Tormented Love: A Christian Romance (The True Love Series Book 3)

by Juliette Duncan

  "Well, the school needs English teachers. Most of the parents want their children to learn English as well as Spanish. The children already love you, and you’re both highly educated, so I think you'd make a great fit."

  “But we hardly know any Spanish!” Tessa straightened, her voice elevated.

  “Time you started learning, sis.” Elliott raised his brow, as if throwing out a challenge.

  Larry leaned forward. “Sometimes it’s good not to know too much. Children often learn quicker if they don’t have a choice and they’re forced to talk in English.”

  Tessa cocked her head, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “Guess that makes sense.”

  “And you could also take one of the mid-week Bible studies,” Elliott said.

  “As long as we don’t need to take it in Spanish.” Tessa chuckled. “What do you think, Ben?”

  Ben cleared his throat. He’d never led a study group. Maybe he should have, but for whatever reason, he hadn’t. Would he be up to it? Was his faith strong and genuine enough to be able to lead a study in God’s word, and to encourage the people in their walk? He drew a slow breath, but his heart quickened. He’d be stretched, that was for sure. Definitely out of his comfort zone. Why did I think they might want me to do the missions accounts? Tessa squeezed his hand, her gaze fixed on him. She was waiting for an answer. He gulped. Okay God, if that’s what you want me to do, I guess I’ll do it. “I think it’s a great idea.”

  Tessa’s face expanded into a beaming smile. If they’d been alone, Ben was sure she would have thrown her arms around him and kissed him.

  “That’s sorted then,” Elliott said. “The new classrooms and playgrounds officially open next week, so it’s a great time for you both to start.”

  Ben and Tessa settled back into village life, thankful for the friendship and support of the team and the villagers. Jayden was never far from their thoughts, and they prayed for him continually, but their hearts were full of God’s love and peace, confident that he was not only caring for them, but for Jayden too, wherever he was.

  On Monday morning, Ben and Tessa were on hand to welcome the children attending their first day of formal learning. Mayta, Santiago, Juan, and the others whispered and giggled as they filed into the school in freshly cleaned clothes.

  Maria took the morning classes of basic Math, Science, Social Studies and History subjects. The children were eager to learn and quick to memorize any number of facts or figures placed before them. After lunch, Ben and Tessa commenced the English lessons. Tessa quickly grew to love the time they spent teaching the children, and looked forward to being with them every weekday. She enjoyed being around their happy, innocent spirits, and cheered just as loud as they did when they learned how to correctly pronounce a new word or write their names without any help from her or Ben.

  They also readily stepped into their roles as midweek Bible study leaders. After the first few times, Ben's concern soon subsided. "I don't see why I was so nervous, really," he told Tessa one afternoon as they cleaned up the school building at the end of a long day of teaching. "The people here have such genuine faith, and they aren't expecting perfection from me," Ben continued. "They’re happy to simply study the Word and learn more about God. I’ve learned more from them than the other way around.”

  "You aren't the only one." Tessa rubbed the last bit of chalk off the board and then turned around, blowing hair off her forehead. “I’m glad we stayed, Ben. I really am.”

  Ben stepped towards her, a glint in his eye. “You look very appealing with chalk all over your face, Mrs Williams.” He lifted his hand and brushed her face with the tips of his fingers.

  Tessa’s body tingled. “Ben! Remember where we are!”

  He glanced around and stepped closer. “I don’t see any kids, do you?” He took her face gently in his hands and lowered his mouth against hers.

  The happy sounds of children’s laughter from the playground outside filled their ears, but love for each other filled their hearts.

  Chapter 22

  Jayden's school was in town, and at first, Kathryn dropped him off on her way to work. He mostly kept to himself, not bothering to join any sports teams or extra school activities. After school, he avoided going home until he absolutely had to, hanging out at the mall or the park, and then, if Kathryn didn’t pick him up, he’d trudge the two miles home. When Buck stayed over, which he often did, Jayden took to eating his meals in his room.

  Angry, slurred words often came from the living room. One night, Buck was particularly obnoxious. "Where’s the kid. Katy?

  Jayden jumped out of bed, made sure his door was locked, and pushed his small nightstand in front of it. His heart pounded as Buck fumbled with the doorknob, and then started banging on it. "Open the door, kid. Let me in."

  "Buck, leave Jay alone." Mum's voice sounded so pitiful against Buck’s. "He's sleeping. Don't bother him."

  "Shut up, woman. I don't need you telling me what to do."

  Mum said something back to Buck, but Jayden couldn't hear her words. He covered his head with his pillow to block out the rest of their arguing as they moved away from his door. Several loud crashes made him jump. His heart raced. It sounded like they were throwing things at each another. They got louder.

  “Stop it, Buck, or I’ll call the police.” Mum sounded scared.

  Buck laughed and swore. “And then what’ll you do, Kate? I own this house, don’t forget.”

  Jayden huddled under his blankets, praying they’d stop.

  He must have drifted off to sleep, but the sound of the front door slamming woke him. A car started in the driveway and sped off, sending gravel flying as the wheels spun out. Had Buck left, or was it Mum? Jayden hoped it was Buck. He didn't want to be left alone in the house with that creature.

  Jayden slid out of bed and carefully pushed back the table from in front of his bedroom door and unlocked it. He peeked out and listened before stepping fully into the hall. "Mum." His voice was little more than a whisper. No answer.

  Jayden checked her bedroom. The bed was a mess and the air reeked of cigarette smoke, but it was empty. He crept along the hall towards the kitchen. He gasped. Both the kitchen and living room were a disaster. Chairs and dishes had been thrown every which way and broken glass lay strewn all over the floor.

  "Mum." Jayden called louder this time. Seemed Buck wasn’t there, but Kathryn didn't appear to be either. Jayden’s mind raced. Where was she? What if Buck had done something terrible to her? Jayden carefully stepped over some glass and checked the bathroom. Empty. Nowhere else to check but the barn. He retraced his steps and looked inside her bedroom again.

  A faint whimper sounded from the direction of the closet.

  "Mum, is that you?" He switched on the light. The closet door was slightly ajar. Jayden flung it open. He gasped. Crouched in a corner, sobbing, Kathryn looked up, her face swollen and bruised.

  "Is he gone?" Kathryn gulped back sobs.

  "Yes." Jayden helped her to her feet.

  She wobbled before sinking onto the bed and wrapping her arms around her middle.

  "How could you let him do this to you, Mum?" Jayden sat beside her, placing his arm around her shoulder.

  Kathryn shrugged. “He'll be okay when he sobers up, Jay." She closed her eyes and breathed slowly. "I'll be fine.”

  "We need to get out of this town, Mum. I told you he was nothing but trouble.” Jayden sucked in a breath. “You need to get rid of him, Mum. If you don't, I'll be leaving."

  "Jay, please don't." Kathryn wrapped her arms around him and clung to him. "We can all live together just fine."

  "No, we can't, Mum." Jayden pushed back angry tears. Why couldn’t she see that Buck was no good for her? "Look at yourself. Look what he's done to you. You need to get rid of him."

  Kathryn lifted a hand and touched the bruise on her swollen lip. She shook her head. "I can't do that, Jay. I wouldn’t survive without him."

  Jayden let out a frustrated sigh. Th
is was it, then. "Fine, if you won't make Buck leave, I'm going." He left her room and went back into his bedroom. He pulled out his old lime-green and black duffle bag and began stuffing his clothes and other belongings into it.

  “Don’t leave, Jay, please.” Kathryn collapsed in the doorway and sobbed.

  Jayden sighed, his resolve weakening. Mum needed him. What would that creep do to her if he wasn’t there to look out for her?

  “Fine, I’ll stay until I get a job and we can afford a place of our own.” He glared at her. “But you need to find another job, too.”

  “Oh Jay, thank you. I will.” Tears streamed down her cheeks. Jayden felt like vomiting.

  Jayden spent all his free time scouring the newspapers for jobs. A number of stores and restaurants had ‘Now Hiring’ signs in their windows; the one at Value Village said they needed stockers, so he applied for that one.

  For the next few days, Jayden continued going to school while he waited to hear about the job. As expected, Mum hadn’t looked for anything else.

  One day his phone rang. It was the Value Village thrift store manager. He’d got the job.

  Chapter 23

  I’ve got a job, Mum, and I’ll be leaving as soon as I can afford a place of my own.” Jayden waited for her reaction as he buttered some toast that evening. Buck wasn’t there, and for once Mum was sober.

  Kathryn drew her eyebrows together. “Jay… you can’t do that.”

  “I am, and you can’t stop me. I’ll have enough money within a week or so. I’d like you to come with me, but that’s up to you.

  A shadow crossed Mum’s face. “I can’t, Jay.” Her voice was quiet, timid.

  Jayden stopped buttering and crossed his arms. “Mum, Buck is no good for you. When are you going to see that?”

  “He loves me, Jay.”

  Jayden sighed heavily. “Yeah right. That’s why you’re covered in bruises.”

  She rubbed her arms. “He doesn’t mean it.”

  “Well, I’m leaving as soon as I can. You can choose what you do.”

  Jayden started his job the next day. The manager welcomed him and introduced him to a middle-age woman with glossy black curls standing behind one of the registers. "Charmian will do your orientation and give you a tour. Welcome aboard." The manager shook Jayden’s hand and left him with Charmian.

  She gave Jayden a tour of the store before signing him in and doing the paperwork. His hand shook as he handed her the fake ID Kathryn had given him a while back. Charmian didn’t blink, and handed him a navy blue polo shirt with his nametag on it. "We're also in need of baggers in the afternoons, so if you want to work double time you can. Don't worry, you'll be paid for it."

  "I'd be glad to do double-work. I really need the money. I'm trying to pay for my own apartment."

  Charmian drew her eyebrows together and studied him. "You’re a bit young to be living on your own."

  "Well, it's sort of complicated." Jayden shrugged. Should he confide in her? It’d been so long since he’d had someone he could talk to, and Charmian seemed nice enough. Maybe he could tell her just a little. "I can't live with my mum anymore, so I'm trying to find a place of my own."

  "I see.” Charmian drew a breath. "Where are you staying now?"

  Jayden gulped as the to-do he’d had with Kathryn that morning flashed through his mind. He’d tried once more to make her see how bad Buck was, and had tried to convince her again to be rid of him, but she’d refused, and he’d stormed out. He lowered his gaze and fidgeted with his hands. "I don't exactly have anywhere to stay at the moment. But I can probably stay with one of my classmates for a couple of days, just until I get sorted."

  Charmian eyed him up and down, her expression softening. "You're welcome to stay with me, Jayden, until you get on your feet. I have three boys of my own and I'm sure they won't mind sharing the house with you for a while."

  Tears pricked his eyes. He pushed them back. "Thanks, but I'll be fine."

  "If you say so, but the offer stands.” She gave him a warm smile. “I know what it’s like to be a teenager on your own. My parents were druggies and I wouldn't have survived if some kind people hadn’t helped me out. It isn't easy trying to do life on your own, Jayden, so if you change your mind and need a place to stay and something to eat, my home is open to you." She picked up a notepad, tore a sheet out, and scribbled down her address. "Here, keep this in case you need it."

  "Thanks." Jayden swallowed the lump in his throat. He took the paper and folded it into his pocket. "I'd better start work now, if that's okay."

  Charmian smiled at him. “Of course.”

  Jayden walked to the first shelf that needed restocking. He took a deep breath. Was God answering his prayers already? The job, the offer of a place to stay until he could afford his own. He shook his head. No, he wasn't prepared to believe that God was behind it all, but he was thankful that there were people in the world like Charmian who actually cared about others. Not everyone was selfish and pathetic like Mum.

  After working all day, Jayden decided to accept Charmian's offer. She gave him a spare bedroom and told him he could stay there as long as he needed. Her three boys were much younger than him, but they, along with Charmian's husband, made him feel welcome.

  He kept an eye on Kathryn from a distance and hoped that one day she’d see sense. He still felt a responsibility for her, even though she didn’t deserve it. Why she chose to stay with Buck was beyond him. But he couldn’t leave her altogether. She was his mother, after all.

  Although Jayden enjoyed his time at Charmian’s, he was keen to move into his own place. After working hard for two months, he had enough money to pay for his own small apartment.

  "I wish you’d continue with your education," Charmian said as Jayden ate breakfast at her house for the last time. He’d already packed his belongings and was ready to move into his own place. "You can at least go to school in the mornings and then work in the afternoons."

  Jayden shrugged. "It doesn't matter. I'll be fine. One day I'll go to college and study for a proper job. I’d like to be a vet one day.”

  “That’s a worthy thing to aim for.” Charmian gave him a warm smile. “Make sure you do that, Jayden. Don’t give up on your dreams.”

  Jayden nodded. Yes, Charmian was right. He shouldn’t give up on his dreams, but right he just needed to survive.

  "You'll still come by and play with us sometimes, won't you?" the oldest of Charmian's three sons asked.

  "I’ll try to."

  Charmian's younger two sons gave Jayden a hug before he left. "Bye, Jayden, we’ll miss you."

  Jayden laughed as he returned their hug. “I’ll miss you guys, too.”

  Even though he’d bought a three-speed bike with part of the money he’d earned, Charmian insisted on driving him to his apartment. "A bicycle doesn't have a trunk. Where will you put your bags if we don't take my car?"

  “Okay, you win.”

  "I really appreciate your help, Charmian," Jayden said when they pulled up in front of the apartment complex and he climbed out of her car.

  "I'm glad I could be of some help on your journey." Charmian smiled at him, her eyes glistening. "You take care of yourself now. I'll see you Monday at the store."

  Jayden waved goodbye. He checked to make sure that his bicycle was securely locked to the grid bike rack and then went up the stairs, found his apartment number, and unlocked the door. It was only a one-bedroom apartment, and compared to all the places he’d lived in before, it was tiny, but it was his. He didn't have to worry about living with people he didn't want to live with. Especially people called Buck.

  Jayden worked six days a week and soon became familiar with many of the customers who frequented the store. In turn, they became used to seeing him there and often asked him for help finding certain items or taking things out to their cars. In particular, a pretty red-haired girl who seemed to be about his age, maybe a little older, caught Jayden's attention. He finally worked up the courage and m
ade an attempt to get to know her. "Hey, I've seen you here a lot," he said one evening while bagging her purchases. "Do you live around here?"

  "Yes, about ten miles out of town.” Her eyes were on him as he placed the groceries into the bag.

  Jayden didn’t know why his hands shook.

  “What about you? Where do you live?” Her voice was soft like silk.

  "Just a few blocks away." He lifted his head. "My name's Jayden, by the way."

  The girl raised an eyebrow. "I know that. It's on your nametag." Her eyes twinkled.

  "Oh, right.” He let out a nervous chuckle. “Well, what's your name?"

  "Angela. Angela Morgan. "I know you said you live around here, but you’re not from here."

  "No, I'm Australian."

  “Thought so. What are you doing all the way up here?”

  Jayden scratched his head and smiled. He should have known this was coming. "It's a long story."

  "I like long stories. Maybe we can get together sometime and you can tell me. I found this new ice cream place I'm dying to try. Maybe we can meet there, say on Saturday, and you can tell me your story then?"

  "I'd like that, but I have to work on Saturday.”

  Angela shrugged. "We can go on Sunday. I'm sure you don't have to work then."

  "Sunday afternoon would be great." Jayden had finished bagging her purchases and she was ready to go. "Would you like me to take these out for you?" Angela nodded, a warm smile on her pretty face. He walked outside with her, pushing the cart in front of him. She indicated the red car sitting in the middle of the car park. "It's actually my mom's car, but I’m learning to drive. She’ll be back in a few minutes."

  Jayden loaded the bags into the back seat of the car. As he lifted his head, he noticed a cross hanging from the interior rearview mirror. He gulped. Why did she have to come from a religious family?