Montana Bride By Christmas. Linda Ford

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