Promises of Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance

by Juliette Duncan

  "Love one. I'll just take a quick shower."

  Zoe quickly showered and dressed and returned to the kitchen just as Harrison was carrying two mugs of steaming coffee to the table.

  "Should you call your mum?"

  Sliding a bobby pin into her hair, she nodded. "Good idea, I'll grab my phone." Racing into her bedroom, she picked her iPhone up from the bedside table. Two missed calls from Mum and one message. Her heart plummetted. How did I miss them? She opened the message. "Gran had a bad night. In surgery now. Please pray." Zoe's stomach knotted and her mouth went dry. They couldn't lose Grandma now.

  She sat on the edge of the bed and prayed. Her heart was heavy. God, please help Grandma pull through. Be with her, and give the surgeon wisdom. And Lord, please still my heart and let me trust You like I know I should.

  "Zoe, what's wrong?" Harrison stood in the doorway, his head angled. "Is everything all right?"

  Zoe shook her head, pushing back tears. "Grandma's in surgery now. She had a bad night." She could barely speak.

  "Grab your purse, we'll go now." Harrison stepped forward, and extending his hand, helped her up.

  Zoe gave him a grateful smile as she wiped her face. "Thanks."

  She poured their coffees into travel mugs then ran out the door after him.

  The whole way to the hospital, Zoe's heart raced. She should be trusting God, but it seemed her faith wasn't as strong as it should be. The thought of losing Grandma tore at her heart—she wasn't ready for Grandma to go. Still so many things to ask her, to talk about… like what she should do about Harrison. Surely she'd get the chance. Zoe sniffed as she gazed out the window. She should have spent more time with her while she had the chance.

  Even at this early hour, the hospital car park was almost full. Once they'd parked, Zoe slipped her hand into Harrison's as they half walked, half ran towards the ICU. Mum was seated by herself, and glanced up as they raced in. Her face was drawn. Zoe wasn't sure whether from lack of sleep or worry, or both.

  Sitting beside her, Zoe gave Mum a big hug before searching her eyes. "How's Grandma?"

  "Still waiting to hear. She's been in surgery just over two hours now."

  "It could be a long operation."

  "That's what they said."

  "You should get some sleep, Mum."

  "How can I sleep, Zoe? I need to be here."

  Zoe squeezed Mum's hand. "I understand, but if you'd like a break, we'll call you if anything changes."

  "Thanks, but I'll stay for now."

  "Okay. At least let us get you some breakfast."

  Mum lifted her eyes and smiled. "That would be nice."

  "I'll get it." Harrison stood. "Stay here with your mum, Zoe."

  Zoe smiled up at him gratefully and reached for his hand. "That's kind of you, Harrison. Thanks."

  As Zoe watched him walk away, her heart warmed with love. He really was so thoughtful and kind.

  "He's a nice man, Zoe." Mum reached out and squeezed her hand.

  "I know."

  "I'm praying for him."

  Tears pricked Zoe's eyes. "Thanks."

  They sat in silence with their hands joined until Harrison returned several minutes later carrying a tray stacked with food and polystyrene cups in each hand. Zoe greeted him with a warm smile. "Smells great!"

  Raising his brows, Harrison chuckled. "Since when has hospital cafeteria food smelled great, Zoe?"

  "Since when you're starving, that's when!"

  He sat beside her. "Well, I hope this will be okay."

  Mum gave him a sweet smile as she took a toasted sandwich and a coffee off the tray. "I'm sure it'll be fine. Thanks, Harrison."

  Zoe was about to take a bite of her sandwich when a middle-aged male doctor approached and stood before them. The expression on his face said it all. Zoe dropped her sandwich and grabbed Mum's hand. This couldn't be happening. They couldn't have lost Grandma. She felt numb all over.

  "Mrs. Taylor?" he asked of Mum.

  Mum nodded.

  "Would you like to come with me?" He turned, his gaze shifting between Zoe and Harrison. "Family?"

  Zoe nodded. She couldn't speak.

  "You're welcome to come, too."

  Standing, Zoe placed her arm around Mum's shoulder, and together they walked along the corridor until they reached the small meeting room the doctor directed them to. Harrison followed along behind.

  The room was sterile. Cold. The chairs scraped on the tiled floor as they were pulled out from the round, white table. A picture featuring a bunch of yellow daisies sat on one wall, but wasn't enough to provide any level of cheer.

  Zoe heard bits of the doctor's words. She herself might have to do this one day soon. Would she convey such bad news any differently? "We did our best…your mother's heart was in worse condition than we first thought…I'm sorry, but she didn't make it…she died on the table…I'm sorry for your loss." So routine, so devoid of emotion. How many times had he repeated those same words? It wasn't his fault. If anyone was to blame, it was their fault. They should have made Grandma take better care of herself. Made her see the doctor more often. Take it easier...

  "What happens now? Can we see her?" Mum asked in a quiet voice.

  "Of course, and then a nurse will go through the procedures with you. We did our best, Mrs. Taylor. I really am very sorry."

  Holding a balled tissue to her nose, Mum nodded.

  As Zoe leaned closer and placed her arm around Mum's shoulder, she was unable to contain her grief and wept openly.

  Grandma looked peaceful. The pain that had been so heavily etched on her face during the trip to the hospital had gone. Zoe sat on a chair beside the bed and took Grandma's still warm hand in hers. Despite knowing that Grandma's soul had already left her and was now with Jesus, it was difficult not to talk to her as if she were still lying there in the bed.

  Zoe's chest tightened as her eyes brimmed once more with tears. So many things she'd wanted to talk to Grandma about, but now it was too late. She squeezed Grandma's hand and gazed at her sweet face framed by her wispy silvery-grey hair. "I should have spent more time with you." Zoe sniffed. "I'm sorry, Grandma." Zoe wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "You were a wonderful grandmother, and a wonderful person, and I love you." Leaning forward, Zoe placed a gentle kiss on Grandma's forehead. She sniffed. "Go in peace."

  Zoe straightened slowly as a light hand settled on her shoulder. Without looking, she raised her hand and placed it on Harrison's, interweaving her fingers with his. Inhaling deeply, she took one last look at Grandma before she stood.

  Harrison drew her into his arms and hugged her.

  Clinging to him, Zoe sobbed into his shoulder.

  He rubbed her back and wiped her tears with his fingers. "It's okay, Zoe. I'm here for you." His voice, soft and caring, gave her comfort and solace.

  Zoe nodded as she drew another deep breath, turning her head and looking once more at Grandma before she left the room with Harrison's steadying arms around both her and Mum.

  CHAPTER TEN

  The next few hours passed in a blur. It hardly seemed real. Grandma was dead. After all the formalities at the hospital had been dealt with, Harrison drove Zoe and Mum back to Zoe's apartment. At the door, he took Zoe in his arms and brushed her hair back with his hand as he gazed into her eyes. "I'll be back soon, Zo. I need to visit my mum and my sisters."

  "Say hello to them for me?"

  "I will." He ran his fingers down her cheek. "Are you okay?"

  Nodding, Zoe sucked in a breath. "I will be."

  "Take it easy." He looked deep into her eyes.

  She gave him a weary smile. "I'll try."

  He kissed her gently before turning and jogging down the stairs.

  Leaning against the door frame with her gaze fixed on Harrison's back, a wave of sadness enveloped Zoe. Grandma hadn't lived long enough to see her married. Zoe gulped. Would Grandma be happy with her choice? What would she advise her to do? Zoe lifted her hand in a wave as Harr
ison drove off and then pressed her hands to her chest. What did the future hold for them? Would Harrison respond to God? Or would she have to make a decision she knew she couldn't make? God, I have to trust You with this…

  "You must be tired, Mum." Zoe said as she placed her purse on the kitchen counter and switched on the kettle.

  Mum let out a weary sigh and pulled out a chair. "Yes, but I doubt I could sleep."

  "Maybe you should try. We can sort things later."

  "But there's so much to organise, Zoe."

  Zoe leaned back against the counter, tightening her pony tail before folding her arms. "I can make a start."

  "I know what you're like, Zoe. You'll do everything if I let you."

  "No I won't." Zoe lifted her chin. "I'll just make a list."

  Mum sighed and looked at her with tired eyes, a half-smile lifting the corners of her mouth. "Promise?"

  Zoe placed her hand over her heart. "I promise. Now, go and take a shower and have a sleep. I'll grab a clean towel and tidy the room."

  "You don't need to tidy the room, Zoe."

  Mum was right. The room was already tidy. "Okay. I'll just grab a towel."

  "Thank you. And make sure you only make a list—nothing more, okay? I'll help when I get up."

  "Okay." Zoe gave a reassuring smile before walking to the linen cupboard and pulling out a clean, white towel and matching flannel and handing them to Mum.

  Mum lifted the towel to her face and rubbed it gently against her cheek. "Thank you, Zoe." Her eyes moistened.

  "Oh, Mum." Zoe drew her close and hugged her.

  "I'm sorry, Zoe. These remind me so much of Grandma. You use the same laundry liquid."

  Zoe chuckled. "I always knew we were soul mates."

  Mum wiped her tears. "I'm going to miss her."

  "We all will."

  "At least we know where she is."

  Nodding, Zoe swallowed the lump in her throat. "Yes, we do." She released her hold on Mum. "Now, go and have that shower."

  Mum stood and headed to the bathroom.

  While Mum was in the shower, Zoe unpacked her bag that Harrison had quickly packed for her before he left the farm and put a load of washing on. Emma, her flat-mate, hadn't returned from her Christmas vacation yet, so the apartment was exactly how she'd left it. Neat and tidy, just the way she liked it.

  Zoe looked up when Mum poked her head around the corner.

  "I'll just have a short nap, Zoe."

  "That's fine, Mum, take as long as you want."

  Zoe made herself a cup of coffee, placing it on the side table before she flopped onto the couch. Sitting cross-legged, she grabbed a cushion and placed it on her lap, and then reached for her iPad and turned it on. She took a deep breath. Where to begin? The nurse at the hospital had been helpful, but there was still a lot to do, especially as Grandma's body needed to be transported back to Bellhaven so they could bury her beside Grandfather. Now it seemed like flying her to Brisbane might not have been such a good idea after all.

  Leaning back against three neatly arranged matching cushions, Zoe drew a slow breath. They'd all been praying that Grandma would survive, but now she was dead. All their prayers had been in vain. Zoe's shoulders slumped. Why hadn't God heard them? Or had they been praying the wrong thing? The words from the sermon floated back to her…"Your will, Your way, Your time". Was this God's will and God's time? Zoe let out a sigh. Why couldn't You have let her live a little longer, God? She gulped as she pushed back tears. I'm sorry. That's me being selfish. I know she's in a better place, and that she's with You, but I can't help feeling sad that she's gone. I miss her already…

  Curling up on the couch, Zoe hugged a cushion to her chest and wept.

  Harrison dialed his mum's phone number as he pulled out onto the road after leaving Zoe's place to let her know he was on his way. As soon as he pulled up outside the house he'd grown up in, Margaret ran out the door and hugged him. "Harrison, I'm so sorry this happened. Zoe must be so upset."

  Harrison returned his mother's hug. "She's devastated. She really loved her Grandma."

  "And you've had such a long drive. Come inside out of the heat. The girls are getting lunch ready." Margaret put her arm around Harrison's shoulder and bustled him inside.

  He smiled warmly at her. "Thanks, Mum." He walked ahead of her to the kitchen, where his twin sisters, Chloe and Sophie, were busily preparing several salads for lunch. He gave them both a hug and accepted their condolences.

  "The boys should be back any time now. They went out with Dad for that game of golf," Chloe said as she washed some tomatoes. "I told them they were crazy to be playing golf in this heat, but they didn't listen. I'm half expecting one of them to drop dead from heat exhaustion." She sucked in a breath as she covered her mouth with the tips of her fingers. "That was thoughtless of me. I'm sorry, Harrison."

  "It's okay, Chloe."

  "No, it's not. I'm always saying things I shouldn't." She put the tomatoes on the chopping board. "How's Zoe?"

  "Upset, naturally, especially after flying with her Grandma all the way to Brisbane."

  "Wow, she must know people in high places," Sophie said, bending down to pick up Lara-Katie, her seven month-old baby daughter who was trying to pull herself up on Sophie's leg.

  What could he say to that? Yes, her ex-boyfriend just happened to be in town with a plane, and he just happened to be a pilot with the Royal Flying Doctor Service? Would that sound petty? Probably. Best to keep it simple. "One of their neighbours had a plane."

  "And you drove back with Zoe's mum?"

  "Yep. The whole way."

  Sophie chuckled. "That would have been fun."

  "You could call it that. The car broke down."

  Chloe laughed. "I don't believe it! She might not want you as a son-in-law now."

  Harrison gulped. Maybe she didn't. Especially after he'd told her that he didn't think God was relevant for today's society. How had he been so stupid? He should have just pretended he was a believer. Kept her happy instead of giving her a reason to think he wasn't a suitable match for her daughter. Although she'd never said that. She just said she'd pray for him. He shook his head. Now it wasn't just his own mother praying for him, it was Zoe's mother too. As well as Zoe. Why did they all think he needed God, anyway? What was wrong with his life? How many times had he apologised to his mum for not speaking to her for all those years? Wasn't that enough?

  "Harrison, is something wrong?" Chloe stepped closer, and putting her hands on his shoulders, peered into his eyes.

  Harrison blinked. "No, no, sorry, something just crossed my mind, that's all. Everything's good."

  "You sure? I know that look…"

  "Yep, it's all good. Now, what can I do to help?"

  "Set the table."

  "I can do that."

  As Harrison set the table for seven adults, he couldn't help but think about Zoe. Just three days ago he'd proposed to her in this very room, but it seemed like a lifetime had passed. So much had happened since then. The days following their engagement should have been filled with fun and lots of time together, not racing out to the farm because her parents had changed their plans. He wasn't annoyed by it, well, not much, just disappointed and a little frustrated. And now, with the funeral to plan and another trip to the farm, and then Zoe would be starting her Internship… He let out a sigh. Guess I've just got to go along with it all.

  Male voices entering the front door pulled him from his thoughts. He placed the last knife on the table and sauntered down the hallway to meet them with his hands in his pockets.

  "Harrison, we missed you!" Alastair clapped Harrison's back with his hot hand.

  "Glad I didn't go, looking at all of you! Your shirts won't need washing, they're soaked already." Harrison laughed.

  "And I can smell them from here," Sophie called out from the kitchen.

  Harrison had to agree. The body odour rising from the three hot, sweaty men was enough to make even his eyes water, and that was
saying something. As a veterinary surgeon, he was used to foul smells, but this was worse.

  "We get the message, we're not wanted," Harold, Harrison's father, said as he closed the door.

  Poking her head around the corner, Sophie held her nose and made a face. "I didn't mean it like that, Dad. But yes, you do stink."

  "We'd better take a shower, then," Harold said.

  "Good idea." Margaret stood at the end of the hallway with her arms crossed. "You're not coming any further until you do."

  "Bossy!" Laughing, Alastair headed towards the bathroom.

  Even though they lived in England, Alastair and Angus both had a great relationship with his parents. Harrison wondered whether his relationship with Zoe's parents would be like this, or would a wedge come between them if he didn't follow their faith? He suspected the latter, although right now they seemed friendly enough. Why couldn't it be simple? He just wanted to marry Zoe, that was all.

  "Harrison, come and give a hand," Chloe called from the kitchen.

  His eyes widened as she took a three layered sponge cake decorated with cream and strawberries from the fridge and placed it on the counter.

  "It's for Alastair's and Angus's birthday. I just need to finish decorating it before lunch."

  "What do you want me to do?"

  "Keep them out of here."

  "No problem." That was easy—he'd put the cricket on. Australia was playing Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. He flicked on the television and sat back on a recliner and put his feet up. All he needed now was a beer, but no use asking—Mum wouldn't give him one at this time of day. She was very set in her ways. She didn't mind him drinking, but only at dinner. At least Zoe didn't mind him having the occasional beer in the afternoon.

  "What's the score?" Alastair was out first. He stood in the doorway with one towel hugging his hips and another in his hands drying his hair.

  "Australia's got three more wickets to get."

  "They'll do that, easy."

  "Not so sure. Kahloon and Singh are batting—don't like their chances." Harrison sat forward and let out a roar. "Singh's gone for twenty."