Page 47 of Montana Bride By Christmas
“Away you go.” She gave him a little shove in the right direction.
He chuckled. “You’re trying awfully hard to get rid of me.” He faced her, sobering as he saw the look on her face.
Too late she realized her longing for him to stay and keep her company might have been evident. She tossed her head in an attempt to hide the truth. “I just don’t want to put up with a cranky, exhausted man.”
She didn’t believe her explanation and, from the bemused look on his face, she didn’t think he did either.
“Away you go before Evan wakes up.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He sauntered down the hall as if pleased with himself.
Not until he ducked out of sight did she remember she’d left the quilt tossed across the bed. He’d know at once that she had been there. She could only hope he was too tired to notice or too tired to read anything into it.
Not that there was anything to read into it.
She looked at the couch and the afghan and decided she would enjoy a few more moments of sleep herself.
She didn’t know how long she slept before she jerked awake, trying to orientate herself. She lay on the couch with the rays of dawn creeping across the floor. The room was cold, the fireplace having gone out. Feeling as if someone peered at her, she turned her head and stared into the watchful eyes of Evan. Had he gotten up by himself?
“Is your papa still sleeping?”
He nodded.
“Are you hungry?”
Again, he nodded.
“Good.” She meant so much more than his admission of hunger. The boy was communicating so clearly and moving about of his own accord. She would have hugged him, except shefeared it would send him into full-out reversal. “Let me get my hair done, and I’ll make you breakfast.”
Evan’s eyes went to her hair, and she thought she detected the faintest glimpse of humor. The boy was very much like his father, with dark eyes and dark hair. Did he also have those deep dimples when he smiled? She couldn’t wait to find out.
He followed her to her bedroom and leaned against her bed, watching as she brushed her hair and pinned it into place. His presence did not feel like an intrusion. Indeed, it felt more like a shared moment. She used to do the same with her mama.
She finished and turned to Evan. “Let’s go.” She held out her hand before she realized he might not welcome the gesture. When he took it, she wanted to cheer. If only Hugh could see this.
They made their way to the kitchen. He still held her hand. She considered what to do and how to handle this. Spot, the stuffed dog, sat on the chair. “Shall I put Spot on the mat?”
Evan quivered and squeezed her hand hard. Then he shook his head, went to the mat, and settled down in his customary position.
Soon, she promised herself. Soon he would choose to sit at the table, and soon, he’d begin to play like a normal child. Cheered by the encouragement of those thoughts, she built up the fire in the stove and moved the coffee pot over to warm up the contents.
A few minutes later, the thumping of Grandfather’s canes coming down the hall informed her that he was awake. The first thing he’d want would be coffee, and it was prepared, and she poured him a cup. He sat at the table and consumed most of it before he said anything but good morning.
“Did Hugh get back yet?” he asked.
“Yes, earlier this morning.”
“Good because my bones say we’re in for a blizzard.”
She glanced out the window. “Cold and blowing out there. It’s not nice.”
“Trust my bones. It’s going to get worse.”
In that case, she was doubly glad that Hugh was back, safe and sound.
She wasn’t sure when to expect him to appear but prepared breakfast as usual. It was about ready to serve when he entered, yawning and stretching.
“I smell coffee and bacon.”
