Page 72 of The Preacher's Bride

Mia nodded. “Yes, we are.”

“What’s going on?”

Mia bit her lower lip in an effort to fight back the tears. “Ella, he’s still in love with Jessica.”

“Mia, he can love you, too,” she cooed. “Just give him time.”

Mia nodded. “I know.”

“It might take a long time.”

“I know,” Mia repeated. “But what if he never comes to love me?”

“Of course he loves you.”

Mia shook her head. “Ella, I can’t live in limbo like this.”

“Mia, he may not love you like Jessica,” Ella pleaded, “but you can love people differently—”

“I know that, but someone needs to tell that to Caleb.” Mia let out a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I should have never brought it up.”

Ella shook her head. “Mia, don’t say that. You can talk to me about anything. You know that.”

Mia nodded. “I’m not meaning to complain. I love the children. At first, it was hard with Shane. Losing his mother was really hard on him.” She paused at the memory. “But now, we get along just fine.”

Ella nodded, a crease between her eyes. “Besides going to church, what do you do together as a family?”

Mia shrugged. “We started making breakfast together every morning. No matter what is happening that day, Caleb and I get up early and make breakfast for the family.”

“Well, that’s something!” Ella encouraged. “Just give it time.”

Mia nodded, and then noticed that the baby was sleeping. “Ella, I need a man who can love me for me… and I’m not sure that’s Caleb.”

“You’re not thinking of going back to New York, are you?” Ella asked as she rocked Hannah.

Mia shook her head. “I couldn’t leave the children… no matter what happens with Caleb.”

Ella sighed. “Mia, do you love him?”

Mia nodded. “Yes, of course I love him. He’s kind, funny, wonderful with the children, handsome—”

“Okay then,” Ella replied. “Don’t you think that he might think the same things about you?”

Mia shook her head. “No, he’s never told me.” Her eyes met Ella’s. “He doesn’t love me. Ella, I can’t be in a one-sided relationship. I can’t give him all my love and then he not love me in return. It’s too heart wrenching.”

“Mia,” Ella said, her voice sympathetic. “He’s probably showing you that he loves you every day.”

Mia shrugged. “Well, how about I make some lunch? What would you like?”

“Mia, I know what you’re trying to do,” she said as the baby fell asleep in her arms. “Okay. I’ll let it go. But I’m here if you need to talk.”

“Thanks, Ella.” Mia nodded. “But please, don’t tell anyone.”

One corner of Ella’s lips curled into a smile. “I never do.”

Mia laid Blake in the cradle. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll put the babies down for a nap and you get some rest.” Mia kissed the top of her head when she took the baby from her arms. “I’ll make us some lunch.”

Ella kissed the baby before Mia laid her down. “Well, if you insist.”

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