Page 256 of Conveniently Wed
“Oh my dear, I would never do that. I simply know what I see.”
Stella adjusted the thin cover over her. “And what do you think you see?”
“I see a man and woman who are utterly and completely suitable for each other.”
Curiosity overcame Stella’s good sense that warned her not to pursue this conversation. “How are we suited for each other?”
“You’re both committed to home and family. You are both willing to make sacrifices to reach those goals. You enjoy each other’s company. I already see that you are open and honest with each other. Besides, what God has joined together in holy matrimony will become His place of love and joy. Now leave me have a rest.”
Stella left the room. She tucked Blossom in for a nap then headed for the chicken house, Donny on her heels. They stopped at the barn to get a wheelbarrow and two shovels.
“Donny, you scrape out the corners of the pen while I tackle inside.” Mostly the little yard was overgrown with weeds, but there were piles of dropping he could clean up.
She pulled a bandana over her nose and went into the dusty coop. She took out shovelful after shovelful. It was one task she wished Flora had seen fit to do, but why should she? The chickens weren’t her responsibility. At least she and Kade had taken care of them.
Stella paused in the fresh air, lowering the bandana so she could breathe easier.
Donny carried a bit of manure to the wheelbarrow and dropped it in. “Uncle Bruce says he’ll help me learn how to farm. He’s going to break the piece that Pa started. He says he likes being a farmer.”
“That’s nice.” It did her heart good to have her son back home enjoying farm life as he always had.
“Did you see me riding his horse?”
Stella nodded. “I was proud of you, son.”
Donny beamed. “Uncle Bruce said I was a fine rider. Said it wouldn’t be long until I could have my own horse.” Donny leaned on his shovel, talking animatedly about the things Bruce had said.
Much as he had once repeated everything Frank said. Was it that easy to replace one man with another? Was she guilty of the same? Frank would understand she was doing what she thought best in order to provide for the children. And herself?
Of course.
“We better get back to work.”
“Yeah. Before Uncle Bruce gets back.” Donny looked down the road.
Stella looked too but saw no sign of him. Or the animals, she added, to prove to herself she hadn’t forgotten what she really watched for. She pulled the bandana over her nose again and returned to cleaning the chicken coop.
A bit later, the task finished, she left the little shed to draw fresh air into her lungs. Donny leaned on the wheelbarrow, singing a tuneless song
The words caught her attention.Cows and trees and birds and flowers. Wheat and oats and hay. Our farm is a lovely place. I’m glad we can stay.
She smiled and kept her chuckle to herself. She was glad she could stay too. This was home. With a start she realized in her thoughts she had included not only herself and the children but Bruce and Aunt Mary.
And why not? It made a very nice family.
“Here they come.” Donny shrieked the news.
Stella smoothed her hair and dusted her skirts. Finished just in time.
“Mama,” Blossom called.
“Coming, baby.” She trotted to the house where she helped Aunt Mary up.
Aunt Mary hesitated halfway across the floor to her chair. “Your animals are returning, aren’t they?”
“Coming down the road as we speak.”
“I’d like to watch. Is it possible I could sit on a kitchen chair outside?”
