Read Online Romancing the Schoolteacher by Mary Davis - Free Book Online

any sign of Mr. Thompson. She put a log in the fireplace, and the flames jumped to life, licking at it. She added another.
    Sitting back in her rocker, she picked up a book. Unable to concentrate, she set it aside and retrieved a quilt block she was piecing from her sewing basket. She could sew and worry at the same time. But that too proved futile. She set the cloth aside and gazed into the fire.
    Lord, please keep him safe. She hated to think of these children losing both their parents.
    A knock sounded on her door. She startled, jumped up and answered it.
    Mr. Thompson stood, dripping on her porch.
    â€œYou’re safe!”
    A smile pulled at his mouth. “Did you think I wasn’t?”
    â€œI—I just didn’t know. You said an hour. And the rain. Anything could have happened.”
    â€œSorry I’m late. The meeting ran longer than I anticipated.”
    Remembering the children sleeping, she lowered her voice. “Come in out of the rain.”
    He shook his head. “I’m a soggy mess. I don’t want to dirty your house. I’ll just collect my children and not inconvenience you any further.”
    â€œThey’re asleep. I thought they could stay here the night. I can take them to school with me in the morning.”
    He stared at her a moment before speaking. “I wouldn’t want to impose on you.”
    â€œIt might be difficult to carry them both. They’ll be soaked as well before you get home. I would hate for them to get sick over a perceived inconvenience. Which, I assure you, it is not.”
    He studied her. “I fear I have already taken far too much advantage of your kindness, eating your food and leaving my children in your care after school.”
    Was he going to turn her down? It was his prerogative. But it really was no inconvenience. The children were already asleep.
    â€œI would appreciate not having to drag them out in this weather. May I see them?”
    â€œOf course. Wait here a moment.” She returned quickly with two towels. One she tossed on the floor beside the door, and the other she held out to him.
    First, he removed his hat, shook the water off and tossed it to the floor of the porch, then did the same with his jacket. He took the towel and dried his hands and face. “There. I’m not so bad now.”
    No, he wasn’t bad at all. “You can stand on this towel.” She pointed to the second cloth on the floor.
    He stepped over the threshold and closed the door. “Thank you.” He patted the worst of the rain off his pants with the towel he’d used on his face.
    She motioned him forward and put her finger to her lips. “Gabe is over here.” She led him to the sofa in the sitting area in the corner.
    He knelt beside his son and brushed a lock of hair off Gabe’s face. The act was so tender and loving. Gabe didn’t stir.
    Bridget couldn’t imagine her father ever doing anything so affectionate. Her parents had never been cruel nor hit her, but they had high expectations. If she didn’t want to be reproached or put aside, she had better do as she was told. No love or compassion, just expectations. It wasn’t until she’d come to know the Lord that she had felt anything like love. She hadn’t known what she had been missing.
    This man loved his children deeply. And if he loved them, then maybe he could come to love her.
    He stood and gave her an inquiring look to ask where Dora was.
    She led him to the bedroom and pushed open the door, staying in the doorway. She never imagined a man in her bedroom. But she knew there was nothing inappropriate or intimate about it. He was simply checking on his daughter.
    Dora lay on her back in the bed with her arms spread wide and her mouth hanging open. One arm hung off the bed on the far side.
    Mr. Thompson rounded the bed, tucked her little arm under the covers and kissed her forehead. Then he bowed his head and closed his eyes. He