Page 19

“I’m sure you’ll explain it. In fact, Grandfather, I want a full report of how he tells everyone that I’m living in the manse.”

Hugh sobered. People would understand that he’d been forced to make arrangements for Evan’s care.

Or would they?

He guided Grandfather out the front door and stayed close as they crossed the yard. It seemed to him that the older man moved much slower than he had a few weeks ago. Or was he letting Annie’s worries influence his judgment?

They were the first in the door, and Grandfather chose a pew where the Marshall family normally sat. “Sure hope they make it in from the ranch. Seems like a long time since I’ve seen them.”

He patted the man’s shoulder and went to the front to place his Bible and notes on the pulpit.

He’d selected the hymns that he wanted and placed the list on the organ for the accompanist. Today, if he remembered correctly, it would be Mary Marshall, Annie’s aunt.

No doubt she would want a report on Annie. As would all the Marshalls.

For some reason, the thought of facing them didn’t bother him in the least. In fact, he would suggest they all visit next door and see for themselves how Annie was. He hoped they’d be pleased.

Mary and George were the first Marshalls to arrive. George went to his father and inquired as to his well-being. “You could have blown me over with a puff when I heard you and Annie were living in town. Glad you are. Saves you that trip in the cold.”

Logan and Sadie, with their three children, were next, and Logan marched right up to the pulpit. “My sister okay?”

She was doing better than okay. All Hugh said was, “She’s quite fine. You’re welcome to visit any time.”

“I’m very protective of my little sister.”

“Good to hear.”

Logan barely stepped back before Dawson and Isabelle entered with little Mattie between them, holding their hands and giving them both an eager smile.

On their heels came Conner and Kate with baby Ellie wrapped up warmly against the cold.

Bud, Grandfather’s other son and father of the Marshall boys and Annie was away, or he would be leading the pack.

They got as far as Grandfather and, as a group, drew to a stop and studied Hugh.

Dawson was the first to speak. “Where’s my sister?” Challenge rang from every word.

Hugh stood by the pulpit and leaned one arm on it. “She’s at home with my son. He?—”

Grandfather waved a hand to get everyone’s attention.

“Annie is at home with little Evan. He isn’t ready to face the public yet.

You can all stop worrying that Hugh is being unfair to our little Annie.

Far as I can see, he treats her kindly and with respect.

And you can be proud of how Annie is helping Evan feel safe.

” With a harrumph, he leaned on his canes.

The brothers hesitated until their wives grabbed their elbows and led them to sit down.

Hugh pretended to study his notes, but in reality, he was chuckling to himself, feeling as if he had passed a test with flying colors. Not that he didn’t hear the warning that if he should do anything to hurt Annie, he would face the combined wrath of the Marshalls.

You’ll never be good enough.

The familiar words came in his mother’s voice. He’d tried to put her disapproval out of his thoughts. He had only to answer to God for how he lived his life. He’d mostly succeeded in believing that was all that mattered until he married Bernice and proven to not be enough.

With God’s help, he would not fail his son.

But he wasn’t prepared to incur the wrath of the Marshall family if Annie declared she wasn’t satisfied. How else to prevent it but to find someone to replace her?

It was surely concern about his son that sent a shaft of pain through his insides.

Annie told herself she would not count the minutes until she heard people leaving the church next door.

And she surely wouldn’t stare out the window.

However, if she did, it would only be to watch for her brothers and their wives and Carly Morrison.

She and Carly were longtime friends. They usually spent Sunday afternoons together.

She prepared a meal, and talked to Evan about Spot the dog, as she did so. She hoped and prayed he’d begin to see how a boy should act.

It was customary at the ranch to expect company after church. She always prepared enough to feed a crowd, but things were different here. It wasn’t her house. Would Hugh invite visitors over? Or would it only be the four of them again?

The sound of people exiting the church brought her back to the window.

Finally. She wished she could have been there, heard how Hugh explained about Evan and her and listened to his deep voice.

From the first time she’d heard him speak, his voice had rumbled into her very soul, pointing out places she needed to turn over to God’s sovereignty.

What would he have said today? Would his words have encouraged her? To do what?

She laughed as the entire Marshall family headed for the manse. Grandfather followed on their heels. She could tell that he scolded the others. If only she could hear what he said.

Dawson led the pack, exerting his position as the eldest, and stopped at the front step, waiting for them to crowd around him. She delayed until he knocked before she opened the door.

“Hi, Dawson.” She greeted each of the others. The cold bit right through her. “You all best come inside before I freeze.”

They trooped in, crowding the walls of the little living room.

Sammy, who was Logan’s seven-year-old adopted son, and Mattie, who was Dawson’s six-year-old daughter, went to the kitchen doorway and stared at the little boy huddling in the corner.

Annie followed on their heels, intent on guarding Evan against the shock of her large, noisy family.

“Evan, honey, these people belong to me. My brothers and their wives.” She introduced each of them.

And then the children. As they were introduced, the adults stood in the doorway and said hello, then stepped back.

The children might have stayed there, staring, but their parents drew them to their sides.

Grandfather made his way to his armchair by the kitchen stove and sank into it.

She faced the rest of the family. “What can I do for you?” Did they expect her to feed them? “I’ll make dinner for you all next Sunday—” That might be too early for Evan’s peace of mind. “Or soon.” Hopefully, Hugh wouldn’t object, but hadn’t he said she could invite anyone she wanted?

Her brothers all spoke at once and their wives tried to make themselves heard.

Dawson held up his hand to signal silence. “Seeing as Pa isn’t here, I will speak on behalf of the family. Annie, we all agree that this is a foolish decision. Change your mind and come on home.”

She looked from one to the other, saw their love and concern, and knew it was genuine. “In four weeks’ time, I expect you to all come to my wedding.”

Hugh stepped in just in time to catch her words, and their gazes crashed together across the room. She wasn’t sure that she read his expression correctly, but if she had to guess, she would say it held a great deal of promise, and she drew support from the thought.

Dawson appealed to Grandfather. “Can’t you talk some sense into her?”

Grandfather shrugged. “I like it here. And Annie is doing a fine job, as I’ve already said. I think little Evan likes her. Don’t you?” he asked the boy.

Evan watched the proceedings from the protection of the veil of his hair and shrank back at Grandfather’s question.

Then to Annie’s utter surprise, he dipped his head.

She turned back to Hugh. “He nodded,” she whispered.

He came to her side where he could see his son. “He did? That’s wonderful. A real answer to prayer.” He stayed beside her to support her against her family’s onslaught. “I can’t say how much I appreciate all that Annie has done to help me.”

His praise filled her to the brim. She dared not look his way and clasped her hands together to keep from hugging him. He’d admitted he needed her. It was all she wanted.

“Would any of you like coffee before you head back to the ranch?” she asked.

Dawson shook his head. “We need to get home. I believe Kate has prepared dinner for us.” He spoke to Hugh. “I trust you will bring Annie out soon.”

She bristled. “Since when do I need someone to take me to the ranch? I’ve been going back and forth on my own for years.” She jammed her fists to her hips. “Suddenly, I need someone to take me? Suddenly, I can’t make my own decisions?”

Her brothers had the good sense to look a little uncomfortable. Sadie, Kate, and Isabelle chuckled.

Sadie looked about. “Where is Jeannie?” The three-year-old was not in the room.

Annie turned to check the kitchen and saw the child.

She held up a hand to signal quiet. Logan and Sadie tiptoed forward.

Jeannie sat on the floor close to Evan, chatting up a storm.

Evan watched her without speaking. Joy and sadness intermingled in Annie.

It was good to see him allowing Jeannie to sit so close.

It would be even better to hear Evan replying.

However, Annie couldn’t be sure Evan was able to talk.

A few minutes later, as her family left, Annie overheard Sadie. “Someday, you fellows will have to admit Annie is all grown up.”

Dawson grunted. “She’ll always be my little sister.”

“I just don’t want to see her make a mistake and ruin her life,” Logan said.

His words tugged at Annie’s heart. She had no intention of ruining her life, which was why she’d chosen this direction. A marriage based on need would leave her heart whole and ensure security.

Silence filled the room with her family gone. Hugh still stood close to her, his presence threatening to overwhelm her. She inhaled the scent of wood and smoke, with a hint of some kind of spice that settled right into her bones. “How was church?”