Page 275 of Conveniently Wed
“Someone coming,” Donny yelled.
Bruce got to his feet and pulled Stella up beside him. There were a whole lot ofsomeonescoming if he wasn’t mistaken. There were three wagons, and he could already see that several people rode in each wagon. They drew closer, and he made out Kade and Flora in the first wagon with a man and woman in the back.
He didn’t recognize the others.
“It’s the Kinsley sisters.” Stella sounded surprised and pleased at the same time.
He chuckled softly, not wanting to draw attention to himself. He needn’t have worried as Stella rushed toward the first wagon. That was a quick answer to his prayer for Flora to visit.
The wagons drew abreast. Everyone called a greeting to Stella and eyed Bruce. He stood taller, pushed his shoulders back. He was about to meet the rest of the Kinsley family and knew they would be inspecting him, judging to see if he was worthy of Stella.
Grinning, he admitted he wasn’t half good enough for her, but she’d married him, nonetheless. And he belonged right here. He realized he pressed his palm to his chest, right over his heart, and dropped his hand to his side.
They followed the wagons until they drew to a halt in front of the house, and children tumbled from the wagons, the adults following at a more sedate pace. Bruce had heard the Kinsley’s names. He knew the girls were all adopted, that they had recently married cowboys in the area. But he struggled to keep them all sorted out as Stella introduced them and told him where they lived.
“Adele and Ethan live past Kade and Flora’s place. These are their children, Jacob, Georgie, and Susie.” Two little boys close to the same age, perhaps two. And a little girl slightly older than Blossom who joined Blossom to pet her kitten.
“Victoria and Reese. Eve and Cole.” They all lived north and west of town. Eve and Cole had with them a more-than-half-grown boy by the name of Matt.
“Last but not least, Josie and Walker, who live north.”
Bruce greeted them all, felt each of them examine him. He wondered what they saw, how they judged him, but for the first time in his life, it didn’t bother him one way or the other. He belonged here, and he knew it.
“So, this is the entire Kinsley family?”
Eve, black haired and blued eyed, answered. “We have a sister Tilly back in Ohio.”
“I think someone mentioned that before.”
Eve sobered. “And our brother, Josh, who disappeared a couple years ago.”
Bruce glanced around the circle of people, saw they all wore sad expressions. “I’m sorry.”
Flora brightened. “Pa is praying and believing we’ll find him.”
At the mention of prayer, Stella drew the crowd forward and introduced Aunt Mary.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you all. I couldn’t help overhearing what you said about the preacher’s prayers for your brother. I am a firm believer that God hears and answers our prayers. I have a special prayer I am praying for Stella and Bruce.”
Bruce groaned.
Stella sent him a helpless, what-can-we-do look.
Flora laughed. “I already told them how you expect them to fall in love in less than two weeks.” She looked from Stella to Bruce. “How’s that working out so far? You’re just about out of time.”
Kade tried to look disapproving at his wife’s curiosity but failed to hide his interest in their answer.
The Kinsley sisters made no attempt to conceal their eagerness to know if Aunt Mary’s prayers were answered.
Before either Stella or Bruce could answer, Aunt Mary chuckled. “They are perfect for each other, and I think they are beginning to realize it. I expect them any day now to admit this marriage is more than a business agreement.”
“That would be lovely.” Eve said, sending her sisters a warning look. “But I’m sure they don’t appreciate being pushed into falling in love.” Her gaze went to Cole. “Love is best discovered in its own way and own time. Now.” She clapped herhands. “Stella, you will be relieved you don’t have to feed us all. We brought food enough for a picnic. Where shall we set it out?”
A flurry of activity followed. Bruce and Kade hustled to the barn to get sawhorses and planks to fashion a table. When they returned the women waited with plates, cutlery, and pots of food. As soon as the table was fashioned, the food and dishes were set out, and everyone gathered around.
The men removed their hats and looked at Bruce. He understood he was being called on to ask the blessing. There might have been a time he would have refused. Because—he glanced at Stella and saw from the smile in her eyes that she knew what he was thinking—because he felt he would be judged. But today, he was pleased to be able voice his gratitude, though he might restrict it to thanks for the food and the company.
He prayed. After his amen, they lined up to fill their plates. He sensed there wasn’t an urgency to eat, but rather the desire to visit and catch up on each other’s lives. The picnic lasted several hours though the children ate and went to play. The two little boys stayed close by, under Adele and Ethan’s supervision.
