Wanted: Convenient Wife
When preacher Hugh Arness advertises for a marriage of convenience, the single fatherâs not expecting Annie Marshall to apply. Sheâs too vivaciousâand far too pretty. Yet Annie connects with his withdrawn young son, Evan, and he agrees to a trial periodâwhich her grandfather will chaperoneâuntil Christmas. By then heâll have found a candidate who doesnât make him long for more than he feels worthy of...
Security and her own home...Annie wants both, without the heartache love brings. Soon sheâs earning little Evanâs 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.
âIâm here in response to your ad. Iâll take care of Evan and your house. By the end of four weeks youâll see you couldnât do better.â
âBut you could do better.â Thatâs what had Hugh so confused. âBetter than a man eight years your senior with a four-year-old boy who might never get over the way heâs been treated.â
Annieâs eyebrows arched as if surprised by his statement.
He hurried on. âYouâre young. Youâre beautiful.â
She blinked rapidly and gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head. Did she not believe him on the latter observation?
âIâd like to know why you are so set on such an arrangement.â He meant the marriage she so stubbornly sought. And why was he resisting her offer so vehemently? Because of the very things heâd 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 wouldnât 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.
Dear Reader,
I had such fun writing Annie and Hughâs story. I loved bringing these two reluctant, wary people together. They were a perfect match for each other even if they were the last people to discover it. Annie is such a loving, giving person. Watching her make Christmas special for her new family made me realize yet again how much I enjoy Christmasânot necessarily the gifts but the special things we do to create long-lasting memories. I hope you find joy in the season. Godâs gift to us is the reason for the season and the source of real joy. May His love and presence bless you.
You can learn more about my upcoming books and how to contact me at www.lindaford.org. I love to hear from my readers.
Blessings,
Linda Ford
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 childrenâfour 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.
We love him, because he first loved us.
â1 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.
âIsaiah 9:6
Chapter One
Bella Creek, Montana, winter 1890
Annie Marshall shook the sheet of paper. âMr. ArnessâIâm sorry, Preacher ArnessâIâm here to apply for this position.â
Hugh Arness did his best to deliver Godâs 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. âHow old are you, Miss Marshall?â
âIâm nineteen but Iâve 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.â
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. Heâd seen her reaction to things before. A little fireball was not what Evan needed. Heâd 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.
âAre you going back on your word?â 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.