Loving Annie

by Anna Huckabee

  Coren smiled at her concern, then sobered. “It’s my job, Annie. And I’m called out because of the weather. A tree limb fell and damaged a house. I need to check the occupants and see if they’re okay.”

  Annie immediately felt bad for her reluctance. “Please be careful.” A particularly strong gust shook the whole house.

  “I promise.”

  Annie heard Coren collect what he would need. She heard him open the front door. It banged into the wall and the wind howled up the stairs. She sat on her bed, knowing she wouldn’t sleep until he returned. She left her door open so she could hear if the banging door woke any of the children. A moment later, Darren wailed.

  Annie hurried into the nursery and lifted him from the crib. She changed his diaper and carried him back to her own bed where she snuggled him against herself under the covers. He popped his thumb into his mouth and relaxed against her.

  Suddenly, outside the house, there was a flash of light, followed by a loud explosion. Darren started crying. Annie heard the thump of feet hitting the floor in the nursery. Four children spilled out of their room and hovered in Annie’s bedroom door. Annie fumbled in her bedside drawer for a candle and lit it, illuminating four little faces.

  “What was that, Miss Annie?” asked Ava. Her voice quavered as if she was fighting tears.

  Annie sat up and pulled Darren into her lap. She slid her feet into her slippers. “It was probably the electrical transformer blowing. Everything is okay. We don’t have power right now, but we’re still safe and secure.”

  “I don’t want to sleep by myself,” said Vivian. “Can I sleep with Ava?”

  Ava rolled her eyes.

  Annie held up a hand to stop them before a fight broke out. “The house is going to get cold. I’ll go downstairs and stoke the fire. Your papa brought plenty of wood into the house last night. We’ll camp out in the drawing room. You all bring blankets and pillows from your beds.”

  Annie carried her own blanket and pillow under one arm and Darren in the other downstairs to the drawing room. She added logs to the fire and stirred the embers until they glowed hot. By the time the children came downstairs, she had a nice fire going.

  They arranged the blankets and pillows so the floor was padded enough to be comfortable and so they’d have enough layers on top of them to stay warm. The children forgot all about the howling wind as they prepared for the adventure of sleeping someplace other than their bed.

  It took a good half hour to get everyone settled again. Annie lay on one end with Darren nestled against her and Vivian on the other side of Darren. Ava lay on the other end. Ezra insisted he needed to sleep next to Ava. Annie suspected he was still frightened by the wind but wasn’t about to let on to anyone.

  Danny grumbled about being in the middle.

  “It’s the warmest spot,” said Annie.

  “Yeah, but Viv kicks in her sleep.”

  “I do not,” said Vivian.

  “Okay, you kick when you’re awake. You’re kicking me right now.”

  Vivian stilled. “Now I’m not.”

  “Miss Annie, please. I’m the man of the house while Papa is out. I should be sleeping on the outside.”

  Ava heaved a sigh loud enough to be heard above the howling wind. “He can sleep on the outside.”

  Everyone shifted into their new positions and lay still. The wind didn’t seem so terrible in the drawing room. Now and then, something would clatter across the front porch. The fire danced merrily in the wind blowing its way down the chimney. The drawing room felt warm and comfortable, despite the chill pressing in everywhere else.

  One by one the children fell asleep. Darren’s thumb slid out of his mouth and he turned onto his side. Vivian threw both arms above her head and snored softly. Ezra snuggled between his sisters and dropped off next. Annie couldn’t see Ava or Danny very well, but their deep breathing told her they were at least relaxed, even if they weren’t asleep.

  Annie doubted she’d be able to go to sleep. She stayed as still as she could and watched the crackling fire. She didn’t know how long Coren would be gone. Deep down, she knew he’d be okay, but she was still worried about him. What if he came home and needed something and she didn’t hear him? Her eyes grew heavy. She was warm under the covers, warm and comfortable.

  ∞

  Coren arrived home a couple hours before daybreak. The weariness he felt burrowed into his bones. He’d fought the frigid wind all the way to the scene of the accident and back. Thankfully, the injuries had turned out to be minor — a mild concussion where a man had hit the floor with his head, and a sprained ankle when someone tripped getting out of the way of the falling limb. But one section of the house was uninhabitable and they’d had to relocate everyone into neighbor’s houses.

  Coren entered his dark house through the kitchen. The air inside was almost as cold as the air outside. He tried the light switch. Nothing happened. He heaved a sigh and shrugged out of his coat. He took his boots off and left them by the back door. Then he padded across the cold floors in his stockinged feet, trying to be as quiet as possible.

  The fire in the drawing room caught his attention. Warmth radiated from that room into the hall. When he entered the room, he saw Annie and his children sleeping on the floor. He frowned. Why had she brought them downstairs to sleep?

  Trying not to disturb anyone, he made his way around those slumbering and stoked the fire. No one stirred. He crept back around the room and up the stairs.

  The second floor was even colder than the first floor had been. Coren could feel a draft whistling through the windows in his bedroom. He stumbled around his room in the dark as he readied for bed. Once he’d finally gotten under the covers, he found he couldn’t generate enough warmth on his own to go to sleep.

  Suddenly, he understood why Annie had moved everyone downstairs to the drawing room in front of the fire. Coren knew he’d never fall asleep in his cold room. He collected his pillow and a couple heavy blankets off the bed and made his way back downstairs.

  The current occupants of the room filled every available space. Annie slept next to the couch. Danny had pushed the chairs against the front window and slept next to them. Coren could make enough room for himself if he shoved the couch against the wall and freed some space next to Annie. As quietly as possible, he pushed the couch, giving himself several extra inches. He thought it would be enough if he slept on his side. As cold as he was, he didn’t think he’d mind sleeping that close to Annie.

  Coren doubled his blanket on the floor and placed his pillow in the spot he’d prepared. He stretched out on the floor and pulled another blanket over him. As he lay on the floor watching the firelight flicker over the ceiling, it occurred to him. This was the first time he’d ever slept in the same room with his wife.

  Coren shifted onto his side and looked at Annie. She was completely relaxed, one arm under her pillow, one arm across Darren who had snuggled as close to her as he could. Coren shifted until he was next to her. Warmth from her body seeped through the blankets. Coren felt himself relax as he got warm for the first time since he’d left home hours earlier. He draped an arm across her, over the blankets, pulled his own covers up to his neck, and covered arm. He gave in to the weariness. It felt wonderful to lie down with his eyes closed, to be warm. He sank into a deep, exhausted sleep.

  ∞

  Annie woke slowly to the realization that light was streaming across her. Her body was warm, but every part of her outside the covers was cold. She snuggled deeper under the covers and shifted onto her back. Sleep began to claim her once more. She felt a soft breath on her cheek. Darren was still pressed against her on one side, but someone else was sleeping next to her on the other. Had Vivian moved in the night? Annie forced her eyes open, only to realize she was sleeping next to Coren. His light brown eyelashes were spread across his cheeks, the very image of his youngest son when he slept.

  Annie’s first instinct was to jump up and move to another place. But she knew she’
d wake everyone in the room if she did. The sun hadn’t been up long. Annie knew it was still early in the morning. The children would sleep a while longer if she stayed still. She had no idea when Coren had returned in the night but he still looked exhausted.

  She forced herself to remain still and wait. Her own fatigue and the warmth of the blankets made her drowsy again. As she drifted to sleep, she noticed that the wind was no longer threatening to blow their house down.

  ∞

  She was in bed with him. Coren could feel her there. He hadn’t slept well in months because he’d been sleeping alone. But now she was here and he could rest. When he looked at the mass of brown curls spread across the pillow, he expected to see Sarah’s face. Only it wasn’t. It was Annie. He expected to feel anguish over his loss, but the feeling didn’t come. Instead, he felt relief. Annie belonged there with him, in his arms. He breathed a sigh and snuggled closer to her. She didn’t push him away or try to move. He only hoped he wasn’t dreaming.

  A soft baby giggle pulled him further out of sleep. A tiny hand patted his cheek. “Dadadada.” Darren’s voice.

  Coren opened his eyes. His arm was tight around Annie. She was smiling at Darren, eyes still misty from sleep. The baby planted an open mouth kiss on Annie and she giggled. “Mamama.” Darren was overjoyed to have the two people he loved most with him when he woke up.

  Annie was almost irresistible in the morning, with her sleepy eyes staring at him. Coren sat up on his elbow. “Darren has the right idea.” He brushed a kiss across Annie’s lips. Relief filled him as he felt her lips respond to his. His fingertips smoothed her hair away from her face. All was right with the world.

  “I want a morning kiss, Papa,” said Vivian.

  Coren smiled at his youngest daughter. He puckered up. She took his face in her hands and gave him a wet kiss.

  “All right, everyone,” said Annie, fighting her way out from under the pile of blankets and people. “We need to get that fire going so we don’t all freeze to death.”

  Coren reluctantly released Annie and pushed his way out from under the covers. “I’ll take care of the fire in the kitchen. I hope the pipes aren’t frozen. When did the power go off?”

  “The transformer blew a few minutes after you left. I’m surprised you didn’t see it. Were the people okay? Did they lose their house?”

  “It needs some serious repair. They can’t stay in it. But the people weren’t hurt badly.”

  Annie directed the children to clean up the blanket mess and get dressed while Coren lit the fire in the kitchen. Annie joined him before he’d finished, bundled into as many warm clothes as she could manage.

  “You must be freezing,” she said as she stepped around him to fill the tea kettle.

  “I am. But now I know where I can steal warmth.” Coren placed his hands on either side of her on the counter.

  Annie turned off the water and twisted to face him. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  She was so close to him. He could see uncertainty in her eyes, mingled with hope. “Don’t you?” He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close.

  Annie brushed her fingers along his stubble-covered jaw and into the hair at his collar. He didn’t notice the cold. All he could feel was her rough sweater under his fingers and the thrill of her fingers in his hair. Coren pressed his lips to Annie’s. He tightened his arms around her. His lips moved to her jaw, then trailed to the soft skin below her ear. He heard her sharp intake of breath and felt her fingers fist in his hair. It fueled a desire in him he thought had died over a year earlier.

  “Miss Annie!” Ava’s voice broke into the small world that had formed around the two adults in the kitchen. “The boys won’t listen to me and make their beds properly.”

  Annie sighed and gently drew away from him.

  “Don’t go,” Coren breathed into her ear. He needed her — no — wanted her near him.

  “One of us has to,” Annie said. She pulled away from him and walked toward the kitchen door. Then she stopped and faced him again. “We can continue this conversation later.” Her coy smile held a promise he hoped she’d keep.

  Chapter Twenty-three

  It took a few days for the electric company to fix the transformer. Annie had never been so grateful for the stack of wood outside the back door. They managed to keep warm during the day, and spent the nights camped out in the drawing room. The children loved it. They popped corn in a kettle over the fire, and heated water for hot chocolate and tea. They’d tell stories until the little ones fell asleep.

  As soon as the children were all asleep, Coren would wrap his arms around Annie. She loved it. She loved the feel of his lean strength next to her. She loved hearing his heartbeat. But she didn’t know if he was doing it because he loved her, too, or if he craved the closeness so they could stay warm. She hoped he was learning to love her.

  The first night in their own beds, everyone slept better than they had in a while. Everyone except Annie. Coren had been called away late in the afternoon. She didn’t know when he’d be back and she was exhausted. She went to bed in the guest room but lay awake for a long time, despite her fatigue.

  Annie woke early the next morning and got up so she’d have those few minutes of peace before all the children woke. She found Coren at his desk in the office.

  “Did you sleep at all last night?” she asked.

  “No. Well, I dozed a little in the hospital waiting room. We had to transport the patient to the hospital but they took hours to admit them.”

  “You must be exhausted,” said Annie, coming to his side. “Do you want me to fix you something to eat or would you rather just go to bed?”

  Coren caught her hand and pulled her into his lap. “I think I’m going to try to nap on the couch there until the children wake. I’ve got some appointments this morning.” He hesitated. “Annie, don’t sleep in the guest room anymore. You belong in my room with me. I promise not to pressure you for anything. But I hate the thought of sleeping in that huge bed alone. I sleep better next to you.”

  Uncertainty twisted her stomach at the thought of sharing his bed. Annie scanned Coren’s face. Her fingers skimmed over the stubble on his jaw.

  Coren could see the struggle in her eyes. He lifted her fingers to his lips. “Think about it,” he said.

  “Here’s another, much less serious, thing for you to think about. Julia Holme is my grandmother’s best friend. Her health has been bad the last several years but now she’s failing fast. She invited us out to their farm before Christmas because she wants to meet you and see the children. When would you like to visit them?”

  “We can go anytime that’s best for you, Coren.”

  “Do you want to visit them tomorrow? I can call Eli today and find out if it works for them. I’m getting the impression the children need something to occupy their time. The Holmes’ farm is full of things they can do as long as they are supervised properly.”

  Annie chuckled. She didn’t blame Coren for worrying about turning the boys loose on a farm. “Tomorrow is fine, if they want us.”

  “I’ll take a nap, then call Eli before my appointments,” said Coren.

  ∞

  The next day was the warmest it had been in weeks. Annie was grateful for the distraction their visit to the Holmes gave the children. She felt like she had to push and shove them through school that morning. None of them wanted to be inside when the weather was so warm outside.

  As soon as they finished lunch, they loaded in the car and set out for the Holmes’ farm. Annie hadn’t been in a car in ages and the children didn’t ride very often either. They enjoyed the novelty of it as the houses spread further apart and they reached the outskirts of town.

  Eli Holme met them at the car, walking down the steps and across the lawn with his peculiar, jerky steps. The older children ran to hug him, but Darren clung to Annie.

  “He had polio as a child,” Coren whispered to Annie. “It’s a miracle he can walk at all. A real testa
ment to how stubborn he is. Come on.” He led Annie toward the house.

  “This is our new Mama,” said Vivian. She ran over, took Annie by the hand, and pulled her toward Eli. “Her name is Miss Annie.”

  “Hello, Miss Annie,” said Eli with a warm smile. “I’m happy to meet you. Coren told us about you when he visited before Christmas. Mom has been after me to have you visit since then. I’m glad you could come.”

  Eli wasn’t much taller than Annie. She shook his meaty hand and followed him to the house.

  “Come inside, children. You need to say hello to Aunty before I take you out to see the new lambs born last week.”

  Everyone started talking at once. Danny was jumping up and down in excitement.

  “Inside first,” said Coren, ushering them to the door.

  The inside of the house was warm, much warmer than what Annie was used to. The rooms were small and each room led to the next so you could walk circles through the house. A small staircase led upstairs. The front door opened into the living room and adjoining dining room. The rooms were tidy, but filled with odds and ends of furniture and bookshelves and knick-knacks. Annie didn’t know where to put Darren where he wouldn’t get into anything.

  A potbellied, wood burning stove heated both room. Annie saw an elderly lady situated in a wing-backed chair next to it, bundled in blankets, despite the warmth from the stove. She carried Darren into the room and set him on the floor next to the old lady.

  “You must be Coren’s Annie. I’m happy to meet you. I’m Julia,” said the woman under all the covers. “I hope you don’t mind if I don’t get up. My legs don’t cooperate well these day.”

  “Oh! Please stay where you are!” said Annie. She pulled a low footstool closer and sat on it so she could watch Darren and talk to the old woman.

  “Eli made some cookies. That little guy might like them. He must be in the kitchen feeding the children up so they can explore the barn.”

  Coren appeared at Annie’s shoulder and scooped Darren into his arms. “I’ll keep an eye on him so you can visit.”