Page 265 of Conveniently Wed
He touched her cheek, sending a jolt of something sweet and powerful straight to her open heart. “I did right in marrying you.”
His words planted themselves in her willing heart. Whatever they had as man and wife promised growth and fruit. For the space of three quick breaths she could not move past that thought.
A promise for the future. Could she put her hope in that?
11
Bruce dropped his hand. When had he ever felt an urge to touch someone, to search their eyes, to hear their voice? Never. The feeling was both startling and exhilarating.
Stella went to the window and looked out. “I should bring in the children. It’s time for them to go to bed.”
“I’ll go with you to get them.” He allowed himself a small smile when she didn’t say it wasn’t necessary. “I should warn you that Donny is going to ask if his pup can sleep indoors.”
She groaned. “I don’t even know if he’s trained yet.”
“We could make him a bed in the barn. Tell Donny that the cats need his company. It will make them feel safe and at home. After all, they are all new here.”
She paused to study him. “Seems you and Aunt Mary are too. Does that mean you wish—” She stopped, and her cheeks flared with color.
He didn’t know what she’d been about to say. Was she going to ask what he needed to feel safe? He could tell her that all he cared about was erasing the discomfort that made her look beyond him, unable to meet his eyes. “I wish for nothing more than to see you happy at being home. To see the children at play. To know my aunt has a place of belonging.”
Her gaze jerked to his. “You must want something for yourself.” A beat of waiting silence.
His heart ached with unknown wishes. Unacknowledged dreams. He pushed them aside. “It’s enough for me.”
She shook her head. “If you change your mind and think of anything, I hope you’ll find what you want here.” She continued toward the barn.
He didn’t immediately follow. What did he want? Dare he even think about it? Without answering his questions, he followed Stella into the barn.
She sat beside Donny, the puppy sleeping in his arms. Beside Donny, Blossom sat with the two cats sleeping on her knees.
“Looks like it’s bedtime for everyone.”
He detected amusement in her tone and perhaps a faint regret. Because of him? How was he to know? There was so much to learn about each other. He had time to do so. It might prove a pleasant task. He settled down beside her.
“Mama,” Donny began. “Tippy will be lonely if he has to stay outside. Can’t he sleep with me?”
Stella nudged Bruce. “It didn’t take long to go from sleeping in the house to sleeping with him.”
Blossom gave her mother big eyes. “So will baby kitty. She sleep with me. I keep her warm.”
Bruce nudged Stella back. “Sounds like the bed might get crowded.”
She chuckled. “Much too crowded.” She turned her attention to her son. “Tippy can’t sleep with you.”
“Ah, Mama.” Donny put a whole lot of sadness and accusation in three short syllables.
“Please, Mama.” Blossom was not to be outdone.
Stella caught Blossom’s chin. “First, kitten and her mama have to sleep together.” She lifted the two cats and put them in their little nest.
Tears pooled in Blossom’s eyes, tearing at Bruce’s heart. He lifted her into his arms. “You wouldn’t want to be taken from your mama, would you?”
“No.” She sniffed bravely.
“Neither does the kitten.” From the way Blossom continued to sniffle, he guessed it wasn’t as convincing an argument as he hoped it would be.
Donny rose, holding Tippy and beseeching his mother with silent begging.
