Page 72 of Montana Bride By Christmas
“It will be the Morrisons,” Dawson said. “They often join us. Carly will be pleased to see Annie.”
Carly and Annie. Two wild young women. Hugh tried not to remember.
Mr. Morrison came to the parlor. “I see everybody survived the storm.” He spoke with a strong Scottish accent as if he made all the sounds in the back of his mouth. Hugh found it rather musical to listen to though, at times, also hard to understand.
The ladies trooped into the dining room bearing serving dishes and called the men and children to the table.
Hugh ended up sitting with Evan between him and Annie. Young Beth, who was Logan’s adopted daughter, was on his other side. The table was crowded with the large and rapidly expanding family and yet it didn’t feel the least bit awkward to be included in the family meal.
Conner, as the current resident of the house, asked Grandfather to pray.
As soon as the amen was spoken, the noise level grew as food was passed around the table, and news was shared. Baby Ellie cried, and Kate took her upstairs. She returned a few minutes later.
“The little darling is sound asleep. Sundays are hard on her.” She blushed. “Sorry, Hugh. No offense, but the little ones don’t like to wait for their meals or their naps.”
Hugh chuckled. “I expect there are many adults who feel the same.” He wouldn’t mention the few he noticed drowsing off during the sermon. He no longer took it personally, knowing that some of these individuals worked long hard hours, and the mere fact of sitting still often allowed their fatigue to take over.
After a few minutes of general discussion, Logan faced Annie across the table. “Annie, are you happy living in town?”
Hugh held his breath—felt Evan’s tension.
“I’m happy looking after Evan.” She wrapped her arm around Evan.
Hugh pulled in a breath, wondering if Evan would explode, but he sat quietly, and Hugh eased the air from his lungs.
“And Hugh.” Annie brushed his shoulder and smiled at him.
Each of her brothers looked at their wives. Hugh could feel their concern, but he couldn’t turn from her look of tenderness. As if she truly cared about him as a man. Evan shifted, enabling Hugh to break free of Annie’s gaze to stare at his plate. He knew he shouldn’t wish for the kind of caring he thought he saw. The longing was there, nevertheless.
Shortly after that, they finished the meal, and the women took the food and dishes to the kitchen. Hugh would have liked to eavesdrop on them as there was lots of laughter. Besides it being beneath his dignity, the men sat around the table discussing the weather and various other topics. They asked him how things were in town. He was happy to report that, as far as he could tell, everyone had survived the storm. “Even the Barrets made it through.”
A bit later, Annie and Carly poked their heads into the dining room. “We’re headed outside. We’ll be back shortly.”
Grandfather and Mr. Morrison waved them away, but Hugh wanted to call Annie back.
She and Carly looked at each other in a way that seemed to say they had special plans that didn’t include himself or Evan. She was young and full of life. Her eyes danced with anticipation. Did she ever look so free and happy at the manse? He could not live with himself if he stole that from her. How would he manage without her? More importantly, how would Evan?
The other children had scattered to play but Evan and Happy stayed by Hugh’s side. He had stopped praying for God to send a suitable woman, but he needed to start again. He’d do that next time he was in his office.
By the time the girls returned, their cheeks rosy from the cold and a glow of happiness on their faces, it was time to return to town.
All the way back, Hugh tried to convince himself he needed someone else. Wanted someone else. Why was it so hard to believe it?
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Hugh could not fall asleep. In the dark, alone hours, he had to face the truth. He did not want someone to take Annie’s place. She’d proven pleasant to live with. And to spend the evenings with, though he’d been careful not to avail himself of any more kisses. He’d gone so far as to hint to God that if someone else didn’t show up by the end of the four-week trial period, he’d be quite happy about it.
He awakened the next morning with his conscience searing him. He was acting selfishly and thinking more of his own desires than what was best for Annie.
Still, he could not bring himself to say anything to her. Could not remind her that this arrangement could be temporary. Could not even bring himself to pray for a substitute.
Instead, he hurried to his office, intending to bury himself in study.
He managed to make a few notes when a knock came to the door connecting to the living room. “Yes?”
Annie opened the door. “There’s someone here to see you.” Her mouth puckered.
“They came to the back door?” Usually people who wanted an audience with him came to the outer office door.
