Page 68 of Montana Bride By Christmas
Feeling Evan stiffen and hearing his faint whimper, Annie greeted them but hurried away without stopping to visit.
At home, Evan gave Grandfather his candy and Happy his bone. The pup was ecstatic and bounded back to the mat, where he attacked the bone with a great deal of vigor.
When Hugh joined them for dinner, Evan handed him the candy stick.
Hugh thanked him.
She waited until after the meal to indicate Hugh should go to the living room with her.
“He went to the store with me and picked out the candy himself.”
Hugh blinked. Opened his mouth and closed it again.
She grinned, enjoying his surprise. Might her success earn her another kiss? Now, where had that thought come from?
“He went to the store?”
“He was very brave.” She described Evan’s journey and behavior. Told about the two ladies on the street. “I don’t think he’s up to seeing a bunch of people yet.”
“I’m more than pleased with this step. Thank you.” Hugh squeezed her shoulder.
Heaven help her, she couldn’t keep from leaning into his palm, lifting her face, and wishing?—
No.
She straightened. “Well, I must get back to work, as I’m sure you must as well.” And she practically raced to the kitchen. Her nerves felt raw. When she heard the office door close behind him, she began to relax.
The afternoon sped by as she prepared food. About four o’clock, Hugh came from his office. She expected he wanted coffee and served him some with freshly baked ginger cookies. He ate and drank, but when he finished, he didn’t return to his office. Her movements grew more and more jerky as he stayed and stayed. Did he have something in mind?
“How did those doughy things we rolled and cut for tree ornaments turn out?”
She tried to think if he meant to make conversation or wanted to work on the decorations? Did it mean he wanted to spend time with her? The idea sent a spiral of longing through her before she could slam the door on such thoughts. Somehow, she managed to pull a rational question from her brain. “Are you done in your office?”
“I believe I am and thought you might like to do some more Christmas preparation.”
Evan jumped up and went to his father’s side. There was no mistaking the eagerness in his face.
She could hardly say no to either of them and brought the tray of ornaments from the pantry.
Hugh chuckled. “I imagined misshapen unidentifiable objects, but these aren’t half bad.”
“Half bad?” She pretended offense. “They look very nice, don’t they, Evan?”
Evan looked from one to the other.
Annie watched him. Would he recognize teasing?
Then he nodded, his eyes sparkling.
She could have hugged him. Could have hugged everyone. He was a bright boy making wonderful progress.
They spent the next hour working on the Christmas ornaments and the figures for the Christmas story. It was a pleasant time creating together as a family and achieved all Annie hoped it would.
And more. It made her want to share more special moments with Hugh and Evan. It made her long to feel a part of their future. Of course, once she and Hugh married, she would be a permanent part of this family. That wasn’t what she meant, and she wasn’t about to examine what more she wanted.
Even the thought of marriage to him no longer felt like a practical arrangement, and her cheeks burned as she thought of kissing him again and having the right to do so whenever she felt like it.
Her imagination was getting out of hand.
