Free The Preacher's Daughter by Cheryl St.john

kitchen.
    “I want Ben to tuck me in,” Lillith told her.
    She sent them upstairs with a warning not to disturb their parents and sought out Benjamin. He and Flynn were seated in comfortable leather chairs in the doctor’s handsomely furnished wood-paneled library.
    “The girls asked for you,” she said to Benjamin.
    He stood easily, coming to his full impressive height. “Best indulge the little darlin’s so they’ll get to sleep.”
    “Are you set for tomorrow, Flynn?” she asked. Almost a full-grown man, Flynn was a student, as well. She’d never known anyone so cheerful or easy to please.
    “I’m fine, Miss Lorrie,” he told her with a grin.
    She followed Benjamin from the room, and he paused at the foot of the stairs for her to go ahead of him. She was reminded of the day she’d brought her things and he’d carried them to her room.
    She led the way to the bedroom Lillith and Anna shared.
    The walls were papered with pale lavender violets, and the bureau and two small beds had been painted with matching flowers. Dolls lined the window seat and an enormous dollhouse occupied one corner. Lorabeth’s breath had been taken away the first time she’d stepped in and seen the fantasy-inspired room created for their enjoyment.
    Anna bounced on her bed and Lillith squealed at the sight of her uncle.
    Lorabeth tucked Anna under her covers while Benjamin spoke with her sister.
    “I am missing Mama,” Lillith told him with a pout.
    “It’s only one night,” he assured her. “She’s busy, you know.”
    “Bringing us a sister,” Lillith replied delightedly.
    “Could be it’s a brother,” he reminded her.
    “We got lots of them, but we only got me and Anna for sisters, so we need another.”
    “I want a puppy!” Anna called from her bed.
    Benjamin looked across at her and grinned. “You’ll have to talk to your mama and papa about that.”
    “Wake me up when the baby comes,” Lillith told him in all sincerity.
    Benjamin glanced at Lorabeth, but she wasn’t familiar with the customs of this family and didn’t know how to answer. She waited for him to reply.
    “We’ll wake you,” he promised.
    “’Night, Mith Lorrie,” Anna said in her sweet baby voice.
    “Good night, Anna.”
    Lorabeth traded places with Benjamin and he gave Anna a hug and kiss while Lorabeth spoke to Lillith.
    Finally she turned down the wick until the room was in darkness and padded toward the door.
    Benjamin was right behind her, so close she could feel the heat from his body as she stepped into the hall lit only by a single reflecting tin lamp.
    She was tempted to stop and experience the moment, but the door to Caleb and Ellie’s room opened and Sophie came out carrying a tray. Lorabeth hurried to take it. “Can I get you something?”
    “I can manage,” she replied, keeping her hold on the tray. “But you must be exhausted. You’ve been working since dawn.”
    “I’m pretty tired,” Lorabeth admitted. “I don’t think I could sleep, though.”
    “Why don’t you go out for some air?” she suggested.
    She turned to Benjamin. “Lorabeth needs a change of scenery. Ellie said she’s been running after her and the children all week.”
    “It’s no problem,” Lorabeth assured her while the thought of getting out of the house appealed.
    Sophie wasn’t going to be put off. “No arguments now. Are the children all in bed?”
    Ben explained that the girls were down and the boys would be next.
    “As soon as Nate and David are tucked in,” Sophie said, “Flynn can listen for a problem. I’m here for Ellie and Caleb. Benjamin, take Lorabeth out for some air.”
    Lorabeth’s body was physically tired, but she never slept more than five hours a night. She read until her eyes were weary, and then she fell asleep only to wake while it was still dark. The thought of a walk in the night air with the heavens stretching out above sounded far better than attempting elusive sleep. And the anticipation that she would go