Page 42 of An Accidental Romance

“Indeed?” Rebecca said.

“Strong family resemblance,” Ben said.

Another pause.

“What was it about his sermon that disturbed you?” she asked.

Ben looked at her in surprise. “I said nothing about being disturbed by his sermon,” he said. “In fact, I believe I congratulated him on its excellence.”

“You did,” Rebecca said. “And yet I believe you weren’t entirely forthcoming.”

“Of course I was,” he said.

“Perhaps you thought it was an excellent sermon, but it also unsettled you in some way,” she said quietly in case her family members were listening. They were all overly concerned about her. She was an adult, not a child. Let them worry about their children, not her.

“How do you do that?” he said, looking cross.

She looked at him crossly in return. “I am surrounded by excellent actors. You aren’t one of them. Neither am I.”

He turned away and stared off in the direction of the children.

“I wish I had heard his sermon,” Rebecca said, her heart softening when she saw his pain. “I wish I knew what he said that troubles you.”

He turned back to her and smiled, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Nothing troubles me that a hearty luncheon and an enjoyable afternoon cannot cure. May I bring you a plate now?”

“Yes, please,” she said.

She watched him join her family at the buffet table. Her brothers were tall, handsome men in Rebecca’s eyes, but Ben was even taller, and his broad shoulders and dark hair made him stand out amongst them.

She loved him.

What a horrible realization it was.

“Everything looks delicious,” he said, handing her a plate filled with an assortment of delicacies that only Cook could create.

“Cook has indeed exceeded herself,” Rebecca replied, watching him with longing even as her appetite fled and her stomach ached.

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