Read Married for Christmas (Willow Park) for Free Online Page B

just stood there, shifting from foot to foot, she
frowned. “Was there something else?”
    “Are you sure about this?” he asked.
    “What do you mean?” She blinked at him, trying to push past
the swell of affection for Daniel and focus on what Micah was saying.
    “I mean about this.” He gestured vaguely around. “Are you
sure about it?”
     “The wedding you mean? The marriage? Why wouldn’t I be sure
about it?” The affection had transformed into an odd kind of anxiety—as if she
dreaded what Micah was about to say, although she had no idea what it was.
    “I don’t know. It just seems kind of sudden.”
    “I’ve known Daniel all my life. We’re not jumping into
things.”
    Micah looked slightly uncomfortable, and he glanced away
from her. She’d never seen him so serious before. “Yeah. I know. I just didn’t
think it was romantic between you.”
    “What’s your point, Micah? Just get it said.” She wished her
voice wasn’t quite so sharp, but she couldn’t help it. She felt defensive, like
she had to put up her guard against whatever he was about to tell her. “Do you
think I’m not good enough for him or something?”
    “No,” he said, his eyes widening in surprise. “No, nothing
like that. I was actually worried for you . You know Daniel. If he has
something stuck in his head, he can’t let it go.”
    She was confused now and increasingly upset, but she tried
to hide it behind casual irony. “He is kind of stubborn. I know that. But what
does that have to—”
    “It’s more than stubborn.” He rubbed a hand through his
hair, mussing it completely. “I mean the way he gets something in his head
about the way things are supposed to be and then refuses to change his mind, no
matter what. You know how he got it in his mind where he was supposed to go to college
and, even when he didn’t get that scholarship he expected, he still wouldn’t
even think about going somewhere else. He could have gone to UNC for
practically nothing—they have a great program—but he wouldn’t even consider it.”
    “I know all this. So what’s your point?” She was starting to
get a sense of his point, though, as Micah looked increasingly self-conscious.
“He felt called in a certain way. The same thing with pastoring this church.
He’s always believed God wants him here. That’s not a bad thing.”
    “It is when he gets an idea he won’t let go of, even if it’s
wrong.”
    Jessica clenched her fists at her side, realizing now what
Micah meant. Daniel had it in his mind that Lila was the wife always intended
for him, and he hadn’t let that go, even though she’d died. No one would ever
be able to take her place in his heart. “I see…”
    “Do you? I don’t know if you do or not. I’m really sorry to
bring all this up, Jess. It’s awful timing, I know—but, even though he loves
you, I just don’t know if he’s ready to get married.”
    That surprised Jessica, since she’d thought he’d guessed
that Daniel didn’t really love her. Kim was the only person she’d told about
their real arrangement, and Daniel hadn’t told anyone.
    Micah continued, “I haven’t been able to sleep, thinking
about what you might be getting into. And pretty soon there won’t be an easy
way out.” Micah looked as earnest as she’d ever seen him. “You deserve better.”
    She shook her head, liking this side of Micah but kind of
sick about what he’d just told her.
    Even though she’d already known it.
    “Thank you for thinking of me,” she said gently, keeping her
reaction out of her voice. “I understand what you’re saying, but you don’t need
to worry about it. Daniel and I understand each other. We have everything
worked out. I know what I’m getting into, and I promise you—this is what I
want.”
    “You’re sure?” Micah’s blue eyes searched her face.
    “I’m sure.”
    “All right. You’ll be good for him. I just hope he’s good
for you too.”
    A heavy knocking on the door