Page 262 of Conveniently Wed
Kade and Flora looked at each other, at first startled, and then breaking into peals of laughter. Finally, Flora sobered enough to speak. “My pa would approve of you, Aunt Mary.” To Stella, she said, “And what are you praying for?”
“I—” She closed her mouth and blinked. Then said, “My prayers have been answered. I am back home where I intend to stay.”
“Indeed. God answers our prayers, doesn’t He?” Aunt Mary looked pleased.
Flora murmured agreement. “Let’s get the dishes done so Kade and I can go home.”
Stella protested, but Flora ignored her. “Ma taught me to do my share.”
At that, Stella relented. “Wouldn’t want to undo any of your mother’s good teaching.”
Bruce remembered that he wanted to ask Stella about attending church. “Aunt Mary won’t be able to travel for a few weeks.”
Four adults looked at him.
“I realize that.” Stella sounded confused.
“It means we can’t go to church together. But if you want to go with Kade and Flora, I can stay home with my aunt. The children too, if you want.”
Stella kept her attention on the basin of wash water, so he couldn’t tell if his offer pleased her or not.
“Sure. You could come with us,” Flora said.
“I could, and thanks for the offer.” Stella smiled at Kade and Flora and then her gaze came to Bruce and remained there. “It’skind of you to think of me.” Her eyes were warm. He almost warned her to be careful or Aunt Mary would be reading more into her look than she should.
Aunt Mary chuckled behind her hand. Too late. She was already jumping to false conclusions.
Stella continued. “But I prefer to stay home until we can all go.”
Bruce liked the idea of attending church together. Aunt Mary made an approving sound, but he wouldn’t look at her. Not when Stella held his gaze and it seemed to promise more togetherness than business partners.
“Ahem. Could you wash the dishes, please?” Flora’s voice broke the stillness between him and Stella. Stella slowly pulled away from looking at Bruce and returned to washing dishes.
“I’ll check on the children.” Bruce wasn’t sure what had happened or if it meant anything other than a decision on whether or not to attend church, but something in the very bottom of his heart had been touched, ignited, and now smoldered, ready to burst into flames.
He went outside but forced himself not to rush from the room. Kade followed. Thankfully, Donny was immediately at their side, the pup with him. Blossom trailed after the pair.
Bruce squatted down to calm the dog. “You want to train a dog to become what you want him to be.”
“I want him to be my best friend.”
“He will be. But he has to learn to obey commands. For his sake as well as yours.”
Donny nodded. “I’ll teach him.” He sat down and pulled the pup to his lap. “How do I do it?”
Kade knelt beside them, and they gave Donny a few instructions on how to train his dog. “He’ll need a name.”
Flora and Stella joined them. Stella’s skirt brushed against Bruce’s shoulder. He smiled up at her, ignoring the teasingsound from Flora. The dog escaped Donny’s arms and licked Bruce’s face. Bruce laughed and held the rambunctious puppy. “Donny was about to give his dog a name.”
Stella knelt beside Bruce and petted the animal.
He half convinced himself that warmth flooding from his heart was only because of holding the squirming puppy.
“What are you going to call him, son?”
“Could I give him Papa’s name?”
Bruce felt Stella jolt. He watched her from the corner of his eyes, wondering if it was surprise, regret, or pain that raced through her. Or perhaps all of that. He wanted to rescue her from the moment but was at a loss to know how. Perhaps she welcomed the idea. But it would be mighty awkward to hear her husband’s name on a regular basis.
