Page 78 of Montana Bride By Christmas
Neither Annie nor Hugh responded.
“A marriage of convenience?” Grandfather persisted. He tipped his head toward Evan, who played with Happy but no doubt heard every word. “For his sake?”
“It’s what we both want,” Annie replied.
Grandfather again did a serious study of them both.
Annie dared not look toward Hugh to see how he reacted to Grandfather’s scrutiny. She couldn’t say if the older man looked disappointed or resigned. A trickle of worry tingled her spine. What if he refused?
Finally, accompanied with a long sigh, Grandfather nodded. “You both seem set on this.”
“Yes, sir.” Hugh sounded strong and certain.
“Did you have a date picked out for this wedding?”
They hadn’t discussed it and Annie turned to Hugh.
“I see no need to wait,” Hugh said. “Unless you do?”
“None at all.”
Grandfather shook his head. “You young people. Always in such a hurry. Annie, your pa will be here for Christmas. I ask that you wait until he is here and gives his blessing. Any objections?”
Annie held her breath. Would Hugh agree? What if someone else came in answer to his ad? Would he feel obligated to honor their agreement? Or seek to be free of it?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Hugh swallowed hard. Christmas was still two weeks away. What if Annie changed her mind in that time?
If that were to happen it would be best if it did so before they married. He couldn’t believe she wouldn’t regret this decision sooner or later and yet he wanted to marry her in the hopes it would bind her to him. Unlike Bernice, to whom marriage meant nothing, he knew Annie would honor her vows.
But he didn’t want her feeling trapped.
“I don’t mind waiting,” he said.
“Fine by me.” Annie sounded a little less than enthusiastic and why that should make him feel better, he wouldn’t say.
“Good,” Grandfather said. “Maybe in that time, you will come to your senses.”
Annie’s brows beetled together. “I’m not going to change my mind.”
“Nor am I,” Hugh said with enough conviction to make himself clear.
Grandfather shrugged. “I didn’t suggest you should.”
Annie let out a gusty breath. “You don’t make any sense.” She hurried to the stove.
“I’ll be in my office.” Hugh didn’t look back.
The days following settledinto a routine. They’d agreed not to say anything about their planned Christmas wedding until they could speak to Annie’s father. At first, Hugh wasn’t sure how to act around Annie or what she would expect but it soon became apparent nothing had changed.
Except for a subtle strain. She didn’t linger after putting Evan to bed, so there were no more quiet, intimate evenings. He wished he could ask her what her reasons were, but he had his own to deal with.
He couldn’t believe someone like Annie would want to marry him. Worse, that she wouldn’t change her mind, and so he allowed questions to remain unasked.
Perhaps the strain was in his own mind only. Annie remained cheerful. She made Evan laugh on many occasions which brought a chuckle from Hugh. One thing he couldn’t deny was the amount of pleasure Annie’s presence brought to his home.
And slowly, as the days passed, he allowed himself to hope that this was the life he could enjoy. He found it easier to sit in his office and work if the door was open enough for him to hear the voices coming from the kitchen.
