Page 62 of The Preacher's Bride

Ella nodded. “I’ll be fine. I’m not an invalid. Go ahead.”

“I’ll be here with her, Colton,” Mia reassured him, and then added, “Don’t worry. I’ll look after her.”

“Oh, for land’s sake!” Ella interjected. “I’m fine!”

Colton smiled. “I’ll be right over here.” He chuckled as he kissed the top of his wife’s head and hurried off to help the men set up the rest of the tables.

A few minutes later, Caleb walked in and went directly over to help the men set up. Mia watched him, proud of how he chipped in with the other men. He wasn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. And she couldn’t help but notice how nice he looked in his Sunday suit, and how his muscles flexed under his suit coat.

A band started playing and people started swaying to the music. Others joined in, and, soon, a dance was in full swing, with children dancing as well as adults.

In the corner of the room, a man sat on a tall stool with a guitar on his knee, and another man set up makeshift drums. A few other men joined in, forming a band, and music soon filled the room.

“Care to dance?” One corner of Caleb’s lips curled into a handsome smile.

“I thought you’d never ask.” Mia took his hand and let him lead her onto the dancefloor.

Caleb looked into her eyes, holding her at a respectable distance as they sashayed over the floor. Soon, other couples joined them and before long, it was a true party.

When the next song started up, Hailey and Shane joined them on the dancefloor. They spent the afternoon dancing and having fun. If Mia didn’t know any better, she would have thought they were finally becoming a real family.

Chapter 14

Caleb

When dusk settled over the land, Caleb placed his hand on the small of Mia’s back as he looked over her shoulder. “Let’s go home.”

“I like the sound of that.”

She turned to him and smiled.

His heart fluttered at just the simple act of touching her shoulders as he helped her on with her coat. Everything was put away and the last person gone. Pride filled Caleb’s chest as he offered her his arm and closed the door quietly behind them. He escorted her and the children out to his buckboard and helped her in, and then slid in beside her. By the time they pulled onto the main road, both of the children were fast asleep.

He made a clicking sound with his mouth and the horses immediately started walking. “I’m proud of you, Mia.”

Her head snapped up. “What for?”

“You did a great job today organizing everything and taking care of the children.” A smile lit his lips, and this time, he didn’t feel guilty for saying it.

“It was my pleasure.” A smile lit her lips as she looked out over the horizon. “It felt nice to be a part of a community… and a family… again. It’s something I haven’t had in a very long time.”

He nodded, his thoughts going to when he first saw her on the platform at the train station, and how he had treated her at the church. “Mia, I haven’t been a good husband to you—”

“You’ve been the best.” Concern filled her eyes as she gently touched his arm.

He had the sudden urge to pull her into his arms and kiss her properly, but now wasn’t the time. Caleb looked out over the horizon as streaks of orange, red, and yellow raced across the darkening blue sky. “Mia, I’m glad you came.”

A lovely smile lit her lips. “I wouldn’t have missed hearing you preach for anything.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” He glanced over at her, his eyes filled with concern. “I’m glad you came to Whiskey River.”

She nodded, emotion filling her eyes. “Me, too.”

As the horses plodded on through the snow, he knew that he needed to talk to her, to tell her what he hadn’t, what he couldn’t before now.

“Mia, I’m sorry for going to bed so abruptly last night,” he said as he let out a deep breath.

She gave his leg a gentle pat. “It’s okay, Caleb. I understand.”

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