Chapter 22

Mia

Mia snuggled onto Caleb's side as they drove back to the house. But, for the first time, Mia felt that they were actually going back to their home. Caleb leaned his head against hers as she curled her arm around his.

When they reached the house, he wrapped his arms around her and his lips descended upon hers again, a silent promise of his love. Then, he hopped down and helped her down from the buckboard. She linked her arm with his, ready to go in with her new husband.

"Wait, my wife." Caleb smiled, pulling her to a stop as she giggled. "There's something I haven't done yet." Then, he scooped her into his arms and carried her up the stairs and into the house. "I hadn't carried you over the threshold."

Mia laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the feel of his broad shoulders under her fingertips.

"Well, I'm so glad to see you back again! Congratulations!" Mrs. Jenkins said as they closed the door behind them. Then, she lowered her voice conspiratorially. "A word of warning, the townsfolk heard about your barn and are out back, cleaning up and assessing the damage now."

Mia's mouth opened wide as her eyebrows shot up. "Really?"

Caleb smiled, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. "We all pull together in times of need." Then he glanced over at Mrs. Jenkins, arching an eyebrow. "I'm just surprised that they heard about it so quickly."

"Well…." Mrs. Jenkins smiled sheepishly. "After we arrived and I saw that the children were okay, George and I saw the barn. I stayed here with the children, and he went around to the farms, letting everyone know." She nodded toward the back. "They've been coming steadily, offering their help all morning."

"Pa!" Shane yelled as he ran into the room, followed by Hailey. Caleb swept him into his arms and nuzzled his neck while Mia picked up Hailey and gave her a big hug.

"Ma!" Hailey laid her head on Mia's shoulder, warming her heart.

Caleb smiled at Mrs. Jenkins as he set his son on his feet. "Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins. I could never repay your kindness."

"Oh, think nothing of it." She waved her hand dismissively. "Now, I'll keep the children if you'd both like to go out back and assess the damage."

Mia nodded and smiled. "Yes, we would." She pulled her in for a one-armed hug, not letting go of her husband's hand. "Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins."

"Please," she said with kind eyes. "Call me Abigail."

A smile lit Mia's lips. "That might be hard to do. Old habits die hard."

Mrs. Jenkins smiled. "Yes, they do." She glanced over at Caleb. "But people can change and form new habits, too."

Caleb nodded, his lips curling into a smile. "Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins." Then, he looked down at his wife. "Well, are you ready?"

Mia let out a deep breath. "We can do anything… together."

He pulled her to his side for a one-armed hug. "Yes, we can."

When they walked outside, there was nothing left of the barn but ash. All the embers had died out, leaving a charred mess in its wake.

"Well, at least it didn't get to the house, and everyone is safe." Caleb smiled as he pulled her close.

"We can rebuild it… together." Mia gazed into his eyes, meaning every word.

"Yes we can."

"Wyatt! Thanks for coming," Caleb said as he turned around and shook his hand.

Wyatt motioned toward the men that were standing around. Mia remembered meeting him at the church. "We've talked about it, and we came to a decision." He smiled mischievously. "What are you doing this Sunday after church?"

One side of Caleb's lips curled into a smile. "What do you have in mind?"

Wyatt shrugged. "We thought that instead of having our usual get together after church, we'd like to come here and have a barn raising. We can go to church for the service, and then we'll all come over here." Wyatt arched an eyebrow. "That is, if it's okay with you."

Caleb let out a deep breath. "Wyatt, everyone, we appreciate the gesture. But we can't afford to pay you back right away."

Harrison stepped in. "Did we say anything about money?"

"I can't ask you to do that," Caleb said, shaking his head.

Wyatt laughed. "You didn't ask. We volunteered."

Harrison shook his hand. "Here in Whiskey River, we all pull together in times of need. Besides, we could never repay you for everything you've done for this community. It's the least we could do."

"And we can always use an excuse for a dance," Wyatt teased.

Mia's eyebrows pulled together, confused as a smile lit her lips.

Eying her confusion, Wyatt added, "After the barn raising, we'll have a dance."

Mia's smile broadened. "I'm surprised that you'll be able to raise the barn that fast."

Harrison burst out laughing. "This isn't our first rodeo, little missy." Then he glanced over at Caleb. "So, what do you say?"

Caleb shook his hand and gave him a manly hug. "I say thank you! We really appreciate this."

Harrison smiled. "Hey, we're a community." He shrugged as he looked over at Wyatt. "We pull together when we're needed."

True to his word, Caleb moved the children out of the main bedroom and into the spare room that night. They spent the rest of the week settling in as a family and getting ready for Sunday.

"Caleb, I'd like to go to the General Store today," Mia said after breakfast one morning when the dishes were put away. "I'd like to get some more fabric. The children and you need some more clothes."

Caleb smiled and gave her a quick peck as he walked by. "Only if we can get some for you, too. Get whatever you want."

She reached up on her tiptoes and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Thank you! I'll get the children ready." Then, a thought occurred to her. "Did you have anything else planned for today?"

He shook his head. "No, I was just going to spend the day with my lovely wife and family."

Mia laughed, glad for the change. The past few days had been wonderful. The marriage that she had dreamed of with a doting husband and wonderful children had finally come to fruition. Since the day he professed his love to her, everything had changed, and they became a real family. True to his word, Caleb had become the best husband that Mia could have ever wanted. When he gave his heart, he gave it all.

A few minutes later, the family was on their way to town. Soon, Caleb pulled up in front of the Whiskey River General Store and wrapped the reins around the front bar.

"Yippee!" Shane yelled, jumping out of the buckboard.

"Don't touch anything!" Caleb called after his son as he darted into the store.

It wasn't every day that they made a trip to town, especially not to a place that had candy.

"Oh, Caleb," Mia said as he helped her out of the front. "He's just excited."

"Yes, but if he eats too much candy, then he'll be up all night," Caleb replied, taking Hailey from her.

"You mean you'll be up with him all night," she teased.

Caleb laughed. "Yes, I'll be up with him all night." Caleb offered his wife his arm, and Mia took it, unable to help but notice the bulging tight muscles beneath his shirt. "Listen, when we go in, go ahead and get whatever you want."

Mia smiled, hugging his arm. "Thanks, hon, but I'll only get what I need, which consists of thread, buttons—"

"Okay, okay!" Caleb chuckled as he opened the door for her. "I surrender!"

"Well, hello!" Mrs. Carson greeted them as they walked in.

"The store windows look great!" Caleb said, and then turned to Mia. "They were robbed a few months ago. Just before Christmas."

"No!" Mia's mouth opened in concern. "Were you hurt?"

Mrs. Carson shook her head. "No, not bad. Mr. Carson was hurt a little, but as you can see, he's doing fine now." She pointed to her husband, stocking a shelf behind the counter.

"Is it okay if they have a candy stick?" Mr. Carson asked, smiling with the children at his feet.

"Please, oh please?" Shane and Hailey chimed, jumping up and down.

Mia glanced over at Caleb, arching an eyebrow.

"It's up to your ma," he said, ignoring Mrs. Carson when her mouth flew open.

"Please, oh please?" Shane and Hailey begged Mia.

She let out a deep breath. "Go ahead. But just one each. Don't eat too much. I don't want you to get stomach aches."

Mr. Carson beamed. "Here you go!" he said as he handed each of them a candy stick.

"Now, what do you say?" Mia asked.

"Thank you!" the children chimed together, and then ran over to Mia and gave her a hug.

Hailey reached up, wiggling her fingers, and Mia swept her into her arms. "What's wrong, baby girl?"

Hailey wrapped her arms around her neck. "Thank you, Ma."

Mia smiled as she kissed her new daughter on the cheek. "You're welcome, but Mr. Carson is the one you should be thanking."

Mr. Carson laughed. "They did."

But Hailey didn't remove her arms as she looked into Mia's eyes. "I love you, Ma."

"I love you, too, little one," Mia said, and then kissed her cheek. "Now, go play with your brother for a minute. I'm going to make us all something special."

Mrs. Carson dabbed at her eyes as she watched. "I'm so glad to see that you're all adjusting so well."

"Thank you." Mia walked over to a shelf containing bolts of fabric in many different colors.

"Are you looking for anything in particular?" Mrs. Carson asked.

Mia let out a deep breath. "Just some fabric to make the family some outfits. Since spring is around the corner, I'd like something light. Do you have anything new?"

"How about this?" asked a woman behind her. Her voice was a cross between an Irish brogue and a British accent. Her strawberry blonde hair was pulled up under her hat. She was smartly dressed and wore a friendly smile as she pointed to a bolt of fabric.

"That's lovely!" Mia exclaimed, crossing the room to her.

The lady held out her hand. "The name's Kenzie, and you must be Mia." She leaned in conspiratorially. "It's a pleasure to meet you… officially."

Mia's eyebrows pulled together as a smile lit her lips. "You aren't Kenzie Baker of The Lady's Dress Emporium, are you?"

She gave a slight curtsy. "The one and only."

Mia smiled. "I've heard about you. It's nice to officially meet you."

"I've been going to the church on Sundays but haven't officially met you yet."

"Well, I'm glad to ‘officially meet you' now," Mia chirped. "I look forward to seeing you at church on Sunday, too."

Kenzie smiled. "Yes, and we must have tea sometime soon, too."

"Actually, you should come to the barn raising this Sunday," Mia replied, happy to have made a friend. "There will be a dance afterward. All the eligible bachelors in Whiskey River will be there."

Kenzie chuckled. "Then I'll definitely be there," she joked as they both laughed. "Where is it?"

"At our farm." Mia filled her in briefly on the details. "We look forward to seeing you there."

"Now, let's get down to business," Kenzie began examining the fabric.

They spent the next half hour comparing fabrics, and before they left, Mia had picked out enough for three outfits for each member of her family, and Kenzie had enough to make several dresses.

Mrs. Carson smiled. "You've both made excellent choices." Then, she asked the ladies how much fabric they wanted, and she measured it off. Mia also picked up some matching thread and some dainty buttons that she needed, along with men's buttons, too.

"Well, it's been lovely chatting," Mia said, looking around for Caleb, who was speaking with Mr. Carson and entertaining the children.

Kenzie extended her hand daintily, and Mia gave it a gentle squeeze. "It truly was a pleasure. I'll see you Sunday."

After the women said their goodbyes, Kenzie gave Mrs. Carson one last wave over her shoulder, carrying her packages with her.

"Thank you, Miss Baker," Mrs. Carson called after her. "Please, come again."

Kenzie smiled. "Oh, you can count on it! Have a good day!"

Mia spent the next few nights making outfits for them after the children went to bed.

Saturday night, Caleb entered the room and leaned against the door facing, smiling as he watched her sew. "Coming to bed?"

Mia smiled, enjoying herself. "Not just yet. I'm almost finished."

Caleb chuckled. "May I see?"

She shook her head. "No, not yet. I want it to be a surprise."

Caleb tapped the door facing, clearly enjoying watching her. "Have fun, but don't stay up too late."

Mia nodded. "I'll be there in a minute."

As she watched Caleb walk away, she knew that she was finally home.