Page 74 of Montana Bride By Christmas
“Evan.”
“Shouldn’t he be required to greet me?”
“Unfortunately, he does not talk. He’s had rather a rough time of things in the past.”
Miss Higgins drew herself up rod straight. “I will tolerate no excuses for rudeness. Evan, stand up and say hello like a good boy.”
Evan’s eyes widened, and he looked at Hugh. The boy might not have words, but he clearly communicated his fear and accusation to Hugh.
Hugh must defend and protect his son. There were a few other things he must right as well. Such as living in fear after telling the congregation they should not.
Annie practically ran allthe way to the store. Uncle George looked up at her hurried entry. His eyes widened in alarm.
“Is something wrong with Grandfather?”
“No. He’s fit as a fiddle. Is Aunt Mary upstairs?”
“Yes, child. Go tell her all your troubles.” He patted her back as she rushed by him.
Aunt Mary looked up as Annie burst into the room. “What’s wrong?” She put aside her sewing and started to her feet.
“Grandfather is okay.”
“Then who?”
“Me. I am such an idiot.” She went to the window and looked out at the new buildings across the street—the schoolhouse, thedoctor’s house and office, the new barber shop and lawyer’s office—all replacements for those destroyed by the fire. “I believed Hugh when he said he’d give me four weeks to prove I was suitable.” She gave a mirthless laugh. “I’d be perfect I said. Now, with time left in our agreement, he has an older woman over there. I’m sure he’ll think she’s ideal.” She spun from the window and walked the length and breadth of the room as she talked. “She’s older. Plain. And I venture a guess that some time ago, she forgot how to smile.”
“And you think that makes her ideal?”
Annie ignored the amusement in her aunt’s voice. “I don’t. But he will. You know how foolish and stubborn men can be.”
“I’ve always found Hugh to be both wise and amiable.”
“Maybe when you meet him in public. He’s sure not been that way with me.” Enjoyable. Patient. Kissable. Huh. Guess the kisses meant nothing.
“What is it you want?” Aunt Mary’s gentle voice eased the anger raging through Annie’s veins.
“I want him to honor our agreement. Four weeks.”
“And then what?”
“Marriage. Just like we discussed.”
“What sort of marriage are you talking about?”
Annie drew to a halt before the window. “A marriage in name only.” She could hardly get the words off her tongue and knew her warm cheeks revealed far more than she cared for her aunt to know.
“I see. Is that what Hugh wants?”
“It was his idea.”
“Perhaps it is easier to consider that sort of arrangement with an older, plain, unsmiling woman.”
Annie stared at her aunt. “You agree with Hugh? What sort of marriage is that?” The words her brothers had spoken echoed through her head. There is only one reason to marry...if youlove the person so much it hurts to imagine a day without him. They were wrong. There were other reasons to marry. Providing a home for a child was one of them. “What about Evan? Is that what he deserves?”
“I have a different question. What about you? Is that kind of marriage what you deserve?”
Annie spun away. “It’s what I want.”
