asked Grandfather to offer the grace and the old man bent forward to bow his head and prayed a simple prayer of gratitude.
As they ate, both Hugh and Grandfather came to life.
Grandfather looked about. “Is there anything I can help you with, Hugh?”
Hugh’s fork stalled halfway to his mouth. The last thing he expected was such an offer from the old man. He shifted a glance to Annie. Her eyes were quiet and watchful. Did she have an expectation of something from him? If so, he couldn’t begin to guess what it might be and turned back to her grandfather. He could understand the man wanting to feel he was useful but what could Hugh give him to do? Thinking of a task he had put off a long time, he chuckled.
“I don’t suppose you would visit Mr. Barret for me? I promised I’d drop by this week and here it is already Friday.”
Grandfather grunted. “He’ll understand when he learns how you’ve been occupied.” His gaze slanted toward Evan.
Hugh couldn’t say so but he’d gladly accepted the excuse. Mr. Barret—cranky, complaining and bitter—was no joy to visit. “He expects me to keep my word.”
“He expects a whole lot more than that from what I’ve seen.” Grandfather shook his head. “Seems to me he thinks the world owes him far more than it’s given him.”
That was the truth. “I try to tell him that God has a purpose for his life but he won’t believe it.”
“Son, you deliver the Word. It’s up to him to receive it.”
“Thank you.” Hugh had seen so little of his own father that he barely remembered him. The old man’s words fell into his heart like a sweet, warm drink on a cold day. “You make me think of a kindly man, Stewart Caldwell by name. He and his wife took me in when I was twelve. He was a preacher. Because of him, I became one.”
“You honor me to say so.”
Hugh felt Annie studying him and met her gaze. “Were your parents both dead?” she asked.
He nodded.
“I’m sorry. There’s so much I don’t know about you.”
“And I about you.” The moment grew longer with each heartbeat.
Grandfather chuckled. “You want to know anything about Annie, just ask me. I can give you all the details.”
Hugh could ask Grandfather but would sooner have Annie tell him. Her cheeks looked like she was too close to the stove and she shifted her attention to Evan as did Hugh.
The boy had cleaned his bowl and watched the adults until they looked at him and then he shifted away from them.
Hugh’s coffee cup was empty but he took it and squeezed it between his hands as if doing so could relieve the heaviness sucking at his body. Would his son ever learn how to properly relate to people?
Annie rose and reached for the coffeepot. “Can I give you a refill?”
He held up a hand. “No thanks. I must go to the office and study for my sermon. Will you be okay?” He inclined his head to indicate his concern over Evan.
Annie gave Hugh a steady, promising look. “We’ll be fine.”
“You’re going to ignore Mr. Barret?” Grandfather’s voice carried a mix of humor and accusation.
“I’ll visit him this afternoon.” Not until he reached his office did he realize he had not addressed the careless words he’d spoken last night. Of course, he could hardly say anything in front of her grandfather. The old man would surely see it as wrong to withdraw words that could be taken as a promise.
He’d deal with the matter later, though he couldn’t keep putting off unpleasant duties.
Before he started he sat quietly in prayer. God, show me how to help Evan. Give me insight into Your Word that I might deliver hope and encouragement to Your people. He readily admitted he needed to hear from God as much, if not more, than those who would gather on Sunday.
He pulled out his notes, opened his Bible and dipped his pen in ink. Dishes rattled from the kitchen. Grandfather grunted as he made his way to his easy chair. The poor man must be feeling pain today. Annie murmured something.
Hugh leaned closer to catch her words.
“Evan, did you enjoy breakfast? I’m glad to see you ate it all. I hope you got enough.” She chattered away as if Evan understood and responded to everything she said.
Grandfather’s deeper voice chimed in. “Hurts my bones to watch you sit on the floor, young man. Sure do enjoy my soft chair.”
Hugh bent his head, determined to concentrate. He could close the door but he didn’t. How else was he to know what was going on in the other room? And if he wished, even a tiny bit, that he could be there observing, it was only because he cared about Evan. He refused to admit he wished he could see the expression on Annie’s face as she talked to the unresponsive boy.
He forced his attention to sermon preparation and read over the Bible passage he meant to preach from.
A knock rattled the back door. Hugh set aside his pen and pushed to his feet. By the time he reached the office door, a blast of cold air indicated Annie had let in the caller.
“Hi, Logan. What brings you here? Did you want to see Hugh? I’ll get him.”
“I’m here to see you.” Logan’s voice rang with authority.
“Well, here I am. Can you see me?”
Hugh hung back. Someone would call him if he was needed.
“Dawson told me you moved in here.” Logan’s voice rang with disapproval.
“Would you like a cup of coffee and some cookies?” Annie sounded unperturbed by her brother’s attitude.
“Fine but don’t think you can keep me from speaking my mind.” The coffeepot scraped across the stove and china clattered on the table as Annie served her brother.
Should he join them? Hugh thought.
After a moment or two, Logan spoke again. “Tell me what you think you’re doing.”
Annie chuckled. “I know Dawson told you everything and nothing has changed since yesterday.”
“You can’t seriously plan to marry in response to an advertisement.”
“Have you never heard of mail-order brides? Isn’t that what they do?”
Hugh marveled at the calm way she answered.
“You aren’t an old spinster. You have a family that gladly wants you to stay with them. Why are you doing this?”
“Why do you object?”
“Because you deserve better than a loveless marriage.”
“I’m not married
