Page 15 of The Truth

He seriously wanted to kiss her.

He was ready for the nextphaseof life. Wooing the woman he wanted to be with, building a home for the two of them—and any children they were blessed with—and building… a family. A life.

Ayla hadn’t even had a realdate,before.

Slow was probably the best way to go about winning her. He was going to have to take it extremely slow so he didn’t frighten her away.

11

Of all ofthe Hiller brothers, this was the one who made her… nervous. Ayla suspected she knew why. Just like Guthrie had Aubrey tied up in knots because her sister was attracted to him—this guy had the power to make Ayla feel that way.

She so wasn’t ready forthat.

But she found herself sitting there right next to him. Then… they heard something. People walking around or something.

He looked at her. “Would you like to go check out the garden with me? The sky is clear tonight. Stars are really beautiful out here. I go out there sometimes late at night just to think. To pray.”

“I would like that, but… ” The garden was a long way away. “I probably can’t quite make it out there by myself. Not with just one crutch.”

“I can give you a lift.” He was looking at her, with those big hazel eyes. It was his eyes—they were always so sincere, so kind. Of all of the Hillers, he had the most beautiful eyes.

“I would like that.” No one had ever really carried her before. Definitely not a hot guy. If anyone had asked her before if shewould have even wanted a man to carry her somewhere, she would have said no. Definitely not.

She was an independent woman, after all.

But… Gene scooped Chantal up all the time—and Chantal could walk around just fine. Dr. Hot-Lips Chad carried Genny everywhere he could, too. Greer had said it was so Gene and Chad could get their hands on Chantal and Genny.

That the guys thought they were sneaky that way, but it wasso obvious.

Ayla looked at the good Reverend Hiller—was he trying to be sneaky here?

“You’ll have to grab the milk and cookies, though.” He put the gallon of milk on the counter again.

“Then I am all set.” She leaned her crutch against the counter. And lifted her arms. She wasn’t quite sure exactly what she was doing here, but… well… Ayla did it anyway.

Just like that, he scooped her right up. Hot arms went around her, she could smell his woodsy mint scent, and well… she wanted to just press as close to the man as she could get.

She was so pitiful here.

Ayla twisted just a little, ignoring the twinge. She hooked her left hand in the handle of the milk. He adjusted her a bit, until she could grab the cookies.

“I got’em. Success! I’m ready, big guy. You are very muscle-y for a pasty-faced preacher guy. And you probably won’t ever drop me, will you?”

“No. I’ll never drop you. Hook your arm around my neck, and we’ll head outside.”

Just like that, Ayla Erin Fisher let a man just carry her away.

Gunn carriedher through the back door. Ayla just went along for the ride, clutching the bag of milk and cookies like a lifeline. She had been aware of Reverend Gunn Hiller fordaysnow. It was late March and a little cold at night still. She had the shivers and everything.

She blamedhim.She really did.

"You like carrying me around." She rested her head against his shoulder, watching his face for a reaction. “You do it all the time.”

And she was still trying to figure out what she thought about that. Was it because he felt sorry for her?

"Yes." No hesitation, no excuse, just a fact.

Her brow lifted. "So, is this justyourthing, or is there some secret pact I wasn’t told about? Because Chad carries Genny everywhere, and Gene lifts Chantal up off her feet like constantly. I’m pretty sure neither Chantal nor Genny’s feet have touched the ground in days. Am I missing the initiation for some exclusivecarry-a-woman-aroundclub? I even saw Grady lift Hala the other day. Did you draw my name out of the hat, perhaps?"

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