Page 278 of Conveniently Wed
“Maybe that’s the surprise,” Aunt Mary said. Bruce had refused to tell her the details too.
“I don’t understand.”
Flora dismounted, and Bruce came from the barn, leading two saddled horses. One bore her side saddle. Were they going for a ride?
A bubble of anticipation raced up her throat and lodged on the back of her tongue.
Flora and Bruce crossed the yard together, Bruce leading the horses.
Blossom and Donny had been playing under the tree in front of the house. They raced over to the approaching pair. Donny caught his sister’s hand and made her stop before they ran up to the horses.
“Good boy,” Stella murmured.
“Are you talking about Donny or Bruce?” Aunt Mary asked.
Stella chuckled. “Donny.” Though the idea of going for a ride with Bruce certainly made her think the same about him.
They reached the house, and Stella ducked back inside. Flora entered with Bruce on her heels.
“I’m here to take care of things,” Flora announced. “So, you can show Bruce our beautiful country.”
Stella didn’t offer one word of argument but grabbed her hat, took Bruce’s arm, and steered him back outside. She paused only long enough to tell the children to mind Flora.
Bruce helped her into the saddle. She took the reins. “What would you like to see?”
“Everything. I’m new to the country.”
“Then let’s go.” She rode to the east and then veered south. He stayed close to her side as she pointed out various landmarks. “There’s an old cabin some trapper used to live in.”
He looked the direction she pointed. “It’s almost falling back into the woods.”
“No one has lived there as long as I can remember.” She sniffed. “Can still smell the woodsmoke though.” She chuckled. “The place clings to its memories.”
They continued, riding in a wide circle, exploring the countryside. When the sun reached its zenith, Bruce reined in and helped her dismount. “Flora packed us a picnic lunch. This looks like a good place to eat it.” They sat in the grassy spot, surrounded by late summer flowers and feathery heads of grass.
She bit into a sandwich. “I love picnics.”
“Me too. Especially when I have pleasant company.”
She smiled. “I couldn’t agree more.” Their gazes caught and held. She felt a sweetness blossom and looked around to see what wild flower grew nearby. She saw none and realized the feeling came from within. From her longing heart.
Longing heart? She dismissed the thought. “There’s the old man’s nose.” She pointed it out, hoping talking about mountains Frank had named would bring her back to rational thinking.
They finished eating but remained sitting on the grassy slope. Bruce sat cross-legged, looking into the distance. “It’s strange, but for the first time I can remember, I feel settled. It’s partly the country. So beautiful. So full of life.”
As if to prove his words, a doe and her twin, spotted fawns picked through the grass a hundred yards away.
Stella kept very still, not wanting to frighten them. The doe lifted her head as the fawns kicked their heels and butted each other.
Then something alerted the doe to their presence and she bounced away, her offspring right behind her.
Stella released her breath.
Bruce turned to study her. “What do you think of your surprise?”
“It’s wonderful. I’ve always enjoyed riding around. Seeing the mountains and the hills and the grassy slopes reaches into my very soul and refreshes it.” She ducked her head. “Now I’m being fanciful.”
“Not at all. You’ve simply put into words how the place makes you feel. I feel the same.”
