Page 57 of Montana Bride By Christmas
“Good morning, Evan. Did you have a good sleep?”
He eyed her a moment and then nodded. Happy circled the room and returned to Evan’s side. He watched Evan and then sprang up and down on his back legs and barked.
Evan startled and then laughed.
Annie chuckled and turned to meet Hugh’s eyes, intending to share joy over the child. Instead, she got lost in the warmth of his gaze. There might have been just the two of them for all she knew. Was he thinking of last night? Or was he simply grateful for Evan’s progress and sharing his joy with her?
She jerked back to the stove. It was the latter. No reason to think otherwise.
Hugh let the dog out to relieve himself. It was a quick trip.
She made breakfast and served it.
Evan slowly came to his chair. Spot the stuffed dog was on it, and he picked up the toy and took it to his mat, sitting it up.
Annie’s throat tightened. The boy had clearly changed places with the pretend dog, who thought he was a boy.
As Grandfather asked the blessing, gratitude welled up inside her. There were so many things to be thankful for—a warm house, and a little boy who was doing better and a puppy who helped Evan. For Grandfather. And for Hugh. Her thoughts stalled there. She could not think…would not admit that her world tipped sideways at his name.
“Amen,” Grandfather said. “Nothing like a hot breakfast to make a man forget about the weather outside.” He ate with enjoyment.
Annie watched Evan. She’d noticed before how carefully he ate, and he did the same this morning as he struggled to use a fork.
Her insides ached at the neglect and abuse this child had endured. She shifted her gaze to Hugh. Saw a reflection of her pain and something more. The best way she could describe it was to say it made her feel like he saw a shared future with them both dedicated to making life good for Evan.
Making life good. The idea held great appeal. However, it wasn’t security that accompanied that thought. It was happiness and belonging.
She jerked her attention to her food and her mind to her plans for the day.
As soon as the meal had been cleaned up, she sat back at the table where Hugh remained. Grandfather had gone to his soft chair, and Evan played on the mat with Spot and Happy.
“It’s not long until Christmas,” she said.
“I know. The children at Sunday school are already learning parts for the concert.”
“Let’s talk about what we’ll do for Christmas.”
Hugh sat up straight, looking confused. “Isn’t the Christmas concert enough? I understand oranges and small gifts are distributed to the children.”
“I don’t mean how the church will celebrate. I mean how we, as a family, will.” She watched as the implications of what she said sank in.
He rocked his head back and forth, clearly confused.
She pressed on. “What did your family do to make it special?”
His eyes darkened, and he looked past her. “My ma didn’t celebrate anything after Kenny died.”
She guessed as much. “What about before? Surely Christmas meant more than another day.”
A smile tugged at his mouth. “I remember one year when I was maybe nine or ten. Kenny announced to Ma that it was Christmas and we should do something. She said to do whatever he wanted. He told me to put on my outer clothes, and he grabbed the ax. I remember thinking he was so big and brave with the ax over his shoulder. We marched down the road to the nearby river.
“We need a Christmas tree, Kenny said. Not too big but something nice and green to remind us that Jesus came to give us new life.
“Will Mama be happy? I asked.
“Kenny squatted down to face me and patted my shoulder. Hugh, Mama isn’t happy very often. That’s just the way it is.”
Annie wondered if Hugh realized he had put his hand on his shoulder as if recalling how his brother had touched him.
