him. He said he had done it before. I believed him. But I told him that until he was bigger, I didn’t want him doing it.”
Stella turned to watch her. Aunt Mary wore a bemused expression and had a faraway look in her eyes.
“He seemed surprised and said his pa taught him. He then went on to say his pamadehim. Told him he was big enough to take care of himself and help around the camp. I didn’t probe, but I guessed his pa expected more than help. He expected Bruce to do all the work. It was later that he admitted to that fact.” Her gaze hit Stella with the force of a hammer. “I’ve done my best to make him understand that my love is given freely. Love has no price. He believed it for a few years. But Louella made him think otherwise.” She dabbed at her eyes. “It’s why I agreed that we should leave town.”
“Wait. He said he left because you were in danger.”
“Pshaw. I doubt anyone would have truly harmed me, but I saw that he would never be accepted in that town.”
Could it be true that both of them were willing to leave for the sake of the other? “He was fortunate that you found him and rescued him.”
“It’s been as good for me as him. I believe that God put the two of us together. Just as I believe He has put the two of you together.”
“I’m sure we’ll have an amicable business partnership.”
Aunt Mary laughed. “I believe you’ll have much more than that very soon.”
Stella shook her head. “You are quite the optimist.”
“I have prayer on my side.”
Unable to argue against prayer, and not wanting to admit the ray of hope that shone into her heart at the idea, Stella turned back to the window.
Bruce came toward the house. He carried Blossom, and Donny clung to one hand. The three of them were laughing.
Stella’s hungry gaze followed them. Before she could analyze the sensation, the trio reached the door, and she choked back her confusion.
9
Bruce stepped into the house and put Blossom on her feet. He straightened and glanced toward Stella. Why did she look so…so…? He couldn’t think how to describe it though his first thought was she seemed full of longing. He glanced to Aunt Mary. Her brown eyes glowed with warmth.
He’d seen that look many times in the past when she approved of something he’d achieved. Aunt Mary was always encouraging and supportive. Always telling him he could do whatever task he had set a course for and then cheering when he did it. He couldn’t think what she approved of this time. Perhaps the way he enjoyed the children? Or was it his decision to marry Stella and give all of them a home? He grinned at her. Her joy was his joy.
“I’m going now to get the livestock.”
Stella blinked as if returning from a distant place in her thoughts.
