Page 38 of Montana Bride By Christmas
Annie turned to check the kitchen and saw the child. She held up a hand to signal quiet. Logan and Sadie tiptoed forward. Jeannie sat on the floor close to Evan, chatting up a storm. Evan watched her without speaking. Joy and sadness intermingled in Annie. It was good to see him allowing Jeannie to sit so close. It would be even better to hear Evan replying. However, Annie couldn’t be sure Evan was able to talk.
A few minutes later, as her family left, Annie overheard Sadie. “Someday, you fellows will have to admit Annie is all grown up.”
Dawson grunted. “She’ll always be my little sister.”
“I just don’t want to see her make a mistake and ruin her life,” Logan said.
His words tugged at Annie’s heart. She had no intention of ruining her life, which was why she’d chosen this direction. A marriage based on need would leave her heart whole and ensure security.
Silence filled the room with her family gone. Hugh still stood close to her, his presence threatening to overwhelm her. She inhaled the scent of wood and smoke, with a hint of some kind of spice that settled right into her bones. “How was church?”
He chuckled. “Let’s just say there were mixed responses to my announcements regarding this past week. Many came up to tell me how glad they were that I’d found Evan, but I heard a few sniffs of disapproval when I said you were my housekeeper.” He sounded faintly apologetic. “I wasn’t sure how else to explain it.”
“That’s fine.” Housekeeper? Was that all she was? How else would she explain her present situation? Wife in waiting?Prospective wife on trial? She shrugged. All that mattered was what happened in what was left of four weeks. “Dinner is ready.”
“Smells good. I’ll change and be right back.”
She wanted to tell him to keep wearing the black suit. It looked good on him. But, of course, he wanted to keep it in pristine condition. She hurried to the kitchen and set the table. As she prepared to serve the hot pot, he returned wearing an off-white collarless shirt in a fabric that looked so soft she wished she could touch it.
Realizing she stared at the poor man, she waved him toward the table. “The meal is on.” She’d previously filled a bowl for Evan so it could cool.
Grandfather eased himself out of his soft chair and hobbled to the table.
She watched him anxiously. When he was seated, she glanced at Hugh. She let him see her concern and found strength in the way he held her gaze so steadily.
After he’d asked the blessing and the food had been served, she turned to Grandfather. “Tell me what Hugh said.”
“You want the whole sermon?” Grandfather said with a huge dose of disbelief.
“Mostly, I want to know what he said about Evan and me.”
Grandfather shrugged. “Didn’t say a whole lot.”
She leaned closer. “He said something. I want to know what.”
“So ask him.”
She turned to Hugh, though she would have liked to hear how Grandfather viewed Hugh’s remarks. “I’m asking.”
He flashed a quick smile. “I just gave the facts that I’d located Evan and he hadn’t been treated well and lived in fear. I said I hoped to find an older woman who would settle for a businesslike marriage, but in the meantime, you and your grandfather were living here, and you were taking care of Evan.”
“Thanks.” She wondered if he caught the edge of sarcasm in that one word and then gave her attention to her meal. He certainly never left any room for possibilities in what he’d said.
He spoke again. “By the way, your friend Miss Morrison asked after you. I said she was welcome to visit you anytime. I understood she would come by today.”
Her mood improved greatly at the news of Carly’s visit.
Grandfather groaned. “You two get together, and there is always some kind of mischief.”
“I beg to differ. We just like to have a little fun.”
“Uh-huh. Well, let me tell you.” He spoke to Hugh. “There was the time Annie and Carly?—”
“Grandfather, please.” There had been a few foolish episodes. She didn’t want Hugh to know of them. “We’ve both grown up since those early days.” She couldn’t look at Hugh. Didn’t want to see his expression. One, she felt certain, that would be full of disapproval. Why did Grandfather want to tell about those things and not all the caring, helpful things she’d done for the family? She jumped up. She had the perfect way to make him remember the good and forget the not-so-good. “I made that cinnamon coffee cake you like so much.”
Grandfather perked right up. “You’re a girl after my own heart. You’d do any man proud.”
That was more like it. She served generous slices for everyone and only when she put the dessert in front of Hugh did she finally allow herself to meet his gaze.
