Page 85 of The Preacher's Bride

Then Ella and Colton walked around the corner of the house, carrying the babies. Mia saw them right away and hurried over.

“Ella, you look great!” Mia beamed as she kissed her cheek. “Come here! You both can sit over here.”

The men had brought the chairs from the church, along with some tables. Ella looked fully recovered. The ladies of the church all crowded around the babies and told Ella how wonderful she looked.

Everyone was there—Gabriella and Dirk, Madison and Wyatt, Kenzie, Mrs. Jenkins, and so many other people. Mia didn’t know them all but was looking forward to getting to know them. Whiskey River really was a place of community and family, where everyone pulled together when needed, and Mia felt very lucky to be a part of it.

“Would you like to dance?”

Mia looked up, and Caleb was smiling. “I’d love to.”

“What were you thinking about just then?” Caleb asked as he led her out onto the new barn floor.

Mia smiled as she let her husband lead her around the floor. “I was just thinking of how lucky I am to be a part of this community here in Whiskey River.”

“I’m the lucky one.” A smile lit his lips. “I’m very lucky to have you as my wife.”

Mrs. Jenkins let the children go, and they ran out onto the dance floor to them. Mia and Caleb scooped them into their arms as they continue dancing.

Shane struggled to get down, and Caleb set him on his feet. But instead of running away, he tugged on Mia’s skirt to attract her attention. She bent down and looked into his eyes.

“May I have this dance?” he asked, wise beyond his years.

“I’d love to.” Mia was momentarily taken aback, but then handed Hailey to her father and took her new son’s hands. As they swayed to the music, Caleb and Hailey swayed beside them. Then, Shane looked up at her and smiled. “I love you, Ma.”

Tears came to her eyes as she replied, “I love you, too, son.” She looked in Caleb’s eyes, misty with tears.“I’m lucky to have this family,” Mia added as the four of them danced together.

“We both are,” Caleb agreed as he spun her and his children around.

The night was magical as the stars began to make their appearance in the darkening sky. And Mia knew it was true. They were lucky to have each other, and to be a part of the wonderful community of Whiskey River.