Page 241 of Conveniently Wed
Bruce groaned. Normally the subject caused raised eyebrows and darted glances between listeners. At least she hadn’t mentioned him being a street urchin.
This time the information barely earned interest. Might be he belonged here more than he could have imagined.
He ventured a new idea. “I was planning to ride over tomorrow and get Stella’s livestock.”
“We’ll round up her cows in the morning if you want to come after dinner,” Kade said.
They visited for some time, exchanging news, informing Bruce about who lived where. Again, too many names for him to sort out.
Kade pushed to his feet. “Flora, we best be on our way.”
All but Aunt Mary went outside to bid their company goodbye. She called her goodbyes from the house.
“Come by anytime,” Stella said. “We’re only a skip and a holler away.”
Kade looked at Bruce. Was he wondering if Bruce would also extend an invitation? Though he wondered if he had the right. “It’s nice to have company,” he said, after a moment’s hesitation.
Kade nodded. “Road runs both ways.”
“Aunt Mary won’t be up to travel for a while.”
“True enough.” Kade held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”
Flora swung into her saddle. “Just be sure you treat Stella right. Or I’ll?—”
“Flora.” Kade’s voice was gently warning.
“Fine. Just be sure you do.”
“I plan to. Have from the start.” He leaned back on his heels to study the mounted pair. “I’ve vowed before God and man. That means everything to me.”
As they rode away, he wondered if they were convinced. Wondered if Stella was. She returned to the house.
“I’ll finish checking the fences.” He strode to the barn. Only time could prove to each of them what the other was like. And like Kade said, they had plenty of it.
Stella watched Bruce return to his task. Unsaid things hovered between them. Or perhaps it was only that seeing Kade andFlora together provided a sharp reminder of what she and Bruce didn’t have.
“Can Blossom come with me?” Donny asked.
“Where would that be?”
“To help Uncle Bruce.”
Stella considered the request. It seemed that Bruce didn’t object to the children’s company, and they were part of the bargain between them. “Yes, you may, but be sure to stay out of his way.”
“Yes, Mama.” Hand in hand, the pair trotted over to Bruce, who sat cross-legged on the ground to talk to them. Blossom sat beside him, close enough she would feel every breath. Donny talked and waved, telling the man something he considered important. Bruce nodded and once, chuckled. Why did Stella’s heart beat so hollowly? As if the blood had thinned. As if it lacked life-giving energy? It had to be because she was back home, but things were so different from what she’d known before. It was not because she felt alone despite having four other people sharing her home. But not her life?
What a foolish thought.
She went back inside, going directly to the kitchen to begin supper preparations. She’d put a roast in the oven earlier and added potatoes and carrots from the garden to the pot. The food could cook untended, which left her to find something to occupy her time. She fetched her knitting from the bedroom and sat on the sofa. The least she could do was keep Aunt Mary company.
“How are you feeling?”
The older woman sighed and shifted about in the chair. “A little weary.”
“Do you need laudanum?”
“I think I’ll save it for when I go to bed. I don’t like missing out on anything.”
