Love Inspired December 2015, Box Set 1 of 2 by Allie Pleiter

Author:Allie Pleiter
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459293830
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

“Caleb, I need your help.” Mia wished she hadn’t needed to call him at his office. “Actually Meals on Wheels needs your help. It’s my day to volunteer, but Abby has an emergency at work, so, well...”

She was babbling and she knew it. Caleb’s generosity in organizing her housewarming still gave her a warm feeling inside. His actions had helped ease her way into making friends in Buffalo Gap. But lately she’d realized the community was pairing her with Caleb, which made her nervous and wary. She’d decided to avoid him. Until now.

“Mia? Are you there?”

“Sorry,” she apologized, stuffing away her concerns. “What did you say?”

“I said I’d love to help you, but I’m due in court in ten minutes and I can’t back out.” He sounded rushed. “Maybe if you’d called earlier—”

“No, it’s fine. Really. I’ll get someone else. Thanks anyway.” She hung up before his rumbly voice could cause any more damage to her skittering nerves. Why was it that she only had to hear him speak and her insides trembled?

“Mia? Is anything wrong?” Mayor Marsha stood at her car door. “Nice,” she said, admiring the vehicle Mia had finally purchased a few days earlier. “I’ve always loved red vehicles.”

“Me, too.” Mia smiled, wondering how it was that the mayor seemed to show up at just the right moment. “You wouldn’t have a spare hour, would you?”

“Ah, Meals on Wheels.” Marsha shook her head. “I’m sorry. I’ve a meeting in about five minutes. Maybe Joel could help you.”

“Joel?” Mia blanked out for a minute, then followed Marsha’s glance to the man sitting on a bench across the street. Caleb’s dad.

“He doesn’t look busy and he’s been here long enough to know where most everybody lives,” Marsha said. “He helped me last week with meal deliveries. Maybe you could ask him.”

“But Caleb—” Mia didn’t want to say it, but it seemed important to consider his aversion to his father.

“Forget Caleb. You need help, and Joel’s available,” Marsha said firmly. “I’ll ask him if you’re shy. Joel!” She waved her hand to beckon him. The older man rose, walking toward them with a quizzical look on his face.

“I’m not sure—” Mia swallowed the rest of her objections because Joel was too near.

“Mia needs help delivering meals,” Marsha explained. “Are you available?”

“Yes. Nobody seems to need a handyman today.” He looked directly at Mia. “Are you sure you want me to help you?”

Swallowing her reservations, she nodded. “I’d appreciate it. Otherwise I’m going to be late because I’ll have to do it alone. I don’t know most of the people on my list. Not yet,” she said with a smile, thinking how little he seemed like the monster Caleb portrayed. “Climb in and let’s go pick up the meals.” While Joel got in her car Mia smiled at Marsha. “Thanks for your help.”

“Have a good day,” Marsha said with a nod. Was that glint in her eye satisfaction?

Mia didn’t have time to dwell on it as she drove to the hospital kitchen and loaded the meals.

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