Page 264 of Conveniently Wed
She smiled approvingly when they sat side by side.
Stella resisted an urge to roll her eyes. Though she was forced to admit that all this talk of falling in love had put her off kilter, making it impossible to keep her thoughts centered.
Centered on what?
On their agreement, she informed her wayward brain.
They told her about the livestock and the name Donny had given the pup.
Aunt Mary gasped when they told her his first choice was Frank.
After a few minutes, she leaned her head back.
Stella noted the strain around the woman’s eyes. “You look tired.”
“I don’t mind going to bed now.”
“Can you hobble?” Stella asked. “Or would you like Bruce to carry you?”
Bruce didn’t wait for an answer but scooped his aunt into his arms. Stella steadied the broken leg.
Aunt Mary groaned as they positioned her in bed. Stella hurried to give her laudanum. “You can take this more often. It would ease your pain.”
“It makes me drowsy, and I don’t like to miss out on things. For the most part, I’m not in much pain.”
Stella glanced at Bruce. Did he hear the same tightness in his aunt’s voice she did?
He met her gaze, and even though he didn’t say a word, she knew he shared her concern.
“I’ll change her dressing.”
Bruce nodded and stepped from the room.
Stella checked the burns. “Everything is looking good. It appears you have simply overdone it.”
“I’ll be fine.”
Stella adjusted the covers. Aunt Mary closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Stella left the room.
Bruce waited. “Nothing wrong, is there?”
“Not that I can tell. Perhaps having company has been too much for her.”
He grinned. “I doubt we’ll have much in the future.”
“I don’t mind.” She hugged her arms around herself.
“You won’t miss living in town?”
“This is my home. I am happy to be here.”
“You won’t be lonely for company?”
It might be her imagination, but she thought she detected a longing in his voice. She’d almost forgotten that he sometimes felt like that little boy—alone and looked down on for surviving as best he could. He’d been called an urchin. Apart from Aunt Mary who loved him, had he felt accepted by others? Certainly not by Louella. The idea of him feeling rejected and uncertain burned her throat, and she faced him squarely.
“Bruce, for company I have the children. I have Aunt Mary. I have you. What more do I need? Or want?”
His eyes darkened to the color of the sky just before dawn, dark blue and full of the promise of a new day. He searched her gaze, and she opened her heart to him. They might have an unusual marriage, but if it suited them, that’s all that mattered.
