Montana Bride by Christmas

by Linda Ford

  Evan met Hugh’s gaze. At the look of trust in the child’s eyes, Hugh vowed yet again that he would do everything in his power to be what the boy needed.

  Even marrying someone Hugh thought unsuitable for him but perfect for Evan? Yes, it was the only reason he sought a marriage.

  “Do you want to call him Stormy?”

  Evan shook his head.

  “Happy?”

  Evan nodded and buried his face in the puppy’s fur.

  “Happy it is then. Shall we get water for Happy?” He held out his hand. When Evan took it, Hugh’s eyes burned with joy and gratitude. He dared not look at Annie for fear his feelings would pour out unfettered.

  They went to the cupboard and filled a bowl from the pump. Hugh helped Evan put the bowl on the floor next to the stove.

  The puppy drank eagerly, sloshing water in a spreading puddle. Evan squatted beside the pup, watching him drink.

  Annie brought a rag to mop it up then stood at Hugh’s elbow. “There is not a doubt in my mind that God sent this puppy to help Evan. Happy is the perfect name for him.”

  Grandfather chuckled. “At least it isn’t a talking donkey.”

  Hugh and Annie laughed at Grandfather’s reference to Balaam’s donkey in the Old Testament.

  Annie shifted to look directly at Hugh. “Will you help me heat water to bathe that pair?”

  “You sure?” He meant did she think it was possible?

  “Nothing ventured nothing gained,” she said. “I’ll get the washtub.” She went to the pantry where the tub hung from a hook on the wall.

  “I suppose there’s nothing to lose,” he murmured and began to pump water into a pail.

  “I expect everyone in the house will feel better if they remove some of the dirt they are carrying around.” Grandfather was right. Both Evan and the pup were a bit ripe. Only a week ago, Evan had fought Hugh tooth and nail simply to get him home and the same to get him to bed. Yes, the boy had come a long ways but Hugh had no desire to see him retreat to those earlier days.

  Annie brought the tub out and put it on the hottest part of the stove and gave Hugh an expectant look.

  “Nothing ventured, nothing gained.” He knew he sounded less than enthusiastic. Nevertheless, he poured water into the tub. Several times he filled the pail and added it to the contents.

  “That’s good,” Annie said. “Now we wait for the water to heat. In the meantime…” She hurried from the room. Her footsteps receded down the hallway. Evan was too preoccupied to notice her absence but Hugh felt as if the life had been sucked from the room.

  She rushed back in, holding out the new shirt and overalls she had purchased for Evan and hung them over the nearby chair.

  Grandfather, normally half-asleep, sat up watching the proceedings. “I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” he chortled, glancing at Evan who finally noticed Annie’s activities and sat back, a guarded look on his face.

  “Grandfather, don’t be giving him any ideas.” Annie turned to Evan. “Your puppy needs a bath if he’s going to be inside. I don’t think he’s ever had a bath so he might be a little afraid. Maybe you can show him how it’s done.”

  Evan looked at Annie for several tense seconds then shifted his attention to Happy. The puppy’s coat was soiled in many places. Evan touched them to point it out. Looked deep into Happy’s eyes as if they spoke silently to each other. He looked back at Annie, a look of deep resignation.

  Hugh chuckled. “I get the feeling he figures you’re going to get him into the tub whether or not he wants it.”

  Annie tried to look as if the idea annoyed her but her eyes gave away her amusement. “The kid is pretty smart, isn’t he?”

  Evan watched and listened and at her praise looked rather pleased with himself.

  Annie looked about. “Let’s start a fire in the fireplace and put the tub there. It will be nice and cozy.”

  Hugh nodded and headed for the living room where he soon had a fire blazing. Annie stood beside him as he faced the flames. Rather appropriate words, he decided, both for the room and for his life.

  “I’m going to check the water.” Annie turned back to the kitchen and Hugh followed her. She tested the water. “It’s just right. Help me carry it into the other room.”

  Grandfather poured himself another cup of coffee and sat at the table where he could see the goings-on in the living room.

  Hugh and Annie carried the tub through and parked it in front of the fireplace. Towels and hard yellow soap were waiting nearby. She must have brought them out at the same time as she got Evan’s clothes. She rubbed her hands together.

  “It’s time.” Her expression grew determined and she marched back to the kitchen. “Evan, are you ready?” She held out her hand to the boy.

  Evan studied her and then gave a long sigh and pushed to his feet. He took Annie’s hand and went with her to the other room.

  Happy tumbled after them, tripping Evan in the doorway.

  Hugh brought up the rear, his insides as tumbling as the puppy. This could go so very badly.

  Evan stopped at the tub and stared at the water.

  “You’ll have to take off your clothes,” Annie said. “Do you want me to help?”

  Evan shook his head.

  “Fine, you do it.” She gave Hugh a trembling glance and he understood she was as nervous as he about how this would turn out.

  Slowly Evan unbuttoned his shirt and pants, struggling often with the buttons but Annie didn’t offer to help.

  Nor did Hugh. The boy needed to set his own pace.

  Evan was down to his undergarments. He stopped. A shudder crossed his shoulders and rippled down his body.

  Annie waited.

  Hugh stood motionless, uncertain what to do.

  Happy lapped water from the tub.

  Evan laughed and the tension in the room eased considerably.

  “Do you need help?” Annie asked.

  Evan turned toward her and let her peel the garment from him. It was so heavily soiled he wondered if it could even be cleaned.

  Annie held it at arm’s length and dropped it near the fireplace. “I’ll burn it later,” she murmured for Hugh’s ears alone.

  Evan stood shivering though the room was not cold.

  “In you go.” Annie held out a hand and helped Evan step into the water. “Sit down. The water is nice and warm.”

  Evan looked like he couldn’t bend.

  “You need to show Happy how to have a bath.”

  Evan nodded and sat down.

  His head cocked to one side, Happy watched over the rim.

  Annie knelt beside the tub, the bar of soap in her hands. She turned to Hugh. “You can soap him up.”

  “Me?” He’d thought he’d watch the proceedings from a safe distance.

  Somehow, he knew to kneel beside Annie and together scrub the soil off his little son would take him further into dangerous territory.

  How could he refuse the opportunity to share this joy?

  Chapter Ten

  Annie saw Hugh’s hesitation. They would be arm to arm, shoulder to shoulder in this task. Did he object to that? No reason he should. After all, they lived in the same house. Took care of the same boy. And would be married in about three weeks. Her cheeks burned and it wasn’t from the heat of the nearby fire.

  Hugh rubbed his hands on his thighs and then knelt beside Annie. “What do you want me to do?”

  I want you to say you’ll marry me. I want a marriage based on security not love. Love offers only the fear of loss. “Soap him up and scrub him clean.” She handed him the bar of soap.

  “Okay, little man, it’s time to get rid of that dirt.” Hugh sounded strong and in control but she guessed from the way he hesitated that he wasn’t.

  Evan looked uncertain and shivered. He closed his eyes as Hugh began to wash him. His expression softened.

  Annie nudged Hugh’s arm and nodded toward the boy. She leaned close to whisper in his ear. “I think he likes it.”
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  The flames crackled and flared. Happy flopped down before the warmth of the fire and fell asleep.

  Hugh washed the soap off. “His hair needs washing.”

  Evan tried to scramble to his feet, the noise bringing Happy to the side of the tub.

  “Whoa, there.” Hugh steadied the boy. “You don’t want to frighten Happy, do you? I’ll hold you with your head back and Annie will wash your hair.”

  Annie nodded agreement at Hugh’s questioning glance.

  “You’ll like it. I know you will,” Hugh said.

  Evan stared into the eyes of his father, searching for assurance.

  Annie knew the moment he found it. He shuddered, his shoulders settled back to their normal position and he nodded.

  While Hugh held his son steady, Annie soaped and scrubbed Evan’s hair, shocked at the amount of dirty water that ran off his head. She soaped and scrubbed it again and once more until she was satisfied no more dirt remained. She grabbed a towel and rubbed his hair dry.

  Hugh lifted him from the water and wrapped a towel about him, shifting around to face the fire as he dried the boy.

  Happy watched with his head tipped to one side and then the other.

  Annie chuckled. “Look at him, Evan. He wants to know if it’s still you.”

  Evan touched Happy’s head and the puppy squirmed with pleasure.

  Hugh reached for the boy’s clothing.

  Annie caught his hand. “Maybe a towel about his waist until he bathes the dog.”

  He grinned. “You’re thinking there might be lots of splashing water?”

  “Something like that.” Their gazes held. His smile faded and all that remained was a serious study. What did he see? What did he want to see? Why did it feel like he flipped open locks on secret thoughts and hidden wishes? She did not want him to see her inner fears. And yet she did. Perhaps hoping and dreaming that his look, a word or touch from him might heal the wounded areas of her heart.

  Happy raced around the tub and tumbled into Annie, jerking her back to the task at hand. She caught the puppy and shifted him to Evan. “Do you want to put him in the bath?”

  Evan nodded and Hugh unobtrusively helped lift the puppy into the water.

  Happy whined and tried to claw his way out of the tub. Evan leaned over and patted the puppy’s head and earned himself a wet lick.

  While Hugh held the pup and the boy, Annie quickly lathered up the dog. Happy squirmed and sloshed water over the edge of the tub, soaking Annie’s skirts.

  Evan looked worried. As if he expected her to be cross. She laughed. “It’s only water.”

  Reassured, he turned back to the puppy, patting his head and making soothing noises.

  Annie scrubbed Happy clean, rinsing the soap out well. “Done.” She handed Hugh a towel.

  “Me?”

  That was all the time Happy needed to escape the clutches of these people and he jumped from the tub, sloshing water on the floor then shook himself. Water sprayed all over Hugh, Evan and Annie.

  Evan laughed and wiped his face with the towel then set to work rubbing Happy dry.

  Hugh looked so shocked that Annie smiled at him. “It’s just water.”

  He frowned. “It’s cold, wet and smells doggy.”

  She wiped her hands and face then tossed him the towel, still grinning unrepentantly.

  He dried his face, all the while studying her.

  Her amusement fled at the look in his eyes. She wasn’t sure what he was thinking but she had three older brothers who didn’t mind tossing her into the watering trough when she teased them. Surely…she swallowed hard…after all they were indoors with a snowstorm raging outside. Just to be sure, she sidled over to the window. “I see the storm hasn’t let up.”

  A deep-throated chuckle came from the kitchen. She’d forgotten all about Grandfather. What had he seen? Nothing. There was nothing to see and no one could read her mind and see how she foolishly wished they were outdoors and he could chase her until she let him catch her.

  She faced the room again and saw why Grandfather chuckled. Evan struggled to get his overalls on but Happy held one leg in his teeth. She rescued the child and straightened the buttons on his shirt.

  “I think the soup is done.” She hurried to the kitchen and set out the bowls. When Hugh didn’t follow, she glanced back.

  He stared at the tub of water.

  She closed her eyes. How could she have forgotten that? They’d have to carry it outside and dump it unless they wanted to leave it sit until the storm ended. That wouldn’t be a good idea with a little boy and a curious pup. Someone would sooner or later play in it and spill it.

  “I’ll help you carry it outside.” She grabbed her coat and boots.

  He came to get his. His arm banged into her shoulder as he slipped into his coat. He halted. “Sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt you.” He touched her shoulder.

  She told herself it wasn’t possible for him to hurt her. Told herself she didn’t want anything from him but nevertheless, she leaned into his touch, as a hollowness she refused to admit sucked at her insides. Drawing in strength with her deep breath, she pulled away. “I’m fine.” She wrapped a scarf around her head and marched back to the living room to grab one side of the tub.

  He followed, his gaze never leaving her face. His eyes were dark and bottomless so she couldn’t guess what he was thinking. Finally he broke off the stare and grabbed the other handle and they carried the tub through to the door.

  “Evan, hold your dog so he doesn’t run out into the cold.”

  Evan wrapped his arms about the dog’s neck.

  Hugh opened the door. A blast of Arctic air raced in on the wings of snow so harsh it stung Annie’s face. Knowing they must hurry, she and Hugh carried the tub outside. Grandfather closed the door behind them.

  “Over here,” he shouted and led to the corner of the house and took three steps away. “Here.” They tipped the water to the ground, stepping back to avoid their feet getting wet. The tub dangled from one hand; Hugh grabbed Annie’s elbow and hurried them back to the door.

  Inside, he dropped the tub and looked at Annie. A slow smile spread across his face and dipped deep into her heart. “You look like a snow maiden.” He pulled off his gloves and wiped his thumb across her lashes. Her pulse picked up speed.

  Snow clung to his lashes and his chin and she pulled off her own mittens. “I suppose that makes you a snow man.” She wiped his lashes and chin.

  His smile lingered but his eyes filled with something besides amusement. Something that made her tongue cleave to the roof of her mouth and her lungs refuse to work.

  His thumb still rested on her cheek, warm and possessive. His gaze dropped to her mouth. Was he thinking of kissing her?

  “Did I hear something about soup?” Grandfather asked, a warning note in his voice.

  Annie spun away, slipped out of her coat and boots and hurried to the stove. She should thank Grandfather for his warning but it was hard to when disappointment raged through her.

  How foolish. She wasn’t disappointed. She did not want to fall in love. She would not allow it to happen.

  Had Rudy ever looked at her like Hugh just did? Had she ever felt with him as if she hung between reality and dreams, only a gossamer thread holding her in place? She spent an inordinate amount of time stirring the soup before she could face those at the table. When she turned, she almost dropped the pot of soup.

  Evan sat at the table.

  “Happy needed his mat,” Hugh said, his words deep with emotion.

  Annie jerked her gaze from Hugh to his son. “That was very kind of you.”

  Evan nodded.

  Annie set the pot on the table with a thud, as her arms suddenly lost their strength. If she lived to the age of one hundred she would probably never know anything that gave her more pleasure than to see the boy at the table. Clothed and in his right mind, she quoted a portion of a verse. She needed no other reason for seeking this marriage than that one little
boy.

  Certainly not love. Neither she nor Hugh wanted the complication of it.

  She knew her reasons. What were his?

  *

  Hugh stared at his bowl of soup. How had helping give a boy and a dog a bath taken him so far down the road in the wrong direction? He was at a loss to explain it. However, he must find a way to correct it. As soon as the meal was over, he pushed away from the table. “I’ll be in my office.”

  In his office he looked at his notebook without writing a thing. He opened his Bible praying for guidance. Despite the hot stove in the corner, the room was cold. Vacant. Empty.

  From the other side of the closed door came sounds of Annie laughing. Was it something Evan did? Perhaps she romped with the puppy. Or Evan did. And Hugh was missing it because of his wayward, needy heart.

  He leaned back in his chair, a smile on his lips. A puppy worked wonders in Evan. Thank You, God. And thank you, Annie, for bringing the dog into our lives.

  She was not what he’d expected. But then he couldn’t say what he had expected. All he knew for certain was she deserved better than to be trapped in a loveless marriage. And he could offer her nothing else because…

  He could no longer remember the reasons and sat forward, pulled his Bible close and turned to Luke chapter nine, verse sixty-two, the verse he had chosen to follow when he began his ministry. No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. He would not turn back on his decision to put God first and keep Him there above all else. Yes there was room for his son. Nothing and no one else.

  His mind firmly made up, he stared at the verse. Should he use this for the text of his next message? However, no thoughts came to mind and he opened the book Annie had given him. The words were exactly what he needed, a prayer for God to exclude frivolous, foolish thoughts. Had his mind not gone down the wrong track? It was time to pull it back to what mattered, to the choices and decisions he had purposefully made.

  He bowed his head and tried to pray but the storm raged outside, distracting him. How long would it last? As long as it did, they would be shut up together. He might as well make the best of it. Perhaps it was God’s way of giving him time to spend with Evan.