Page 37 of Montana Bride By Christmas
With God’s help, he would not fail his son.
But he wasn’t prepared to incur the wrath of the Marshall family if Annie declared she wasn’t satisfied. How else to prevent it but to find someone to replace her?
It was surely concern about his son that sent a shaft of pain through his insides.
Annie toldherself she would not count the minutes until she heard people leaving the church next door. And she surely wouldn’t stare out the window. However, if she did, it would only be to watch for her brothers and their wives and Carly Morrison. She and Carly were longtime friends. They usually spent Sunday afternoons together.
She prepared a meal, and talked to Evan about Spot the dog, as she did so. She hoped and prayed he’d begin to see how a boy should act.
It was customary at the ranch to expect company after church. She always prepared enough to feed a crowd, but things were different here. It wasn’t her house. Would Hugh invite visitors over? Or would it only be the four of them again?
The sound of people exiting the church brought her back to the window. Finally. She wished she could have been there, heard how Hugh explained about Evan and her and listened to his deep voice. From the first time she’d heard him speak, his voice had rumbled into her very soul, pointing out places she needed to turn over to God’s sovereignty. What would he have said today? Would his words have encouraged her? To do what?
She laughed as the entire Marshall family headed for the manse. Grandfather followed on their heels. She could tell that he scolded the others. If only she could hear what he said.
Dawson led the pack, exerting his position as the eldest, and stopped at the front step, waiting for them to crowd around him. She delayed until he knocked before she opened the door.
“Hi, Dawson.” She greeted each of the others. The cold bit right through her. “You all best come inside before I freeze.”
They trooped in, crowding the walls of the little living room.
Sammy, who was Logan’s seven-year-old adopted son, and Mattie, who was Dawson’s six-year-old daughter, went to the kitchen doorway and stared at the little boy huddling in the corner.
Annie followed on their heels, intent on guarding Evan against the shock of her large, noisy family. “Evan, honey, these people belong to me. My brothers and their wives.” She introduced each of them. And then the children. As they were introduced, the adults stood in the doorway and said hello, then stepped back. The children might have stayed there, staring, but their parents drew them to their sides. Grandfather made his way to his armchair by the kitchen stove and sank into it.
She faced the rest of the family. “What can I do for you?” Did they expect her to feed them? “I’ll make dinner for you all next Sunday—” That might be too early for Evan’s peace of mind. “Or soon.” Hopefully, Hugh wouldn’t object, but hadn’t he said she could invite anyone she wanted?
Her brothers all spoke at once and their wives tried to make themselves heard.
Dawson held up his hand to signal silence. “Seeing as Pa isn’t here, I will speak on behalf of the family. Annie, we all agree that this is a foolish decision. Change your mind and come on home.”
She looked from one to the other, saw their love and concern, and knew it was genuine. “In four weeks’ time, I expect you to all come to my wedding.”
Hugh stepped in just in time to catch her words, and their gazes crashed together across the room. She wasn’t sure that she read his expression correctly, but if she had to guess, she would say it held a great deal of promise, and she drew support from the thought.
Dawson appealed to Grandfather. “Can’t you talk some sense into her?”
Grandfather shrugged. “I like it here. And Annie is doing a fine job, as I’ve already said. I think little Evan likes her. Don’t you?” he asked the boy.
Evan watched the proceedings from the protection of the veil of his hair and shrank back at Grandfather’s question.
Then to Annie’s utter surprise, he dipped his head.
She turned back to Hugh. “He nodded,” she whispered.
He came to her side where he could see his son. “He did? That’s wonderful. A real answer to prayer.” He stayed beside her to support her against her family’s onslaught. “I can’t say how much I appreciate all that Annie has done to help me.”
His praise filled her to the brim. She dared not look his way and clasped her hands together to keep from hugging him. He’d admitted he needed her. It was all she wanted.
“Would any of you like coffee before you head back to the ranch?” she asked.
Dawson shook his head. “We need to get home. I believe Kate has prepared dinner for us.” He spoke to Hugh. “I trust you will bring Annie out soon.”
She bristled. “Since when do I need someone to take me to the ranch? I’ve been going back and forth on my own for years.” She jammed her fists to her hips. “Suddenly, I need someone to take me? Suddenly, I can’t make my own decisions?”
Her brothers had the good sense to look a little uncomfortable. Sadie, Kate, and Isabelle chuckled.
Sadie looked about. “Where is Jeannie?” The three-year-old was not in the room.
