Page 272 of Conveniently Wed
Stella opened the door and called the children. As she turned, their gazes caught, held like they were locked together. The air sizzled between them, full of possibility, bursting with an awareness of something budding between them.
Aunt Mary chuckled, and they both jerked away, he to watch the children head for the house, Stella to return to the stove.
Was it only Aunt Mary’s continued suggestions taking root? Or was there something real and vibrant developing between them?
Huh. He shook his head. It was nothing more than the result of a long, sleepless, worry-filled night befuddling his brain.
Stella scooped the potatoes into a bowl. She did the same with the rest of breakfast though she did so mindlessly, not even aware of what she served.
What a night they’d had. One thought had outdistanced all else. If Aunt Mary had infection, would she survive? And if something happened to her, Bruce’s reason for entering into this marriage would be gone.
The specter of him leaving sucked her hollow. He’d promised to stay, but she’d heard promises before.
At least Aunt Mary saw him as staying. But falling in love? That seemed unlikely.
But if it happened… Did she mean him falling in love with her or her with him?
The children burst inside, thankfully putting an end to her mental wrangling.
She sat facing Bruce. Like she’d thought once before, he had a face she wouldn’t grow tired of. He listened intently to the children telling about their pets
When there was a lull in their excited chattered, he said, “I’ll say grace.” He smiled at each of them, his smile perhaps a bit wider for her, and then he bowed his head.
Stella was the last to close her eyes. A lump lodged in her throat. Why did she get all choked up simply by looking at him? Clearly, she needed more coffee and more sleep.
As soon as Bruce said, “Amen,” she refilled her cup and drank half of it before she tackled her breakfast.
“I like that,” Bruce said. “What do you think?”
She realized he spoke to her and that she had no idea what he was talking about. “Sorry, I was thinking of other things.”
Bruce’s eyes narrowed, and Aunt Mary chuckled again. Stella ignored them and hoped her warm cheeks had not colored.
Bruce’s smile seemed to suggest he understood.
What a strange thought. What was he supposed to understand? That her mind had wandered. Given the short night, it was totally understandable.
“Blossom says she wants to call the kitten Mitten. What do you think?”
Stella forced her sleep-starved, wayward brain to consider the question. “Why Mitten? The cat is gray all over.”
Donny leaned forward. “Mama, you remember the rhyme Victoria taught us? ‘Three little kittens they lost their mittens’? That’s why.”
“I remember.”
“I haven’t heard that,” Bruce said. “Tell me.”
“Do you both remember it?” she asked the children.
They nodded. She helped them to say the whole nursery rhyme. When they finished, Bruce and Aunt Mary clapped.
“Mitten is a good name for a kitten,” Stella said, and Blossom beamed.
The meal was over. Bruce reached for the Bible they kept on the nearby shelf. He read a few verses and closed the pages.
“Uncle Bruce, is there anything about cats in the Bible?” Donny asked.
“Well, I don’t know. Aunt Mary?”
