Montana Bride by Christmas by Linda Ford

Author:Linda Ford
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Annie tried to shake off the feeling of bliss that surrounded her at Hugh’s return and at the way he looked at her. It wasn’t even light out yet. Had he ridden home in the dark just to be here? She knew she should rearrange her thoughts but she was so very glad to see him back safe and sound it was all she could do not to rush over and give him a hug.

She settled for wrapping her arms around herself.

“How was Evan?” he asked, bringing her back to the reality of why she was here and why he hurried home. “Did you manage to get him to bed?”

“Let’s go in the kitchen and I’ll tell you all about it.” She hurried ahead of him, knowing if she waited she would be wrapping her arm about him and hanging on for dear life. Hearing his footsteps behind her, she rushed to the stove, added more wood and filled the coffeepot.

He sank to the chair. “I half expected to see him still there.” He indicated the corner Evan huddled in throughout the day.

The coffee wasn’t ready but she couldn’t hold back any longer and she faced Hugh. “You should have seen him. He let me know he missed you.” She told how the boy had looked to Hugh’s empty chair. “When I said it was time for bed, I simply held out my hand. He took it.” She couldn’t stop smiling. It was all she could do not to laugh aloud with sheer joy of recalling the moment and sharing it with Hugh. His eyes were warm, his cheeks deeply grooved by his smile.

“We walked to the bedroom and he put himself to bed.” She wouldn’t tell him that she’d lain on his bed until Evan fell asleep. “I couldn’t believe it. I wish you’d been here to see it.”

“I wish I’d been here too.” He didn’t say to see Evan’s progress. In fact, the way his eyes sought hers and filled with the warmth of a summer evening, she allowed herself to think he might have wished he could be there because of her.

The coffee sizzled and she turned to pull it from the heat. She waited for the grounds to settle then poured him a cup and handed it to him.

His fingers touched hers. His gaze brushed her. The world seemed full of promise and possibility. She tried to tell herself she was overtired, overexcited, over everything to think such foolishness but her mind remained unchanged.

Hugh took the cup and set it on the table. He yawned. “Sorry, I was awake all night.”

She stepped back, rebuked by her lack of thought. “Why don’t you go lie down for a bit? Evan might feel better to wake up and find you there.”

He took a huge sip of coffee and yawned again. “Maybe I will. You’ll be okay?”

She’d been fine all night but it melted a corner of her heart for him to ask. She patted his arm.

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