Chapter 2
W hat did the ground say to the rain?” Lorna asked an elderly man as she waited on his table. He glanced out the window at the pouring rain and shrugged. “You got me.”
“If you keep this up, my name will be mud!” Lorna’s laugh sounded forced, but it was the best she could do, considering how hard she’d had to work at telling the dumb joke.
“That was really lame,” Chris moaned as she passed by her table and jabbed Lorna in the ribs.
The customer, however, laughed at Lorna’s corny quip. She smiled. Could mean another nice tip.
She moved to the next table, preparing to take an order from a young couple.
“I’ll have one of the greasiest burgers you’ve got, with a side order of artery-clogging french fries.” The man looked up at Lorna and winked.
Offering him what she hoped was a pleasant smile, Lorna wrote down his order. Then she turned to the woman and asked, “What would you like?”
“I’m trying to watch my weight,” the slender young female said. “What have you got that tastes good and isn’t full of fat or too many calories?”
“You don’t look like you need to worry about your weight at all.” Lorna grinned. “Why, did you know that diets are for people who are thick and tired of it all?”
The woman giggled. “I think I’ll settle for a dinner salad and a glass of unsweetened iced tea.”
When Lorna turned in her order, she bumped into Chris, who was doing the same.
“What’s with you tonight?” her friend asked.
“What do you mean?”
“I’ve never seen you so friendly to the customers before. And those jokes, Lorna. Where did you dig them up?”
Lorna shrugged. “You’re not the only one who can make people laugh, you know. I’ll bet my tips will be better than ever tonight.”
“Tips? Is that what you’re trying to do—get more tips?”
“Not necessarily more. Just bigger ones.” As she spoke the words, Lorna felt a pang of guilt. She knew it wasn’t right to try to wangle better tips. The motto at Farmen’s was to be friendly and courteous to all customers. Besides, it was the Christian way, and Lorna knew better than to do anything other than that. She’d gotten carried away with the need to make more money in less time. Forgive me, Father, she prayed.
Chris moved closer to Lorna. “Let me see if I understand this right. You’re single, living rent free with your in-laws, working two jobs, and you need more money? What gives?”
“I’ve given my notice at the Mini-mart,” Lorna answered. “Next Friday will be my last day.”
Chris’s mouth dropped open, and she sucked in her breath. “You’re kidding!”
“I’m totally serious. I’ll only be working at this job from now on.”
“You don’t even like waiting tables,” Chris reminded. “Why would you give up your day job to come here every evening and put up with a cranky boss and complaining customers? If you want to quit a job, why not this one?”
“I decided to take your advice,” Lorna replied.
“My advice? Now that’s a first. What, might I ask, are you taking my advice on?”
“One week from Monday I’ll be registering for the fall semester at Bay View Christian College.”
Chris’s eyes grew large, and Lorna gave her friend’s red and blue apron a little tug. “Please don’t stand there gaping at me—say something.”
Chris blinked as though she were coming out of a trance. “I’m in shock. I can’t believe you’re actually going back to college, much less doing it at my suggestion.”
Lorna wrinkled her nose. “It wasn’t solely because of your prompting.”
“Oh?”
“Ann suggested it the other night, too, and I’ve been praying about it ever since. I feel it’s something I should do.”
Chris grabbed Lorna in a bear hug. “I’m so happy for you.”
“Thanks.” Lorna nodded toward their boss, Gary Farmen, who had just walked by. “Guess we should get back to work.”
“Right.” Chris giggled. “We wouldn’t want to be accused of having any fun on the job, now would we?”
Lorna started toward the dining room.
“One more thing,” Chris called after her.
“What’s that?” Lorna asked over her shoulder.
“I’d find some better jokes if I were you.”
The distinctive, crisp scent of autumn was in the air. Lorna inhaled deeply as she shuffled through a pile of freshly fallen leaves scattered around the campus of Bay View Christian College.
Today she would register for the fall semester, bringing her one step closer to realizing her dream of teaching music. The decision to return to school had been a difficult one. Certainly she was mature enough to handle the pressures that would come with being a full-time student, but she worried about being too mature to study with a bunch of kids who probably didn’t have a clue what life was all about.
By the time Lorna reached the front door of the admissions office, her heart was pounding so hard she was sure everyone within earshot could hear it. Her knees felt weak and shaky, and she wondered if she would be able to hold up long enough to get through this process.
She’d already filled out the necessary paperwork for pre-admission and had even met with her advisor the previous week. Today was just a formality. Still, the long line forming behind the desk where she was to pick up her course package made her feel ill at ease.
Lorna fidgeted with the strap of her purse and felt relief wash over her when it was finally her turn.
“Name?” asked the dark-haired, middle-aged woman who was handing out the packets.
“Lorna Patterson. My major is music education.”
The woman thumbed through the alphabetized bundles. A few seconds later, she handed one to Lorna. “This is yours.”
“Thanks,” Lorna mumbled. She turned and began looking through the packet, relieved when she saw that the contents confirmed her schedule for this semester.
Intent on reading the program for her anatomy class, Lorna wasn’t watching where she was going. With a sudden jolt, she bumped into someone’s arm, and the entire bundle flew out of her hands. Feeling a rush of heat creep up the back of her neck, Lorna dropped to her knees to retrieve the scattered papers.
“Sorry. Guess my big bony elbow must have gotten in your way. Here, let me help you with those.”
Lorna looked up. A pair of clear blue eyes seemed to be smiling at her. The man those mesmerizing eyes belonged to must be the owner of the deep voice offering help. She fumbled with the uncooperative papers, willing her fingers to stop shaking. What is wrong with me? I’m acting like a clumsy fool this morning. “Thanks, but I can manage,” she squeaked.
The young man nodded as he got to his feet, and her cheeks burned hot under his scrutiny.
Lorna quickly gathered up the remaining papers and stood. He probably thinks I’m a real klutz. So much for starting out the day on the right foot.
The man opened his mouth as if to say something, but Lorna hurried away. She still had to go to the business office and take care of some financial matters. Then she needed to find the bookstore and locate whatever she’d be needing, and finally the student identification desk to get her ID card. There would probably be long lines everywhere.
Lorna made her way down the crowded hall, wondering how many more stupid blunders she might make before the day was over. She’d been away from college so long; it was obvious she no longer knew how to function. Especially in the presence of a good-looking man.
Evan hung his bicycle on the rack outside his lake-view apartment building and bounded up the steps, feeling rather pleased with himself. He’d enrolled at Bay View Christian College today, taken a leisurely bike ride around Woodland Park, and now he was anxious to get home and grab a bite to eat. After supper he’d be going online to check out Cynthia Lyons’ cooking class again. Maybe he’d have better luck with today’s recipe than he had last week. Ev
an’s peanut butter chocolate chip cookies turned out hard as rocks, and he still hadn’t figured out what he’d done wrong. He thought he’d followed Cynthia’s directions to the letter, but apparently he’d left out some important ingredient. He probably should try making them again.
As soon as Evan entered his apartment, he went straight to the kitchen and pulled a dinner from the freezer, then popped it into the oven.
“If I learn how to cook halfway decent, it might help find me a wife,” he murmured. “Not only that, but it would mean I’d be eating better meals while I wait for that special someone.”
While the frozen dinner heated, Evan went to the living room where his computer sat on a desk in the corner. He booted it up, then went back to the kitchen to fix a salad. At least that was something he could do fairly well.
“I should have insisted Mom teach me how to cook,” he muttered.
As Evan prepared the green salad, his thoughts turned toward home. He’d grown up in Moscow, Idaho, and that’s where his parents and two older sisters still lived with their families. Since Evan was the youngest child and the only boy in the family, he’d never really needed to cook. His sisters, Margaret and Ellen, had always helped Mom in the kitchen, and they used to say Evan was just in the way if he tried to help out. So when Evan went off to college, he lived on fast foods and meals that were served in the school’s cafeteria. When he dropped out of college to join the air force, all of his meals were provided, so again he had no reason to cook.
Now Evan was living in Seattle, attending the Christian college a friend had recommended. He probably could have lived on campus and eaten whatever was available, but he’d chosen to live alone and learn to cook. He’d also decided it was time to settle down and look for a Christian woman.
Evan sliced a tomato and dropped the pieces into the salad bowl. “First order of business—learn to cook. Second order—find a wife!”
Over the last few days, Lorna’s tips from the restaurant had increased, and she figured it might have something to do with the fact that she’d given up telling jokes and was just being pleasant and friendly, without any ulterior motives.
“I see it’s raining again,” Chris said, as she stepped up beside Lorna.
Lorna grabbed her work apron and shrugged. “What else is new? We’re living in Washington—the Evergreen State, remember?”
Chris lifted her elbow, let it bounce a few times, then connected it gently to Lorna’s rib cage. “You’re not planning to tell that silly joke about the ground talking to the rain again, I hope.”
Lorna shook her head. “I’ve decided to stick to business and leave the humorous stuff to real people like you.”
Chris raised her dark eyebrows, giving Lorna a quizzical look. “Real people? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re fun-loving and genuinely witty.” Lorna frowned. “You don’t have to tell stale jokes in order to make people smile. Everyone seems drawn to your pleasant personality.”
“Thanks for the compliment,” Chris said with a nod. “I think you sell yourself short. You’re talented, have gorgeous, curly blond hair, and you’re blessed with a genuine, sweet spirit.” She leaned closer and whispered, “Trouble is, you keep it hidden, like a dark secret you don’t want anyone to discover.”
Lorna moved away, hoping to avoid any more of her friend’s psychoanalyzing, but Chris stepped in front of her, planting both hands on her wide hips. “I’m not done yet.”
Lorna squinted her eyes. “It’s obvious that you’re not going to let me go to work until I hear you out.”
Chris’s smile was a victorious one. “If you would learn to relax and quit taking life so seriously, people would be drawn to you.”
Lorna groaned. “I want to, Chris, but since Ron’s death, life has so little meaning for me.”
“You’re still young and have lots to offer the world. Don’t let your heart stay locked up in a self-made prison.”
“Maybe going back to school will help. Being around kids who are brimming over with enthusiasm and still believe life holds nothing but joy might rub off on me.”
“I think most college kids are smart enough to know life isn’t always fun and games,” Chris said in a serious tone. “I do believe you’re right about one thing, though.”
“What’s that?”
“Going back to school will be good for you.”
Chapter 3
L orna settled herself into one of the hard-backed auditorium seats and pulled a notebook and pen from her backpack. Anatomy was her first class of the day. She wanted to be ready for action, since this course had been suggested by one of the advisors. It would help her gain a better understanding of proper breathing and the body positions involved in singing.
She glanced around, noticing about fifty other students in the room. Most of them were also preparing to take notes.
A tall, middle-aged man, who introduced himself as Professor Talcot, announced the topic of the day—“Age-related Changes.”
Lorna was about to place her backpack on the empty seat next to her when someone sat down. She glanced over and was greeted with a friendly smile.
Oh, no! It’s that guy I bumped into the other day during registration.
She forced a return smile, then quickly averted her attention back to the professor.
“I’m late. Did I miss much?” the man whispered as he leaned toward Lorna.
“He just started.” She kept her gaze straight ahead.
“Okay, thanks.”
Lorna was grateful he didn’t say anything more. She was here to learn, not to be distracted by some big kid who should have been on time for his first class of the day.
“Everyone, take a good look at the seat you’re in,” Professor Talcot stated. “That’s where you will sit for the remainder of the semester. My assistant will be around shortly to get your names and fill out the seating chart.”
Lorna groaned inwardly. If she’d known she would have to stay in this particular seat all semester, she might have been a bit more selective. Of course, she had no way of knowing an attractive guy with gorgeous blue eyes and a winning smile was going to flop into the seat beside her.
I can handle this. After all, it’s only one hour a day. I don’t even have to talk to him if I don’t want to.
“Name, please?”
Lorna was jolted from her thoughts when a studious-looking man wearing metal-framed glasses tapped her on the shoulder.
She turned her head and realized he was standing in the row behind, leaning slightly over the back of her seat, holding a clipboard in one hand.
“Lorna Patterson,” she whispered.
“What was that? I couldn’t hear you.”
The man sitting next to Lorna turned around. “She said her name is Lorna Patterson. Mine’s Evan Bailey.”
“Gotcha!” the aide replied.
Lorna felt the heat of embarrassment rush to her cheeks. Great! He not only saw how clumsy I was the other day; now he thinks I can’t even speak for myself. I must appear to be pretty stupid.
As she turned her attention back to the class, Lorna caught the tail end of something the professor had said. Something about a group of five. That’s what I get for thinking when I should be listening. Maybe I wasn’t ready to come back to college after all. She turned to Evan and reluctantly asked, “What did the professor say?”
“He said he’s about to give us our first assignment, and we’re supposed to form into groups of five.” A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Would you like to be in my group?”
Lorna shrugged. She didn’t know anyone else in the class. Not that she knew Evan. She’d only met him once, and that wasn’t under the best of circumstances.
Evan Bailey was obviously more outgoing than she, for he was already rounding up three other people to join their group—two young men and one woman, all sitting in the row ahead of them.
“The first part of this assignment will be to get to know each
other,” Professor Talcot told the class. “Tell everyone in your group your name, age, and major.”
Lorna felt a sense of dread roll over her, like turbulent breakers lapping against the shore.
It’s bad enough that I’m older than most of these college kids. Is it really necessary for me to reveal my age?
Introductions were quickly made, and Lorna soon learned the others in the group were Jared, Tim, and Vanessa. All but Evan and Lorna had given some information about themselves.
“You want to go first?” Evan asked, looking at Lorna.
“I—uh—am in my junior year, and I’m majoring in music ed. I hope to become an elementary school music teacher when I graduate.”
“Sounds good. How about you, Evan?” Tim, the studious-looking one, asked.
Evan wiggled his eyebrows and gave Lorna a silly grin. “I’m lookin’ for a mother for my children.”
“You have kids?” The question came from Vanessa, who had long red hair and dark brown eyes, which she’d kept focused on Evan ever since they’d formed their group.
He shook his head. “Nope, not yet. I’m still searching for the right woman to be my wife. I need someone who loves the Lord as much as I do.” Evan’s eyebrows drew together. “Oh, yeah—it might be good if she knows how to cook. I’m in the process of learning, but so far all my recipes have flopped.”
Vanessa leaned forward and studied Evan more intently. “Are you majoring in home economics?”
Evan chuckled. “Not even close. My major is psychology, but I’ve recently signed up for an online cooking class.” He smiled and nodded at Lorna instead of Vanessa. “You married?”
Lorna shook her head. “I’m not married now.” She hesitated then looked away. “My husband died.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Evan said in a sincere tone.
“Yeah, it’s a shame about your husband and all,” Jared agreed.
Sweet Surprise: Romance Collection Page 15
