Promises of Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance Read online

  "I'm an animal surgeon."

  "A vet?" Spencer angled his head.

  Harrison bristled. "I'm a specialist surgeon."

  "Right." Spencer shifted his attention to Zoe. "Maybe we could all catch up sometime?"

  Zoe forced a smile. Really? Are you just trying to make things worse? "We'll see." She sipped her water. "Anyway, we must go. Things to do, you know how it is." A shaky laugh bubbled from her throat. "Good to see you, Spencer."

  "And you, Zoe." He leaned in and kissed her cheek before extending his hand to Harrison.

  "What was that all about, Zoe?" Harrison asked after they'd told her parents they were going back.

  "I don't know what you mean," she replied lightly.

  Harrison turned his face and raised a brow. "Yes you do."

  "We're just old friends, Harrison, that's all."

  "A bit too friendly for my liking."

  "Harrison, stop it, will you? Anyone would think you were jealous."

  "Is there a reason to be?"

  "No." Zoe drew her eyebrows together.

  "So what's the story, then?" Harrison kept one eye on the road while shooting Zoe a side-wise glance.

  Zoe sighed. He wasn't going to let up. "We went out for a few years in high-school, that's all."

  "A few years? That's a long time, Zoe. Seems like he's still keen on you."

  Zoe straightened. "No he's not! He dumped me for my best friend!"

  Harrison raised an eyebrow. "So where is she now?"

  Good question. Zoe shrugged. "Not sure."

  "So what does lover-boy do?"

  Zoe's head snapped up. "He's not 'lover-boy'." Folding her arms, she narrowed her eyes and studied Harrison's profile. "I don't know what's gotten into you, Harrison. There's nothing between us anymore. Hasn't been for a long time."

  Silence hung heavily between them before Harrison released a breath. "I'm sorry, Zoe. I'm not sure what's gotten into me either. Guess I just don't belong out here."

  "What are you talking about? Everyone loves you."

  He shrugged. As he slowed the car to turn into the driveway, he stretched out his arm, and pulling her close, kissed her cheek. "I'd be happier if you'd marry me sooner than next year."

  Their eyes locked. The first traces of doubt niggled her insides, making her feel uncomfortable. She'd promised to marry Harrison, so why was she delaying? Shouldn't she be eager to set a date? They loved each other, wasn't that enough? As she held Harrison's gaze, the words Grandma had spoken to her many years ago floated through her mind. "Choose wisely, Zoe. Choosing a life partner is the biggest decision you'll make outside of choosing to accept Jesus as Saviour. Make sure the one you choose loves God more than he loves you. Make sure he's a person of good character and is kind to others. Make sure he treats his parents with honour and respect, and that he's respected by others. Understand his priorities. Does he put God first? Does he live to serve others? Is he selfish? Does he anger easily? Ask the Lord for discernment, Zoe. Seek His will and He'll direct your paths. Choose wisely, my dear girl." She'd pulled Zoe close and kissed the top of her head and then prayed for her. Zoe gulped. Why hadn't she heeded Grandma's advice? Maybe she'd acted too quickly in accepting Harrison's proposal. Did she really know his heart? Maybe deep down he did believe, so who was she to judge? But had she made a mistake? The thought made her ill and her heart heavy. "We need to talk, Harrison."

  Harrison's face blanched. "What's wrong, Zoe?"

  "We just need to talk, that's all."

  "Okay, let's talk. Where do you want to go?"

  Zoe swallowed hard. Was she ready for this? She drew a deep breath. "Take a left at the top of the hill and head down to the grove. I'll let Mum know we'll be late for lunch." Zoe pulled out her phone and sent a text. Her hands shook. This could end well, but there was every chance it would end badly. But it had to be done. How could she marry Harrison if she held any doubts?

  CHAPTER SIX

  Zoe directed Harrison to a group of large gum trees hugging a dry creek bed. She opened her car door, but remained in her seat. Harrison left his door shut, but flicked the switch to open the roof.

  An awkward silence sat between them. Harrison rested his elbow on the window frame, his fingers twiddling the steering wheel. He turned his head. "So what do you want to talk about?"

  Zoe drew a slow breath. Lord, please help me say what I need to. Shifting in her seat, she raised her face and met his gaze. Lifting her hand, she ran the back of her fingers lightly down his cheek. "Harrison, I really do love you, so please take this the right way." She swallowed hard again. His expression tightened…he was expecting her to break their engagement. If she was really heeding Grandma's words, she would. But she couldn't, not yet. "I'm sorry, Harrison, I think I've already said the wrong thing." She gulped. "I'm not breaking it off." Grandma's words rang in her ears.

  As she held his gaze, she willed the butterflies in her stomach to calm. "I just need to let you know how I'm feeling, that's all."

  Harrison's gaze didn't flinch.

  Lowering her hand, she tucked her leg beneath her and clasped her hands together. "Interrupt me whenever you want."

  She inhaled slowly. "I want to marry you, Harrison, but things have changed."

  He angled his head, narrowing his eyes. "What things?"

  "It started on Christmas Day when we went to church. It was like God was knocking on my heart reminding me He was still there." She paused, remembering how the worship music at Harrison's parents' church had almost made her cry. "I gave my heart to God when I was young. I used to love going to church and learning all about Him." She smiled. "I used to know all the memory verses at Sunday School, in fact, I used to win all the prizes. I was confirmed when I was twelve, and as a teenager, I read the Bible from cover to cover. My faith was real. But I slowly back-slid after I moved to the city and started Uni. I think I missed my friends, and I just got too involved in my study, but going to church on Christmas Day with your family made me start thinking about God again. And then this morning in Church, He touched me for real."

  Harrison turned in his seat and folded his arms. "I'm not sure what to say to all that, Zoe. You know I've never really been into all this church stuff."

  "But you believe, don't you?"

  Harrison raised a brow. "What makes you think that?"

  "I watched you on Christmas Day in church. I think God was speaking to you, too." She inhaled slowly. "It was you who asked your mum to invite Tessa and Ben to Christmas lunch, wasn't it?"

  His eyes flickered. Was she right, and somewhere deep down he believed? She prayed he did.

  She took his hand and threaded her fingers between her own. "Let's not race into getting married, Harrison. We need to be sure, both of us. Let's take time to really get to know each other, and then if we still both agree, we can set a date then."

  His expression eased. "And you won't pressure me into becoming religious?"

  She gave a shaky laugh. "No." But was she being honest? Would she marry him if he didn't share her faith? She couldn't tell him that. How pompous and presumptuous would that sound? She squeezed his hand. "I promise I won't pressure you." But I pray that God will work in your heart and draw you to Himself. She ran her hand down his cheek. "I love you, Harrison."

  He lifted his hand and placed it on top of hers. "I can see this is important to you, Zoe. I've never understood it all, and to be honest, God seems irrelevant to me, but because I love you, I'll try to keep an open mind."

  Her eyes moistened as hope wrapped itself around her heart. "That's all I can ask for, Harrison." She had to let God do His work, all the while knowing that the final decision would be Harrison's. He'd either respond to God or he wouldn't.

  Leaning forward, he framed her face with his hands and kissed her, tenderly to begin with, but becoming more urgent with every moment, as if he was testing her resolve.

  As Zoe finally pulled away, she looked deep into his softened eyes and her heart almost broke. Would sh
e ever be able to break it off with him if she was faced with the decision of being obedient to God or going her own way and marrying a non-believer? If only she'd heeded Grandma's words before they fell in love…

  Harrison tipped her chin, a glint in his eye. "So we've got that sorted. What's next?"

  Zoe straightened her shirt and blew out a breath. Her heart was still racing, and she felt hot and clammy. "Let's go for a walk."

  He smiled at her. "Good idea."

  They climbed out of the car and Harrison took her hand as they strolled along under the lemon scented gum trees. Normally the grass was green and soft, but with the drought conditions so severe, even here the grass, what was left of it, was so dry it crunched under foot. But this was where she wanted to be married. If they got married.

  They weaved through the trees and played hide and seek amongst the trees just like she did as a kid.

  Zoe melted into his arms when he grabbed her from behind. She laughed as he turned her around and popped a kiss on her lips. "I haven't had this much fun in a long time, Harrison."

  "Me either." A grin split his face as he lowered his lips against hers.

  "Guess we'd better get back." Reluctantly, Zoe released herself from his arms. She could have stayed there all day.

  Nodding, Harrison ran his hand lightly down her cheek before taking her hand and leading her back to the car.

  Back in her seat, Zoe noticed the flashing light on her phone. Picking it up, her chest tightened. Ten missed calls from Mum. "Something's happened, I just know it." She quickly dialed Mum's number and kept her eyes on Harrison, all the while trying to remain calm, but inside, her stomach churned.

  Mum answered within three rings.

  "Zoe, I've been trying to call you. Grandma's collapsed and she's having trouble breathing."

  Zoe clutched the phone with both hands. Not Grandma… "Where is she?"

  "At her cottage. We were just dropping her off."

  "We'll be there right away." Zoe hung up and gave Harrison directions. "Continue straight, and then turn right just before the top."

  He hit the accelerator. The tyres spun in the dirt, causing a cloud of dust to billow behind them as they climbed the dirt track to the top of the hill.

  Zoe forced herself to breathe slowly and to think. It would most likely be Grandma's heart. She should call an ambulance, but what were the chances of getting one out here quickly enough?

  "That's her cottage up there." Zoe pointed to the small white cottage in the distance where Grandma had lived on her own since Grandfather's death just over five years ago. She liked her independence, but they all worried about her.

  Harrison brought the car to a stop beside Dad's SUV and Zoe jumped out, not even bothering to wait for the dust to settle. She took the stairs two at a time and raced inside.

  Mum appeared from Grandma's room, her face pale and her eyes heavy with worry. "Zoe, I'm so glad you're here. Grandma's on her bed. Come quickly."

  Zoe pushed past Mum and entered Grandma's room. The scent of lavender filled her nostrils, invoking so many fond memories, but this wasn't the time for a trip down memory lane. Zoe slowed as she stepped closer. It was almost impossible to see Grandma in the large four poster bed, but the wheezing coming from the bed left Zoe in no doubt Grandma lay there amongst the bed covers and cushions. Sitting beside her on a chair, Zoe reached for Grandma's hand and felt for a pulse. Grandma's eyes fluttered, pain written all over them.

  "Where does it hurt, Grandma?" Leaning forward, Zoe gently stroked her forehead.

  Grandma lifted her hand slowly and placed it on her chest. Zoe had guessed correctly… Grandma was having a heart attack.

  "We need to sit you up, Grandma. Dad, can you help?" Zoe waited while Dad scooted around the other side of the bed. Together, they lifted her gently. Zoe tucked several pillows behind her back and one under her legs.

  "Mum, do you know where her medication is?"

  "Yes, I'll go grab it." Mum disappeared in a flurry and returned almost immediately with a bottle of Nitroglycerin. Zoe took the bottle and took one tablet out and placed it under Grandma's tongue.

  "We need to get her to hospital as quickly as possible." Zoe looked first at Dad and then at Mum.

  "We'll need to drive her ourselves, Zoe." Dad's voice sounded strained. "We called for an ambulance, but it'll be two hours before it gets here. Dr. Johnson's on leave, and the on-call doctor's out already. We have no choice."

  "What about the Flying Doctor Service? Surely they'd come?" As soon as she said it, an idea sprang into her head. "Wait, I've got an idea. Spencer has a plane. I'll call him." Harrison may not like it, but she didn't care. Getting Grandma to hospital as quickly as possible was her only concern right now, and it'd be quicker than waiting for the Flying Doctor to come.

  "Do you have the Colemans' phone number, Mum?"

  Mum fumbled with her phone. "I think so, but here, you do it, Zoe." She handed the phone to Zoe.

  Taking it from her, Zoe scrolled quickly to 'C' and found the number. She hit the green call icon and prayed they'd pick up.

  After four rings, Mrs. Coleman's voice sounded on the other end, a voice Zoe hadn't heard for some time. "Hello, Doris Coleman speaking."

  "Mrs. Coleman, this is Zoe Taylor. Is Spencer available?" No time for chit-chat.

  "Ah, yes… I'll just get him." Mrs. Coleman sounded a little put out.

  Zoe drew a breath. All eyes were on her, including Harrison's.

  "Zoe, I didn't expect to hear from you so soon."

  "It's not a social call, Spencer. I need to ask you a favour."

  "Go on."

  "Do you have a plane you can use?" She held Dad's gaze while she waited for Spencer's reply.

  "Yes…" Spencer sounded puzzled. "What's up?"

  "Grandma's had a heart attack, a bad one, and we need to get her to hospital." Zoe gulped. What she was about to ask was very presumptuous. "I was hoping you could take her."

  Silence. She could just imagine what he was thinking. After several seconds of waiting, he finally replied. "Sure. It's not the medical plane, just an old farm plane, only licensed to carry three people, but it'll do the job. Can you get her here?"

  Zoe nodded eagerly, even though Spencer couldn't see her. "Yes, we'll be there in ten minutes."

  "I'll be ready and waiting."

  Zoe let out a relieved breath. "Thanks Spencer." She hung up and quickly updated Mum and Dad. "We'll need to carry her carefully into your car, Dad. Mum, can you pack a few of her things?" Turning to Harrison, she rubbed his arm. The frosty look had left his face and he almost looked eager to help. "Can you get Dad's car ready?"

  He nodded, and she gave him a grateful smile.

  Everyone busied themselves with their jobs. Zoe helped Dad lift Grandma carefully off the bed and into his arms. Being so light, it wasn't difficult at all. Harrison had the car ready and waiting with the engine running. Zoe helped Dad place her gently onto the back seat and asked Mum to grab a pillow.

  Zoe slipped in beside her while Dad got in the front. She grabbed the pillow off Mum and placed it behind Grandma's head. In that instant, Zoe's heart went out to Mum. Whilst Grandma was special to Zoe, she was even more special to Mum, and there was a very real possibility they may lose her. "Mum, sit in the back with us. Peter can go with Harrison."

  A look of relief flowed over Mum's face. Climbing into the back seat, she sat on the other side of Grandma and took Grandma's frail hand in hers.

  Dad reversed the car away from the cottage and then took off down the gravel road toward the Coleman's farm.

  Zoe kept watch over Grandma. Her breathing grew more difficult with each passing minute. Rubbing Grandma's hand gently, Zoe fought the tears lurking behind her eyes. "Come on, Grandma, hang in there. Stay with us, please." Fear of losing her clutched Zoe's stomach. Would they get Grandma to the hospital in time? If only there was one closer which could deal with medical emergencies like this. They'd have to fly her to the city where she'd ha
ve the best chance of survival. But would they get her there in time?

  Dad slowed as he turned into the Colemans' driveway.

  Zoe glanced out the window. In the distance to the left, a small single engine plane sat on the farm's makeshift runway, a grass paddock with orange cones as markers. Spencer lifted his hand in a wave as they approached.

  Dad parked the car beside the plane and jumped out, shaking Spencer's hand quickly before opening the back door of the car.

  Harrison and Peter pulled up beside Dad's car and climbed out.

  Dad and Spencer lifted Grandma out of the car and carried her to the plane.

  As Zoe went to follow, Harrison caught her hand. "What's the plan, Zoe?"

  She gulped. She should have involved him more rather than making him feel like an appendage, but at least he didn't sound too put out.

  "I need to go with her, Harrison. You understand, don't you?"

  He was struggling, no two ways about it. She guessed she'd struggle, too, if he was about to fly off with an old flame and leave her behind. "I guess so, but I'm not overly happy about it."

  "Thank you. I'll be back as soon as I can. I love you." She stretched up and placed a kiss on his lips before pulling her hand away and running to the plane.

  Spencer had positioned Grandma on one of the two back seats and was making her as comfortable as possible with the cushions they'd brought along with them.

  "I hope she'll be comfortable enough, Zoe." Spencer's nearness and his warm smile caused an unexpected tremor to run through her body. Zoe chided herself—that reaction was most inappropriate.

  Crouching in front of her, Zoe wiped Grandma's brow with a damp cloth and repositioned the cushions. Grandma's eyes fluttered and her mouth opened as if she wanted to say something, but she was so breathless she couldn't get any words out.

  "It's okay, Grandma, just rest."

  Dad stood on the step with one hand on the door. "We'll be praying, Zoe. Look after her." Dad's eyes glistened as he leaned forward and squeezed Grandma's hand. "You're in good hands, Esme." His voice caught. Stepping back, he closed the door.