Promises of Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance

by Juliette Duncan

  On Friday morning, Zoe woke to sunshine streaming in through her bedroom window, warming her face. She sat up and smiled. She wouldn't have complained if it had still been raining, but God had chosen, for whatever reason, to make it stop. The ground would have time to dry out, and everything would be fine. It also meant all their guests could arrive safely.

  She slipped out of bed and quickly changed into a pair of shorts and t-shirt. Before all the family arrived, she had one thing she wanted to do. Sneaking out the side door, she headed to the shed and pulled out a push-bike. Climbing onto it, she rode down the driveway towards Grandma's cottage.

  The cottage sat on a small incline, and by the time she got there, Zoe was puffing. Despite her resolution earlier in the year to run and ride every day, because of her demanding schedule she hadn't kept to it, and now she was paying the price. Plus, it was Harrison's old bike he'd given Peter when he got his new one.

  The sun was higher here, and it bounced off the mist covering the valley below. The rain had cleaned the ground and the air, and everything looked crisp and fresh. To Zoe's surprise, one of Grandma's rose bushes had survived the heavy rain of the last few days, and a beautiful deep-red rosebud had begun to open. She walked towards it and carefully picked it, and as she held it to her nose, the perfume invoked fond memories of Grandma.

  She walked to the front steps and sat on the middle one. The tranquillity of the surroundings wrapped itself around her and brought calmness to her soul as she took in not only the beauty of the early morning, but the wonder of God's creation all around her, including the beautiful, perfectly formed rosebud in her hand.

  Taking a piece of paper from her pocket, she opened it and smiled. Grandma's Bible verses had given her strength and encouragement throughout the year, and had helped keep her heart and mind focused on God. Today's verse was no different…Psalm 37, verse 4, "Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." Her heart swelled. Yes, God had indeed given her the desires of her heart. Harrison's faith had blossomed this year, and he'd not only become involved in the church, he'd been a regular at the Bible Study Ben had started when he and Tessa returned from Ecuador, and had grown in leaps and bounds. His hunger and thirst for the word had amazed her, and had warmed her heart so much. She was sure Grandma would now approve of her choice of a marriage partner, but her heart was sad Grandma wouldn't see her married. But being here, sitting on Grandma's front steps, with one of Grandma's favourite roses in her hand, brought Grandma close again.

  Zoe sniffed the bud and smiled. "Thanks, Grandma, for your wise words, and for praying for me all those years. As Harrison and I marry tomorrow, I know you'll be watching from heaven, and I hope you'll be smiling." As she stood, she placed the rosebud on the step. "Grandma, this is for you. I love you."

  As she rode slowly back down to the farmhouse, Zoe took a moment to breathe in the crisp, clean air, and thanked God for His love and faithfulness. Mum and Dad were able to keep the farm, but somehow she knew that if they'd lost it, she would have been okay with it. Your will, Your way, Your time, dear Lord. Please help me to remember this every moment of every day.

  By lunch time, their wedding guests began arriving. Margaret and Harold, Chloe and Sophie, the children, Ben and Tessa, Jayden and baby Naomi, and Tessa's parents all arrived together. Thankfully they weren't staying at the farmhouse, but the plan was for them to spend the afternoon there before going to either Grandma's cottage or the Coleman's new house, which, thanks to Spencer's generosity, had been fitted out as a B & B.

  Harrison slipped his arm around Zoe's shoulder as they greeted their guests. Throughout the afternoon they managed to share just a few moments alone, but they both knew they had a lifetime together to look forward to, God willing, and having all their family here was such a special time.

  They'd set up tables and chairs under the Poinciana tree and everyone based themselves there for the afternoon, although Dad and Harrison took the men on a tour of the property while the ladies just enjoyed each other's company. Zoe had become friendly with Tessa since she'd returned from overseas, and would miss her friendship when she and Ben moved to their own property in a matter of days, although Tessa had said that she and Harrison were welcome to visit whenever they wanted.

  Ben and Tessa's baby girl was just gorgeous, with her beautifully formed face and tiny rosebud mouth that reminded Zoe of the rosebud she'd left on Grandma's step just that morning. When Zoe did her rotation in the maternity ward, she'd started thinking about whether she wanted children of her own. Harrison did, but she'd have to give it more thought. In the meantime, she was happy just holding this precious little bundle.

  As Zoe watched Mum talking with Margaret and Eleanor, she smiled at how she and Harrison had somehow managed to still plan their own wedding despite all three women wanting to be involved. She looked down as Lachlan came up to her and gazed at the baby. "She's pretty." He touched her little hand and looked up with a bright face. "Mummy's getting one of these soon."

  Chloe burst out laughing. "I've still got a while to go, Lachy."

  "You're very lucky," Zoe said to the little boy.

  "I know. Mummy said I can be her helper."

  "And I'm sure you'll do a great job." Zoe's heart warmed. Yes, maybe she would like to have children. But first, she had a wedding and then a honeymoon, and then she was starting her new job at the P.A. Hospital. It would happen in God's time, not hers.

  Later, Zoe slipped her arm around Harrison's waist as the sun set below the horizon, casting the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks, and led him away from the crowd.

  "One more day, Miss Taylor." He nuzzled her neck, sending goose-bumps down her spine.

  She turned to face him, lifting her lips to his. "I can't wait, Harrison."

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  The day of the wedding promised to be a perfect summer's day… hot, but not too hot. Zoe was thankful, but to be honest, she would have been happy marrying Harrison in a blizzard or a heat wave. Since he'd given his heart to the Lord, she'd just fallen deeper in love with him every day, and she couldn't wait to be his wife.

  She sat up in bed and opened her Bible, taking out another of Grandma's verses. Today of all days she wanted God to speak to her heart, to give her a message for this most important of days; the day she was to marry her true love.

  She unfolded the piece of paper. Grandma's verse for today was Colossians 3, verses 12 to 15: "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful."

  What better verses to prepare her for her marriage? Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. The fruit of the spirit. And over all these put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

  Lord God, please let these virtues be evident in my life. Let me be kind and gentle with Harrison, compassionate and caring, patient and loving. Lord, bless our marriage, and let me be the wife Harrison needs and wants. Amen.

  Zoe spent another few minutes reading the Word and praying before rising and showering. Savouring the warmth of the water as it flowed over her body, she stayed in the shower slightly longer than normal now the water tanks were full after the rain. God was indeed good.

  Tessa and Emma, her two attendants, were due to arrive at seven o'clock for a leisurely breakfast before the hairdresser and beautician were due to arrive at eight-thirty. The ceremony was late morning, and the decision had been made to hold it where Zoe had always wanted it, under the lemon scented gum trees. The ground would continue drying today, and the trees would provide ample shade from the heat of the day. An added bonus, the creek was flowing, and men fro
m the community had set up everything for the ceremony and reception yesterday, and it all looked great! She was so excited.

  Tessa and Emma arrived right on time. Tessa had brought Naomi with her, and Mum immediately offered to look after her. The way she held the tiny baby girl made Zoe think she'd be a wonderful grandmother, just like her own.

  Zoe led Tessa and Emma out onto the new deck, courtesy of an anonymous donor. Zoe had her suspicions, but neither Spencer nor Harrison had owned up to it, but Mum and Dad were ecstatic. Now they had somewhere to eat other than their cramped kitchen, which now had air-conditioning, much to Zoe's surprise.

  "Well girls, we have our own personal waiter this morning..." She held her arm out and looked towards the door.

  Peter, wearing dark pants and a white shirt, and a huge grin on his face, stepped forward and stood beside Zoe.

  "Peter's going to be looking after us. He's made us some delicious treats, so sit back and enjoy!" Zoe gave him a big hug before pulling out a chair and taking a seat around the large timber table he and Dad had made together recently.

  "This is lovely, Zoe," Emma said as she placed some pieces of tropical fruit onto her plate, her blue eyes lighting up her petite face.

  Zoe smiled fondly at her flat-mate. How she'd miss living with Emma after sharing the past four years with her. "Thanks, Em. I'm so glad you both could come out."

  "We wouldn't have missed it for the world, would we, Tessa?"

  Tessa shook her head. "Absolutely not."

  "Would you like some coffee?" Peter stood beside the table with a coffee pot in his hand.

  "That would be lovely, thanks Peter." Tessa smiled up at him as she held her cup out.

  "Zoe's getting married today." The grin on Peter's face stretched from ear to ear.

  "It's exciting, isn't it, Peter?" Tessa smiled at him as he poured her coffee.

  "Yes, and she saved the farm."

  "I know, she's a very clever girl."

  Zoe caught Tessa's eyes and let out a small laugh. For Peter's sake she was glad the farm had been saved, but it wasn't her doing, it was God's. She knew that. Yes, maybe she and Harrison and Spencer had been the instruments God had used, but she had no doubt that God was to be given all the praise and glory, not her.

  "Grandma can't come. She's in heaven with Jesus."

  "But she's here in spirit, Peter. Look, I'm going to wear Grandma's brooch today in my hair." Zoe, opened the box sitting on the table and pulled out a beautiful dainty rhinestone vintage brooch, studded with five ivory pearls, remodelled into a hair comb.

  "That's Grandma's, Zoe. It's pretty."

  "It is, isn't it?"

  "Yes. Do you want anything else to eat?"

  "No, thanks, Peter, this is wonderful, thank you."

  "It's my pleasure, Zoe." He giggled as he left and went back into the kitchen.

  "He's a lovely boy, Zoe." Tessa said as she sipped her coffee.

  "Yes, he really is."

  The next hour passed pleasantly, and right on time, a car came up the driveway and stopped in front of the house. The hairdresser and beautician climbed out and waved to Zoe.

  Zoe stood and waved down at the girls, both dressed in hippy-type summer dresses and returned the wave. "Come on up, Piper, Heidi. Peter can get your gear."

  Moments later, Piper and Heidi appeared on the deck, with Peter not far behind carrying their bags.

  "What a lovely deck, Zoe." Piper bent down and hugged her.

  "Yes, it's lovely sitting out here. Thanks for coming out, both of you." Zoe returned Piper's hug and squeezed Heidi's hand.

  "Our pleasure, Zoe. We're looking forward to it."

  Zoe introduced Piper and Heidi to Emma and Tessa, and offered them a seat. "Help yourselves to some food, and then we'd better get started."

  For the next few hours, Piper and Heidi pampered the three girls. Mum occasionally came out with Naomi still safely ensconced in her arms. Tessa fed her once, but then Mum was eager to have her back. Piper was going to do her hair after she'd finished with the girls.

  "Well, what do you think?" Piper held a large mirror in front of Zoe.

  Zoe's eyes widened as she looked at her reflection. She hadn't wanted anything too different, but she loved what she saw. Lifting her hand to the soft chignon sitting above her left shoulder, she smiled. Harrison would love it. So soft and shiny, and Grandma's brooch topped it off superbly.

  She gave Piper and Heidi grateful smiles. "I love it. Thank you so much."

  "You look beautiful, Zoe." Tessa gave her a warm smile.

  "You look pretty good yourself, Tessa." Tessa's light brown hair had been curled and bounced lightly on her shoulders.

  She laughed. "It's been a while since I've been pampered like this. We should do it more often."

  "We can always dream." Zoe chuckled. Where would she find two hours to pamper herself once she returned to work?"

  They all turned as Mum stepped onto the deck with a crying Naomi in her arms. "I think she wants her mum."

  Tessa cooed at the baby as she took her from Mum's arms, and Naomi instantly stopped. Amazing.

  Shortly after, while Naomi slept, Tessa, Emma and Mum helped Zoe into her dress, a sweetheart design in lace and French tulle over lustre satin. As she slipped it on and stood in the middle of Mum's bedroom floor while Emma did up the twenty tiny buttons on the back, it really started to feel like she was getting married.

  "There, don't you look a treat." Mum's eyes moistened as she stepped back to get a better look. "Grandma would be proud." Mum held both her arms out and pulled Zoe into a gentle hug. "She loved you so much, Zoe."

  It was all Zoe could do to stop her tears from flowing. Although Grandma wasn't here, her sweet nature lived on in Mum, and Zoe had a sense Grandma might be smiling down on her from above.

  Harrison knew it was time when Jayden and his new friend, Luke, began playing the song that he and Zoe had chosen for her walk through the gum trees. He drew in a deep breath and caught the eyes of both Ben and Spencer. What would he have done without them today? Until this morning he had no nervousness at all, but a switch had been flicked in his stomach, and the butterflies had been with him all day. He had no doubt Zoe would turn up, he was as sure of her love as he was of his for her. Maybe it was normal…Ben said it was, but he didn't like it. But now as he turned and waited for the first glimpse of his beautiful bride, a sense of anticipation flowed through him. This was it. He was going to marry his Zoe. After all the waiting, his dreams were becoming reality.

  A car door closed, and soon after, Peter appeared through the trees holding Lachlan's and Lara-Katie's hands. They could have just been taking a stroll in a forest park, except for what they wore—long black pants, waistcoats and bow-ties for the boys, and the cutest white dress he'd ever seen for Lara-Katie. She held a small basket overflowing with baby's breath and delicate salmon rosebuds.

  Following close behind, Emma looked like a princess in a dark blue, soft flowing mid-length dress. And then came Tessa. Harrison glanced at Ben—the smile on Ben's face said it all. Tessa looked the epitome of elegance in her dark blue dress as she stepped slowly through the trees to the beautiful music Ben and Tessa's teenage son, Jayden, and his new friend, Luke, were playing.

  Harrison's heart beat faster and his breath caught as Zoe appeared through the trees with her arm linked through Kevin's. Never had he seen such beauty. Her face radiated the joy he felt at seeing her, a joy he knew that was so much greater because they both had God in their hearts. And her dress…absolutely perfect for her. Soft, flowing, feminine. He swallowed the lump in his throat as she drew closer. He couldn't take his eyes off her. And then she was in front of him, and Kevin placed her hand into his. He squeezed it and smiled into her beautiful face. He tucked her hand into the crook of his arm as they turned to face Pastor Stanthorpe.

  It was like a dream. Pastor Stanthorpe, Harrison and Zoe's pastor from their church in Brisbane, welcomed everyone to the wedding of Harrison James Smith an
d Zoe Anne Taylor. He thanked God for the beautiful setting, and for bringing the two of them together. They sang their favourite hymn, "Great is Thy Faithfulness," and then he spoke to them. What he was saying was important, so Harrison forced himself to focus, although he just wanted to say "I do".

  "Harrison, Zoe, marriage isn't man's invention, it's God's, and its purpose is to honour Him and to bring Him glory. As in all of life, what matters most in marriage is God. You both stand here today declaring your commitment to God and to each other, and I'm honoured to be leading this service today. You both have incredible strengths that you bring to this marriage, and you both have a desire to submit yourself to God's word and to allow God to change you and mould you to become more like Jesus. Thus I'm honoured to be here today as your pastor, to be the one leading this service.

  "It's been a blessing seeing you both grow so much this year, and I'm overjoyed that God has brought you to this moment, and that you asked me to be part of your special day. Let's pray."

  Harrison squeezed Zoe's hand and caught her eye before bowing his head, the tenderness in her smile sending warmth through his whole body.

  "Lord, we thank you that You've brought us here to this very moment on this very day. We love Harrison and Zoe and we're excited for them. We pray, Lord, that this commitment being made today would honour and glorify You for their lifetime. May the message of the gospel be evident in this marriage and may they together be true witnesses to Your love to those around them. Oh, Lord, we pray these things in Jesus’ name. Amen."

  "Tessa is now going to bring us our Bible reading."

  Tessa stepped to the middle, in front of the simple arbour of rustic timber doors decorated with a trailing wreath of soft roses. She stood behind a small lectern and cleared her voice. "Today's reading comes from 1 Corinthians 13, verses 1 to 13." She looked down at her Bible and began. "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.