Page 80 of The Preacher's Bride

Colton gasped from the porch.

“I thought that I’d lost you… forever.” Caleb bit his lower lip as he looked away and then back into her eyes. “I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost you like that. Please, I beg you….” Caleb got down on one knee as he held her hand. “Please, be my wife… my real wife this time. I promise to put no other woman before you, and to love you for all the days of my life.”

Tears streamed down her cheeks as a smile spread across her face. “Yes. A thousand times, yes. And I promise to honor, cherish, and love you… for as long as we both shall live.”

Colton chuckled. “You may now kiss the bride.”

Caleb laughed as Mia blushed. Then, Caleb’s lips descended upon hers, overwhelming her with love. Passion filled them both as she wrapped her arms around his muscular back. When he pulled back, his eyes never left hers as he spoke to Colton. “Colton, I’ll be over to speak with you later. Sorry to disturb you.”

Colton raised his hands in surrender. “Hey! I saw nothing.”

Mia chuckled. “Caleb, when I was a little girl, I had always dreamed of my knight in shining armor riding up on his white stallion to rescue me. I never thought he would already be my husband.”

Caleb shook his head. “No, I haven’t been… until now. But I promise to honor and cherish you for as long as we both shall live,” he said, repeating their wedding vows, just as she had. “And I promise to honor my vow to you as your husband, and to give you my whole heart… from this day on… forever.”

Although they were already married, she felt that now they were truly married as he helped her into the buckboard and tied his white stallion to the back. A moment later, they headed toward their new life… together.

Chapter 22

Mia

Mia snuggled onto Caleb’s side as they drove back to the house. But, for the first time, Mia felt that they were actually going back to their home. Caleb leaned his head against hers as she curled her arm around his.

When they reached the house, he wrapped his arms around her and his lips descended upon hers again, a silent promise of his love. Then, he hopped down and helped her down from the buckboard. She linked her arm with his, ready to go in with her new husband.

“Wait, my wife.” Caleb smiled, pulling her to a stop as she giggled. “There’s something I haven’t done yet.” Then, he scooped her into his arms and carried her up the stairs and into the house. “I hadn’t carried you over the threshold.”

Mia laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the feel of his broad shoulders under her fingertips.

“Well, I’m so glad to see you back again! Congratulations!” Mrs. Jenkins said as they closed the door behind them. Then, she lowered her voice conspiratorially. “A word of warning, the townsfolk heard about your barn and are out back, cleaning up and assessing the damage now.”

Mia’s mouth opened wide as her eyebrows shot up. “Really?”

Caleb smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “We all pull together in times of need.” Then he glanced over at Mrs. Jenkins,arching an eyebrow. “I’m just surprised that they heard about it so quickly.”

“Well….” Mrs. Jenkins smiled sheepishly. “After we arrived and I saw that the children were okay, George and I saw the barn. I stayed here with the children, and he went around to the farms, letting everyone know.” She nodded toward the back. “They’ve been coming steadily, offering their help all morning.”

“Pa!” Shane yelled as he ran into the room, followed by Hailey. Caleb swept him into his arms and nuzzled his neck while Mia picked up Hailey and gave her a big hug.

“Ma!” Hailey laid her head on Mia’s shoulder, warming her heart.

Caleb smiled at Mrs. Jenkins as he set his son on his feet. “Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins. I could never repay your kindness.”

“Oh, think nothing of it.” She waved her hand dismissively. “Now, I’ll keep the children if you’d both like to go out back and assess the damage.”

Mia nodded and smiled. “Yes, we would.” She pulled her in for a one-armed hug, not letting go of her husband’s hand. “Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins.”

“Please,” she said with kind eyes. “Call me Abigail.”

A smile lit Mia’s lips. “That might be hard to do. Old habits die hard.”

Mrs. Jenkins smiled. “Yes, they do.” She glanced over at Caleb. “But people can change and form new habits, too.”

Caleb nodded, his lips curling into a smile. “Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins.” Then, he looked down at his wife. “Well, are you ready?”

Mia let out a deep breath. “We can do anything… together.”

He pulled her to his side for a one-armed hug. “Yes, we can.”

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