THE TRUE LOVE SERIES BOX SET: A Christian Romance

by Duncan, Juliette

  “Okay good. I’ll call you after dinner and let you know if I can make it.”

  “Thanks.” Stephanie sobbed into the phone.

  “I’ll pray for you in the meantime. But listen to me. It’s not the end of the world. God can teach you a lot of things through this if you’re willing to learn.” Tessa closed her eyes and wrapped her hands around the receiver. She hadn’t meant to sound quite so harsh. Stephanie’s sobbing on the other end of the phone tugged at her heart. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it to come out quite like that.”

  “It’s okay. I deserve it.”

  When the phone clicked, Tessa sent up a quick prayer for her friend. She felt bad about the way the conversation had ended, and hoped Stephanie would be all right.

  When Tessa told Ben the news about Stephanie’s dismissal, he wasn’t surprised. “You can’t get away with doing the wrong thing forever. Eventually you get caught.”

  “But she assured me I was the only one she’d spoken to about her patients, so I don’t understand how Rod found out.”

  “I had nothing to do with it, if that’s what you’re intimating.”

  “I know you didn’t.” She hesitated, and reached out her hand.

  He narrowed his eyes. “But Stephanie thinks I did, right?”

  Tessa couldn’t deny it, so she remained silent.

  Ben let out an annoyed sigh. “She’s wrong. I had nothing to do with it.” He shook his head. “She’s only got herself to blame.” He finished wiping the kitchen bench before turning and meeting Tessa’s gaze. “I guess she won’t want me at her graduation if she thinks like that?”

  “Not at all. She needs our support more than ever. If you don’t go, it’ll just make her believe it was you. I don’t think she believes you’d do something like that, it’s just her way of coping with the shock. She’s lashing out at whoever she can.”

  As Ben fixed his eyes on her, Tessa’s heart fell. She hated the underlying tension that had existed between the two of them ever since she’d told Ben about Michael’s email. And now, she got the feeling he didn’t accept what she’d said, and that she also believed it was him who’d betrayed Stephanie.

  With the uncomfortable tension with Ben still floating in the air, she thought it best to stay home, so she phoned Stephanie instead. Hannah answered and said Stephanie was asleep. Tessa breathed a sigh of relief, although she felt a little guilty at doing so. She prayed silently for her, asking God to work something good in all of this, and joined Ben on the couch.

  Stephanie’s graduation ceremony was scheduled for that Friday night at the Southbank Convention Centre. Tessa doubted Ben would end up going, but she’d convinced him it was the right thing to do, and she took his hand as he sat beside her in the huge auditorium. Stephanie’s mother had at the last minute been unable to come due to an emergency on the farm. Stephanie had said she was relieved in one way. It gave her more time before having to admit her failure.

  Throughout the whole of the ceremony, Stephanie stared at her hands, only looking up when her name was called. Her gaze was vacant as she walked onto the stage to receive her certificate. Seeing her like this tore at Tessa’s heart.

  Stephanie’s cheeks were tear-stained when they met up after the ceremony. Tessa threw her arms around her neck and hugged her tightly. “It’ll be okay, Steph, you’ll see. Chin up.”

  Stephanie forced a smile and wiped her cheeks.

  Tessa urged Ben forward. Stephanie held her body rigid and lifted her chin as he leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek.

  “I don’t know how to make you believe me. It wasn’t me who told on you, and I have no idea who did.” Tessa’s heart warmed at the softness in his voice. He really was trying.

  “I can’t think of anyone else who would have.” Defeat hung heavily in Stephanie voice. “It doesn’t matter now. I’m sure you think I deserve it.”

  Ben shook his head. “You’re wrong. I only want the best for you, believe it or not.”

  “What are you going to do now, Steph?” Tessa asked, trying to diffuse the situation.

  Stephanie turned and shrugged dejectedly. “I don’t know. I think I’ll spend a few weeks with my mum on the farm. Being away from everything for a while might help clear my head.”

  Tessa smiled warmly at her and hugged her tightly. “Don’t be disheartened. Stay strong. And remember, God is with you.”

  Chapter 14

  With Stephanie about to go away, Tessa was more eager than ever to form a friendship with Margaret Smith. She needed another woman to talk with, even if Margaret was a little older. In fact, she could have been her mother. Tessa figured that could be a good thing. Margaret had raised three children, so perhaps she could give some advice regarding Jayden. She’d been reading the books on step-parenting Stephanie had given her, but it wouldn’t hurt to get some real life know-how on raising a teenager.

  Margaret didn’t live too far away. When Tessa drove up for their agreed upon lunch date, she was in the front yard snipping the dead heads off the rose bushes lining her front fence.

  “Welcome to my humble abode,” she said, greeting Tessa warmly. She removed her old gardening gloves and led the way inside. “Come right on in.” The living room was spotless. A large colourful mat sat in the middle of the dark timber floor, surrounded by a lounge suite, which although old and well used, still looked inviting and comfortable. Photos, which Tessa guessed were of family members, stood in fancy frames on top of the mantelpiece, and white chandelier light fittings adorned the extra high ceiling.

  “I love your house. It’s so quaint and oldie worldy. It’s lovely.” Tessa smiled warmly at the older woman.

  “Thank you. I must admit to quite liking it myself.” Margaret chuckled. “We’ve lived here all our married life, so it holds a lot of memories.”

  She headed into the kitchen, but not before tossing her wide-brimmed floppy sun hat onto a chair as she passed by. “Silly me, always forgetting to take this off in the house.” Margaret’s chatty, good-natured personality made Tessa smile. After putting the water on for tea, she rejoined Tessa in the living room. “I’m truly glad you could come. I always enjoy getting to know new folks.”

  “Thank you for asking me.” Tessa pointed to the framed photos. “Your family?”

  “Ah, yes.” Margaret picked up each one in turn. “This is my husband, Harold. We’ve been married forty years next year. And these are our two daughters, Chloe and Sophie. They’re twins—you can probably tell just by looking at them, and you’ll never believe this—they went and married twin brothers!”

  “Really?” Tessa laughed.

  Margaret chuckled and nodded. “They’re all in London now, and I’m worried I won’t be able to tell my grandbabies apart when I see them next.” She picked up the last photo and her smiled faded. “And here’s Harrison, my baby.”

  Tessa leaned closer. Harrison? Not Harrison who worked for her, surely? She peered closer still. Although considerably younger in the photo, it was him, no question about it. His high cheekbones, big brown eyes and jet black hair confirmed it.

  “Harrison works for me. I had no idea.”

  Margaret blinked. “Really? I didn’t know you were a vet.” Something about Margaret’s expression wasn’t right.

  “Yes—I’m Practice Manager at the moment, although I’d love to be back doing hands on work. It’s a small world, isn’t it?” Tessa stepped back a little. Margaret stared wistfully at the photo for a second longer before replacing it. What was going on here? Surely it was the twins Margaret was missing; Harrison lived nearby.

  “Yes, it is,” she said in a faraway voice, but then her expression lightened. “What about you, Tessa? Do you have children?” Before she could answer, Margaret touched her arm lightly. “I’m sorry. I just remembered you told me you were recently married.”

  “Yes, I am, but Ben’s son lives with us. So yes, I do have a child—actually, I have a teenager…” Tessa blew out a slow breath. “And he’s really test
ing me out, I’m afraid.”

  Margaret chuckled, her face lighting up. “Teenagers have a habit of doing that.”

  The kettle began to whistle. “Come on, it’s time for lunch.” Margaret hurried into the kitchen and filled a red china teapot with steaming water. She indicated to Tessa to take a seat and gave thanks for the food. Uncovering a plate of dainty sandwiches, she encouraged Tessa to take as many as she liked. Tessa chose an egg and lettuce sandwich and also a chicken and salad, and placed both on her plate, but all of a sudden she didn’t feel like eating. In fact, the smell of the egg made her nauseous. Not wanting to be rude, she nibbled the chicken sandwich. As she chewed, she thought about Margaret’s behaviour. Something wasn’t quite right. But dare she ask? She’d hoped Margaret might give her some input with how to handle Jayden. She had no thought it might be Margaret who needed help.

  Tessa washed the sandwich down with a sip of tea and then decided to ask. She cleared her throat. “Is everything all right between you and Harrison?”

  Margaret’s face fell and for a long moment she said nothing. She twisted her tea cup between her hands before smiling rather sadly. “Harrison doesn’t talk to me anymore. We haven’t seen each other since he left school, and that was a long time ago.”

  “But why? You live so close.” Tessa’s brow furrowed. How could anyone, let alone her son, not want to see this sweet, kind woman? Tessa leaned forward in her chair and gazed sympathetically at Margaret.

  Margaret sighed deeply. “It’s a long story.”

  “It’s okay, I’m happy to listen.” Tessa smiled encouragingly.

  “Okay, thanks. Stop me if you want.” Margaret drew in a deep breath and began. “When I was growing up, my parents struggled with money and we were poor my entire childhood.” She wrapped her hands tightly around her cup. “I was determined to make a better life for myself, so I studied hard and became a journalist. When I met Harold, I had a high-paying job with a woman’s magazine. After we married, Harold was more than happy for me to keep working, even when the children came along. He understood my need to give the children a better life than what I’d had growing up.”

  Margaret bit her lip and stared into her cup, a pained expression growing on her face. “The job required me to travel a lot. I missed more birthdays and rugby practices and school events than I should have. Harrison was always asking where I was or why I couldn’t watch him, and then one day he just stopped asking and didn’t want anything more to do with me.” Margaret’s eyes misted over. Tessa reached out and lightly touched her arm. “He had everything he needed, apart from a mother who was there for him.” She lifted a tissue to her eyes and looked up. “I deeply regret not spending more time with him and the girls. If I could go back and change things, I would, but at the time, I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  Tessa sat quietly, digesting all that Margaret had said. Her honesty and desire to give her children a better life was touching. Listening to her, the thought came to Tessa that behind many a happy facade lay a sad story. Even my own mother had a sad story she’d kept secret for years. The thought didn’t alleviate Tessa’s concerns over her situation with Jayden, but it provided comfort to know she wasn’t alone. Others had their unique set of problems they faced daily, and it was unrealistic of her to expect that her life would be free of challenges.

  But how unfair that Harrison couldn’t see his mother had acted out of love. Another thought came to her—maybe that’s why he’s giving me such a hard time—he thinks I should be a stay-at-home mother. She cocked her head and drew her eyebrows together. Surely not, not in this day and age? Every mother works, don’t they?

  Tessa met Margaret’s questioning gaze. “I was just thinking that might explain why Harrison doesn’t like me as his boss.”

  Margaret’s eyes watered again. “I’m sorry if he treats you badly. I’m to blame for that.”

  Tessa reached across the table and grasped Margaret’s hand. “No. Parents make mistakes, but when children become adults they have to take responsibility for their own behaviour. Your daughters didn’t turn out like Harrison, did they?”

  A smile came to the older woman’s face. “No, thank God. They were always proud of my work. We talk over the phone every week and Harold and I are going to visit them in London during the winter.” Her expression faded. “But Harrison, well, I guess boys take things differently.” She sighed and took a sip of tea before drawing her eyebrows together. “You’ve barely touched your sandwich. Can I get you something else?”

  Tessa looked down at her plate. It was true. She’d only nibbled one sandwich, but the thought of eating any more made her stomach turn. Strange, because she normally liked sandwiches.

  “No, thank you. That’s very kind. The sandwiches are lovely, but I just don’t seem to be very hungry.” As she spoke, her stomach convulsed and rose to her throat. She covered her mouth with her hand. “I’m sorry, I think I’m going to be sick.”

  Margaret’s eyes widened. She hopped up and grabbed a bowl off the sink. “Here, take this.” She handed Tessa the bowl, just in time for her to heave her entire breakfast, morning tea and lunch into it.

  “I’m so sorry.” She quickly looked up before heaving again. When there was no more left to bring up, she took the towel Margaret offered and wiped her face. “I’m not sure what came over me. I feel so embarrassed.”

  “Don’t you worry about that.” Margaret took her by the arm and led her to a couch in the living room. She went back to the kitchen and returned with a glass of cold water. Tessa sipped it thankfully.

  “Have you been to a doctor lately?”

  Tessa shook her head.

  “I think you should go see one.” Margaret sat on the couch alongside her and leaned forward, eyes glowing.

  “I’m sure it’s nothing.” Tessa took another sip of water.

  “You don’t understand.” Margaret touched her lightly on her wrist. “Lack of appetite, feeling nauseous and lightheadedness are all symptoms of pregnancy.”

  Tessa’s eyed widened. Pregnancy? No, I can’t be pregnant… She straightened until she was sitting on the edge of the couch. She glanced down at her flat stomach and then back at Margaret. “I can’t be. We’ve been taking precautions.” Her pulse began to race.

  “I’ve been through it twice and I think I can tell, but you should see your doctor to be absolutely certain.” Margaret eyes twinkled as Tessa’s mind worked overtime. Pregnant? She and Ben had been planning on having children in the future, but not yet. It was too soon. She wasn’t ready. Or was she?

  On the way home from Margaret’s, Tessa was in a daze, unable to believe Margaret’s theory for her sudden bout of vomiting until she realised she hadn’t had a period since before their honeymoon. She’d been so busy since returning that she hadn’t noticed—until now. The realisation sent her into a panic. Her heart skipped a beat and her face grew warm. Maybe Margaret was right after all. She pulled over at the first pharmacy she passed and picked up a pregnancy test kit. There was one way to find out.

  Chapter 15

  “Tessa, is this what I think it is?” Ben emerged from the bathroom, carrying a white stick, a quizzical look on his face.

  Tessa chastised herself. She’d meant to throw it away but her mind had drifted to Michael’s email again when she was showering and she’d forgotten about it.

  “Sorry. I meant to throw it away. I threw up at lunch and Margaret had a strange thought I might be pregnant, so I picked up a test kit on the way home. She was wrong, just as I’d expected. I must have eaten something bad.” She stepped into the bathroom and squeezed toothpaste onto her brush. Despite rinsing many times at Margaret’s, her mouth still tasted of vomit. Maybe it was her imagination, but a good clean would fix it either way.

  Ben followed her and she caught his reflection in the mirror. A deep frown sat on his forehead. He still held the stick in his hand. “But it’s positive.”

  Her mouth fell open as she stopped mid brush. She quick
ly spat into the basin and turned around. “It can’t be, I checked. It was negative.”

  “It looks positive to me.”

  She stared at the stick in his hand. He was right. How had she gotten it wrong? Her heart went into a flap.

  Ben took her hands. “Tessa, look at me.”

  She lifted her gaze and stared at him. She couldn’t take this in.

  “This is wonderful news. We’re having a baby!” His eyes shone with excitement. She’d never seen him so animated.

  “But we hadn’t planned it.” Her chest tightened and she struggled to breathe.

  “If God has decided to bless us with a baby, who are we to argue?”

  She searched his eyes as the reality of what could be began to take hold deep inside her. “Are you sure? You said we should wait a year.” Her voice was breathless and she swallowed the lump in her throat. Could she really be pregnant?

  “Yes, I’m sure. This is the best thing that’s happened to me. I’m so excited.” He pulled her close and pressed his lips against her hair.

  She leaned back and angled her head. “The best thing?”

  “Well, apart from marrying you, that is.”

  She gazed into his eyes as love for him flooded through her veins. All thoughts of Michael fled her mind. “And marrying you is the best thing that’s happened to me, and having your baby is, well, it’s overwhelming.” Tears pricked her eyes. “I still can’t believe it. I think I need some time to take it in.”

  “Take as long as you want.” He brushed her hair lightly with his fingers and gazed into her eyes. “It might not be what we planned, but we need to thank God for His blessings. Children are a gift from God, and I’m so thankful for Him blessing us like this.”

  A moment of silence passed between them. He was right. Children were definitely a gift from God, and instead of being anxious, she should be grateful. But was she ready to be a mother to a baby and a teenager? Her heart raced again. Jayden. How will he handle the news? She asked Ben what he thought.