Page 74 of Prodigal Son

“Clive’s bigger than most. Let’s give him his space.”

They wandered away from the corral and Destiny glanced back over her shoulder, respectfully cowering from the intimidating animal. “I think I’m more of a horse person.”

Cain chuckled. His hand slipped into hers once again. “Since you have time off from work, perhaps you should stay another day.”

Was he really asking that? “Another day or another night?”

He glanced at her, a suggestive, unmistakable glint in his eyes.

They had to be breaking some sort of commandment. “What exactly are the rules with you people?”

He laughed. “What do you mean?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be extra religious?”

His hand tightened around hers. “God created man to sew his seed. It has little to do with faith.”

And sew his seed he had. If she did stay another night, she’d act more responsibly. “So you can’t get in trouble for having a woman in your bed?”

He paused and looked at her with laugher in his eyes. “I’m a grown male, Destiny. Who is going to reprimand me?”

“I don’t know. Your priest?”

“We don’t have a priest. We have a bishop and he’s well aware that you slept in my bed last night.”

“What?”

He tugged her to keep walking. “He and I have an understanding. Your presence isn’t a problem.”

“Even though I’m not Amish.”

“I prefer it that way.”

When they returned to the house, the sun was setting. Vito was pleased to learn they were staying for dinner since Grace had prepared a feast. Despite all of Cain’s reassurance, Destiny felt awkward eating with her brother and Cain’s sister.

After supper, there wasn’t television or anything else to distract them, so Destiny excused herself to freshen up. She needed a few moments to catch her breath and regroup.

Once alone in the outhouse, she considered her options. They could leave and return to reality, or she could stay as Cain asked. It was already dark and… Oh, who was she kidding. She already had her heart set on staying.

She knew she’d stay the moment he asked. So why, if he openly expressed his desire to have her one more night, did her insides feel so jittery in such an unsafe way? She was either falling for him or giving herself a stomach ache.

Pressing a hand under her ribs, she stared in the hazy mirror and exhaled. She shouldn’t get ahead of herself. He was Amish for crying out loud. And she was not.

She didn’t even belong to a church or own a dress with a high neckline. His bishop couldn’t possibly be okay with what they were doing. If he was, what kind of Amish order was this?

The outhouse latch moved and Destiny tensed. “Someone’s in here!”

The door opened and she gasped, grateful she’d only been using the sink when Cain stepped inside. His grin should have been illegal in at least thirty states.

“What are you doing?”

“I came to wash up.” He stripped off his shirt and slung it on a peg, careless of the chill in the air.

“But… I’m in here.”

“I’m aware.” His suspenders drooped and his slacks sagged off his hips. Stealing a folded towel from the pile on the vanity, he traced a finger across her shoulders, sending chills racing down her spine.

He hung the towel on the hook by the shower and—

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