THE TRUE LOVE SERIES BOX SET: A Christian Romance

by Duncan, Juliette

  Chapter 14

  The miles slipped away as Zoe drove back to the farm with Mum beside her in the passenger seat. The sense of loss lay heavily on both their hearts—it wasn't every day you lost your mother and grandmother. She tried not to think about Grandma's body being transported back to Bellhaven in a refrigerated vehicle. Whilst it was practical, there was no option if they were to bury her beside Grandfather, but the thought of Grandma lying in a refrigerated van made her sad. The only comfort was that it was just her body. Grandma, the real Grandma, was safe in the arms of Jesus.

  "I'm going to miss her a lot, Mum." Zoe's gaze was fixed on the road ahead, but she struggled to hold her tears at bay.

  "We all will, Zoe." Mum extended her hand and placed it gently on Zoe's leg. "Are you okay, sweetheart?"

  Zoe dabbed her eyes with a tissue and nodded. "I will be."

  "Zoe…" Mum leaned forward and stared out the windscreen. "Is that smoke?"

  Zoe peered at the horizon. What had looked like a large grey cloud a little earlier was now a billowing, angry cloud of smoke. "Yes, and it's heading for Bellhaven."

  Mum spoke quietly. "I need to call Dad." She pulled her phone out of her purse and flipped it open.

  Zoe felt ill as she glanced at Mum holding the phone to her ear.

  Mum shook her head. "No signal."

  "Try mine." Zoe handed Mum her phone.

  Mum shook her head again. "The same."

  "I'll try the radio. See if we can get some news."

  Switching on the radio, Zoe searched for the local station. She found it, but the signal was weak and with the crackle, she could hardly hear the news reader. She turned the volume up.

  "A Watch and Act alert is in place for residents of Ridgewood, Lawnton and Bellhaven. All residents should prepare to evacuate. Unless the wind changes, these towns are right in the path of the fire. Next update will be in ten minutes."

  Mum's face blanched. "What are we going to do, Zoe? I need to get home to Peter. He won't cope."

  Zoe squeezed her hand. "Dad's with him, Mum. They'll be okay. I doubt we'll get through."

  Mum glanced at Zoe, her face as white as a sheet, but then her gaze returned to the smoke cloud now covering the sun and looking more menacing by the second.

  Flashing lights appeared in Zoe's rear-view mirror. Moments later, a Fire and Rescue truck overtook them and sped off into the distance.

  Zoe's throat grew dry as the pungent outside air began seeping in. Flicking the air intake switch to recycle, she grabbed her water bottle and took a large mouthful.

  Up ahead a barrier blocked the road, and a sign pointed all traffic to the nearby town of Glenville.

  "I wish we could contact Dad and Peter. I'm so worried about them…"

  "We have to trust they'll be okay, Mum. We might get some news when we get to Glenville." Slowing, Zoe indicated right, but her gaze remained on the billowing cloud of smoke heading for Bellhaven. If the fire reached the farm, there'd be no chance of saving it. She let out a slow breath and tried to push down her growing concern. Over the years they'd had many fires threaten the area, but this one looked like it could be the worst. Her heart grew heavier. God, would you please let the fire pass? And please keep Dad and Peter safe. God was able to calm a storm and part the sea, and He could control the fire if He chose, but would He? Your will, Your way, Your time, Lord. Please help me trust You, but I pray with all my heart You'll save the farm.

  Having turned right, Zoe planted her foot, and her little car responded. "Ten minutes, Mum, but keep checking for service."

  Five minutes later, Mum let out a relieved sigh. "Finally." Holding her phone to her ear. Mum straightened in her seat. Seconds ticked by. "He's not answering, Zoe. It's gone to voice-mail." She sounded alarmed.

  "Try again."

  She did. Seconds later, she shook her head. "The same."

  "He's probably busy. It doesn't mean anything." But despite Zoe's verbal assurances, concern over Dad and Peter kept growing. What if the fire had already reached the farm? What if they were in danger? She tried not to think about it and instead trust God to look after them, but images of burned buildings and charred bodies bombarded her mind. Her faith was really lacking if she was imagining things like that.

  Another few minutes and they passed a sign telling them they were entering Glenville. It was the busiest she'd ever seen the small town. The main street was packed with cars, and people wearing worried faces scurried in all directions, but they mainly headed towards the community centre on Johnson Street.

  Zoe reversed her Corolla into a small space between two large SUV's. She and Mum wasted no time in joining the throng of people heading to the centre. A registration table had been set up at the entrance of the building, and they joined the line. Apart from the sound of a few babies crying and a few mums calling out to their children to stop running around, a general hush filled the hall. It seemed everyone's thoughts were of their loved ones still in the line of fire, and on their homes. Were they still standing or had they been burned to the ground and were now just a charred heap?

  Zoe was no different. She stood quietly with her arm around Mum as they inched slowly forward. Eventually it was their turn. As they stepped forward, a middle-aged woman with short, greying hair looked up, her eyes lighting up momentarily before filling with concern. "I didn't know you were back, Ruth. I was so sorry to hear about your mum."

  The woman meant well, but her kind words made Mum's eyes fill with tears. "Thanks, Mary." Mum gave her an appreciative smile as she sniffed. "Zoe and I are on our way back to Bellhaven now." She paused, dabbing her eyes.

  Zoe put her hand on Mum's back.

  "You haven't seen Kevin and Peter, have you?" Mum struggled to get the words out.

  Mary shook her head slowly. "I'm sorry, Ruth. They haven't come in yet."

  Zoe gave Mum's shoulders a squeeze. God, please look after them…

  "I'll let you know if I hear anything."

  "Thank you." Mum gave another weak smile.

  "There's tea, coffee and water to the side, and the folk from St Alban's are running a prayer vigil at the back. We're all praying no-one loses their life."

  Especially Dad and Peter. A heavy weight settled on Zoe's heart as she led Mum towards the refreshments table. Surely Dad would return Mum's calls shortly. She'd left enough messages.

  "I'm going to join the prayer group, Zoe," Mum said quietly as they stepped away from the desk.

  "I'll come with you, just let me call Harrison first."

  "Okay, sweetheart. Thank you." Mum squeezed Zoe's wrist, her hand shaking. "I wish he'd ring."

  "I'll find out if anyone's seen them."

  "Thanks." Mum smiled again, but Zoe could tell she was really struggling to hold herself together. Not knowing the whereabouts of your husband and son when an out of control fire was bearing down on your property would do that to you, even if you trusted God. How could anyone relax when they knew what devastation the fire could cause?

  As Mum walked to the back of the room and joined the dozen or so people sitting in a circle with bowed heads, Zoe stepped outside and pulled her phone out. Harrison would be at work, but he'd answer if he could. Just about to press Harrison's number, Zoe's attention was drawn to the almost new Toyota Hilux pickup driving by. Her heart skipped a beat. How had Spencer gotten here so quickly? She slapped her forehead. He has a plane…doh… He pulled to a stop and his mother opened the door and climbed out. Mrs. Coleman lifted a hand in a small wave as he sped off.

  Trudging along the pavement towards the centre, Mrs. Coleman hugged a small white dog to her chest, her focus obviously not on where she was going, because when she reached Zoe, she looked up with a start.

  "Zoe… I didn't see you there." Her face was covered with fine black soot and her eyes were glassy.

  "Are you all right, Mrs. Coleman?" Zoe placed her arm gently around Spencer's mum's shoulder. When she and Spencer were dating, Zoe had spent a lot of time at the Coleman's
farm, and Mrs. Coleman was almost like a second mother to her.

  Mrs. Coleman shook her head. "No…our…our house is gone."

  Zoe's eyes widened. Had she heard correctly? The Coleman's house had been burned? That meant their's was next. Zoe forced herself to ignore her fears and turned her attention to Mrs. Coleman. "That's terrible, Mrs. Coleman. Let me help you inside." Zoe led Mrs. Coleman to a chair and quickly found a blanket to put around her shoulders. Shock was setting in. She organised a cup of sweet tea and sat beside her, rubbing her back gently to keep her warm. Despite the heat of the day, Mrs. Coleman was shivering.

  "Is Mr. Coleman okay?" Zoe asked quietly, praying silently he was.

  "I…I don't know. Spencer's gone back."

  The dog whimpered. Mrs. Coleman tightened her grip on it.

  Zoe wanted to ask which way the fire was heading, but refrained. She didn't have to. She knew. Instead, as she comforted Mrs. Coleman, she prayed silently. God, please spare the farm and keep Dad and Peter safe, as well as Mr. Coleman and Spencer. I know You can answer prayer, so this would be a really good time to intervene. Please. I know You can. Please just keep them all safe. She gulped. If only God would let her know He'd heard.

  More people arrived, each wearing a tale of their own on their face. Zoe overhead snippets of information, none of it good. The fire's intensity was increasing. So far, three properties had been destroyed. No lives had been lost that they were aware of, but people were missing, and concern was held for their safety. Zoe gulped. How much more could these people endure? So many years of drought, and now everything they owned could be wiped out in an instant.

  She felt so sorry for them. They all worked so hard. So hard. It wasn't fair. Why didn't God give them a break? They all just seemed to accept it as their lot in life. "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." How many times had she heard that? She could get quite incensed about their simple acceptance, in fact, she was. God, why don't You answer their prayers?

  Soft singing rose from the back of the hall. Everyone stopped their conversations and turned to face the group sitting in a circle at the back of the hall. They'd joined hands and were singing 'Great is Thy Faithfulness', unaccompanied. One by one, everyone in the hall joined in. Zoe whispered the words, and as she sang, something inside her softened and tears streamed down her cheeks. "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."

  Silence filled the hall. Even those who normally wouldn't pray or sing stood quietly. Regardless of what was going on outside, God was here, working in people's hearts. God would provide, because He was faithful. Even if they lost their homes, He would provide. Zoe clutched her hands to her chest as a voice inside her said, "Trust Me."

  Mrs. Coleman straightened. The vacant look in her eyes had disappeared and had been replaced with peace and calm. "That's all we can do, Zoe, trust the Lord and praise Him, regardless of the outcome."

  She was right, but the fact Mrs. Coleman could say that after having just lost her home amazed Zoe. Especially when she didn't know if her husband and son were okay.

  People soon returned to their conversations. Zoe remembered she'd promised Mum she'd try to find out about Dad, and she still hadn't called Harrison. She turned to Mrs. Coleman and placed her hand lightly on her back. "Will you be okay if I leave you for a few minutes?"

  "Of course, dear. Thank you for being with me." She squeezed Zoe's hand, giving her a warm smile.

  "I'll be back soon." Zoe stood and walked outside. She gagged on the air, thick with smoke and soot which was settling on the pavement and all the cars. The sky was a deep reddy-grey as the sun tried to penetrate the smoke. If it was this bad here, what was it like in the thick of it?

  Zoe pulled her phone out again and dialled Harrison's number. He answered within three rings.

  "Zoe, what's the matter?"

  "You haven't heard?"

  "Heard what?"

  Leaning against the wall, Zoe closed her eyes momentarily and lifted a hand to her face. "It's horrible, Harrison. There's an out of control bush-fire heading for the farm. It's already been through the Coleman's farm and two others and destroyed everything." She struggled to get the words out.

  "Zoe, that's terrible. Are you okay?"

  "Yes." She gulped. "But we're not sure about Dad and Peter."

  "Where are they?"

  She blew out a slow breath as those words played in her mind… 'Trust me'. "We don't know. I'm just about to ask around."

  "I'll come out."

  Tears pricked Zoe's eyes. She could really do with Harrison's arms around her right now. "Would you?" Her voice was tiny.

  "Yes. I'll leave straight away."

  "Thank you. Be careful." She gulped again. "I love you."

  "I love you, too, Zoe. Hang in there."

  "I will."

  Zoe ended the call and looked at the sky, covering her mouth and nose with her hand. The smoky air was stinging her nostrils and her throat was really dry. But she had another call to make. The Transport company. They couldn't bring Grandma's body out here with a fire raging. What if the Funeral Home burned down? She stepped into the entrance away from the smoke and made the call.

  Next, Zoe needed to find someone who might know about Dad. Inside the hall, an information desk was being set up. She caught Mum's eye and motioned for her to come. Mum stood and hurried to join her. They joined the line of people who seemed just as keen to obtain information as they were.

  An older bald-headed man wearing a Rural Fire Services uniform looked up when it was their turn. "Hello. How can I help?"

  "Do you have any information on Bellrae, Kevin Taylor's farm over near Bellhaven?"

  While the man looked down at his computer, Zoe's heart pounded and her grip on Mum's shoulder tightened. They had to be okay.

  Finally, the man lifted his head. "The property's still in danger, and there's a crew on their way out there. The report says the owner went back to look for his son instead of leaving. That's all I've got. I'm sorry."

  Zoe's heart felt as if it had been ripped from her chest. Of course Dad would go back for Peter. Somehow she thanked the man and led Mum to the seat beside Mrs. Coleman. As she sat, she once again heard those words…'Trust Me'.

  * * *

  Peter huddled in the hay with his arms wrapped around his favourite red hen, Ginger. He had to protect her from the horrible black monster in the sky. She'd be scared of it. Just like Chicken Little, she'd be thinking the world was about to end. Maybe it was. Peter huddled further into the hay. If the monster couldn't see them, they'd be all right.

  Chapter 15

  Never had five hours taken so long. Harrison prayed, yes, he prayed, that his car would behave. If God had any power, this was the time to prove it. Zoe needed him, and he had to get to her. No doubt Spencer would be there too, and the last thing Harrison wanted was for Spencer to be the hero again.

  As the hours ticked by, the sky grew darker, the sun a fierce ball of red trying to penetrate a thickening blanket of smoke. Harrison switched his headlights on as he passed through Arlington. Glancing at Joe's Mechanical Repairs, he thanked God he didn't need to stop.

  He did call Zoe, however, while he had a signal.

  "We're still at the Community Centre at Glenville, Harrison."

  "I'll be there soon, Zo. Have your Dad and Peter been found yet?"

  Zoe's voice caught. "No, they're still missing."

  "What about the fire?"

  "It's slowed a little, but it's still burning and heading for Bellrae."

  "I'm praying for you all, Zo." The words slipped out of his mouth. Had he really said that?

  "Thank you, Harrison." Her voice caught again. "Drive carefully."

  Before he could answer, his phone beeped, ending the call. The signal was lost. Leaving the town, he put his foot down.

  * * *

  Kevin Taylor jumped out of his old pickup, lifting his shirt to cover his face, and scanned the fence-line. He could barely
see more than a few metres either side, the smoke so thick he could almost cut it with a knife. He was starting to panic. Where had Peter gone? He'd already scoured all the places he could think of, but the property was so big, he couldn't search it all. Besides, Peter couldn't have gone that far. But it was like finding a needle in a haystack. Why hadn't he just stayed put when he'd been told? Kevin raked his hand across his balding head. Silly boy. It was no use. He'd never find him. But would Ruth ever forgive him if something happened to Peter?

  Kevin peered through the smoke-thickened air once more before jumping back into the pickup. He'd just have to go back to the house and pray Peter had returned. If he could get there, that is. Tongues of fire licked the dry grass at the fence-line. How could a fire spread so easily when the cattle struggled to find enough grass to eat?

  He gunned it as he headed back along the fence-line to the track leading back to the farm. He hit the brakes—a wall of fire was in his path. Swinging off the track, he headed across the paddock away from it. Kevin gripped the steering wheel as the pickup bounced across the rough ground. He should slow down, but a glance in the rear-view mirror told him how foolish that would be. The fire was gaining ground. He floored it. He had to get out of there. It'd been foolish to come out on his own. What was he thinking? As he struggled to retain control, the pickup hit a ditch and rolled.

  * * *

  Zoe sat with Mum and Mrs. Coleman and waited. As every minute passed, hope of finding Dad and Peter alive diminished. As she sat, Zoe prayed. What else could she do? Go and look for them herself? She would if she could, but Mum needed her. Every now and again they looked up as someone new entered the hall. But no-one had any news about the whereabouts of Kevin and Peter Taylor. At least Uncle Stephen and Aunt Veronica were safe. They'd gone to Melbourne to visit family.

  Spencer and Mr. Coleman were helping fight the fire with the volunteer fire brigade, Spencer flying an agricultural plane adapted for fire-fighting purposes, dumping water drawn from the Ridgewood dam onto the fire, and Mr. Coleman was helping on the ground. The three women prayed for their safety.