Small-Town Brides by Janet Tronstad Page B

pretending.”
    Mandy gasped, half in indignation this time.
    Those pains worried Clay, but he assumed she must know the difference between the ones she was having and ones that signaled the baby was coming. Women went to class for that kind of thing these days. She probably just needed to lie down somewhere and put her feet up.
    â€œHe’s right,” Rene said as she put her hand on Mandy’s stomach. “Davy wouldn’t want you out here. He’ll tell you that when we find him. And think of the baby.”
    Mandy turned to look at Rene and then back at Clay.
    â€œYou promise you’ll come back?” Mandy asked. “Right away?”
    â€œYou have my word,” Clay said. He’d need to turn around using that country road.
    â€œThat should be on your list,” Mandy said as she looked up at Rene. “Number one—he needs to keep his word.”
    Clay wondered if the two women were still talking about the baby Mandy was having. It seemed a bit premature to worry about the little guy’s character, but he was glad to see that the young woman had something to occupyher mind. Maybe she had plans for her baby to grow up to be president or something.
    â€œI don’t know,” Rene muttered. “We can talk about it later.”
    â€œWe’ve got some time,” Clay said. “It’ll take us fifteen minutes at least to get to Dry Creek. You may as well make your list.”
    Mandy shifted on the seat again. “So, you think trust is important in a husband?”
    â€œA husband? ” Clay almost missed the turn. “You’re making a list for a husband?”
    â€œWell, not for me,” Mandy said patiently. She looked at him like he was slow. “It’s Rene’s list, of course.”
    Clay grunted. Of course.
    â€œHe should be handsome, too,” Mandy added as she stretched. “But maybe not smooth, if you know what I mean. Rugged, like a man, but nice.”
    Clay could feel Mandy’s eyes on him.
    â€œI don’t really think I need a list,” Rene said so low Clay could barely hear her. She was huddled against the far door again.
    Clay didn’t know why he was so annoyed that Rene was making a list. “Just don’t put Trace’s name on that thing.”
    â€œI’m not going to put anyone’s name on it,” Rene said as she sat up straighter. “And you are the one who doesn’t think people should just fall in love. I’d think you would like a list.”
    Clay had to admit she had a point. He should be in favor of a list like that; it eliminated the feelings. It must be all this stress that was making him short-tempered. “If you’re going to have a list, you might as well make the guy rich.”
    That should show he was able to join into the spirit of the thing.
    â€œThere’s no need to ridicule—” Rene began.
    â€œA good job does help,” Mandy interrupted solemnly. “Especially when you start having babies. I’m hoping the job in Idaho pays well. We need a lot of things to set up our home.”
    â€œYou should make a list of what you need for your house,” Clay said encouragingly. Maybe the women would talk about clocks and chairs instead of husbands.
    â€œI have a set of dishes in the trunk of the car,” Mandy said. “I’ve been saving them for our first house together. I hope they haven’t gotten broken.”
    Rene was getting a headache. She wondered if it was because of the cold or because Clay was being so irritating. He knew very well that she wasn’t looking for a rich husband. He probably just said that because she couldn’t pay her bills.
    â€œYou’ll get your money,” Rene said.
    â€œHuh?” Mandy looked up at her.
    â€œClay. He’ll get his money,” Rene repeated. “For towing my car.”
    â€œI’m not worried,” Clay said.
    â€œYou’re really charging