The Very Thought of You by Angela Weaver Read Free Book Online Page A

hadn’t forgotten Miranda’s primary purpose for being in the hospital. His mind raced with the information.
    Trust, but validate.
    It was time Caleb found out if he was a father.

Chapter 5
    H aving spent most of the day moving from the hotel into her parents’ house, getting Kelly enrolled in the local junior high school, checking on her brother and settling into the house, Miranda was exhausted.
    There were so many memories in the house—all good times she’d savor forever and all of the bad times she couldn’t make herself forget. In a way, the bad memories were just as important as the good. Miranda walked down the hallway, her eyes darting over the family photos and bronzed trophies both she and Darren had received in high school. It was amazing that after almost two decades, her mother’s favorite crystal vases still shone beautifully underneath the recessed lights.
    After turning off all the lights downstairs, she paused in the entry foyer and stared at the fresh orchids in the vase. They had been delivered right after they’d returned from the hospital. The note written in Caleb’s almost illegible sprawl was stamped in her mind.
    Welcome Home.
    It was amazing how two simple words could wreck her concentration. She was here to take care of her brother and hide Kelly, that was it. She didn’t come home to renew a failed romance or obsess about what could have been. Shaking her head, Miranda checked the locks, activated the alarm and went upstairs. The sooner she showered, the sooner her head hit the pillow.
    Â 
    She stood on the beach in her dream, dressed in the sheerest cotton. The wind tossed her hair, running through it like a child’s fingers. Miranda looked out at the sun as it began its gradual descent, casting a spell over the water. The deep blue glittered like gold. She felt the warmth of his arm around her shoulders.
    As they walked along the shore, palm trees swaying with the night breeze seemed to urge them forward along the path. The sand had begun to shimmer and the gentle waves tickled her feet as the foam ran over their toes. Sounds of the surf mixing with the cooing of birds formed a beautiful lullaby. And she was with him. Could anything be better than this? Miranda rested her cheek on his chest and was wrapped in his arms.
    His scent seemed to encircle her. His essence lay over her skin like a fine mist. As they stood together, past and future seemed to be laid out before them in brilliant colors of happiness and peace. Life without his smile seemed empty and shallow.
    When he spoke, she smiled. His voice, so deep and gentle, was filled with affection.
    â€œMiranda, you are more beautiful than all women and more precious than any rose. I wake in the morning with thoughts of you on my mind. ‘What can I do to make her smile? What words may I say to make her stay with me? How can I heal her hurts? Gain her trust?’ I want to protect you, love you. For you I would give everything I possess, for your love would make me the happiest man in the entire world. I beg of you, dear sweet Miranda, will you…”
    She stood watching as he began to bend down on one knee.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œMiranda, would you…”
    â€œMiranda!”
    â€œYes,” she muttered before opening her eyes. Kelly stood next to the bed. She cradled a notebook in her hands and looked over at Miranda like she was a lunatic.
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œNo, it’s okay.” She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes before looking at the alarm clock—5:45 a.m. “Kelly, why are you up and dressed so early?”
    â€œI don’t want to be late to my first day of school.”
    â€œYou have to be there by eight-fifteen.”
    â€œI know, but the bus will be here at seven fifty-five and you said yesterday that you wanted to make breakfast. If we start now, you can shower, make breakfast, we can do the dishes and have time left over to watch the