Page 257 of Conveniently Wed
Stella considered the request. “I don’t see any reason why not as long as you are comfortable.” She left Aunt Mary leaning against the doorframe and carried a chair outside and then the stool. She paused to watch the animals approaching. A cloud of dust billowed around them. Brute bellowed. Glad to be home. Just as Stella was and hopefully, all her animals.
She could see three riders herding them and rushed inside to help Aunt Mary out to the chair where she made sure the woman was comfortable before she took Blossom’s hand and went to the hitching post to watch. Blossom giggled with excitement, and Donny bounced up and down. Stella grinned, as excited as the children to have the animals returning. Now it would really feel like home.
Bruce had left the pasture gate open, and Brute marched right in, the cows kicking their heels as they realized they were back to a familiar pasture. Stella tried to count them. If her tally was correct all thirty head were there. Counting the calves was more difficult, but she thought there were twenty-five, which would be correct.
Bruce swung from his saddle and closed the gate.
“Can I go now, Ma?” Donny was poised to race away, and as soon as she gave permission, he was off like a shot.
Holding Blossom’s hand Stella went to join the others. She called out a greeting to Kade and Flora then directed her gaze to Bruce. She didn’t say anything. And as far as she knew, didn’t do anything to indicate her pleasure—at having the animals home, not in seeing him. But his wide grin seemed to?—
“Blossom,” Flora called. “Come see what I have.”
Stella jerked away, her heart thudding a protest. She was only letting Aunt Mary’s talk and perhaps her prayers make her see things that didn’t exist, feel things that weren’t there.
Flora waited until Blossom was at her side then opened the sack she carried. She lifted out a kitten no bigger than a pint jar.
“I brought this for you.”
A mother cat that Stella recognized crawled from the sack and meowed for her kitten.
Blossom sat beside Flora, who put the kitten in her lap. Stella realized her gaze had returned to Bruce. He was watching Blossom with a gentle smile on his lips. He looked up, met Stella’s eyes, and his smile deepened.
Stella, her face warm, her lungs tight, sank to the ground beside Blossom. “Do you remember Slinky?” The mother cat rumbled a greeting and Stella petted her.
Blossom shook her head. “I can keep kitty?”
Flora chuckled. “If your mama says it’s okay.”
“It’s okay.”
Blossom buried her face in the kitten’s fur.
Kade stepped forward. “I have something for Donny.” He opened his sack and drew out a pup of uncertain breeding. He put it in Donny’s arms.
Donny’s eyes were round as moons and for once, he was speechless.
Bruce moved to Stella’s side and murmured, “That look of joy is one to cherish.” His breath brushed her cheek.
“It surely is.” She smiled, knowing the whole scenario was one she would cherish for years to come—Blossom’s enjoyment of the kitten, the purring of the mother cat, Donny and the squirming puppy who licked his face, her cattle grazing in the pasture, and a husband by her side who reveled in sharing the joys of others.
A husband. Brought to her by God.
Aunt Mary’s words again. Like a constant dripping in her head.
Time to bring some normalcy to her world. “Did you bring my chickens?” Though the cackling coming from the packhorse was answer enough.
“I’ll get them.” Flora led the horse to the chicken yard, and Stella helped her let the chickens free. She’d put out some grain, and after they’d strutted about and ruffled their feathers to inform everybody of their indignation at how they’d been handled, they pecked at their food.
Stella closed the gate as Flora led the horse away. She called after her, “Thanks to you and Kade for taking care of my livestock.”
“Our pleasure,” Flora said.
Donny had put the pup down, and they chased each other across the yard, the boy laughing and the dog barking.
Bruce knelt beside Blossom. “Do you want to help me make a place for the cat and her kitten to sleep?”
“In my bed?” Her eyes were bright with the possibility.
