Page 24 of Montana Bride By Christmas
He heard the warning in her voice, but whether or not she welcomed it, there were matters that needed to be cleared up. He waved her to a big armchair and chose one that allowed him a clear view of the bedroom. He had only to shift his attention to his right to see Annie.
She watched him but as soon as she saw his gaze on her, she shifted to look through to the kitchen where her grandfather slept by the warm stove.
“If you’re cold I could light the fire.” He indicated the fireplace.
“No. This is fine.” Someone had left an afghan draped over the arm of the chair, and she pulled it across her knees.
Satisfied she was comfortable for the time being, he said, “Those are good stories you read. They have excellent teaching points.”
She smiled. “No doubt that’s why my mother chose that book. She believed in using every available teaching moment.” She looked thoughtful. “I’m hoping I can do the same for Evan.”
He gave her time to muse before he brought up one of the subjects on his mind. “I couldn’t help thinking we could all learn something from that fox.”
“I doubt you’re referring to our Savior freeing us from sin.” Her eyes were guarded.
“I don’t want to see you trapped by a decision you’ve made in haste.” He detected a slight narrowing of her eyes.
“And what decision would that be?”
He chose to ignore the warning note in her voice. “For some reason, right now, you feel you want a future like this.” He waved his arm around, hoping she understood what he meant—him, a loveless marriage, a troubled child.
“You’re suggesting I’m like Freddie Fox—running into danger, not heeding warnings?”
“I’ve tried to warn you.”
She held his gaze in wordless resistance, not relenting one inch.
He glanced down the hall to make sure Evan hadn’t wandered out of the bedroom, then he leaned forward to meet her gaze.
“Annie, who is Rudy?”
It gave him no pleasure to see shock and pain cross her features before she covered them with a mask of indifference.
CHAPTER FIVE
Annie jerked back, his question like a slap. “Who told you about Rudy?” She never spoke of the man, never admitted to anyone how much his leaving had hurt.
“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I heard Logan and your grandfather mention him.”
If he’d heard the conversation, he knew that Logan didn’t like Rudy, and Grandfather thought she cared too much for the man. None of them knew how foolishly, desperately, she’d seen him as an answer to her insecurities and fears. She’d given him her heart completely and wholly.
Even at the time she’d recognized the wrongness of letting him take a place in her heart that belonged to God. That had been a trap she should have fled. A mistake she didn’t mean to repeat. This unimpassioned arrangement with Hugh was totally different. Her heart was guarded, protected.
“He’s of no concern to you.”
“A ricocheting bullet is a dangerous thing.”
He was worried Rudy might return and resume where they’d left off? Even if Rudy came back—and that was highly unlikely—she knew better than to ever trust him again.
Filled with raw hurt, she sprang to her feet. “That shell is spent. It will never be a danger to you or me or Evan.” She hurried to the kitchen and shook Grandfather’s shoulder. “Wake up. It’s time for bed.”
The old man pulled himself from his chair, grabbing Annie’s arm for assistance. He was weaker than normal, and it concerned her.
She turned her gaze to Hugh as they passed. “Good night.”
He must have read more than her anger, must have seen her worry. He patted her on the shoulder. “Perhaps the cold is bothering him.”
She didn’t want to be touched by his concern. Didn’t want to find his gentle hand comforting. Did not want to feel anything toward this man but?—
