Page 44 of Montana Bride By Christmas
“Girl, that food smells good, and my stomach is kissing my backbone.”
“I guess it’s time to eat.” She served everyone a portion.
Evan gave her a concerned look.
“He’ll be back soon,” she assured him, wishing she felt as cheerful as she sounded. Why was she so concerned about him? Other than he was out in a blustery wind and cold that would snap metal and she was home with his son and a grandfather who could barely walk. Pshaw. She was a big brave girl used to being alone.
Except this was different. It felt like a big hole had been left inside.
She served Grandfather and Evan slices of pie, all the while telling herself that she’d worried about this from the beginning. That she’d care too much and be the sorrier for it.
Maybe it was for the best if he found someone else.
A moan pushed at her teeth, and she refused to let it pass.
Grandfather made his way back to his soft chair. “The cold surely does get into my bones.”
And him indoors by a roaring fire. How must it be for Hugh if he rode homeward in that bitter cold? Lord, protect him. Everyone deserved to be home safe and warm in this weather.
She did up the dishes. The darkness closed in around them and still Hugh did not return. “Evan, honey, it’s time for bed.”
He made a protesting noise and looked at Hugh’s empty chair.
“I know he’s still gone, but I’m sure he’s okay.” She had to keep telling herself that. “Sometimes he has to stay with people who are sick and need him.” In Ida’s case, she feared this would be her final illness. The woman had been struggling for several months now. She must be exhausted.
“I’ll read to you and say your prayers, then you can crawl into your bed.”
He shook his head and looked directly at her, his eyes wide.
She stared at him. If only Hugh could be here to see his son communicate so clearly. “Do you want me to take you to bed?”
He nodded. And nodded again as if he wanted her to say something more.
She wasn’t sure what. “I’ll read to you.” She picked a short story about faithfulness and then prayed with him. Another problem raised its head. How was she to get him to bed? He would fight her and maybe even bite. She didn’t think she could control him as well as Hugh did.
Instead of trying, she got to her feet and held out her hand. “Let’s go.”
He hesitated, staring at her arm. Then he got to his feet and gripped her hand so tight she could feel him vibrating.
She smiled at Grandfather as they left the room. At least she could share this victory with him.
Evan dropped her hand as soon as they entered the bedroom. He stood by his mattress and pointed to Hugh’s bed.
She understood all too clearly and fought a losing war with herself. If she didn’t lie down on Hugh’s bed, Evan would be upset and maybe revert to a wild little animal. But to rest on the very bed that Hugh used...
It made her cheeks burn.
“Let me tell Grandfather.” She went to the door and called out to him, afraid to leave Evan alone for even a moment. He hobbled to the hallway, and she told him what she planned to do.
“Just until the boy falls asleep,” he warned.
Her cheeks about caught on fire. “Not a moment longer.”
“I’ll stay up until then.”
She wanted to tell him to go to bed, but he was right. “Thank you. I’m sorry to make you do this.”
“It’s for the boy.” He limped back to the kitchen and his soft chair. At least he would be able to sleep. She wasn’t the leastoffended that he said it was because of Evan. She knew it was for her as well.
