Bonding over the Amish Baby by Pamela Desmond Wright

Author:Pamela Desmond Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2023-07-19T16:07:17+00:00

* * *

The bench swing creaked when Rebecca sat down. Sighing with relief, she allowed herself to relax. The day had been a busy one and she was worn down. Pressing a hand against her forehead, she closed her eyes. Fussy and out of sorts, the boppli had kept her on her feet since the crack of dawn. As the day wound down, he’d finally settled into a doze. After arriving home from her shop, Amity had offered to watch him so Rebecca could take a break.

Grateful to catch a breath of fresh air, she sipped from a tall glass of iced lemonade. Not the artificial kind that came powdered in a jar but made from real lemons squeezed by hand. Fresh took more time, but the taste was well worth the extra effort. Sweetened with just a touch of sugar, the tang made the lips pucker just right.

Gazing across the front yard, she noted the sun had angled to the west, the beginning of its journey toward the far horizon. A light breeze winnowed through the trees, tempering the heat of the long afternoon. A flurry of dirt about a quarter of a mile down the road indicated the travel of a vehicle. Caleb’s rental pulled to a stop a few minutes later.

He opened the door then stepped out. Seeing her, he offered a wave before bending back inside. The cargo van was a far cry from the sleek SUV he was accustomed to driving, but he hadn’t complained about its size or bulk.

Tucking a few books beneath his arm, he walked up the stone path to join her. A white lab coat covered the simple outfit he’d worn to the clinic; a white shirt tucked into tan slacks and loafers. The barest trace of stubble darkened his cheeks and chin.

As she watched him closely, Rebecca’s breath caught. There was no denying that Caleb was an attractive man. And she liked looking. She also found his gentle manner and intelligence beguiling.

Senses tingling, a daydream flittered through her mind. An image of Caleb dressed in a plain shirt and broadfall trousers with a pair of black suspenders filled her thoughts. The pleasure derived from the image warmed her.

“My, you look comfortable sitting there,” he greeted. “Mind if I join you?”

Her picture-perfect fantasy shattered.

Scolding herself for her flight of fancy, Rebecca shook her head. Liking Caleb was perfectly innocent. But coveting him, wishing him to be something he was not, those weren’t the kind of thoughts that were proper to entertain. Friendship was the most she could offer. It would have to be enough.

“Please do.” She scooted over to make room.

He sat. “Ah, it feels good to get off my feet.” Setting the books he carried between them, he stretched out his long legs.

She cocked her head. “Busy day?”

Running a hand through his hair, he nodded. “Standing room only.” He blew out a breath. “I don’t think I’ve seen that many patients in years.”

“Oh? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you worked in an ER, right? Aren’t those busy?”

He shook his head.

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