Jonathan's departure signalled the end of the evening. Emily welcomed Hannah's assistance in getting the kitchen cleaned.
Driving home, Jonathan mulled over the evening. Neither Emily nor Derrick had mentioned that Hannah would be joining them for supper. It was a bitter sweet surprise for him. Though Hannah had not participated in the conversation much, he was delighted that she was there. He prayed that she would be more at ease in his presence, though. And soon. He sighed! It was all in the Lord's hands...
Chapter 10
Sunday service was just as invigorating as always for Hannah. This Sunday, though, one of the other pastors did the preaching. Good though the sermon was, Hannah missed Jonathan's ministry. For her, he was always spot on with the message. A mesmerising voice also kept her rooted to his every word.
Sunday afternoon was a restful one for Hannah. She took advantage before the school week started and with it, the rush to polish everything for the staging of the production in three weeks. She couldn't believe that there were only three weeks left. Taking a deep breath, she kept telling herself not to panic.
The three weeks passed very quickly. In those weeks, she found she and Jonathan were simultaneous dinner guests at the Garricks'. She was beginning to wonder if the couple were not playing at matchmaking. She dismissed the idea. They wouldn't do that especially since she arrived on the scene only a short while ago – too soon for any kind of character deduction?
That idea she was glad she had dismissed when during the week she met Isabella. A tall and beautiful woman who was also very friendly. Quite by accident she met the beauty; she was sure she was not meant to.
Having dismissed the group after a strenuous practise, Hannah was taking stock of what she needed to step up in the production. Luke had taken off for the evening, having helped her pack up already. He had been very sweet to offer to take everything back to the school. Which she gladly accepted.
It was already eight o'clock when Jonathan walked into the hall with Isabella, her arm linked in his, looking comfortable. If Isabella was not laughing when they walked in, Hannah would not have even noticed them. But the tinkling sound of her laughter, made Hannah lift her head in their direction.
At first, she felt a stab – of jealousy probably – which she refused to dissect. They stopped short when they spotted her.
“Hannah,” Jonathan said surprised. “Why are you still here?”
He didn't sound upset to see her but Hannah wondered if perhaps he was. He had been quite close to the woman next to him who was almost his height and she wasn't wearing very high heels. And she was gorgeous, Hannah thought, without envy. Her head was covered in thick, blonde curls which framed her oval face. Her laugh enhanced the high cheekbones and perfectly set emerald green, almond-shaped eyes and shapely eyebrows. Her full lips were painted in a dark lipstick that wasn't severe.
“Just getting some paperwork done,” Hannah shrugged.
“Isabella, this is Hannah, our pre-school teacher and co-ordinator of this year's production,” Jonathan introduced.
Hannah thought he introduced her rather proudly but she couldn't be sure as Isabella came forward and stretched out her hand, taking Hannah's in a warm grasp. Hannah couldn't help but feel drawn to Isabella.
“It's good to meet you,” Isabella said with a genuine smile.
“Same here,” Hannah returned, with a warm, friendly smile.
“Gosh, how do you manage with a production this size?” Isabella asked with astonishment.
“I have help,” Hannah said with a small laugh. “Besides, God is gracious and ever so willing to make things work out, if we just leave it to him.”
Isabella nodded acknowledgement. “He is never far from us; just a call away.” Her voice held conviction and Hannah had a feeling that Isabella had experienced God in a mighty, personal way.
“Absolutely,” Hannah readily agreed. She wanted to ask Isabella where she came from as her accent was different to theirs and Hannah could not place it but she felt it would be intrusive to ask.
Jonathan must have read her mind for he said, “Isabella is visiting from Guatemala!”
Hannah's face must have shown fascination because Isabella said quickly, “I've only been there for the last ten years. I went there to help with the human trafficking situation in South America.”
“Oh, gosh! It's there too?” Hannah asked sadly. Jonathan noted Hannah's distress.
“All over the world, I'm afraid,” Isabella said just as sadly. “I am part of just one group who works to destroy this evil. There are many groups around the world doing exactly what we do.”
“At least you are doing something about it,” Hannah said with self deprecation. Jonathan made a mental note to address Hannah's perception at some stage. She couldn't very well be saving the world unless God wanted her to.
“I guess we are each called to do something we are made for,” Isabella shrugged. “God knows where we should be,” she smiled encouragingly before saying, “We better get going,” more to Jonathan.
Hannah wasn't sure if she had been dismissed or they just had to be somewhere by appointment but she felt a bit dumped after they said goodbye and left. That should not be, she chided herself. Jonathan was entitled to be with whomever he pleased. Especially someone doing something so big for the Lord. Still she felt slightly rejected. Unable to concentrate on the task, she decided to call it a night.
Isabella, however, she did not see again but the beauty's face kept haunting her until she decided to pray about it. At peace once, again, she was able to carry out her duties. Neither was Isabella mentioned at the dinners with the Garricks.
Dinners she was glad for. There was much talk of God's mercy, goodness, grace and love at these dinners and Hannah was beginning to realise that God never left her no matter how much she had stayed away from Him. It was a new peace that came over her. But she still felt restless about the children who were forced into the sex trade. Closure over this issue of feeling helpless towards these children also came at one of these dinners. It was Emily who broached the subject.
“I heard more families are adopting children who were rescued from brothels,” Emily said excitedly.
“Yep,” Jonathan said pleased.
Hannah looked from the one to the other with more than a little interest.
“I am sure glad that more families are getting involved,” Emily said with relief.
“What is the criteria for families to adopt?” Hannah asked, surprising everyone.
“They would have to be stable couples with children, and be married a good number of years and must embody unity, love, charity and kindness. Off course there would have to be recommendations from their local church, communities, or bodies they are involved in. Thorough investigation is done before they can be approved. Thank God, they have such families on a list.” Jonathan's explanation was lapped up by Hannah.
“What other ways can these children be helped?” she asked hopelessly.
“Prayer,” Jonathan said simply. “Due to the high volatility of the situation, people are not just allowed to jump in and provide aid. It is understandable,” he added quickly at the disagreement she was displaying. “They have been hurt and their trust stolen. It will take a long time to regain their trust and without God, it is an impossible task.”
“Then how do we ensure they don't end up in that situation?” Hannah asked passionately.
“We can't! Unless someone is praying for their protection, there is nothing to stop the enemy from stealing them.” Jonathan said sympathetically.
Hannah thought about that. Prayer was easy enough but how do you see results? Jonathan could see her struggling with that. She wanted to be mobilised into doing something where the fruit could be easily seen but it wasn't always going to be like that.
“Like Abraham believed and trusted God for the promise of a great nation even when Isaac was to be sacrificed, we need to believe that God is in absolute control and busy at work when we pra
y and don't see the fruit of it,” Jonathan said gently.
Hannah looked at him full on for a few moments. What she saw there was an understanding of the frustration she was feeling. Suddenly, she knew that she was not the only one who felt that way but she was the one who didn't completely trust God. Ashamed, she bowed her head.
“Hannah, God does want to use us in bringing hope to a dying world but on His terms and He doesn't hold anything against us, if we don't follow His instructions. All we need to do is be obedient to His voice and follow His path and He will do the rest,” Jonathan soothed with the same gentleness. “And God knows that your heart is in the right place but it does not mean that we are to act on it. David was a man after God's own heart, yet he was not allowed to build a house for God. God even told him that he did well to have it in his heart to build a house for Him but it wasn't David's calling to do so. Same with us. We want to do good things but it isn't always our calling,” he explained wisely.
Hannah looked up at him again. This time with understanding. It was as if they were the only two at the table. Without doubt, she knew that Jonathan had just given her the answer she was seeking. He was truly a man of God!
Jonathan held Hannah's gaze allowing her to be comfortable in her new found knowledge of where all this was leading. He hoped she would always feel free to approach him about these matters.
“You know I never thought of it that way,” Derrick broke the silence.
A discussion ensued on the what’s and how's of God's workings; a discussion Hannah was glad for. She had all her life thought she must do something in her capacity and no one had corrected her until now. Being a preacher's kid made it all the more difficult for counselling by her own father and everyone else kept their distance. She had to admit she was grateful for Jonathan Chandler's insight. She was only just getting to know this great God whom she had given her heart to a long time ago.
From then on, she prayed everyday for the children who had no one to champion them to God and she prayed for Jonathan too. Something she had never thought of doing before. He was always taking the time to allay fears, misconceptions, misunderstandings and anything that could take a person down the wrong path. Now when they were at dinner with the Garricks, she felt she could ask any question and not look unlearned.
Dinner with the Garricks, though, came to an end soon after it started when Jonathan had to cry off invitations due to some late meetings and counselling. Sad news for Hannah! She had learnt so much from these dinners than she had learned in her entire life. And it was in a setting where her nervousness was minimum – a feeling she was starting to enjoy. Outside of these dinners, she could still not be comfortable alone with him. Besides, she had a secret that she didn't want him to discover.
With just over a week to go towards the production, she was also pleased that he was not a distraction; seeing him so often, made her dwell on him more than she should. And not knowing what his relationship with Isabella was, made it dangerous.
Now that Luke was helping her, Jonathan hardly presented himself. Although she missed seeing him, she was far too busy thinking of the production to let it bother her too much.
Butterflies were playing havoc with her insides, on the Thursday before the staging of their production. She was nervous about everything and thus spent most of her time in the hall alone, running over the list she had in her hand, again and again, before the final dressed rehearsal.
She was busy pouring over the main dance routine when she heard a gleeful, “There's my lovely daughter!”
Dismayed, Hannah whipped around as Aaron and Elizabeth Wilkens approached her, her mother following her father at a slower pace.
“Mum, dad! What are you doing here?” she asked flabbergasted.
“You invited us to the annual school production, remember?” Aaron replied hurt.
“Yes, I did! But that is only taking place tomorrow. I didn't expect you two to arrive so early,” she whined.
“Don't worry, love,” her mother soothed. “We won't get in your way. Besides, we can help you with all the last minute things for tomorrow. But already I can see that you've done a great job,” Elizabeth said looking around. “So we'll just help keep you calm.”
“Thanks, mum,” Hannah replied agitatedly her eyes darting around.
“You're upset that we're here,” her mother said knowingly.
“No, no!” Hannah denied quickly. “It's just...I won't be able to spend time with you until after tomorrow night,” she excused not voicing her greater concern that Jonathan would have a chance to chat with them. Something, she did not want to take place.
However, she was not going to win this one. Jonathan sort of crept up on them.
“Hello, Hannah!” He was really looking at her parents while greeting her. Both her parents were contributors to Hannah's good looks. Light brown eyes and curly hair, she'd inherited from her father but the colouring from her mother. The older woman was still beautiful and stylish.
“Mum, dad, this is pastor Jonathan Chandler,” she dove right into introductions without bothering to greet him.
“Aaron,” her father held out his hand admiringly. Being shorter than Jonathan he had to look up in greeting.
“Elizabeth,” her mother extended her hand, also with admiration but for different reasons from her husband as her blue eyes took in the dashing figure in front of her. Shorter than her husband, she had to extend her head further back to look Jonathan in the eye.
Jonathan greeted them both pleasantly and amicably as Mr and Mrs Wilkens. “Did you come to visit Hannah?”
“We've come to see her big production,” Elizabeth answered proudly.
“It's not really mine, mum,” Hannah said curtly
“You shouldn't be so modest, Hannah!” Jonathan winked at her which she dismissed with an icy stare.
“Beautiful church you have here,” Aaron said looking around him. “How do you manage such a size as this?” he asked in awe.
“Not easy,” Jonathan laughed.
“I don't have anything near the number you have. You must give me some pointers,” Aaron smiled.
“Oh, you're a pastor!” Jonathan raised an eyebrow, giving Hannah a narrowed look. “Hannah didn't mention that.”
“She didn't?” her father reiterated with mild amusement taking in Hannah's red face.
“Oh, Hannah never volunteers any personal information unless it is a matter of life and death,” Elizabeth excused lightly, rubbing Hannah's arm lovingly. “We're actually surprised she is taking on this mammoth task. She usually hides from anything and everyone. You must be doing something really well.” Elizabeth nodded.
“Mum!” Hannah glared at her mother, embarrassed at being on display.
“We should compare notes,” Jonathan suggested taking the heat off her but Hannah was more dismayed than appreciative of the suggestion. “How long are you in town for?”
Panic rose in Hannah and she tried to distract them by answering as if he was intruding, “Just until Saturday since dad has to return to his church. And they promised to spend the time with me.”
“Then why don't we chat now in my office. It's much quieter there. It will also allow Hannah to calm down. She has become so edgy since the last few days. Must be the pending production.” Jonathan grinned at her.
Hannah gave him a murderous look but before she could say anything, they disappeared in the direction of his office. Hannah humphed but her mother didn't seem to notice.
“Nice young man that,” Elizabeth said, instead, with a twinkle in her eyes.
Hannah didn't comment. Instead, she furiously busied herself with the task she'd been occupied with before her parents interrupted. A task she could not concentrate on.
Chapter 11
Elizabeth chatted away as she helped Hannah with the last minute preparations for the next night. Not that there was much outstanding or many changes required. Elizabeth absently folded, stretched, righted or moved things around her.
Forty minutes later, Hannah stood up and paced. “What could they be talking about?” she wailed.
“Honey, what is eating you up?” Elizabeth asked concerned dropping whatever she was doing.
“What could the two of them be talking about?” she nodded in the direction the men had taken.
“Church stuff, probably,” Elizabeth said dismissively.
“I hope dad's not telling him about my predicament. He just can't tell pastor Chandler,” Hannah flopped into a chair in despair.
“Hannah, your father will never tell anyone about what you went through. It's not his style. Besides, why does it rile you so? Do you have feelings for Jonathan?”
“No!” Hannah denied vehemently giving her mother an annoyed look. Then she simmered down. “Unless you call intimidated...feelings.” She just was not prepared to confide in any one just yet about her confusing feelings for Jonathan especially since she wasn't sure where she stood with him, what his feelings toward her were.
Giving her an odd look, Elizabeth sat next to her and hugged her. “Dearest, your father will never tell anyone without your permission,” her mother soothed.
“You're right. But pastor Chandler has a way of drawing things out of people even if they don't want to divulge.” She was morose.
“Don't worry, your father is also a minister and he is pretty aware of your feelings.” Elizabeth chuckled as if Aaron was more than a match for Jonathan.
“You're right, mum. I should give dad more credit,” Hannah humbled herself, knowing that Jonathan would respect her father and honour him.
“That's my girl,” Elizabeth said proudly.
“Thanks, mum!”
But her anxiety was only allayed later, when Aaron and Elizabeth were leaving to their guest house where they were staying the next couple of nights. They didn't want to be in Hannah's way when the cast was doing their final practise.
No Engagement Ring Page 9