Page 15 of Montana Bride By Christmas
“I will do whatever it takes to help Evan if that’s what you mean.”
It wasn’t, and yet it answered her question. He would accept her if he thought it was in Evan’s best interests. “I feel the same.”
He shifted, so he looked into her face. “Then we are agreed on the most important thing.”
She nodded. Caring for Evan ensured she’d have a home and family of her own.
She wanted no more than that.
Hugh layon his bed in the darkness, listening to Evan’s quiet breathing. The boy had slipped to the mattress and pulled the quilt over himself a short time after Hugh turned out the lamp probably when he thought Hugh had fallen asleep.
Sleep did not come easily for Hugh as he reviewed the events of the day.
He’d advertised for a woman to become his wife, and a mother to Evan and the only one to show up, eager for the task, was Annie...an unsuitable, unlikely match. And yet he’d agreed. Out of desperation.
His eyes widened in the darkness as he recalled the words he’d spoken as she helped put Evan to bed...though help and put to bed were but idealistic terms. Evan had allowed neither. We are here for you. Always and forever. He groaned and regretted it immediately when he heard Evan scuffle to the far edge of his mattress.
Annie could easily take his statement as a promise that he’d marry her and make this agreement permanent. He couldn’t imagine doing so.
Apart from her young age, she was a Marshall, and he’d quickly learned that the family had high expectations of themselves and others. Grandfather Marshall had founded the town of Bella Creek to provide a better place for people to live than the wild town of Wolf Hollow closer to the gold mines. When most of a block had burned down last winter, the Marshalls had spearheaded the rebuilding and finding a new teacher and doctor. It was Grandfather Marshall and two other men—one also a Marshall—who’d interviewed Hugh for the preaching position. Annie was the younger sister and cherisheddaughter and granddaughter. If Hugh failed in any way to treat her as he should, he would face the combined wrath of the large Marshall family. It wasn’t something he’d enjoy. How could he hope to live up to their high standards?
How could he make this right? Make her understand he’d spoken carelessly? He eventually fell asleep without finding an answer and wakened, knowing he must clear up the matter.
The room was still dark, and Hugh stiffened, listening for Evan’s breathing. He didn’t relax until the boy snuffled. The rattle of pots and pans informed him the young woman troubling his mind had risen.
He slipped into his clothes before he lit the lamp.
Evan woke up and lay in a bemused state for about two seconds, then jerked upright, his eyes blinking rapidly. He retreated to the corner and then rushed from the room to the kitchen.
Hugh followed on his heels.
Evan skidded to a halt as he saw Annie at the stove and Grandfather in his chair nursing a cup of coffee. Then he sidled past them and sank into the corner he’d claimed as his own.
“Good morning, Evan. Good morning, Hugh,” Annie said, cheerful as the morning sun that had not made its bleary way over the horizon.
“Morning.” Hugh wasn’t yet ready to be as cheerful as she.
Grandfather also greeted them.
Annie poured a cup of coffee and offered it to Hugh. “I don’t know what you take in it. Cream, sugar?”
“This is good.” He sat at the table. “I hope you had a good sleep.” He had a hundred things on his mind, things he wanted to clear up, but that was all he could come up with?
“Fine, thank you.”
She hummed as she prepared breakfast. Grandfather swirled the bottom inch of his coffee. Evan hunched in the corner. Hughwrapped his hands around his cup. Seems the male members of the household did not wake as bright-eyed as Annie. The thought brought Hugh’s attention to her. She had a spring in her step that had her almost dancing in front of the stove. She reached for the salt with a quickness that made Hugh smile. She flung about, and her gaze collided with his.
He couldn’t say what he saw or perhaps, more correctly, didn’t want to admit he might see eagerness. His fingers tightened around his cup. Was she recalling the careless words he’d spoken last night? Always and forever. Wasn’t that what he wanted for both himself and Evan? Why not with her?
He couldn’t answer the question except with his previous doubts that she’d soon enough decide she could do better.
She shifted her attention to Evan. “Hey, little man. What would you like for breakfast?”
Evan, as expected, gave no sign of hearing.
Annie wasn’t deterred, and she began to list possibilities.
Remembering how she’d said Evan gave subtle clues, Hugh watched the boy. When she asked if he liked eggs, Annie nodded. “Good. One or two?”
