Once Upon a Mail Order Bride - Linda Broday Page 0,43
written about her father, and Dr. Mary’s reaction had been grim, although she’d tried to hide it.
“I understand more of what we’re dealing with now,” Dr. Mary had said, patting Addie’s shoulder. “This is good, very good. Write more when you feel like it. It all has to come out and you’ll feel better for it.”
Probably so, but Addie still resisted delving too deeply into her pain-riddled past and reliving all those horrible days, months, and years.
The town bustled around her as she stood next to Ridge, warm sunlight on her face banishing the darkness. She pushed aside the unwelcome thoughts and smiled up at him, determined to think of happier things. Like the way his hair hugged the collar of his frock coat, and the muscle that bunched in his jaw when he was deep in thought.
“You did good today, Addie. I wish you knew how happy you make me.” He put on his hat and adjusted it low over his eyes to block the sun. “I have to go meet a couple at the land office and take them to look at a few pieces of property. Why don’t you stay in town and get acquainted with some of the women?” He paused to watch some riders passing through the town entrance, his gaze narrowed. “It’s a lot safer here than out at the house, and I’d feel better about leaving you on your own.”
She thought about that for a moment. Yes, she supposed it was time. At her nod, Ridge kissed her cheek and asked her to meet him at the café for lunch. He strode toward his office, whistling as he crossed the square. Addie admired his backside and the handsome figure he made, glad such a man belonged to her. She stood in thought for several minutes, considering her options, then went to ask directions to Eleanor Crump’s place.
The older woman looked startled to open the door and find her standing there, but she quickly recovered from her shock and stood aside. “Come in, Mrs. Steele.”
Addie removed the paper and pencil she’d stuck into her pocket in case she needed to talk to someone and wrote: “Please call me Addie.”
“In that case, please come in, Addie.”
She entered the tiny house that was little more than a lean-to and found it wonderfully clean. Being poor hadn’t kept Eleanor from taking pride in her home.
“Can I get you something? Maybe a cup of tea?”
Addie nodded and sat in one of the two chairs at the small table, her paper in front of her.
“I’m glad you came by.” Eleanor filled the kettle and put it on to boil. “You and me have something in common, which I’ll tell you about after we’ve gotten better acquainted. It’s not a story to tell today or in one sitting.”
Curiosity rose. What could she and Eleanor have in common? What had she heard, for heaven’s sake?
Eleanor pulled out the other chair and pushed back her reddish-brown hair, strands of silver woven through it. The woman had tried to take some pains with her appearance today and it showed, her hair tidy.
“Don’t worry, dear, no one has been talking behind your back.”
Surprise swept over Addie. Could Eleanor read her thoughts? She’d heard of people way back in the hills who had such a gift.
“I can see the questions in your eyes,” Eleanor explained. “The eyes give everything away. I know you can’t speak, but that’s the extent of what I’ve heard. I once lost my voice too. But, as I said, that’s a story for another day.”
That hint of something more intrigued Addie no end. She wanted to ask a million questions, but she let the older woman set the pace.
Eleanor put her chair facing Addie and took her hands. “Let’s just sit quietly. There is no place to be or nothing to say. It’s simply us and the here and now. For the next few minutes, just be.”
A lot could be said for simply “being.” Addie closed her eyes and let her mind drift, listening to the sounds around her—the bird chirping outside the window, the buzzing of bees, the faint laughter of playing children.
Her heartbeat was steady, and she felt totally at peace.
The fire crackled inside the stove, and a piece of wood dropped. Contentment settled about Addie like a warm shawl. She had everything she needed, at least for now, and was with a new friend who understood her.
Somewhere in the quiet, from some unknown place, she saw the truth.