Page 16 of My Mail Order Valentine

"Let me. This oven gets really hot."

He places the dish in the oven, and I set the timer for forty-five minutes. I have a few more things to prepare—like a salad and some bread spread with garlic butter. I begin to do just that while Hunter sits back down on his stool.

"Are you going to sit there and watch me all night?"

"You seem to have made yourself at home in my kitchen."

His words send a chill down my spine. I'm almost afraid to look up at him, but I have to be brave. The smile plastered on his face seems genuine, but I guess I just don't get this man's sense of humor.

"You almost scared me for a minute."

"Why?"

"Thought I had already worn out my welcome in your home."

"You're always welcome here."

A noise comes from the baby monitor on the counter, and Hunter quickly checks it.

"I don't think she's going down any time soon. Let me go get her."

After I finish my prep, I start rummaging through the kitchen for things to set the table. I find some placemats and cutlery and get to work. Hunter comes out of Evie's bedroom with a very alert toddler. He sits on the floor with her and pulls the toy basket close to him.

He's so gentle with her and makes her laugh so easily. Their bond is strong, and I say a small prayer for her mother up in heaven. Could I be a mother to someone else's child? I ponder it for a minute and decide that a mother's love does not need a blood bond.

The thing is, will Hunter allow me to be a mother to his daughter? He has built a life for himself in this small town with her. He has support from the community and seems to be handling things quite well. Either way, I need to remember that I'm not here to become this little girl’s mother.

I want a family, and I will get it. I just have to give the agency a chance to find me another match. When I finish setting the table, I take a seat in one of the comfy armchairs. Then, I pick up my phone and send an email to The Perfect Bride Agency.

I'm almost afraid of what the owners will tell me. I think they will offer me a refund, but I don't want a refund; I want a husband. There's a lot of laughter around me, so I look up from my phone.

"You two seem to be having a lot of fun."

"Evie is smart, and she likes to learn new things. She seems to be starting to wind down, though."

"Do you want me to help you put her to bed?"

"We've got a routine."

"Maybe I should learn it. I could help if I have to babysit while I'm here."

"I'll do it. You've made me dinner. I think that's enough."

The baby does look a bit sleepy, so I watch from my chair as he gets up and takes her back to her bedroom. When he returns, there's tension between us once again, and I don't know how to break it.

When the timer sounds, I almost jump out of my skin. Hunter laughs at me and signals me to stay seated.

"I'll get it out of the oven."

"You need to put the bread in for a few minutes."

"I can handle that."

I decide to write a small note to my friend Jenny back in the city. I haven't really had time to update her on my adventure andtell her how I was almost sent back. Being rejected by Hunter hurt a lot, but I understand where he was coming from.

Jenny responds almost immediately but does so in a voice message. I don't dare listen to it now because I know she will have questions. My phone vibrates in my hand.

Jenny: Hello???

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