Page 76 of Montana Bride By Christmas
“Miss Higgins had unrealistic expectations of Evan.” He gave the details.
Her eyes grew damp. “She would have been cruel to him.”
“I thought so.”
“Now what?”
“You suit just fine.” A beat of consideration. “But I don’t want you to feel trapped.”
Was this the open door Aunt Mary meant? If so, she would walk through boldly and confidently, trusting God for the future. “You suit me just fine.”
“As your grandfather pointed out not so long ago, marriage is for keeps.”
“I know.”
“Won’t you someday want love?”
“Like I’ve said a number of times, love only leads to hurt.” It was time to tell him about Rudy. “I met Rudy when he came to visit his sister. He talked like he was going to settle here. He was charming and kind and courted me with utmost devotion. I trusted him. I gave him my heart. Thought he held it in the palm of his hand. But he changed his mind. Told me he’d foundnothing here to suit him. He didn’t know how much his leaving hurt me. Or else he didn’t care.” Suspecting it was the latter hurt more than anything.
He brushed the back of his fingers to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. But I have to think the young man was shallow and likely of poor eyesight.”
His words tickled her, and she tipped her head to smile up at him. “Is that a fact?”
“It is indeed.” He looked deep into her eyes as if searching for something. She let him look, wanting to offer anything he needed. Anything? Maybe not.
“Is there any reason to put off getting married?” he asked.
“None that I can think of.”
“Annie Marshall, will you marry me?”
“I will.”
His smile darkened his eyes, and he bent to claim a kiss. It was quick, businesslike but wasn’t that exactly what she wanted?
“Shall we tell Evan?” she asked.
“I think the boy will be relieved.”
Together, they returned to the kitchen and knelt side by side in front of Evan, who watched them with a good deal of wariness.
Annie stuffed back another surge of anger at the things Miss Higgins had said in front of the boy. She looked to Hugh, nodding that he should relay the news.
“Evan, Annie and I are going to get married. She’ll be your new mama. What do you think of that?”
Evan’s wide-eyed gaze went from Hugh to Annie.
“It’s true,” she said, and following her heart, she held out her arms to him.
He blinked twice, then scrambled to his feet and rushed into her arms with such force he would have bowled her over, except Hugh caught her. He pulled her close, encircling the two of them in his arms.
Her tears flowed freely and increased in volume when Hugh pulled out his handkerchief and attempted to wipe them away. She laughed at the confusion on his face as fresh tears continued to appear.
“Happy tears,” she managed to say.
“I’ll take your word for it.” She blinked them away and saw that Hugh’s eyes glistened and she touched his cheeks.
“We have much to be happy for.”
