Читать книгу Montana Bride By Christmas - Linda Ford - Страница 13
ОглавлениеAnnie kept her head bowed several seconds after Hugh said Amen, waiting for God to direct her thoughts. When an idea came to her mind, she took it as from Him and lifted her head.
The look in Hugh’s eyes almost made her forget what she’d been about to say. He watched her, looking both weary and hopeful at the same time. That was good, she told herself. He was beginning to see how helpful she would be. But the way his gaze clung to hers as if looking for something more left her breathless. She couldn’t say if he found what he sought or if she could even offer it. There were far too many unknowns between them.
There was no need for her to know more about him. And she certainly didn’t want to know about his marriage nor why his wife found him lacking. In what way? She tried and failed to imagine what he meant.
She slid her gaze past his to the night-blackened window. They had a common goal—taking care of Evan. She recalled something she’d heard somewhere. Begin as you mean to go on. She meant to become Evan’s mother and Hugh’s wife. Therefore, she must begin to act like it.
“I think a bedtime routine is essential. So could we establish one starting tonight?” She couldn’t keep looking past him and gauge his reaction so she brought her attention back to him. The quirk of one eyebrow informed her that her request had caught him off guard.
“It seems we have a routine,” he said with a large dose of irony. “I pick him up. He fights me. I take him to the room and keep him there.” His laugh lacked mirth.
It certainly wasn’t how she wanted to go on. She smiled. “Maybe we could work at improving that routine.”
“What do you suggest?”
Did she detect a note of hope? She wanted to believe so. “My mother always read to me at bedtime and said prayers with me. When my papa was home, he came in to hear my prayers.” Her voice deepened. “When I look back, I wonder how I could have taken such ordinary things for granted.”
“I’m sorry about your mother.”
She tried to break from his compassionate look but found herself unable to do so. Her insides clenched. Tears stung the backs of her eyes. Mama had been dead more than four years. Annie knew she should be over her grief but it often welled up inside her like a bubbling pot of hot jam, about to overflow. She swallowed hard, striving to control the sudden rush of sorrow. “Thank you.” She hadn’t been able to keep the emotion out of her voice and wondered how he would react. “I shouldn’t be upset by the memory.”
His smile was soft and gentle. “Some sorrows never go away. A person simply learns how to be at peace with them.”
She met his gaze, practically drinking in the comfort he offered. “I can see why you’re the preacher.” She managed a little smile. “You know the right words to say.”
“Thank you.” Did she detect a bit of a catch in his voice? That seemed strange. But a trickle of hope entered her heart. If he needed to hear words of encouragement, she could give them. But not right now. “I’d like to start a bedtime routine such as I knew but I don’t think he’ll be in a frame of mind for stories and prayers after a struggle to get him into bed. Instead, why don’t we let him stay in his safe corner while I read a story? And then you could say his bedtime prayers.” She didn’t want to exclude Hugh from the opportunity. “I think we need to establish normal behavior for Evan as quickly as he’ll let us.”
Hugh nodded slowly. “I like the idea. Just so long as you don’t expect too much of him.”
“I hope I’ve learned my lesson about pushing him too hard.”
Hugh got to his feet and waited for Annie to go ahead of him.
“I brought a storybook.”
He remained in the sitting room as she hurried to find the book from among her belongings and then rejoined him. Together they entered the kitchen.
Grandfather nodded in his chair. He must have been exhausted. It had been a long day. She would suggest he go to bed but knew he wouldn’t go while both she and Hugh were still up.
“I’ll make tea.” She set the kettle to boil and brought out a selection of cookies from the pantry. As she waited for the water to boil, she talked, knowing Evan listened even when he gave no indication of it.
“I think it’s nice to have tea together before bed,” she said, looking to Hugh to see if he understood her need to explain for Evan’s sake.
Hugh’s slight nod and barely-there smile encouraged her to go on.
And brought a sudden stutter to her voice. She forced herself to speak firmly and steadily as she continued. “When I was about Evan’s age, I remember my mother making milk tea for me. And I always got two cookies. Of course, I always chose the two biggest ones.” She contemplated how best to connect with Evan. “My mother died a few years ago. So no one reads me bedtime stories anymore but that’s okay because now I can read them to Evan.”
From the slight tilt of his head she knew he listened.
She poured the tea and gave a cupful to Hugh and Grandfather. She made milk tea and set the cup and a small plate holding two cookies before Evan then sat across from Hugh.
He gave her a smile that seemed to say he approved of her efforts. Good. It meant they were headed in the right direction. He’d soon learn she had much to offer him and his son.
She sipped her tea slowly and enjoyed the two cookies she had chosen and then opened the storybook. It was the same one her mother had read from when Annie was Evan’s age and as the memories of those days assailed her, tears filled her eyes and clogged her throat. Not wanting Hugh to see how fragile her emotions were, she kept her head lowered.
“Are you okay?” he asked after a moment.
She nodded, unable to speak.
Grandfather squeezed her hand. “It’s okay to miss your mama.”
“Of course it is,” Hugh assured her.
A strangled squeak drew the attention of all three adults to Evan. His shoulders twitched. As if he cried? It was impossible to tell as he kept his back to them.
Annie looked to Hugh. Raised her eyebrows to silently ask if they should go to him.
He lifted his shoulders ever so slightly. He didn’t know any more than she did and his mouth worked.
Her heart tore at the sign of his uncertainty. She couldn’t imagine how difficult it would be to watch his son struggle with so many problems and not know if any offer of comfort would send him into a fury...one born of fear, she was certain. It made her doubly grateful to have had a tender mother and a supportive family and she promised herself she would give Evan the same if he would let her.
It seemed no one quite knew what to do and she could only think of one thing so she cleared her throat and began to read. The book was a collection of Bible stories and moral tales and her favorite had always been about the old farm dog who rescued some orphaned kittens and raised them. The dog fought off a coyote that tried to get the kittens and chased away a hawk. At one point she was sorely injured but kept on tending the three kittens.
“The moral of the story,” Annie read, “is that God loves us even better than that dog loved her kittens. He claims us because He loves us. He takes care of us—1 John 3 verse 1 says ‘Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.’” She needed to say more for Evan’s sake. “Some children are in families they weren’t born into and they are loved. My brother Logan and his wife adopted three children.” It struck her that the children’s circumstances were somewhat like Evan’s. They’d been neglected and abused by a man claiming to be their stepfather. Perhaps now was not the time to talk about that. “And my brother Conner and his wife have adopted a little girl and love her dearly. My oldest brother Dawson has a little girl but his wife died so Mattie had no mama.” She sensed Evan straining toward her. “Dawson married a very fine lady by the name of Isabelle and Isabelle is Mattie’s new mama. They love each other very much. God loves each of us even more.”
She and Hugh considered one another across the table. The tension seemed to have left his face. If the things she’d said had accomplished that then thanks be to God for guiding her words.
“My mama or papa always said prayers with me before bed.”
Hugh nodded. “I’m the papa so I will do it.”
Annie knew he wasn’t excluding her but simply helping Evan understand his role in the family.
“Let’s pray,” Hugh said and the adults bowed their heads.
Annie stole a look at Evan. He had turned his head slightly to watch his father. She knew the boy would have showed her his thin back if he realized she watched him and would have disguised the longing in his eyes. Seeing it gave Annie hope. Evan knew what he wanted but was afraid to trust it could be his.
It was up to Annie and Hugh and even Grandfather to prove to Evan that he could trust their love and concern.
Hugh prayed for a good night’s sleep for them all. He asked for people to be safe in the cold winter wind and he especially thanked God for allowing him to find Evan and bring him home.
Annie continued to watch the boy from under the curtain of her lashes and saw wonder and doubt intermingled in his face.
“Amen.” Hugh met Annie’s eyes across the table. His eyes were troubled.
She understood he didn’t look forward to getting Evan into bed. She rose. “My mama always said it was time for me to go to sleep after the prayers were said.”
Evan crowded into the corner as if he wanted to become part of the walls.
Annie tipped her head toward Hugh. It had to be done. She went to Hugh’s side. “We’re in this together,” she murmured.
“Thanks.” With a deep sigh, he got to his feet and faced his son. “Evan, it’s bedtime and I’m going to take you to bed.”
The boy stiffened and then his legs windmilled.
“Evan,” Annie said. “We all have our own beds and we all sleep in them. That’s what people in a family do. Grandfather sleeps in his bed. I sleep in mine. You sleep in yours with your papa in his.”
Hugh sucked in air like his lungs had no bottom and then gathered the boy in his arms. As expected, Evan tried to kick, tried to squirm from Hugh’s grasp, but Hugh was prepared and held his son firmly.
Seeing the look of distress on both of their faces, Annie started after Hugh.
“I’ll be right here,” Grandfather said.
“I have to help with Evan,” Annie said, following Hugh down the hallway to the room he and Evan shared.
She had taken care of three brothers, a father and grandfather so stepping into a room where a male slept was nothing new to her and yet this was different and her cheeks burned as she glanced about. There was a mattress against the far wall and a tangle of blankets. There was also a narrow bed with the covers pulled tight. Odd, the men in her family never made their beds. She had assumed men simply didn’t know how or didn’t care. She took in the rest of the room. A wardrobe with the door closed. A coat hanging from a hook on the wall. A table next to the bed which held a lamp, a Bible and three books stacked neatly. From under the bed peeked a valise.
Hugh was a neat, orderly man.
She liked that. However she couldn’t dwell on her reaction as Hugh struggled with Evan.
He reached the mattress and set Evan down. “Time to go to sleep, son.”
The tenderness in Hugh’s voice caused Annie’s throat to constrict.
A keening sound came from Evan’s throat and he scrambled off the mattress and into the corner, watching his father with wide eyes.
Grooves appeared in Hugh’s cheeks at the way Evan shrank from him.
Annie wanted so badly to comfort both of them she acted without thinking. She went to Hugh’s side and squeezed his arm as she spoke to Evan.
“Evan, honey, your papa loves you and wants to help you. So do I. We are both going to be here to take care of you, to protect you, to help you learn to trust us.”
Hugh’s hand came over hers. “That’s right, son. We are here for you. Always and forever.”
Evan grabbed the quilt off his mattress and clutched it to him.
“Good night, Evan,” Annie said. She longed to kiss him but knew she couldn’t. She slipped from Hugh’s side and left the room. In the hall, she paused. Had Hugh really said they were in this together for always?
He stepped from the room and pulled the door closed behind him. “Thank you for all your help with Evan. I truly appreciate it.”
“Did you mean what you said?”
“I hope so. What specifically do you mean?”
She shouldn’t have brought it up. She didn’t want easily made and as easily forgotten promises. Yet if he’d already made up his mind about her staying she wouldn’t have to worry about it.
“I will do whatever it takes to help Evan, if that’s what you mean.”
It wasn’t and yet it answered her question. He would accept her if he thought it was in Evan’s best interests. “I feel the same.”
He shifted so he looked into her face. “Then we are agreed on the most important thing.”
She nodded. Caring for Evan ensured she would have a home and family of her own.
She wanted no more than that.
* * *
Hugh lay on his bed in the darkness, listening to Evan’s quiet breathing. The boy had slipped to the mattress and pulled the quilt over himself a short time after Hugh had turned out the lamp. Probably when he thought Hugh had fallen asleep.
Sleep did not come easily for Hugh as he reviewed the events of the day.
He’d advertised for a woman to become his wife and a mother to Evan and the only one to show up, eager for the task, was Annie...an unsuitable, unlikely match. And yet he had agreed. Out of desperation only.
His eyes widened in the darkness as he recalled the words he’d spoken as she helped put Evan to bed...though help and put to bed were but idealistic terms. Evan had allowed neither. We are here for you. Always and forever. He groaned and regretted it immediately when he heard Evan scuffle to the far edge of his mattress.
Annie could easily take his statement as a promise that he would marry her and make this agreement permanent. He couldn’t imagine doing so.
Apart from her young age, she was a Marshall and he had quickly learned that the family had high expectations of themselves and others. Grandfather Marshall had founded the town of Bella Creek to provide a better place for people to live than the wild town of Wolf Hollow closer to the gold mines. When most of a block had burned down last winter, the Marshalls had spearheaded the rebuilding and finding a new teacher and doctor. It was Grandfather Marshall and two other men—one also a Marshall—who had interviewed Hugh for the preaching position. Annie was the younger sister and cherished daughter and granddaughter. If Hugh failed in any way to treat her as he should, he would face the combined wrath of the large Marshall family. It wasn’t something he would enjoy. How could he hope to live up to their high standards?
How could he make this right? Make her understand he had spoken carelessly? He eventually fell asleep without finding an answer and woke up knowing he must clear up the matter.
The room was still dark and Hugh stiffened listening for Evan’s breathing. He didn’t relax until the boy snuffled. The rattle of pots and pans informed him the young woman troubling his mind had risen.
He slipped into his clothes before he lit the lamp.
Evan woke up and lay in a bemused state for about two seconds then jerked upright, his eyes blinking rapidly. He retreated to the corner then rushed from the room to the kitchen.
Hugh followed on his heels.
Evan skidded to a halt as he saw Annie at the stove and Grandfather in his chair nursing a cup of coffee then he sidled past them and sank into the corner he had claimed as his own.
“Good morning, Evan. Good morning, Hugh,” Annie said, cheerful as the morning sun that had not made its bleary way over the horizon.
“Morning.” Hugh wasn’t yet ready to be as cheerful as she.
Grandfather also greeted them.
Annie poured a cup of coffee and offered it to Hugh. “I don’t know what you take in it. Cream, sugar?”
“This is good.” He sat at the table. “I hope you had a good sleep.” He had a hundred things on his mind, things he wanted to clear up, but that was all he could come up with?
“Fine, thank you.”
She hummed as she prepared breakfast. Grandfather swirled the bottom inch of his coffee. Evan hunched in the corner. Hugh wrapped his hands about his cup. Seems the male members of the household did not wake as bright-eyed as Annie. The thought brought Hugh’s attention to her. She had a spring in her step that had her almost dancing in front of the stove. She reached for the salt with a quickness that made Hugh smile. She flung about and her gaze collided with Hugh’s.
He couldn’t say what he saw in her face or perhaps, more correctly, didn’t want to admit he might see an eagerness. His fingers tightened around his cup. Was she recalling the careless words he’d spoken last night? Always and forever. Wasn’t that what he wanted for both himself and Evan? Why not with her?
He couldn’t answer the question except with his previous doubts that she would soon enough decide she could do better.
She shifted her attention to Evan. “Hey, little man. What would you like for breakfast?”
Evan, as expected, gave no sign of hearing.
Annie wasn’t deterred and she began to list possibilities.
Remembering how she’d said Evan gave subtle clues, Hugh watched the boy. When she asked if he liked eggs, Annie nodded. “Good. One or two?”
He wasn’t sure how she knew his answer but again she nodded. “Two it is.”
She flicked him a triumphant glance. He wanted to believe she really saw a response but caution warned him she might only be saying she did in an attempt to impress him.
Smiling, she turned back to the stove and soon had a bountiful breakfast prepared. She filled a bowl and placed it in front of Evan then served those at the table.
Hugh glanced at those he was about to share the meal with. Grandfather, Annie and Evan. Somehow, despite his reservations about this arrangement, it felt right. He allowed himself to hope the future might provide better things. All he had to do was trust God and not expect too much. Which, he warned himself, did not have any bearing on what expectation the others would have of him.
He asked Grandfather to offer the grace and the old man bent forward to bow his head and prayed a simple prayer of gratitude.
As they ate, both Hugh and Grandfather came to life.
Grandfather looked about. “Is there anything I can help you with, Hugh?”
Hugh’s fork stalled halfway to his mouth. The last thing he expected was such an offer from the old man. He shifted a glance to Annie. Her eyes were quiet and watchful. Did she have an expectation of something from him? If so, he couldn’t begin to guess what it might be and turned back to her grandfather. He could understand the man wanting to feel he was useful but what could Hugh give him to do? Thinking of a task he had put off a long time, he chuckled.
“I don’t suppose you would visit Mr. Barret for me? I promised I’d drop by this week and here it is already Friday.”
Grandfather grunted. “He’ll understand when he learns how you’ve been occupied.” His gaze slanted toward Evan.
Hugh couldn’t say so but he’d gladly accepted the excuse. Mr. Barret—cranky, complaining and bitter—was no joy to visit. “He expects me to keep my word.”
“He expects a whole lot more than that from what I’ve seen.” Grandfather shook his head. “Seems to me he thinks the world owes him far more than it’s given him.”
That was the truth. “I try to tell him that God has a purpose for his life but he won’t believe it.”
“Son, you deliver the Word. It’s up to him to receive it.”
“Thank you.” Hugh had seen so little of his own father that he barely remembered him. The old man’s words fell into his heart like a sweet, warm drink on a cold day. “You make me think of a kindly man, Stewart Caldwell by name. He and his wife took me in when I was twelve. He was a preacher. Because of him, I became one.”
“You honor me to say so.”
Hugh felt Annie studying him and met her gaze. “Were your parents both dead?” she asked.
He nodded.
“I’m sorry. There’s so much I don’t know about you.”
“And I about you.” The moment grew longer with each heartbeat.
Grandfather chuckled. “You want to know anything about Annie, just ask me. I can give you all the details.”
Hugh could ask Grandfather but would sooner have Annie tell him. Her cheeks looked like she was too close to the stove and she shifted her attention to Evan as did Hugh.
The boy had cleaned his bowl and watched the adults until they looked at him and then he shifted away from them.
Hugh’s coffee cup was empty but he took it and squeezed it between his hands as if doing so could relieve the heaviness sucking at his body. Would his son ever learn how to properly relate to people?
Annie rose and reached for the coffeepot. “Can I give you a refill?”
He held up a hand. “No thanks. I must go to the office and study for my sermon. Will you be okay?” He inclined his head to indicate his concern over Evan.
Annie gave Hugh a steady, promising look. “We’ll be fine.”
“You’re going to ignore Mr. Barret?” Grandfather’s voice carried a mix of humor and accusation.
“I’ll visit him this afternoon.” Not until he reached his office did he realize he had not addressed the careless words he’d spoken last night. Of course, he could hardly say anything in front of her grandfather. The old man would surely see it as wrong to withdraw words that could be taken as a promise.
He’d deal with the matter later, though he couldn’t keep putting off unpleasant duties.
Before he started he sat quietly in prayer. God, show me how to help Evan. Give me insight into Your Word that I might deliver hope and encouragement to Your people. He readily admitted he needed to hear from God as much, if not more, than those who would gather on Sunday.
He pulled out his notes, opened his Bible and dipped his pen in ink. Dishes rattled from the kitchen. Grandfather grunted as he made his way to his easy chair. The poor man must be feeling pain today. Annie murmured something.
Hugh leaned closer to catch her words.
“Evan, did you enjoy breakfast? I’m glad to see you ate it all. I hope you got enough.” She chattered away as if Evan understood and responded to everything she said.
Grandfather’s deeper voice chimed in. “Hurts my bones to watch you sit on the floor, young man. Sure do enjoy my soft chair.”
Hugh bent his head, determined to concentrate. He could close the door but he didn’t. How else was he to know what was going on in the other room? And if he wished, even a tiny bit, that he could be there observing, it was only because he cared about Evan. He refused to admit he wished he could see the expression on Annie’s face as she talked to the unresponsive boy.
He forced his attention to sermon preparation and read over the Bible passage he meant to preach from.
A knock rattled the back door. Hugh set aside his pen and pushed to his feet. By the time he reached the office door, a blast of cold air indicated Annie had let in the caller.
“Hi, Logan. What brings you here? Did you want to see Hugh? I’ll get him.”
“I’m here to see you.” Logan’s voice rang with authority.
“Well, here I am. Can you see me?”
Hugh hung back. Someone would call him if he was needed.
“Dawson told me you moved in here.” Logan’s voice rang with disapproval.
“Would you like a cup of coffee and some cookies?” Annie sounded unperturbed by her brother’s attitude.
“Fine but don’t think you can keep me from speaking my mind.” The coffeepot scraped across the stove and china clattered on the table as Annie served her brother.
Should he join them? Hugh thought.
After a moment or two, Logan spoke again. “Tell me what you think you’re doing.”
Annie chuckled. “I know Dawson told you everything and nothing has changed since yesterday.”
“You can’t seriously plan to marry in response to an advertisement.”
“Have you never heard of mail-order brides? Isn’t that what they do?”
Hugh marveled at the calm way she answered.
“You aren’t an old spinster. You have a family that gladly wants you to stay with them. Why are you doing this?”
“Why do you object?”
“Because you deserve better than a loveless marriage.”
“I’m not married yet.” She drawled out the final word as if to inform Logan it was only a matter of time.
Hugh had to put a stop to this. He hadn’t promised her a marriage...only a four-week trial period. Was that long enough for someone to answer his ad? Someone more suitable. As he headed for the door, Grandfather spoke.
“Annie thinks she can protect herself from pain by settling for less than love.”
“Why,” Logan demanded in an aggrieved tone, “would she want to do that?”
Hugh slowed, wanting to hear her response.
“Because of that young fella who courted her—what was it?—a year or two ago.”
Logan made an explosive sound. “Rudy Ryman! That milksop? Good riddance to him, I say. If he hadn’t left, us boys were about to suggest he should.”
Silence greeted his remark. Hugh wished he could see Annie’s expression. Was this the real reason for her eagerness to marry him?
Annie’s soft response came. “Nothing stays the same but life goes on and I intend to go on in the way I choose.” No mistaking the conviction in her words.
“Dawson told me you wouldn’t listen to reason,” Logan continued. “But you and I have always been closer than that. I hoped you’d listen to me.”
Annie continued to speak in gentle tones. “I’d like you to accept that this is what I want.”
There came no response. Was she changing her mind under pressure from her brother? Hugh had to know what was going on and crossed the sitting room. As he reached the kitchen doorway, Logan’s look blasted him. Hugh, having dealt with harshness all his life, kept his own expression bland. “Hello, Logan. What brings you here so early in the morning?”
“My sister. No offense, Preacher, but I’m trying to talk her out of this arrangement.”
Hugh’s gaze skimmed those at the table and settled on Evan who huddled in the corner, his shoulders hunched forward, hearing every word and wondering what these adults would decide and how it would affect him.
Hugh met Annie’s look. Saw desperation and determination. She inclined her head slightly toward Evan signaling that she was concerned about how the boy would react to this conversation.
Her look, her concern about his son and Logan’s comments about a beau of Annie’s made up his mind. “Annie and I are agreed that she should stay here for now. Evan and I need her. Your grandfather provides chaperoning.”
Annie’s smile rewarded him.
Had she heard the limitation of his offer? For now. Until someone more suitable, more likely to find this situation to their satisfaction answered his ad. Why was he having to remind himself of that so often?
* * *
Annie poured Hugh a cup of coffee as he sat to visit with Logan. What Logan said was true. They had always had a closer relationship than she’d had with her other brothers but nothing he could say would change her mind about her decision. In less than twenty-four hours, she had already proven to Hugh how much she was needed here. And she meant to prove she was invaluable.
As the men discussed the weather, she mentally planned the next few meals and observed Evan out of the corner of her eye. The boy gave the appearance of indifference but she was certain he listened with interest to every word. He glanced at the window as they mentioned the possibility of a storm. His hands twisted as Logan wondered if the cows would find enough shelter.
Logan pushed aside his cup. “I better get home and tell Sadie how our discussion went. She will be disappointed I wasn’t able to change your mind.”
“Assure her I am fine. We are all fine.”
“That’s a fact,” Grandfather added. “I rather like the notion of spending the winter in town. That drive in the cold gets less and less appealing.”
Logan chuckled. “Are you admitting you’re getting old?”
“Nope. Just cold. And don’t try and convince me you enjoy riding out to the ranch every day.” Grandfather knew as well as Annie that Logan didn’t go out every day since the fall work ended.
Logan managed to look slightly embarrassed. “I’ve got things to do in town. Come spring I’ll be out more often. In fact, Sadie and I are talking about building a house on the ranch property. We like the idea of the kids being around family more.”
Annie slid an overt look at Evan, noting the way he watched them from the curtain of his eyelashes. It was the word family that drew his attention and she vowed to use the word as often as possible.
With goodbye to all in the room, including Evan, Logan made his departure. Hugh returned to the office and Annie turned her attention toward cooking, though her thoughts were not on the familiar tasks. No. Instead, she prayed for guidance. A thought came and she began to speak.
“Evan, that was my brother. I have three brothers and they are all married and all of them have children. We are a big family. The reason my brothers come to see me is because they care. They would do anything for me. That’s what families do.”
She prepared a pot of soup for the noon meal and described everything she did from peeling carrots to chopping onions.
“Onions make me cry.” She wiped her eyes on the corner of a towel. She looked directly at the boy and caught a look of concern in his face before he jerked away. “Not because I’m sad but because they give off a juice that stings my eyes.” The fact that he showed emotion over her tears so encouraged her she wanted to run to the office and tell Hugh.
The office door remained ajar. How much could he hear? She half considered raising her voice so he wouldn’t miss a word. Somehow she would make an opportunity to tell him of Evan’s reaction.
While the soup simmered on the stove, Annie swept the floor and then got down on her hands and knees to wash it. Not because it was dirty. Mrs. Ross had seen to that. But in order to have an excuse to get to Evan’s level. As she worked, she continued to talk.
She told him how Grandfather had started the Marshall Five Ranch, and Grandfather told of his early days. She spoke of the first horse she could remember riding.
Soon enough it was time for dinner and she went to the office. Hugh sat with a fan of papers before him. He held what looked like a photograph in his hands. She observed for a moment, then rapped on the door.
“Dinner is ready.”
He looked at the picture a moment longer before he let out a long breath and laid the picture faceup on the desktop.
Curious, she tried to see it.
He noticed her interest and tipped the picture toward her. “Evan’s mother.”
She studied the likeness of a very pretty young woman. “Bernice?” Why was he showing her now when he’d refused to talk about her last night?
“Do you remember me mentioning Stewart Caldwell?”
“Wasn’t that the preacher who took you in when your parents died?”
“Yes, after my mother died. My father had disappeared before that.”
“I’m sorry. You’ve had a lot of loss.”
He drew his finger along the edge of the frame holding the photo. “Stewart warned me not to marry Bernice but I thought I knew better.”
“Why did he warn you against her?”
“I suppose he saw things I refused to see.” Hugh’s gaze slammed into Annie so that she gripped the door to keep from falling back. “She had a reputation for wildness. I put it down to her youth. I discovered it was more than that. She couldn’t seem to get enough of...” He hesitated, as if searching for the right word. “Life, I suppose. She lived in a permanent state of excitement and when I could no longer offer that, she sought it elsewhere.”
“She left you for more excitement?” It was so much like Dawson’s first wife, Violet, that she could barely keep the shock and anger from her voice. She’d watched Dawson and Mattie suffer when Violet sought what she wanted elsewhere. At least Dawson had his family to help him.
Hugh stared at the picture. “She left and she took Evan.” The agony in his voice echoed inside Annie. The little boy had paid a heavy price for his mother’s foolishness.
She took the three steps to Hugh’s side and rested a hand on his shoulder, feeling the tension beneath her palm. “It’s an answer to prayer that you found him. My whole family prayed daily that you would and now you have. Evan has you and me and Grandfather and my whole family to teach him what life should be like.” She stood there, quietly waiting and silently praying for healing for both father and son.
The tension eased from Hugh’s shoulder and she removed her hand lest he think her too forward.
He slipped the picture into the right-hand top drawer and closed the drawer firmly. “I have to trust God that Evan can be helped.”
“I’m positive he can be. He sees everything. I believe Evan understands what is being said around him and even more important, he is aware of other people’s feelings.” She told him how she had seen concern in Evan’s eyes when she cried while chopping onions. “It’s a very good sign.”
He pushed to his feet and stood facing her, barely eighteen inches between them. She was overwhelmed by his nearness, felt his strength and his powerful personality just as she had from the first time she saw him.
“I hope you are right and I admit I’m willing to believe anything that offers me hope about my son.”
She smiled what she hoped was an encouraging smile though inside, she trembled just a little at all the longings rushing through her. She did not want to care about this man any more deeply than as a partner sharing concern about Evan. “How can he fail to get better with so many people on his side?” Her words were meant to make her remember she was here only to do a job of caring for Evan and his father.
He caught the door and pulled it wider, waiting for her to go ahead of him. They walked side by side to the kitchen. And Annie told herself it meant nothing but common courtesy. Perhaps also mutual concern over a little boy. But nothing beyond that. It was something they were both agreed on.
After they ate soup and thick slices of bread, followed by the remains of a cake discovered in the pantry, Hugh announced he was going to visit Mr. Barret.
Grandfather, who had spent the morning reading or snoozing in his chair, said, “Would you like me to go with you?”
Hugh looked about to say yes, then shook his head. “It’s bitter cold out there. You’re better off staying inside and keeping warm. Thanks for offering.”
Grandfather looked so relieved that Annie’s estimation of Hugh rose several notches. She followed him to the door as he donned a heavy woolen coat. “Thank you for realizing it’s best for Grandfather to stay home.” Home stuck momentarily on her tongue. She gave a decisive nod of her head. She would soon get used to this house being home rather than the ranch house.
Hugh seemed surprised at her words. “I’m not about to take advantage of an old man.” He studied her a moment. “Or of a young woman.”
Before she could challenge his assumption that he was taking advantage of her, he stepped outside and closed the door, a cold blast sweeping across the floor. She reached for the knob, about to call out a protest but pulled her hand back and turned away.
She’d given up on love and meant to keep her heart safe from emotional involvement but she had not given up on this arrangement. She had four weeks to prove to him that it should be made permanent. Surely four weeks would be long enough.
