The Preacher's Bride by Theresa Oliver

Author:Theresa Oliver
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-925853-24-7
Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing

Chapter 13

The next morning the sun was shining, and Mia was grateful that they wouldn’t have to stay another night. The electricity between them was palpable, permeating the air. She wondered if he felt it, too. Mia couldn’t take another night of being in such close proximity to him. They made good partners and worked well together; it would have to be enough.

She hadn’t gotten much sleep throughout the night and was still tired. On the other side of the bed, Caleb appeared to have slept like a baby along with the children. It was nice being together as a family, becoming a real family. Mia noticed that he was a great father and loved his family with all his heart. It was clear that he would do anything for them. His sending for her was evidence of that. And if he ever chose to love her, she knew he would give her his whole heart, too. But she dare not hope. No, she had made a bargain and she had to stick with it. It was the only way to protect her heart. After all, how could she give her heart to a man who wouldn’t love her in return?

Mia tried not to watch as Caleb splashed his face with water from the china basin. She tried not to notice when he took his shirt off and shook it out, and how his muscles played under his tanned skin.

After he slid his suspenders up onto his shoulders, he turned to face her. “I’ll take the children downstairs for breakfast to give you some privacy.”

“Good morning,” she said. There was no reason why they shouldn’t be civil.

Caleb smiled. “Good morning.” To her surprise, he added, “Did you sleep well?”

She shrugged. “Tolerably. You?”

“Tolerably.”

Mia chuckled. “Well, from the way you were snoring, I thought you slept like a baby.”

Caleb smiled. “I do not snore.”

Mia burst out laughing. “Oh, yes, you do.”

“Well, I’m sorry if I kept you awake.” He sat down on the edge of the bed and slipped on his boots.

“Caleb, I was only joking. I like it. It’s nice.” In fact, Mia knew she could easily get used to it.

It appeared that Caleb was going to say something more, but Hailey sat up and stretched and yawned. Her hair was disheveled, and her eyes were still closed as she smacked her lips together.

Caleb reached down and scooped her into his arms. “Sorry, baby girl. Did we wake you?”

She moved her head up and down, her eyes still closed.

“I’ll get her ready.” Mia held out her arms and Hailey went right to her.

“Thank you,” Caleb said and then turned his attention to waking up Shane.

Without a brush, Mia did the best she could with Hailey’s curly hair, running her fingers through it and then straightened her dress. “There you go. You look lovely.”

“Let’s eat some breakfast downstairs, and then we’ll go home.” Caleb took her gently in his arms and she laid her head on his shoulder.

Mia hurried to run her fingers through Shane’s hair, too, as Shane looked up at her with sleepy eyes.

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