Page 51 of The Preacher's Bride

“Thanks, again.” Mia dried her hands and gave her a quick hug. “So, I’ll see you when I see you?”

“If not anything else, I’ll see you Sunday at church.” Mrs. Jenkins bit her lower lip and released it. “I hate to tell you this, but the preacher’s wife is responsible for organizing the after-service potluck dinner.”

“What?” Mia asked, panic rushing through her.

“Now, don’t you worry.” She gave her a motherly pat on the hand. “Each week, the ladies bring their specialties. The only thing that the preacher’s wife is expected to do is to organize—tell everyone where to put everything. In the spring and summer, the men of the church bring the tables outside, and we hold it there. But in the winter when it’s cold, we set everything up in the recreation hall.” She tied a scarf around her neck. “But don’t worry. I can help until you get the hang of it.”

Mia smiled, giving her arm a gentle squeeze. “Thank you. I’ll never be able to thank you enough for all your help.”

Mrs. Jenkins leaned in and gave her an air kiss over her cheek. “It’s my pleasure.” She shrugged. “We all can use a little help when we’re starting out. If you need anything, just let me know.” Then, she looked down at the chicken frying on the stove. “Well, I have to go, and it looks as if you have some chicken to fry.”

“Please forgive me if I don’t show you out.”

She smiled. “Don’t worry. I know the way.”

Mia laughed. “Thanks, again. I’ll bring you some chicken on Sunday.”

A broad smile spread across the elder woman’s face. “Be careful what you offer.”

Mia chuckled and watched as Mrs. Jenkins headed out the back door. Mia heard her say a muffled goodbye to Caleb, and a few minutes later, her carriage pulled away.

Mia turned a piece of chicken over in the pan. It was funny. As a child, she had wanted a fairy godmother, but instead, she got one as an adult. Mrs. Jenkins was amazing. Mia wondered what her story was, where her husband was or if he had died. Mia felt that she would find out eventually, but now, the elder woman enjoyed spending her time helping others—especially the new brides and new mothers.

Mia finished frying the last of the chicken, and then covered it over with a dishtowel and set it on the counter until dinner. She checked on the children, and Shane waved at her from the floor where he and Hailey were playing. Mia waved back, happy with the change in Shane. She knew they had a long way to go yet, but she was happy that at least the children were accepting her into the family. She had a feeling that it would take a while longer for Caleb.

After cleaning the kitchen until it sparkled, she sat down to look through Mrs. Jenkins’s recipes. There were cookie recipes of all kinds, cakes, brownies, and meal recipes, a biscuit recipe, and then she came to what she had been looking for… a bread recipe. It was a simple recipe, similar to the one that her mother used when she was a child. Mia looked through the drawer of the writing desk in the living room and found some parchment paper and a writing quill.

Careful not to smudge the recipe, she copied it down and then set it aside to let it dry. As she waited, she started gathering the ingredients, and before long, she had kneaded the dough, formed it into a loaf in a bread pan, and then popped it into the oven. Soon, the sweet aroma of bread baking in the oven filled the house.

In the meantime, she made some sandwiches for lunch, along with fresh milk for the children and hot tea for her and Caleb in a pretty tea set. When everything was ready, she opened the back door and called for Caleb.

He walked out of the barn, wiping his hands on a small work towel, his muscles flexing under his shirt. “Be right there.” He glanced up at her and smiled, waving his hand.

A thrill ran through her at the simple gesture. She waved back and headed inside and into the children’s bedroom. “Hungry?”

“Yes!” Shane yelled as he ran out of the bedroom and into the kitchen.

Hailey looked up at her from the floor.

“Ready for lunch, baby girl?” Mia asked, holding her hand out to her.

A smile spread across Hailey’s face as she got up and ran to her. Mia scooped her up, and Hailey laid her head on her shoulder. Then, she raised up and wrapped her arms around Mia’s neck.

“That’s a good girl,” Mia cooed, carrying her into the kitchen.

Caleb watched her expressionless as she walked into the room carrying his child.

Mia sat her on a chair, and then she set the loaf of bread and some country ham on the table. When she sat down, Hailey hopped off her chair and ran over to Mia and slid onto her lap.

Caleb watched as Mia slid Hailey’s plate over to her and started feeding her.

“You need to eat.” Mia nodded to Caleb as she made a ham sandwich. “It’s getting cold.”

Caleb nodded, and then made a sandwich and started eating.

“So, how’s it going out there?” Mia asked, nodding toward the barn.

Caleb shrugged. “It’s going well. One of the cows just foaled. I was just finishing up when you called me in for lunch.”

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