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“Feeling better?” Uncle George asked as she headed for the outer door.

“You have a very smart wife.”

“I know.” Her uncle’s laugh boomed.

Smiling, Annie left the store. Her smile faded as she reached the back door to the manse. She straightened her shoulders. What time I am afraid I will trust in Thee. Aunt Mary was right. God would guide her to the right place. She would trust Him despite the pain ripping through her.

She stepped inside and looked around. Hugh sat at the end of the table. No Miss Higgins. “When will she be back?” Grandfather’s chair was empty. “Where’s Grandfather? Is he packing? He doesn’t need to. I’ll take care of everything.”

“Your grandfather said he was going to have a nap.”

Evan sat in the corner, his arms about Happy’s neck. He seemed okay. Did that mean he had liked the woman? If so, she was grateful.

“He’s not going to pack,” Hugh said.

“Good. I’ll do it.”

“You’re not going to pack either.” He hesitated. “Unless you want to.”

“I don’t understand. What about Miss Higgins? Wasn’t she suitable?”

“She probably was, but she didn’t suit us.”

Annie shook her head, trying to make sense of this.

Hugh rose and held out his hand to her. She took it because it seemed the most natural thing to do.

“Let’s go to the other room where we can talk. Evan, you stay here with Happy. Okay?”

Evan nodded, his expression watchful.

Annie let Hugh lead her to the fireplace. There was no fire burning but she felt the warmth nevertheless.

“Miss Higgins had unrealistic expectations of Evan.” He gave the details.

Her eyes grew damp. “She would have been cruel to him.”

“I thought so.”

“Now what?”

“You suit just fine.” A beat of consideration. “But I don’t want you to feel trapped.”

Was this the open door Aunt Mary meant? If so, she would walk through boldly and confidently, trusting God for the future. “You suit me just fine.”

“As your grandfather pointed out not so long ago, marriage is for keeps.”

“I know.”

“Won’t you someday want love?”

“Like I’ve said a number of times, love only leads to hurt.

” It was time to tell him about Rudy. “I met Rudy when he came to visit his sister. He talked like he was going to settle here. He was charming and kind and courted me with utmost devotion. I trusted him. I gave him my heart. Thought he held it in the palm of his hand. But he changed his mind. Told me he’d found nothing here to suit him.

He didn’t know how much his leaving hurt me.

Or else he didn’t care.” Suspecting it was the latter hurt more than anything.

He brushed the back of his fingers to her cheeks. “I’m sorry. But I have to think the young man was shallow and likely of poor eyesight.”

His words tickled her, and she tipped her head to smile up at him. “Is that a fact?”

“It is indeed.” He looked deep into her eyes as if searching for something. She let him look, wanting to offer anything he needed. Anything? Maybe not.

“Is there any reason to put off getting married?” he asked.

“None that I can think of.”

“Annie Marshall, will you marry me?”

“I will.”

His smile darkened his eyes, and he bent to claim a kiss. It was quick, businesslike but wasn’t that exactly what she wanted?

“Shall we tell Evan?” she asked.

“I think the boy will be relieved.”

Together, they returned to the kitchen and knelt side by side in front of Evan, who watched them with a good deal of wariness.

Annie stuffed back another surge of anger at the things Miss Higgins had said in front of the boy. She looked to Hugh, nodding that he should relay the news.

“Evan, Annie and I are going to get married. She’ll be your new mama. What do you think of that?”

Evan’s wide-eyed gaze went from Hugh to Annie.

“It’s true,” she said, and following her heart, she held out her arms to him.

He blinked twice, then scrambled to his feet and rushed into her arms with such force he would have bowled her over, except Hugh caught her. He pulled her close, encircling the two of them in his arms.

Her tears flowed freely and increased in volume when Hugh pulled out his handkerchief and attempted to wipe them away. She laughed at the confusion on his face as fresh tears continued to appear.

“Happy tears,” she managed to say.

“I’ll take your word for it.” She blinked them away and saw that Hugh’s eyes glistened and she touched his cheeks.

“We have much to be happy for.”

He nodded and leaned his forehead to hers, Evan safely between them. They might have stayed that way for who knows how long, except Happy started to lick them.

Both laughing at the dog, they broke apart.

Evan wrapped his arms around Happy’s neck.

Annie knew he found comfort in the animal’s love and couldn’t imagine what would happen if someone tried to take the dog from him. Nor could she understand why anyone would want to.

“I’m so glad you told her to leave.”

“Me too.” He brushed his fingers along her cheek.

“We’ll tell Grandfather when he wakens.”

“I wonder what he’ll think.”

He would voice his disapproval. She did not care about going against his wishes, but she knew this was what she wanted to do. She tried to hide her shiver.

Hugh bent closer to search her face. “Are you having second thoughts?”

She hadn’t succeeded in hiding her concern, nor did she wish to tell Hugh what made her shiver. “I suppose I’m a little nervous.”

He gripped both shoulders in his big warm hands. “I don’t want you doing anything you will later regret. We need to be honest with each other.”

She nodded, her tongue so thick she couldn’t speak. She was being as honest with him as she could.

He watched her closely, his gaze delving deep into her thoughts.

Clarity came, and she found the ability to talk. “This is what I want. Is it what you want?”

“It is.”

The sound of Grandfather’s canes tapping on the floor alerted them to his arrival, and they faced the door.

He limped into the kitchen. “Got any coffee?”

“I’ll make some.” Annie hurried to the stove. She’d wait until he had his coffee before she’d tell him, and she sent a little warning look to Hugh.

He nodded.

The coffee boiled. She poured a cup for each of the men and pretended to be busy at the cupboard while they drank.

Grandfather’s cup was half-empty when he sighed. “You might as well tell me what’s on your mind.”

Annie went to Hugh’s side and put her hand on his shoulder, finding strength and comfort in the touch.

“We’ve—” she began.

Hugh reached up and covered her hand with his. “Let me. Mr. Marshall?—”

“Uh-oh, you’re addressing me formally. That doesn’t bode well.”

Beneath her palm, Annie felt Hugh stiffen.

“Mr. Marshall, seeing as Annie’s father is away, or I’d ask him, I’m asking you. I’d like your approval to marry your granddaughter.”

Grandfather gulped a mouthful of coffee, then sat back and looked from Annie to Hugh. His gaze stopped at Annie, and he studied her long enough to make her want to squirm. Hugh seemed to understand, and he pushed his chair back to stand at her side.

After a moment, Grandfather nodded. “A marriage in name only?”

Neither Annie nor Hugh responded.

“A marriage of convenience?” Grandfather persisted. He tipped his head toward Evan, who played with Happy but no doubt heard every word. “For his sake?”

“It’s what we both want,” Annie replied.

Grandfather again did a serious study of them both.

Annie dared not look toward Hugh to see how he reacted to Grandfather’s scrutiny. She couldn’t say if the older man looked disappointed or resigned. A trickle of worry tingled her spine. What if he refused?

Finally, accompanied with a long sigh, Grandfather nodded. “You both seem set on this.”

“Yes, sir.” Hugh sounded strong and certain.

“Did you have a date picked out for this wedding?”

They hadn’t discussed it and Annie turned to Hugh.

“I see no need to wait,” Hugh said. “Unless you do?”

“None at all.”

Grandfather shook his head. “You young people. Always in such a hurry. Annie, your pa will be here for Christmas. I ask that you wait until he is here and gives his blessing. Any objections?”

Annie held her breath. Would Hugh agree? What if someone else came in answer to his ad? Would he feel obligated to honor their agreement? Or seek to be free of it?