Page 73 of Montana Bride By Christmas
“She did.” The words dripped with disapproval. “Shall I show her to your office?”
She? Then, it hit him like a blow to his midsection. “Someone in response to my advertisement?”
“Indeed.”
He would have done anything to remove the wounded look on her face, but was this God’s way of making His plan plain? “Is Grandfather here?”
“Of course.”
“Fine, then show her in and leave the door open.” He did not want any occasion for someone to suggest inappropriate behavior.
She spun about, marched back to the kitchen, and returned with a robust-looking woman with her hair in a tight black knot. He guessed her age to be at least thirty.
Wasn’t he looking for an older woman?
Annie left without saying a word. He heard the outside door slap shut and guessed she had stepped out.
He hurried to his feet. “I’m Hugh Arness.”
“I’m Harriet Higgins. Miss Higgins.” Did she mean to tip her nose as she talked to him? “I’m Mrs. Shearer’s sister. She told me you were looking for a mature woman to run your house with a view to matrimony.”
They eyed each other, taking stock. She seemed the practical sort. No nonsense about her.
“I’m prepared to take over your home, but I’d like to see the place and get an idea of what you need, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course. Well, this is my office.” He waved his arm about. The book Annie had given him lay in the center of his desk. His heart clawed at his ribcage, but he moved his gaze onward. “The church is next door.”
“Am I to understand you are at home much of your time?”
“I work here but I often leave to visit others.” Why did he feel as if he must explain himself? “Would you care to see the rest of the house?”
“Certainly.” She strode from the room, and he followed. They stood in the living room. He pointed out the two hallways. “My son and I share a room down there.”
“I would most certainly take a room down the other hallway. I understand any union between us would be strictly for the purposes of propriety. I want nothing else.”
The poor woman’s face looked about to ignite with her discomfort at even hinting at anything but a marriage in name only. It had been his intent all along, but sounded cold and unfriendly coming from her mouth. He couldn’t imagine wanting to stay up in the evening and kiss her before the fireplace. He pulled his gaze from the unlit fire and turned to regard the rest of the room.
“As you can see, this is the living room.”
She gave it careful study. “It’s adequate, I suppose.”
“Come and see the kitchen and meet my son.” He led the way. “This is Mr. Marshall.”
Grandfather struggled to his feet and shook hands with Miss Higgins. Then sank back to his chair, giving the woman frank study.
Hugh would have liked to know what the older man thought of her. However, his opinion would hardly be unbiased.
“This is Evan.” The boy stood at the far end of the room, clinging to Happy’s fur. Hugh was about to tell Miss Higgins the dog’s name when she spoke.
“You have a dog indoors? They are dirty animals. He’ll have to go outside.” She made shooing motions with her hands.
Happy pressed to Evan’s side as the boy withdrew and sat on the mat he’d abandoned only a few days ago.
“The boy should not be sharing the dog’s bed. How disgusting.”
Evan whimpered and buried his face in Happy’s fur.
“What did you say the boy’s name was?”
