Montana Bride By Christmas. Linda Ford

loveless marriage if Hugh agrees?”

      “Seems to me love is only asking to be hurt. Besides, it’s not that he’s ugly or a criminal or anything.”

      Kate chuckled low in her throat. “It sounds like you better be careful if you’re hoping to avoid love.”

      Oh, she’d be careful. She had no intention of falling in love. “We both understand the terms of our agreement.” She kept her attention on her task. “Which at this point does not include marriage. I have yet to convince him it’s the perfect solution.” Satisfied she had enough clothing, she glanced around the room, picked up her brush and hand mirror, her Bible and the picture of Mama and Pa on their wedding day. She tucked those into her bag. “I’ll get the rest of my things later.”

      “We’ll miss you,” Kate said as they descended the stairs.

      Annie encountered her brothers as she made her way to the outer door.

      “You’re sure this is what you want to do?” Conner asked. Dawson hung over his shoulder, silently echoing the question. “There’s only one reason to get married,” Dawson said.

      Conner nodded. “If you love the person so much you can’t imagine life without him or her.”

      The two of them silently challenged her.

      “This is my chance to pursue the life I want.”

      They backed down in the face of her determination.

      “I’ll take you to town,” Conner said.

      Dawson elbowed him aside. “I’m taking her. I’m the oldest plus you have a wife and baby.” He chucked Ellie under the chin, winning him a giggle.

      “You have a wife and a daughter as well,” Conner pointed out.

      “Yes, but Mattie is old enough to be of help to Isabelle.”

      Annie pushed past them. “You two can stand here arguing all day but I want to get back before dark.” She hurried to the loaded wagon. By the time she climbed aboard, Dawson joined her and took up the reins. “Guess it helps to be the oldest.”

      “It’s got its perks. I wish I could change your mind.”

      “Grandfather will worry if I’m not back soon.”

      “Fine.” They made the trip to Bella Creek with little conversation. Dawson seemed to have accepted Annie’s decision.

      In town they went directly to the parsonage. Dawson lifted Annie down and hurried her inside to the warm kitchen, where Grandfather and Hugh sat at the table and little Evan remained huddled in the corner.

      Annie had explained about Evan but Dawson still looked a little shocked to see the boy in such a state.

      “You need a hand with things?” Hugh asked, and at Dawson’s affirmative reply, went out to help carry in Grandfather’s chair and the other things Annie had hastily packed.

      The bags were taken to two of the rooms down the hall. The previous preacher had six daughters and two sons so there were plenty of bedrooms to choose from. Annie chose one close to the kitchen with Grandfather next door. Hugh indicated the second hall where he and Evan slept.

      Annie said goodbye to Dawson then turned to consider the kitchen. Mentally she began to plan the evening meal and how to take care of Evan.

      Hugh returned from waving goodbye to Dawson. “Annie, could I please speak to you in my office?”

      At the hard, flat tone of his voice, Annie’s heart sank. Had he changed his mind?

       Chapter Two

      Hugh waved Annie to a chair across the desk from his own. He waited for her to sit. Instead she crossed her arms and gave him a look full of challenge. He sighed. Seemed this discussion was to take place while standing and with her all set to argue. If this was the way it would be to have her here he already regretted agreeing to her “perfect solution.”

      He perched on the corner of the desk. His position allowed him to see through the adjoining rooms to where Grandfather sat watching them. So far Evan hadn’t objected to the older man, perhaps interested in his canes or knowing the man posed no threat if only because he couldn’t move around too quickly. Evan had not had the same reaction to Hugh. It had taken Hugh two hours to persuade Evan to let Hugh take him home and then he’d had to bodily move him and hold him firmly the entire way to prevent the child from throwing himself to the ground.

      Or perhaps Evan respected the air of authority from the older man. Hugh almost smiled as he thought of how Grandfather Marshall ruled with just a firm word and a look that stalled men in their boots. His smile faded to a worrisome thought. Seemed Annie had inherited some of her grandfather’s stubbornness and forcefulness.

      “You wanted to say something?” she said, her sweet words laced with annoyance.

      “Yes, I did. I think we would do well to establish some ground rules.”

      “Rules?” Somehow she managed to convey a snort even though she kept her tone neutral.

      “Maybe not rules. What I mean is I would like to understand a few things.”

      She jammed her hands to her hips, seemed to realize how belligerent it made her appear and dropped them to her sides. Did she realize her fists curled? “What’s to understand? I’m here in response to your ad. I’ll take care of Evan and your house. By the end of four weeks you’ll see you couldn’t do better.”

      “But you could do better.” That’s what had him so confused. “Better than a man eight years your senior with a four-year-old boy who might never get over the way he’s been treated.”

      Her eyebrows arched as if surprised by his statement.

      He hurried on. “You’re young. You’re beautiful.”

      She blinked rapidly and gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. Did she not believe him on the latter observation?

      “I’d like to know why you are so set on such an arrangement.” He meant the marriage she so stubbornly sought. And why was he resisting her offer so vehemently? Because of the very things he’d told her. She deserved better than an older man, with a troubled child.

      The words that haunted him blared through his mind. Not good enough. Not good enough to please his mother even though he’d tried so hard. Not good enough to please his wife, Bernice, even though he’d again tried hard. Now all he wanted was to be enough for his son and for that he needed a helpmate. One who wouldn’t regret her choice and perhaps run off with someone younger and more suitable as soon she discovered she could do better and he had no doubt Annie would soon discover that.

      She looked at the window. Night had turned the glass into a mirror that reflected back the room.

      He waited. In his experience those with a secret usually responded best to patience. There was not a doubt in his mind that she had a secret that drove her to seek this position. He needed to know what it was and if it constituted a threat to him or his child. Moreover, he knew Evan needed security. Not housekeepers who came and went, but a woman committed to staying.

      She brought her gaze back to him, her blue eyes full of midnight shadows. “Let’s just say that I have a concern for a little boy who doesn’t know where he belongs.”

      Was she telling Hugh that was how she felt? How could that be? She came from a large, supportive family.

      “I’m guessing he’s had lots of losses. If you allow it, I’ll show him that he can believe in permanency.”

      They studied each other like wary opponents. He considered her words, trying to find the hidden meaning in them. He appreciated that her concern was for Evan. He respected her for that. But the why of her choice refused to be dismissed.

      He