Page 218 of Conveniently Wed
“Your aunt says she found you orphaned and living on the street when you were eight years old. Is that right?”
“Yes, my pa and I had been traveling when he took ill and passed away. I stayed in the wagon until someone stole it.”
Stella’s heart went to the child he had been. But warning bells sounded as she heard him say “traveling.” It sounded like he was the son of a traveler. A wanderer, perhaps. Her insides grew brittle. What was the saying?An apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.Had the son of a wanderer grown up to have the same restless urge? Not that it mattered to her. She’d only offered her home for his aunt’s sake.
“Are you a believer?”
“I am.” Bruce’s voice was strong and steady, as if he had no doubts. She envied him that assurance. She constantly battled her secret doubts about whether her hardships indicated that God didn’t love her.
“You attend church regularly?”
Bruce chuckled. “My aunt was a pillar of the local church, so, yes.” His expression shifted to something other than amusement.
Stella wondered if his aunt’s station in the church had changed with the vendetta from the preacher. Hadn’t he said his aunt had been in danger?
“Your aunt assures me you are a kind, honorable man. Do you agree?”
“I try.”
“Do you believe a man has the right to control his wife? Maybe even use physical force on her?”
Stella stared. She’d never heard the preacher ask these kinds of questions before and wondered why he would do so now.
“No sir. I believe in kindness and mutual concern.”
The preacher leaned back, smiling at Stella.
She returned his smile, though she thought it odd for him to be looking at her when his conversation was with Bruce. And why was she even being included in this discussion?
The preacher turned to Bruce. “Why not accept Stella’s offer? It would be beneficial to both of you.”
Stella had informed the Kinsleys of her intention to ask Bruce to help her.
“I can’t.” He sighed, glanced at Stella as if hoping for her to help him.
She nodded. “He’s afraid of gossip.”
The preacher sat back. “You are an honorable young man to consider the possibility.”
“So, you see why I can’t accept the offer, though it is very kind.”
Mrs. Kinsley and the preacher looked at one another.
Stella tried to think what they could be saying to each other in that silent exchange.
The preacher nodded. “I think I have the perfect solution.” He grinned and slapped his hands on his thighs. “You two should get married.”
Married? To a stranger? She wasn’t that desperate to get back to her farm.
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Married? Bruce’s leg muscles bunched, ready to flee at such a preposterous idea. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Mrs. Norwood to see her reaction. But no doubt, after hearing the pathetic story about his life in Kansas and learning he was an orphan with no family, she would see him as the worst possible man for marriage.
The preacher went on as if unaware or unmindful of Bruce’s reaction. “It would enable Stella to return home and keep her farm. She’s always saying she wants to go back and give her children a home of their own. As well, it would give you and your aunt a home.”
Bruce nodded, too numb to speak. Yes, it would give Aunt Mary a home, but he had promised to take her to her sister.
Mrs. Kinsley reached across the table and patted his clenched fists. “Many marriages based solely on mutual need have been very successful.”
