Page 77 of The Preacher's Bride

Caleb waited as he took another sip of his coffee and listened. There was no noise. He knew that she wouldn’t harm his children, but he stood and walked slowly toward the door, and then pushed it open.

Mia was sitting in the rocking chair, watching the children sleep with her back to the door.

“Mia?”

When she spoke, her voice cracked. “Caleb, before you say anything, hear me out. I’m too tired to argue.”

He waited, saying nothing.

She cleared her throat as she watched the children. “Tomorrow, I’m going back to New York.”

Caleb gasped. Although he had been expecting it, it was still hard to hear. “I’ll take you to Laramie tomorrow.” His voice was heavy with emotion.

She shook her head. “No, I’ll ask Colton to take me in the morning. It’ll be too hard if you take me.” She continued rocking back and forth.

He let out a deep breath as he placed his hand on her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze.

Mia reached up and held his hand.

Then, he pulled away. Caleb walked back into the living room and slipped on his coat and hat. As he headed out the door, he tried not to think of Mia and how his life had crumbled… as tears ran slowly down his cheeks.

Chapter 19

Mia

“Mia!”

Bang, bang, bang!

When Mia opened her eyes, it was dark. She tried to orient herself as she slowly opened her eyes.

Mia’s bedroom door suddenly flew open and hit the wall with a bang.

She sat up and caught her breath, wide awake, recognizing Caleb’s voice. “What’s wrong?”

“The barn’s on fire!” he yelled as he ran out the door.

Mia ran out of the room, dressed in her nightgown.

“Stay here!” Caleb yelled, and then ran out, headed toward the barn.

Outside, flames shot out the windows and out the barn door. “My God!” She ran into the children’s room, and they were still sleeping. She shut their door and then ran outside as quickly as she could.

Caleb led a horse out of the barn when he saw her. “I thought I told you to stay inside!”

“The children are safe, and you need help!” she yelled as she ran into the barn, and he ran in after her.

He quickly wrapped a blanket over a horse’s eyes and led it from the barn.

Mia grabbed a horse blanket that was thrown over a stall door and led a white stallion out of the barn. Then she ran back inside, and the flames were higher. Her movements now had to count.

“We’ll need the milk,” she said to herself as she ran over to Ol’ Bessy’s stall and hooked the lead strap to her halter.

She unlocked the stall door and tried to lead her out, but the cow saw the flames and pulled back. Mia wrapped a blanket around the cow’s eyes. She led Ol’ Bessy toward the barn entrance when a beam crashed down on her, hitting her head and pinning her to the ground as bright orange and yellow flames blazed around her. Disoriented, she willed herself to stay conscious. She tried to push the beam off, but she was too weak… and beginning to lose consciousness.

“Mia!” Caleb’s voice echoed into the barn, frantic. “Mia, where are you?”

“Over here!” she yelled back, forcing her eyes to stay open. She tried to stay focused, but it was becoming more difficult as each second passed.

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