Montana Bride by Christmas Read online

  “Four weeks?” he asked, his voice full of doubt and regret.

  She nodded.

  “Or until I find someone more…”

  She knew he meant to say more suitable but he quickly changed his mind at the way she silently challenged him. How dare he consider her less than ideal! Why she could out-bake, out-clean, out-take-care-of anyone in the entire West.

  “More mature,” he substituted with a little cough.

  She raised her eyebrows. “I hope they don’t break down the door in their urgency.”

  A flicker in his eyes informed her that he understood her little sarcasm. After all, how many unmarried young women were there in the wild West of Montana? A worrisome thought raised its head. She could think of two spinsters in Bella Creek area. Had they seen the ad? How far abroad had he sent the ad for a wife? Well, she was here and not anyone else and in the weeks they agreed to she would prove herself so invaluable he would never want her to leave.

  Hugh shifted his attention to Grandfather. “And you’re willing to stay here?”

  Grandfather nodded. “Wouldn’t want her reputation ruined.” The men studied each other, some sort of agreement forming.

  Annie resisted rolling her eyes. What was it about men that they thought they could hide their feelings from her…from any woman for that matter? As plain as the nose on either of the male faces she knew they both thought she would get this out of her system and they could all get back to their ordinary lives.

  She could have informed them it wouldn’t be that simple. She had no intention of staying at the ranch and becoming the spinster sister that everyone endured and pitied. She could almost hear the whispers of her brothers and their wives. Can’t you take her for a few months? She’s been with us long enough.

  Hugh turned to his son. “You think you can deal with him?”

  Annie smiled at Evan. “What do you think, Evan? Can you and I get along?”

  For an answer, he sank to the floor and pulled into the corner as far as he could. He wasn’t ready to trust her nor should he. For all he knew, she meant him harm and not good. It was up to her to prove otherwise.

  “We’ll get along just fine.” She spoke as much to Evan as to Hugh.

  Hugh rubbed at his chin and sighed. “I’m desperate enough to accept your offer.”

  “Try not to fall all over yourself in gratitude.”

  He had the grace to look embarrassed. “I’m grateful and desperate.”

  She had the grace to overlook his predicament. “Grandfather, we need to return to the ranch and get our things.” She studied the weary old man. “Actually why don’t you stay here and get to know Evan while I get our things?”

  Grandfather gave her a grateful smile. “Don’t mind saying that’s the best offer I’ve had in a long time. That cold is bitter.”

  “I’ll be back.” She looked around her at the unwashed dishes Mrs. Ross had left in her hurry to escape the frightened boy in the corner. “I’ll take care of things when I return.” She hurried outside. Winter afternoons were short and she had to pack up enough to last her and Grandfather a few weeks and get back to town before the cold deepened as darkness settled in. She could arrange for her other things to be delivered after she and Hugh were married.

  Her jaw muscles twitched. She liked the preacher just fine. A marriage to him would suit her. A home and a family of her own without the risk of opening her heart.

  She ignored the blaring warning that it might prove more difficult to guard her heart than she imagined, especially with a little boy who needed a wagonload of patience and understanding.

  Heavenly Father, give me wisdom and patience to deal with little Evan.

  She had gone into the parsonage wearing a stylish red winter cape but now pulled on a heavy winter coat that her brother Logan had outgrown, wrapped a buffalo robe around her legs and turned the wagon toward home. Wanting to spare the horses, she kept them to a slow trot. By the time she’d covered the four miles to the ranch, her hands were numb and her face ached from the cold.

  Her brothers Conner and Dawson both ran out as she drove up as if they’d been waiting and watching for her return. Her brothers did their best to take care of her even though she didn’t need it. Besides they now had wives. Dawson, the eldest at twenty-six, had married beautiful Isabelle Redfield and they made a home with his daughter, six-year-old Mattie, in a house to one side of the main house.

  Conner, twenty-four, had married the doctor’s daughter Kate. They had recently left a cold cabin and moved into the main house with little Ellie.

  The youngest brother, Logan, at twenty-two and three years older than Annie, had married Sadie the schoolteacher and they lived in town with the three children they had rescued and adopted.

  Everything had changed. Like Pa had said when Ma died, You can’t hang on to things. They don’t last. But life goes on. Her brothers had moved on as they should. It was time for her to move on as well.

  Dawson lifted her from the wagon and hollered at one of the cowboys to take the outfit to the barn.

  “Don’t unhitch,” Annie said. “I’m going back to town.”

  Conner and Dawson rushed her indoors, pulled the heavy coat off her and faced her like two defending soldiers.

  “Where’s Grandfather? Is he sick?”

  “What’s this about going back to town?”

  Kate came to the doorway. “You look half frozen. You two let her come in and have a hot drink before you cross-examine her.”

  Her brothers stepped aside and allowed her to follow Kate to the kitchen. Little Ellie smiled at her from the high chair where she ate bits of bread.

  “Hey, pumpkin,” she said to the baby before she sat at the table and took the tea Kate offered.

  “Grandfather and I are going to live in town.” She explained about Hugh and little Evan. “They need someone.”

  Both brothers spoke at once, making their opinions clear. They didn’t like the idea. They didn’t think she should settle for such an arrangement. She had no reason to pack up and leave.

  On and on they went. Annie ignored them, grateful Logan wasn’t there to add to the ruckus.

  She finished her tea and pushed to her feet. “I’d like to get back before dark. Anyone going to help pack things for Grandfather and me?” She didn’t wait for their answer but left the kitchen, crossed the big dining room and smaller sitting room to Grandfather’s bedroom and then pulled out a satchel and begin filling it.

  Conner followed. “I don’t like this.”

  “I think he’d like some of his books. There’s a crate in the closet off the sitting room,” she said.

  Still protesting, Conner went to get the box and fill it with books.

  If Annie thought that was the end of it, Dawson soon cleared up that notion. “You belong here with the rest of us.”

  She didn’t point out that the rest of us had spouses and homes. “I’d like to take Grandfather’s armchair. Do you think you and Conner could load it in the wagon?”

  Making a sound of exasperation, Dawson went to do her bidding.

  Annie climbed the stairs to her own room. She paused to look around, an ache the size of a vast desert sucking her heart dry. This had been her room as long as she could remember. She’d spent happy hours here dreaming. No more dreams for her. She’d cried her share of tears on the bed. There’d be no more tears either. She’d stared out the window searching for something to fill her heart. A smile smoothed her tension. She’d found what she needed and pulled the sampler from the wall.

  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21.

  The sampler included a stitched house and the date she’d finished making the hanging. March 15, 1887.

  She’d been fifteen and struggling to cope with the pain of loss from Ma’s death and the heavy load of responsibilities in trying to take her place. Working the words of the verse had helped her deal with it all. Her treasure was in heaven. In her faith. In God’s love.


  She touched the red roses she’d embroidered in front of the needlework house. How many hours she’d spent on this project. She’d started the project right after Christmas and finished as the trees burst into leaf that spring.

  Christmas! It was only four weeks away. If she proved herself, she would have made a loveless match by then but with her own home. She would do everything in her power to make the season special for her very own family. Her heart swelled with anticipation and she smiled as she put the sampler in the bottom of the satchel she’d brought from the hall closet and then opened the wardrobe to choose what to pack.

  “You’re sure this is what you want to do?” Kate stood in the doorway, Ellie perched on her hip.

  “I’ve made up my mind.”

  “Is this because Conner and I moved into the house?”

  Annie folded a warm woolen skirt and added it to the contents of the satchel, considering her answer. “You need your own space but it’s more than that.” Not that she was sure she could put it into words. “It’s time for me to move on.”

  Kate continued to look troubled. “But you’re prepared to enter into a loveless marriage if Hugh agrees?”

  “Seems to me love is only asking to be hurt. Besides, it’s not that he’s ugly or a criminal or anything.”

  Kate chuckled low in her throat. “It sounds like you better be careful if you’re hoping to avoid love.”

  Oh, she’d be careful. She had no intention of falling in love. “We both understand the terms of our agreement.” She kept her attention on her task. “Which at this point does not include marriage. I have yet to convince him it’s the perfect solution.” Satisfied she had enough clothing, she glanced around the room, picked up her brush and hand mirror, her Bible and the picture of Mama and Pa on their wedding day. She tucked those into her bag. “I’ll get the rest of my things later.”

  “We’ll miss you,” Kate said as they descended the stairs.

  Annie encountered her brothers as she made her way to the outer door.

  “You’re sure this is what you want to do?” Conner asked. Dawson hung over his shoulder, silently echoing the question. “There’s only one reason to get married,” Dawson said.

  Conner nodded. “If you love the person so much you can’t imagine life without him or her.”

  The two of them silently challenged her.

  “This is my chance to pursue the life I want.”

  They backed down in the face of her determination.

  “I’ll take you to town,” Conner said.

  Dawson elbowed him aside. “I’m taking her. I’m the oldest plus you have a wife and baby.” He chucked Ellie under the chin, winning him a giggle.

  “You have a wife and a daughter as well,” Conner pointed out.

  “Yes, but Mattie is old enough to be of help to Isabelle.”

  Annie pushed past them. “You two can stand here arguing all day but I want to get back before dark.” She hurried to the loaded wagon. By the time she climbed aboard, Dawson joined her and took up the reins. “Guess it helps to be the oldest.”

  “It’s got its perks. I wish I could change your mind.”

  “Grandfather will worry if I’m not back soon.”

  “Fine.” They made the trip to Bella Creek with little conversation. Dawson seemed to have accepted Annie’s decision.

  In town they went directly to the parsonage. Dawson lifted Annie down and hurried her inside to the warm kitchen, where Grandfather and Hugh sat at the table and little Evan remained huddled in the corner.

  Annie had explained about Evan but Dawson still looked a little shocked to see the boy in such a state.

  “You need a hand with things?” Hugh asked, and at Dawson’s affirmative reply, went out to help carry in Grandfather’s chair and the other things Annie had hastily packed.

  The bags were taken to two of the rooms down the hall. The previous preacher had six daughters and two sons so there were plenty of bedrooms to choose from. Annie chose one close to the kitchen with Grandfather next door. Hugh indicated the second hall where he and Evan slept.

  Annie said goodbye to Dawson then turned to consider the kitchen. Mentally she began to plan the evening meal and how to take care of Evan.

  Hugh returned from waving goodbye to Dawson. “Annie, could I please speak to you in my office?”

  At the hard, flat tone of his voice, Annie’s heart sank. Had he changed his mind?

  Chapter Two

  Hugh waved Annie to a chair across the desk from his own. He waited for her to sit. Instead she crossed her arms and gave him a look full of challenge. He sighed. Seemed this discussion was to take place while standing and with her all set to argue. If this was the way it would be to have her here he already regretted agreeing to her “perfect solution.”

  He perched on the corner of the desk. His position allowed him to see through the adjoining rooms to where Grandfather sat watching them. So far Evan hadn’t objected to the older man, perhaps interested in his canes or knowing the man posed no threat if only because he couldn’t move around too quickly. Evan had not had the same reaction to Hugh. It had taken Hugh two hours to persuade Evan to let Hugh take him home and then he’d had to bodily move him and hold him firmly the entire way to prevent the child from throwing himself to the ground.

  Or perhaps Evan respected the air of authority from the older man. Hugh almost smiled as he thought of how Grandfather Marshall ruled with just a firm word and a look that stalled men in their boots. His smile faded to a worrisome thought. Seemed Annie had inherited some of her grandfather’s stubbornness and forcefulness.

  “You wanted to say something?” she said, her sweet words laced with annoyance.

  “Yes, I did. I think we would do well to establish some ground rules.”

  “Rules?” Somehow she managed to convey a snort even though she kept her tone neutral.

  “Maybe not rules. What I mean is I would like to understand a few things.”

  She jammed her hands to her hips, seemed to realize how belligerent it made her appear and dropped them to her sides. Did she realize her fists curled? “What’s to understand? I’m here in response to your ad. I’ll take care of Evan and your house. By the end of four weeks you’ll see you couldn’t do better.”

  “But you could do better.” That’s what had him so confused. “Better than a man eight years your senior with a four-year-old boy who might never get over the way he’s been treated.”

  Her eyebrows arched as if surprised by his statement.

  He hurried on. “You’re young. You’re beautiful.”

  She blinked rapidly and gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. Did she not believe him on the latter observation?

  “I’d like to know why you are so set on such an arrangement.” He meant the marriage she so stubbornly sought. And why was he resisting her offer so vehemently? Because of the very things he’d told her. She deserved better than an older man, with a troubled child.

  The words that haunted him blared through his mind. Not good enough. Not good enough to please his mother even though he’d tried so hard. Not good enough to please his wife, Bernice, even though he’d again tried hard. Now all he wanted was to be enough for his son and for that he needed a helpmate. One who wouldn’t regret her choice and perhaps run off with someone younger and more suitable as soon she discovered she could do better and he had no doubt Annie would soon discover that.

  She looked at the window. Night had turned the glass into a mirror that reflected back the room.

  He waited. In his experience those with a secret usually responded best to patience. There was not a doubt in his mind that she had a secret that drove her to seek this position. He needed to know what it was and if it constituted a threat to him or his child. Moreover, he knew Evan needed security. Not housekeepers who came and went, but a woman committed to staying.

  She brought her gaze back to him, her blue eyes full of midnight shadows. “Let’s just say that I have a
concern for a little boy who doesn’t know where he belongs.”

  Was she telling Hugh that was how she felt? How could that be? She came from a large, supportive family.

  “I’m guessing he’s had lots of losses. If you allow it, I’ll show him that he can believe in permanency.”

  They studied each other like wary opponents. He considered her words, trying to find the hidden meaning in them. He appreciated that her concern was for Evan. He respected her for that. But the why of her choice refused to be dismissed.

  He reviewed what he knew of her. Her mother had passed away several years ago. Annie couldn’t have been much more than a child but she’d taken over the care of her family. Recently her three brothers had married. Did that explain her rash decision?

  “Are you feeling your family has moved on and left you behind?”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Nothing stays the same. Life goes on.”

  He measured her words, seeking the hidden truth in them. “So you’ve decided to move on too. But why to this?”

  Her eyes were innocent yet he got the feeling she hid a world of meaning.

  “I don’t care for secrets,” he said. If patience didn’t work then the direct approach was the best.

  “I suppose we both have our share of them.”

  “Perhaps.” He was beginning to think getting information out of her was like trying to pull an unwilling mule out of a bog. God, please make hidden things plain, dark things light.

  She spoke firmly. “I suggest we agree to honor each other’s right to have our secrets.”

  It sounded reasonable enough. “On one condition—”

  Her eyebrows arched letting him know she’d be reluctant to give a promise. A parallel truth blared through his mind. Maybe she was also reluctant to believe a promise. Had some young fellow hurt her with a broken promise? He hadn’t heard about a failed romance and now couldn’t ask without seeming to be too interested. However, it would explain why she was willing to settle for the sort of arrangement he offered. Trouble was, she would get over that hurt as soon as someone more appealing came along. He couldn’t put Evan through that. No, he needed someone who accepted a businesslike union as her best choice.