Page 66 of Montana Bride By Christmas
He hardly dared to breathe. Was she about to mention him as the best? His chest hurt with anticipation.
“Hugh, you’ll never guess what happened.”
He managed to shake his head.
“When Jeannie was here, she picked up the book I read from for Evan’s bedtime stories. And Evan marched to her side, took the book, and said, Mine.”
Annie beamed.
It took Hugh several seconds to take in the meaning of her words. “He spoke?”
She nodded. “He can talk.” She sniffed and closed her eyes. “I’m sorry.” The words were strangled. Tears dribbled down her cheeks.
He tried to think what to do. His heart, not his head, guided his actions, and he pulled her to his chest. “Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.” His throat tightened until he could hardly get his words out. “I’m thrilled to know he can talk.”
“Me too.” She leaned back to look up at him. “These are happy tears.”
“Oh. Good.” He pulled a clean handkerchief out of his pocket and gently dried her cheeks and wiped the silvery drops from her lashes.
She watched him, her eyes dark and full of promise.
His fingers trailed down her cheek and lingered on her chin. “You have made such a difference in Evan’s life.” He lost himself in the depths of her look. He couldn’t say who made the first move, but, again guided by his heart, he lowered his head and claimed her lips, tasting the sweetness of dessert and the anticipation of better things to come.
He pulled back. “Thank you.” Let her decide if he meant for helping Evan or for the kiss. If she asked, he wouldn’t have been able to answer.
They sat side by side, his arm about her shoulders and stared into the fire. The dancing flames mesmerized him, so he couldn’t think.
The logs burned down. She sighed. “It’s time for bed.” She got to her feet. “Good night. Sleep well.”
It wasn’t until she had gone into her bedroom that he realized he’d neglected to say the words he’d planned.
What had he meant to tell her? He vaguely recalled, but why did it seem unimportant now?
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Annie tried to explain away another kiss. Why was she being so foolish? The more she cared, the more chance of being hurt. Something she must guard against. Nevertheless, she rose Saturday morning with a smile on her lips. And why not? The sun was shining, the air was fresh, Evan ran about like an ordinary boy, Grandfather moved easier, and Hugh?—
Hugh. She could not decide what to say about Hugh, so she pushed the name aside. Only it didn’t go away. He stuck dead center in her thoughts.
It meant nothing.
With a start, she realized she pressed her fingertips to her lips. She jerked them away and hurried to the kitchen to start the day. She had much to do. Make raisin pies, prepare a roast...
Her thoughts drifted off in a different direction. Perhaps after supper, she could get everyone gathered around the table to work on the figures for the Christmas story. The dough ornaments had turned out rather well. All they needed was yarn or ribbon to hang them, and she meant to make that a family activity. There were gifts to prepare. Months ago, she’d startedmaking things for her family. The Marshall family. Now, she needed to make gifts for the Arness family.
Would she be Mrs. Arness by Christmas?
The coffee sputtered, and Grandfather hobbled into the room, Hugh, Evan, and Happy at his heels. Annie pulled her thoughts back to the here and now, determined she would concentrate on the present moment.
She poured cups of coffee for the men, carefully avoiding Hugh’s eyes. She didn’t know what she might see and didn’t want to know. Coward, she scolded herself as she returned to the stove. Ma and Pa would be disappointed to know she was running from a problem. They’d raised her to confront difficult tasks and overcome her fears.
She did not like having to admit there was one fear she refused to confront. Her fear of loss. How was she to face it when it was so threatening?
With no answer to her own question, she threw herself into the activities of the day, finding it easier to think clearly when Hugh retired to his office to work on his sermon.
What would he preach on? Would she be able to hear him?
She eyed Evan. How would he handle going out in public? One way to find out.
