Country Romance - Carolyne Aarsen Page 0,34

holding. Once again that indefinable attraction humming between them.

It was as if time stopped, waiting for something to happen.

Adele pulled in a slow breath, telling herself to stop doing this. To stop encouraging this growing attraction.

Wyatt shifted, shook his head to break the connection, then left.

Adele’s heart stuttered in her chest. Nothing had happened. Nothing at all, and yet she felt as if she and Wyatt were edging toward something she couldn't indulge in.

Adele stood, clinging to the pew in front of her as the pastor announced the last song.

"The blessing of a family, the family of God, carried through our weaknesses, stronger than blood," the congregation sang.

An unexpected sorrow wove through her heart, bringing back memories of sitting in church with her foster parents. She always sat between them, their arms over her shoulders, as if protecting her. She always felt safe and loved there.

Pulling in a deep breath, she gathered her emotions, pushing down the memories. The minister’s sermon had been about community and family. His words had settled into her soul, and she was still trying to sort them all out. At one time she had a family, and then it all disappeared. She had prayed and prayed, but God hadn't been there.

She sent a glance at Wyatt only to find him looking at her again. This was happening too much, and she knew she had to put a stop to it. But the loneliness that had been dogging her the last few years kept her eyes locked on his.

Dean had wanted to go with the girls to Sunday school, so it was just her and Wyatt in the pew. When they’d walked into church together, she sensed people watching them. Though she shouldn't care, she wondered what they thought.

She dragged her gaze away, turning her attention to the front of the church.

The last chords of the song resounded through the church and Adele released a gentle sigh. She had made it through the service without falling into the emotions that threatened to choke her.

She slipped her purse over her shoulder, folding her arms over her stomach, glancing around, trying to figure out how to leave.

"We can go out here," Wyatt said, pointing to a side door only a few feet away.

Adele nodded, waiting as the people beside her made their way out into the aisle.

Just as she was about to go through the door someone called her name.

Frowning, she stopped and turned to see Mrs. Flikkema waving at her, working her way through the gathering crowd of people trying to leave.

"I'll get the kids if you need to talk to her," Wyatt said.

Adele nodded, stepping aside to let the other people pass her.

"I'm so glad I caught you. I was trying to call your cell phone this morning," Mrs. Flikkema said, breathless, her face pink. She looked flustered. "I know this is an imposition and I apologize, but I'm stuck. My daughter and her husband have to come to Millar's Crossing. My son-in-law's father isn't doing well and they want to see him." Mrs. Flikkema paused, taking in another breath, and Adele waited, wondering why she was telling her this. "So, here's my dilemma. They can't stay with his parents. The house is full. And I don't want them to stay in a hotel. So I was wondering, seeing as how you're mostly at the ranch anyhow, if they could stay in the suite tonight, maybe tomorrow night."

As her words sank in, Adele realized what she was asking. She hesitated, wondering what she should do.

"I know it's a lot to ask, and it leaves you in a bit of a lurch..." She paused and pulled Adele farther away from the last of the people leaving the church. She moved closer, lowering her voice. "I phoned the Millar's Crossing Inn. They have an empty room. I would gladly pay for it."

"Okay. I could do that." When she had first planned her trip to Millar's Crossing, Adele had looked at staying at the Inn, but she wasn't sure how things would go at the ranch and didn't want to spend her time sitting with Dean in a hotel room. The basement suite at Angie Flikkema’s place was much more appealing.

"Thanks so much. I appreciate this."

"I'll come by after church to pick up my things," Adele said.

Mrs. Flikkema almost sagged in relief. "I'm so sorry about all of this, and I know it's a huge ask, but it would make things so much easier for my daughter and her