Page 259 of Conveniently Wed
“It isn’t.” Flora grinned. “But love isn’t possible either.”
“What?”
“Truly. How can two people be willing to give up everything and live for the other person? How is it possible that doing so makes each person more complete, more real, more—” She ducked her head but not before Stella saw the flare of color in her cheeks.
She chuckled. But before she could think of an answer, screams rent the air.
“Blossom.” She leapt to her feet, dropping the potatoes from her apron as she raced toward the sound.
10
Bruce raced toward the barn and the sound of Blossom screaming. Stella tore from the garden. By the time she reached the barn, he held the little girl, soothing her.
Stella rushed up to them. “What’s wrong?”
Blossom sobbed and buried her head against Bruce’s neck.
He patted her back. Her mother rubbed it. Their hands collided. Then moved together as they calmed the child.
Her sobs decreased, and he eased her back so they could talk to her.
“What happened?” he asked, his heart aching at her distress.
“Tell Mama what’s wrong.”
“Kitty scratched me.” She showed her arm. The scratch was barely visible. Likely she’d been more startled than anything.
“I’ll kiss it better.” Stella leaned close. Strands of her hair had blown free and tickled Bruce’s face. Without thinking, he stroked it back. A shock raced up his arm. Had there been static electricity in her hair? Or was the source within him? He dropped his hand. A tingle remained where his palm pressed to his hip.
She slowly lifted her head and looked at him. Their faces were inches apart. Close enough he could see the golden flecks inher brown irises, the surprise in her eyes. And something more. Was it awareness of him as a man? Was it longing for more than a business arrangement? He didn’t know. Couldn’t begin to think whathewanted, let alone what she might want.
Flora chuckled, bringing their attention to her. He hadn’t realized that both Flora and Kade had followed them and stood in the doorway watching.
Flora stepped forward, grinning at Stella and waggling her eyebrows, then took Blossom from Bruce. “You have to be gentle with kitties or they scratch. You pet them like this.” She guided the girl’s hands in petting both the kitten and the mama cat.
The three other adults crowded close, watching Blossom and the cats.
Bruce welcomed the chance to bring his thoughts under control. It proved futile with Stella so close he could smell her hair and feel the warmth of her skin. And the continued tingling of his nerves.
“I shouldn’t have left her unsupervised.” The words twisted from Stella. “She might have been seriously hurt.”
Flora stood and gave Stella a gentle smile. “You’re a good mother. Blossom is a good girl. She knows boundaries. She’s now learned another one. Be gentle with cats.”
Outside, the pup barked, and Donny yelled.
Stella jolted. “And now Donny is out there.”
“He’s fine,” Flora said. “Stop fretting. It isn’t like you. What has you so flustered?” She waggled her eyebrows at Stella than at Bruce.
He didn’t know what she thought and wasn’t about to ask.
She took Stella’s arm. “Let’s get those potatoes you dropped. Kade and Bruce can watch Blossom if you’re worried.”
“Sure can,” Kade said.
The women left the barn. Like Flora said, it wasn’t like Stella to be so fussed about an ordinary event. What was really going on with her?
They were barely out the door when Flora said, “Your reaction to Bruce has you all flustered.” And then they were out of hearing distance.
