Kitabı oku: «Montana Bride By Christmas»

Chapter One

Bella Creek, Montana, winter 1890

Annie Marshall shook the sheet of paper. “Mr. Arness—I’m sorry, Preacher Arness—I’m here to apply for this position.”

Hugh Arness did his best to deliver God’s word every Sunday, and on numerous occasions between Sundays he faithfully helped those in need. At the moment he was the one in need of help but Annie Marshall was not the person to fill that need. “How old are you, Miss Marshall?”

“I’m nineteen but I’ve been looking after my brothers, my father, my grandfather and until recently, my niece since I was fourteen. I think I can manage to look after one four-year-old boy.”

That might be so and he would have agreed in any other case but this four-year-old was his son Evan, and Annie Marshall simply did not suit. She was too young. Too idealistic. Too fond of fun.

She flipped the paper back and forth, her eyes narrowed as if she meant to call him to task. He’d seen her reaction to things before. A little fireball was not what Evan needed. He’d also witnessed her riding about with her friend Carly Morrison. They were a wild pair who seemed to think they could do as they pleased.

“Are you going back on your word?” she insisted, edging closer.

Hugh was grateful for the wide desk between them. He glanced out the window. Her grandfather, Allan Marshall, whom most people called Grandfather Marshall, sat in the wagon waiting for Annie to complete her business. Poor man must be cold out there but he was too crippled to get down by himself and seek shelter indoors.

Hugh turned back to the girl opposite him. “I’ve not given my word to anything.” He meant to point out leaving her grandfather outside in the winter wind did little to prove she was as capable as she wanted him to believe but before he could, she read aloud the words he’d so carefully penned.

“‘Widower with four-year-old son seeking a marriage of convenience. Prefer someone older with no expectations of romance.

I’m kind and trustworthy.

My son needs lots of patience and affection.

Interested parties please see Preacher Arness at the church.’”

“I’m applying,” Annie said with conviction and challenge.

“You’re too young and...” He couldn’t think how to voice his objections without sounding unkind, and having just stated the opposite in his little ad, he chose to say nothing.

Her eyes—blue eyes like her three brothers—narrowed. She had blond hair like her brothers too. And she was tall like them, but completely feminine. He pushed aside that foolish thought. He didn’t need or want anyone that made him aware of such things. No sir. At twenty-seven, he was admittedly jaded but he wanted nothing to do with romance and love. His wife leaving him had taught him the foolishness of expecting such stuff.

“Are you saying I’m unsuitable?” She spoke with all the authority one might expect from a Marshall...but not from a woman trying to convince him to let her take care of his son.

He met her challenging look with calm indifference. Unless she meant to call on her three brothers and her father and grandfather to support her cause, he had nothing to fear from her. To answer her question, yes. Had he not seen her and her friend racing through the streets, seemingly unmindful of those in the way? Hadn’t he heard her father complain that she left them to fend for themselves on many a Sunday? No. He needed someone less likely to chase after excitement and adventure. She’d certainly find none here as the preacher’s wife.

“I would never say such a thing but like the ad says, Evan needs a mature woman.” And he’d settle for a plain one, and especially a docile one.

“From what I hear, he needs someone who understands his fears.” She leaned back as if that settled it.

He wondered what she’d heard and from whom, but living in a small town and being the preacher made it impossible to keep anything hidden. “It sounds like you think you would be that person.” He kept his tone moderate even though the girl was starting to get on his already tense nerves. “What would you know about being abandoned?”

“My mother died when I was younger. I’d venture to say I might know how little Evan feels.”

“There’s a whole lot more to it than that.” Hugh had come to Bella Creek in the spring to find his son. It had taken him several months to locate him. He couldn’t begin to guess what had happened to the boy since Hugh’s wife had disappeared with him eighteen months ago. He’d learned she had died months ago and he had frantically searched for his son until he located him a few days ago.

“I found him in a home where he was treated like an animal.” His throat tightened and he couldn’t go on.

Annie’s eyes clouded. “Poor little boy.”

“In many ways he acts like an animal.”

“Can’t hardly blame him, can you?”

No, he couldn’t but after meeting Evan, the only other women who had come in response to his ad had hurried away, no longer interested in marrying the preacher. There weren’t many eligible women in the area so he’d sent notices to papers in several cities. But it would take time for a reply to come from any interested parties. And would their interest wane once they met Evan?

In order to conduct this futile interview with Annie, he’d left Evan with the elderly woman who normally came in several times a week to cook and clean for him. Evan had been sitting in the corner with a bowl of mashed potatoes in the circle formed by his folded legs. From the far room came the sound of crockery breaking and Mrs. Ross shrieking a protest.

“You’ll have to excuse me.” Hugh leaped to his feet and hurried through the open door, across the sitting room and into the kitchen.

Evan stood facing Mrs. Ross, his eyes wide, his mouth a grimace far too like a snarl for Hugh’s peace of mind. A shattered dish lay between them.

Mrs. Ross flung about at Hugh’s approach. “He slapped the bowl out of my hands.” She backed away from Evan. “Hugh, I’ll clean your house. I’ll make your meals. But I’m sorry, I can’t handle this child of yours.” She looked about ready to weep.

Hugh patted her back. “I understand.”

The distraught woman grabbed her thick woolen shawl and hurried out the back door.

“Hmm. Looks like you need someone immediately.” Uninvited, Annie had followed him.

He would not look at her...would not let her see how desperation sent spasms through his jaw muscles. How was he to care for his son? Would the boy ever recover from his state?

Somehow Grandfather Marshall had managed to get down from the wagon despite his crippled state and hobbled into the kitchen, his canes thudding against the floor.

“Annie, you listen to me,” he said with some authority.

Hugh hid a grin. The elder Marshall ruled his family and half the territory.

Annie jammed her fists on her hips and glowered at her grandfather. “How’d you get down?”

“Called to the blacksmith to help me. I had to talk sense to you. Marriage is not a business deal. Whatever reason causes a man and woman to get hitched, it’s forever. Forget this foolish advertisement for a marriage of convenience and let’s get home before winter sets into my bones and I freeze into a solid block.” He turned back toward the outer door.

Annie didn’t move. Didn’t give any indication she’d even heard his remarks. Instead she lowered her arms, tucked them into her skirt and looked at Evan.

Hugh’s eyebrows rose a fraction of an inch. The girl must be the only one within the whole of Montana who dared ignore the old man. A young lady who wouldn’t heed the directions of someone in authority. It further reinforced his opinion that she was unsuitable.

Evan huddled in the corner, his eyes wide as he watched the adults. No doubt he wondered what they would do that involved him.

“Well,” Annie said after a few seconds of silent study between the two. “Looks like someone should sweep up the mess.” She spied the broom behind the stove, swept up the broken dish and looked about for a place to dispose of it.

Hugh sprang forward, holding the ash bucket and she dumped the debris into it.

The look she gave him was part pity, part curiosity and all challenging. Before he could think how to divert her from her goal, she shifted her attention to Evan.

She squatted down to the boy’s eye level, keeping far enough away not to frighten him. “It’s okay, Evan. It was an accident. No one is cross with you.” She waited a moment then slowly straightened and brought that determined blue gaze back to Hugh.

“You need someone. It might as well be me.”

Her grandfather banged one of his canes on the floor. “I forbid it.”

“No need, sir,” Hugh said. “I’ve already told her no.”

Annie shook her head. “What about Evan? Who is going to look after him while you do whatever it is preachers do?”

He resisted an urge to list all the things preachers do but she was right. He couldn’t prepare a sermon, visit the shut-ins and the ill, listen to people’s worries in his office or even read his Bible if he had to constantly wonder about Evan and keep an eye on him. God, I beg You. Send me someone to help with Evan. Knowing God understood his heart, he didn’t bother to add, someone older, less attractive, less likely to want a life of adventure...or at the very least...less likely to want courting and all that went with that.

He leaned to one side to watch the door to his office, fully expecting it would open and the perfect solution to his problem would step inside.

“I have the perfect solution,” Annie said.

Hugh did not share her opinion.

Her grandfather thumped his cane again. “Forget this nonsense and take me home.”

She shook her head. “Grandfather, I’m pretty sure that Conner and Kate would prefer to have the house to themselves.”

Her words caught Hugh’s interest. He’d married her brother Conner and his wife Kate a few months ago. They’d adopted the baby that had been left on Conner’s doorstep, spent a few months in a cabin and then had moved into the big ranch house. It seemed Annie was feeling like an extra spoke in a crowded wheel.

She went on facing Hugh with what appeared to be patience and a whole lot of determination. “Here’s what I propose. Give me four weeks to prove I can handle the job. If you aren’t satisfied I’ll leave. If I prove I can handle the task, then I expect you to honor your offer.”

Why was she so desperate for a marriage that he’d clearly indicated would not be a love arrangement? What sort of whim or desire to prove something drove her to seek this position? How long before she changed her mind and chased after another fancy?

“Annie,” her grandfather bellowed. “I will not allow it. You can’t live in the house with a man you aren’t married to.”

She smiled sweetly at him. “I expect you to live here too.”

The old man blinked, opened his mouth and closed it, then sank to the nearest chair and leaned over his canes. “You are determined to do this, aren’t you?”

She nodded.

“Then I might as well stop arguing. But it still depends on Hugh’s agreement. What do you say?”

* * *

Annie waited for Preacher Hugh’s reaction. He was a big man, with strong features. At the moment, his expression was troubled but she knew he had deep dimples when he smiled and his smile was beautiful. His dark brown hair was rumpled, his dark brown eyes troubled as if worried how he would cope with his young son. As she’d said, her suggestion was the perfect solution. After four weeks he’d be used to her and have learned to appreciate all she could do. Then they’d marry. A marriage of convenience would give her a home without any risk to her heart. One thing she’d learned in her—according to Hugh’s opinion—few short years, was that it hurt to care. People, pets, everything either died or left, and when they did, a part of her heart fractured off and lay dying. Her mother’s death had ripped a huge hole in her heart. Her brothers had married and she rejoiced for them but it made her feel lonely. Her pa had left to see more of the West. Said he’d always wanted to see the Pacific Ocean. She hoped he enjoyed his travels but for her, it was another goodbye.

And don’t get her started about how easily beaus left. Rudy Ryman had taught her that lesson very well. She’d been foolish enough to unreservedly give him her heart. Not even her family realized how thoroughly she’d loved that scoundrel...or imagined she had. It still hurt to recall how easily he’d left when he decided he would sooner live a life of adventure than share his life with her.

Besides, no matter what Kate and Conner said, she and Grandfather were in the way.

She’d admired Hugh from afar from the day he arrived in Bella Creek, drawn to his unwavering determination to find his son and to his kind but challenging words on Sunday morning. He was a man she could trust to keep his word. A marriage based on mutual needs was perfect for her. She had no intention of ever again giving her heart to a man.

She swung her gaze toward Evan. Poor little boy. She could feel the fear coming from him. It rivaled the sour smell of him. He needed clean clothes and a good bath. She tucked a smile away as she imagined Mrs. Ross trying to bathe him. The little guy had a feral look to him. Had Hugh tried to get Evan near water and clean clothes?

Hugh still hadn’t given his answer and she shifted her attention to him, amused at the desperate look in his eyes that she guessed he tried vainly to hide.

“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.