Orphan Train Sweetheart by Mollie Campbell

Author:Mollie Campbell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mills & Boon Love Inspired Historical
Published: 2018-10-14T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight

Simon pushed his plate away and leaned back in his chair. Lily’s roast and potatoes had been much better than the meals he’d had at the hotel. But he hadn’t been able to concentrate on the food because he couldn’t take his eyes off Cecilia. The pretty flush on her cheeks and the way she tilted her head the slightest bit when she was thinking through something tugged at his heart. And he knew that, for all his efforts, he was losing control of his feelings for her.

The problem was, Simon didn’t know what to do with that revelation. His heart screamed that he should act on it. He could almost feel the relief and excitement of giving himself permission to woo her. But the little voice of reason deep in the back of his mind kept reminding him of his need to return to New York and the importance of his work with the orphans. He still didn’t feel right about abandoning them or the calling God had given him.

He was so torn between the contradictory longings, he almost missed Cecilia’s words as she folded her napkin and laid it over her empty plate. “Are you ready to go? Since it’s just the two of us, we can get this done in no time.”

She seemed anxious about the time they would spend together. Was she the one worried about their reputations now? Somehow, Simon couldn’t muster the energy to care about that anymore. And he didn’t care what her brother-in-law had to say, either. Simon liked spending time with her and he was pretty sure she enjoyed it, too.

But did she understand that they couldn’t have a romantic relationship? No matter what his heart longed for, it wasn’t realistic to think they could ignore all the issues that held them both back. She’d alluded to her desire to stay independent on several occasions, so she must feel the same way.

Deep down, though, his heart urged him to think about what that really meant. What could it hurt to spend time together as two people working to help the children? If they both understood the necessary limits of the relationship, what harm could come from enjoying the time they had before he went home? It had been so long since he’d had a friend to confide in and the personal talk they’d had over dinner felt good.

His confusion started to fade, leaving him feeling better than he had in days. Yes, they could be friends.

Simon smiled as he stood and offered his arm to Cecilia. “Sure, I’m ready. I thought we’d go see Patrick’s sister, Jane. Since they’re right in town, it won’t take long.”

Taking his arm, she let him lead the way out of the café. “That’s a good idea. I know she’s been missing him and a little worried because he isn’t in school. Maybe we can help ease her fears.”

Simon wasn’t so sure since he was still plagued with his own fears about Patrick. But they would do what they could.

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