Montana Bride by Christmas

by Linda Ford

  Wanted: Convenient Wife

  When preacher Hugh Arness advertises for a marriage of convenience, the single father’s not expecting Annie Marshall to apply. She’s too vivacious—and far too pretty. Yet Annie connects with his withdrawn young son, Evan, and he agrees to a trial period—which her grandfather will chaperone—until Christmas. By then he’ll have found a candidate who doesn’t make him long for more than he feels worthy of…

  Security and her own home…Annie wants both, without the heartache love brings. Soon she’s earning little Evan’s trust, eager to show his papa that their partnership can work. She knows that Hugh needs tenderness, too. And maybe this Christmas could mark the end of their practical arrangement…and the start of a true union and real family.

  “I’m here in response to your ad. I’ll take care of Evan and your house. By the end of four weeks you’ll see you couldn’t do better.”

  “But you could do better.” That’s what had Hugh so confused. “Better than a man eight years your senior with a four-year-old boy who might never get over the way he’s been treated.”

  Annie’s eyebrows arched as if surprised by his statement.

  He hurried on. “You’re young. You’re beautiful.”

  She blinked rapidly and gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. Did she not believe him on the latter observation?

  “I’d like to know why you are so set on such an arrangement.” He meant the marriage she so stubbornly sought. And why was he resisting her offer so vehemently? Because of the very things he’d told her. She deserved better than an older man with a troubled child.

  All he wanted was to be enough for his son and for that he needed a helpmate. One who wouldn’t regret her choice and perhaps run off with someone younger and more suitable as soon she discovered she could do better and he had no doubt Annie would soon discover that.

  Linda Ford lives on a ranch in Alberta, Canada, near enough to the Rocky Mountains that she can enjoy them on a daily basis. She and her husband raised fourteen children—four homemade, ten adopted. She currently shares her home and life with her husband, a grown son, a live-in paraplegic client and a continual (and welcome) stream of kids, kids-in-law, grandkids, and assorted friends and relatives.

  Books by Linda Ford

  Love Inspired Historical

  Big Sky Country

  Montana Cowboy Daddy

  Montana Cowboy Family

  Montana Cowboy’s Baby

  Montana Bride by Christmas

  Montana Cowboys

  The Cowboy’s Ready-Made Family

  The Cowboy’s Baby Bond

  The Cowboy’s City Girl

  Christmas in Eden Valley

  A Daddy for Christmas

  A Baby for Christmas

  A Home for Christmas

  Lone Star Cowboy League: Multiple Blessings

  The Rancher’s Surprise Triplets

  Journey West

  Wagon Train Reunion

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

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  LINDA FORD

  Montana Bride

  by Christmas

  We love him, because he first loved us.

  —1 John 4:19

  Dedicated to the reason for the season:

  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father,

  The Prince of Peace.

  —Isaiah 9:6

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Excerpt from Cowboy Lawman’s Christmas Reunion by Louise M. Gouge

  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 le
ss 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 trouble
d 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.