A Bride for Cameron by Barbara Goss (i like reading .txt) 📕

How will children learn proper dining manners if they eat upstairs?”

Her overbearingness took Cam aback for a few moments, and he wanted to tell her that he didn’t want to dine with children who might have runny noses and food on their faces, but he kept still.

She wasn’t wrong.  If he wanted her to be the mother of his children, he’d have to take a step or two back and let her do her job.

He smiled at his new wife.  “I stand corrected.  You’re right, of course.”

Hannah led them in a speedy prayer when she saw Cam stab his beef with his fork.  He dropped it when Hannah started the prayer.

Dinner with the children went well, and Hannah showed Annabelle the correct way to hold her fork and the proper way to cut her meat.  She taught Annabelle how to ask for a dish on the table when she couldn’t reach it, and how to put her napkin on her lap, but she left Georgie to make a mess because he was much too young to teach.

Bessie had found a large pillow to put under him so he could reach the table.

Hannah stifled a laugh when Cameron grimaced after seeing the mashed potatoes and peas stuck to Georgie’s face.

She also taught Annabelle to ask for permission to leave the table when she’d finished eating.

“May I be excused?” Annabelle asked, looking at Cameron for permission.

This seemed to confuse Cameron for a few moments until he saw Hannah give him a nod.  “Yes, you may.”

“Don’t go far, children.  We’ll be going on a family walk as soon as we’re finished with our coffee.”

Cam’s mouth dropped.  “Family walk?”  He sighed. “That...um...sounds delightful.”

After their walk, Cam headed toward his study, but Hannah called him back. “It’s time for the children’s bedtime.”

“Goodnight, children,” he said and turned once more toward the study.

“Cameron Hart—we are going to begin a bedtime ritual with the children.”

“Huh?” He turned and gave her a puzzled look.

“We will tuck the children into their beds, read them a story, and listen to their prayers.”

Cameron frowned.  “You’re joking, right?”

With her hands on hips, Hannah said, “No.  It’s what parents do.  Then you can do whatever it is you do in the study, and we shall not bother you again tonight.”

Hannah lay in bed that night, knowing she’d made a huge mistake.  She wasn’t sure she even liked Cameron Hart.  His letters had started out cold and business-like. They had turned warm later, but now he was cool and distant again. She yearned to have a husband with whom she could laugh, and she couldn’t see that happening.  He seemed... she wasn’t sure how to phrase it in her mind. Perhaps disinterested was the word to fit his relationship with the children.  She saw him show no warmth toward them at all.  He didn’t have any sense of humor either—how strange.

She knew he’d married her to have a mother for his children and for him to look like a proper family man for the election. At first, Hannah had hoped that they could, one day, be a real married couple, and perhaps, have a few children of their own, but if she didn’t even like the man, she doubted that would ever happen, and she’d be stuck for the rest of her life in a loveless marriage.

Hannah sighed, and she rolled over in bed to face the window.  The moon was nearly full, and it lit up the entire room.

She folded her hands and prayed.  Only God could solve her problem.

Hannah awoke to Annabelle's jumping on her bed.  “Mama!  Wake up!”

Annabelle was the only bright side to her predicament.  Hannah grabbed the child and hugged her.  “What a pleasant way to wake up.”

Instead of pushing away from Hannah’s embrace, Annabelle clung to Hannah, who felt the child’s need to feel loved.  Maybe that was why God had sent her to Hunter’s Grove.  He knew that Annabelle needed her.

Hannah kissed the child’s cheek and said,  “You’re in a cheerful mood today.”

Annabelle finally pulled away and sat with her head against the bedpost.  “Bessie is taking Georgie to town shopping, so I thought we could get some lessons done.”

Hannah laughed.  “Only if you let me get up and put some clothes on.  I’d also like something to eat.  I’m hungry—have you eaten?”

“Father’s home today, and he said we should wait for you before we eat.  He’s in his office, now.”

“Well, then, you run down and tell Bessie and your father I’ll be down in a few minutes.”

Hannah watched Annabelle scamper from the room.  She felt like a real mother, and she was happy with everything—except Cameron.

The table was set, and everyone was waiting for her.  She sat down and noticed that Annabelle had her napkin on her lap along with her folded hands, just as she’d taught her.  Hannah gave the child a smile and nod of approval.

“Can we eat now?  I’m starving,” Cam said.

“We must remember to pray first,” Hannah reminded him.

After they’d eaten, Bessie took Georgie to town with her, and Cam headed for his study.  He stopped midway and said, “Hannah, don’t forget our picnic lunch.”

Annabelle jumped up and down.  “Oh, what fun!”

“No,” Cam said somewhat sternly,  “your mother and I need some time alone to discuss things.”

Hannah put her arms around Annabelle’s shoulders.  “The very next time we go on a picnic, you and Georgie will come with us.”

Annabelle said sullenly, “All right.”

“Now, where shall we do our lessons today?”

“There is a table and chairs in the playroom,” Annabelle said.

“Let’s go, then,” Hannah said.

Hannah was pleased, not only with Annabelle’s reading, but when she explained what she’d read, she had excellent reading comprehension.  She was a delight to work with.

When they were putting