Page 2 of The Preacher's Bride

Mia let out a deep breath and gave him a small smile. “It’s nothing I can’t handle. Times are just a little tough, is all.”

A crease formed between his eyes. “Need some money?”

Trent had always been very direct. That was one of the things she liked about him.

“No, I’ll be fine,” she said, looking around the nearly empty saloon. It was dead tonight. “I’ve been taking in some sewing lately for extra money.”

Trent stopped dancing immediately and took out his wallet. “How much do you need?”

“Put that away in here.” Mia gently pushed his hand down, looking around the room. Luckily, no one was watching. “I appreciate the gesture, but I’ll be all right.” She shrugged. “I just need some time to figure things out.” The only problem was that she had taken in all the sewing she could handle, working into the wee hours of the morning… and it still wasn’t enough.

“Here. Take it.” Trent opened his wallet and shoved a twenty-dollar bill into her hand.

Her eyes flew open wide as she looked at the money, and then up to his eyes. “Trent, this is too much! I can’t take this!”

Trent closed his hand around hers, the money crumpling. “You can and you will.” He shrugged. “Not to brag, but I make good money and I don’t have a family, so what else am I going to spend it on? I already have more than I know what to do with in the bank.” His shoulders lifted. “Besides, it’s only money.”

“Trent, I don’t know what to say….” Tears sprang to her eyes. Twenty dollars would be enough to not only pay the rent, but to buy groceries, too. “I’ll pay you back.”

“Oh, no you won’t!” He looked around and then lowered his voice. “Mia, this is for you. Don’t give the house a cut of it.”

She nodded, a small smile lighting her lips. “Thank you,” she said, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Hey… let’s have none of that.” Trent wiped a tear away from under her eye with the pad of his thumb.

“Thank you.” Mia looked up at him with doe eyes. “Want another dance?”

Trent chuckled. “Well, since I just lost that one, sure. But I’m going home after that.” Trent thought for a moment, and then added, “Mia, what I gave you… it’s not for dances. It’s for you.”

She nodded, smiling. “I know.”

Then a broad smile spread across his face. “Now, how about that dance?”

Mia laughed as she held her arms out to him willingly. Even though she knew she wasn’t obligated, she gave him another dance on the house, grateful for his help. With that kind of money, she would have plenty left over for a while until she could decide what she wanted to do.

As Mia walked up the stairs to her tenement later that night, Mrs. O’Riley came out of her apartment from across the hall, scowling as she placed her hands on her hips. The woman’s red hair was a testament to her Irish temper. “And when do ye plan on paying the rent, my dear? I have bills to pay, too, ye know.”

A broad smile spread across Mia’s face. “As a matter of fact, I have the money right here.” She took a step closer but didn’t dare take out the money. Knowing Mrs. O’Riley, she would take the whole twenty for rent, but Mia had other plans for it.

Mrs. O’Riley’s eyebrows raised nearly into her hairline.

“Do you have change for a twenty?” Mia asked nonchalantly.

The middle-aged woman gasped. “And where did ye git that kind of money, lass?”

“Never you mind that,” Mia replied, her hands on her hips. “Do you have change?”

Mrs. O’Riley just shook her head. “No, but I can apply it to your next month’s rent.”

Mia shook her head as she pushed past her. “That’s what I thought. I’m going out to get some things, and I’ll be over later with the rent.”

Mrs. O’Riley narrowed her eyes, and then gave her one swift nod. “By the way, somethin’ came for ye today.”

Mia’s eyes brightened. “What is it?”

The Irish woman shrugged. “A letter from Ella.” She pulled out a crisp white envelope from a pocket in the side of her skirt and handed it to her, changing her attitude. “So, how is she?”

Mia shrugged as she ran her fingers over the beautiful scroll that was distinctly Ella’s. “I don’t know. I haven’t read it yet.”

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