Page 16 of Montana Bride By Christmas
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, hewarned himself, didn’t 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 around. “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 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’d put off a long time, he chuckled.
“I don’t suppose you’d 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 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 tookme 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 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 turned away.
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 coffee pot. “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.
