Page 82 of Montana Bride By Christmas
She shook her head and clasped her hands at her waist. A bottomless sigh came from her lungs. “That is not what you saw.”
“I beg your pardon. I know I wasn’t mistaken.”
“Perhaps not in what you saw, but you are mistaken in how you interpret it.”
Was she telling him that a hug shared with a man meant nothing? Was that all their hugs and kisses were? Nothing. Not to be taken seriously. Of no matter. He couldn’t look at her. Couldn’t let her see the pain threatening to suck out his very soul. He settled his gaze on the motto hanging by the door. “Bless all who enter this home. Grant safety and healing to those who depart and peace to those who remain.” He silently read the words over and over without making sense of them. He knewthe blessing well enough and knew he must live by the words he claimed to believe.
“Annie, I would not hold you here against your will. Nor would I expect you to keep a promise when you know it’s been a mistake. You are free to leave.”
She jammed her fists to her hips, and he flinched, knowing the gesture meant she was angry. “Hugh Arness, you did not see me kissing him. He wanted to kiss me, but I wouldn’t let him.”
“I respect you for being so noble, but I free you from our agreement. You must follow your heart.”
She glowered at him. “Did you ever consider I am following my heart?”
He shook his head, trying to make sense of what she said. He failed.
“You are just like my brothers.”
“I suppose that’s a compliment.” He sounded as doubtful as he felt.
“Not this time. Hugh, I am staying, and in so doing, I am following my heart. Can I be any clearer?”
“You don’t want love.”
“That’s what I thought. I was wrong, though.”
He stared, his mouth gaping. He heard her words. Knew what each word meant but strung together like that, they made no sense.
“Annie?”
“Hugh.”
“Is love possible?”
She smiled, enjoying his uncertainty. “Is it what you want?”
“It’s what I’ve always wanted but never had.”
“Then I would say you deserve it.”
He couldn’t stop shaking his head. “I don’t deserve love. I don’t deserve—” He couldn’t bring himself to say he didn’tdeserve her. The hope of having her was too great to fathom…too horrific to think it wasn’t possible.
She moved closer, a gentle smile upon her lips. “Hugh Arness, you are a gift from God to all of us here at Bella Creek. You are a godsend for Evan.”
His eyes begged for more, but he couldn’t help it.
She closed the distance between them. “Most of all, you are exactly what this frightened, lonely, fearful girl needs.” She touched his chin with her cool fingers.
He swallowed hard. “Are you really saying what I think you are?” He could not bring himself to speak the words that meant the world to him. Too often, his hopes had been dashed by rejection.
She pressed a palm to each side of his face. “Hugh, I love you. Yes, I said I didn’t want love, but you made it impossible for me to keep that decision.”
He trailed his fingers along her cheeks, down to her chin. “I don’t deserve your love.”
“I trust my heart to you, knowing it will forever be safe.” Her eyes overflowed with sweetness.
“Annie Marshall, how could you love me?”
