No Engagement Ring

by Julie Sewcharan

  All he could hear Hannah say was, “Yes, mum!...No, mum!...I will mum.”

  Hannah could not ignore her mother's call, so she patiently heard what her mother was saying. Elizabeth wanted to discuss the wedding and since opportunities were far and few between, Elizabeth didn't want to hang up even though Hannah mentioned several times she was going out.

  Once in the car, however, Hannah firmly said, “Mum, I have to go. I will call you later, I promise.” Without much opportunity for her mother to say no, Hannah ended the call. “Sorry!” she apologised.

  “No need to apologise. Mothers are difficult to get rid of.” There was a smile in his voice and Hannah had to laugh, breaking the tension she felt.

  “Did you sleep well?” he asked concerned. He had been up most of the night worrying about her and praying for her.

  “Surprisingly yes,” she said firmly. “I prayed until late last night. Experienced no nightmares!” she declared victoriously.

  Letting out a sigh of relief, Jonathan said, “Thank God! It was a pretty horrific scene to be exposed to and I am guessing you have never seen anything like it before.”

  “True. But the worse thing wasn't seeing her all beaten up, but the engulfing darkness. It was as if something was trying to pull me into a place I did not like at all,” Hannah reminisced.

  “Evil spirits,” Jonathan stated clearly. “As soon as she touched your hand, they were trying to get to you. Thank God that we have authority over them in Jesus Name.”

  “Oh!” Hannah said as she thought about that. She did not have a very great understanding of the spiritual realm, especially about demons and other evil spirits.

  Realising her meagre knowledge about what he'd just shared with her, Jonathan divulged some truths about that. He took the rest of the journey to enlighten her. When they reached the hospital, Hannah insisted Jonathan pray before they get out. He was pleased to oblige.

  A very enthusiastic nurse greeted them at the ward desk, with an appreciative look at Jonathan. She obviously knew Jonathan, Hannah concluded, although he seemed at a loss as to who she was.

  Ignoring the nurse's perusal of him, Jonathan politely made inquiries about the girl brought to the hospital. “Oh, the prostitute!” the nurse exclaimed. Both Jonathan and Hannah winced but the nurse was oblivious of this. “I believe she was found on the threshold of our church,” the nurse volunteered. So that would explain the nurse's familiarity with Jonathan. “She's in the last cubicle.”

  Jonathan thanked the nurse with a tolerant smile and proceeded down the passage with Hannah in tow. Once out of earshot, Hannah could not resist with a snigger, “I think I just met your number one fan.”

  Jonathan glanced at her with a sideways look of distaste. “Sorry!” she mouthed trying hard to keep the laughter in. Jonathan looked forward again but not before Hannah saw the smile on his face.

  The young girl was awake but heavily sedated. She looked at them when they entered and recognition dawned at the sight of Hannah.

  Jonathan introduced himself and Hannah. It was Hannah who initiated a conversation, asking her how she was doing and whether they were treating her well. Jonathan was proud of his fiancée.

  When drowsiness threatened to take over the girl whom they discovered was called Clare, they said their goodbyes. Hannah expressed her wish to visit again if Clare would allow them to. Clare readily agreed. They prayed with her.

  “Goodbye, Clare,” Hannah said with a hopeful smile.

  “Goodbye Mrs Chandler, and thank you for saving me,” Clare said attempting a grateful smile.

  Hannah looked up at Jonathan at the misnomer but Jonathan shook his head. Later he would explain that to have rectified would only cause more confusion to the girl. Anyway, Hannah would soon be Mrs Chandler.

  Another nurse was seated at the desk when they passed. Jonathan on impulse stopped and asked the nurse about Clare's condition and who her doctor was which the nurse readily revealed. The doctor they would not be able to see but the nurse was very forthcoming about the patient's diagnosis, and other medical information. At least Hannah knew that she could bring some food for Clare, which she shared with Jonathan in the car on the way back home. He thought it was an excellent idea.

  As they got ready to depart, the first nurse came back to the desk. “I hope to see you again, pastor Chandler,” she called out huskily.

  Hannah kept her head down to stop the bubble of laughter popping out. But as soon as they were in the car, she could not hold back.

  “And what is so funny?” Jonathan asked mildly amused.

  “Nothing!” Hannah denied mischievously.

  “That much laughter for nothing? I guess we will just sit here in the parking lot until you confess.” And to prove his point, he did not turn on the ignition.

  “Sorry, her attempt to grab your attention was too much.” Hannah was still shaking with laughter. “And your face! Especially since you had no clue who she was.”

  “How am I supposed to remember all four thousand plus people?” he asked mildly.

  “True! It must be a schlep,” Hannah agreed soberly. But the smile remained on her face as she said, “I suppose you get a lot of females drooling over you.” It was an observant statement.

  “I wouldn't like to brag but...” his eyes held a mischievousness that was very attractive to Hannah.

  Mesmerised, she said huskily, “I don't blame them.”

  They stared at each other, the desire to kiss strong but the promise he made, keeping them apart. A car starting up somewhere near them, broke the spell. Awkwardly they shifted in their seats to get moving out of the parking lot.

  “I would like to visit Clare again tomorrow,” Hannah said thoughtfully as soon as they were moving.

  While Jonathan appreciated that Hannah could so easily move from the sensual to the normal, he would have liked for the moment to last a little longer. It took him a little while to process what she was asking.

  “I don't have the availability until the afternoon,” he said stiffly from the difficulty of shifting modes.

  Either Hannah didn't notice or want to take notice of his tone for she said rather sweetly, “I can make my own way there.”

  “Oh, no you won't,” Jonathan said even more stiffly. “It is dangerous.”

  “Dangerous?” Hannah feigned innocence. “If someone like Luke and Meredith went with me?”

  Jonathan groaned inwardly. How could he not succumb to such sweetness? He was in for quite a marriage.

  “Fine!” he said after a short pause. “I will confer with Luke though,” he threatened in case she had ideas to misuse Luke.

  “Off course,” she surrendered. “By the way, Luke knows about our engagement,” she dropped casually.

  “How?” Jonathan was shocked.

  “He said he predicted it,” she informed with a shrug. “Said our feelings for each other were very evident whenever we were in the same room together.”

  “Very astute young man,” Jonathan smiled. “I think a lot of people knew, some even before me.”

  “Oh!??” Hannah's interest was piqued. “Like who?”

  “Sarah for one. My mum.”

  “How is that possible?” Hannah's voice was full of wonder.

  “Intuition? Don't you women have that sort of thing?” he teased.

  “Off course, we do. That's why I was running away from you,” she said smartly with mirth.

  “Hannah Wilkens, you are funny!”

  “You are the only person to tell me that,” she said soberly.

  They had pulled up outside Emily's house. Jonathan turned to look at her. “Then they haven't been paying attention.” He kissed her cheek. “I see mum is home. Better go say hello to her.”

  Emily was glad to see both of them but Jonathan could not stay, needing to prepare for tomorrow and Hannah was joining the young people for their get together that afternoon.

  That afternoon, the group was larger than the previous weeks. Chloe and her pals were
there. Dreading their inquisitiveness, Hannah had to remain as placid as she could to avoid rousing any suspicions about her pending marriage. Not an easy task but one she managed to pull off, even though the barbs were much more pronounced. Or perhaps it seemed more pronounced, now that she was hiding the secret from them.

  Chapter 19

  Luke and Meredith were glad to accompany Hannah to the hospital. They were touched by Clare's story. Clare, looking slightly better, was overjoyed to see Hannah. She was still under sedation though. It was a relief, Clare didn't address her as Mrs Chandler again. In fact, the girl did not address her at all during that visit.

  On the way back home, Meredith shared about the adopted sister in her family and the similarity to Clare's situation. As she spoke, a thought occurred to Hannah.

  “Do you think someone in our church could adopt Clare?' she excitedly interrupted Meredith and apologised immediately.

  “I don't see why not but how would we get the word out?” Meredith asked also excited.

  “Why not go via the charity department. They are always claiming they want to do more,” Luke stated.

  Hannah rolled her eyes at Luke's unfetching description of the department. But he did give her an idea. “That is just where we need to start,” she said agreeably. “I will get in contact with them.” After I run it by Jonathan, she told herself.

  When she got home, Emily was waiting for her. Hannah had forgotten about the visit to Emily's sister but Emily was not at all aware of that fact much to Hannah's relief. Thankfully she was back in time from the hospital to leave again for the visit.

  Abigail was similar in looks to Emily. They were both thin, same height, greying, short hair and lively, light blue eyes. She was also very kind. A feat applauded by Hannah who was privy to the information that Abigail’s husband had left her with three young children. Broken though Abigail had been, she had coped well and brought up her children in the Lord. Her children were doing very well in different parts of the world. Today, she chatted with Hannah as if she'd known her all her life.

  Overwhelmed, Hannah just nodded or answered with short sentences. “How do you converse with my nephew if you are too afraid to speak with an old woman? He is much more intimidating,” Abigail laughed.

  Hannah looked at her in awe. “You agree that he is?” Hannah asked delighted that someone was on her side.

  “I kept telling his mother that but she didn't want to believe me. He could get anyone to do anything he wanted,” Abigail recollected. “Not that he took advantage. Especially of the older folks.”

  “Now you've just fuelled the fire,” Emily said with mock despair. “Hannah used to avoid him like the plague because she felt that he was.”

  “Ah, just the woman he needs,” Abigail said wisely.

  Hannah looked at her nonplussed. How could she be the woman he needed if she was intimidated by him?

  “At least you see him as he is and not as you want him to be,” Abigail filled her in. “Too many woman want a husband to be as they fantasize they should be and when they don't live up to that fantasy, then their marriage ends in ruins.”

  “Wow!” Hannah thought aloud. She had never seen it like that before.

  “Now let's look at your dress,” Abigail suddenly changed the subject while Hannah was still thinking about Abigail's statement. Shifting her focus took some doing.

  The changes to the dress were awesome. It was almost identical to what Hannah wanted done, if not better. Amazed and pleased, she profusely thanked Abigail. All that needed to be done was put it together.

  It wasn't until Monday evening that Hannah had a chance to speak to Jonathan about Clare. They were on their way to the hospital to visit Clare together.

  “Do you think Clare has a place to go to when she is discharged?” Hannah broached the subject thoughtfully.

  “Unlikely.” Although to the point, Jonathan was sympathetic. “Usually, girls in her position, don't have many choices.”

  Hannah sighed. “I wish there was a family willing to take her in even if it was just for a short period of time. At least until we know her history and what to do for her.”

  Even though Hannah had not come out and said it directly, she was looking for his guidance on what to do with Clare. He picked up that she wished to establish the young girl within a family unit. He might have just the thing or more aptly, the people for the job. Two widowed, elderly sisters living alone. But he would have to ask them first before committing to anything.

  So all he said was, “Let me make a few inquiries.”

  “You will?” Hannah asked joyously.

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you.”

  The joy in her voice was very evident and Jonathan wondered how it came about that he gave in so easily to her since she had not even voiced her request? Looks were definitely deceiving. Demure on the outside but fiery on the inside. He was hooked. Smiling, he shook his head.

  Clare was very happy to see them. She was looking much better than the day before. Hannah was sure that it wouldn't be too long before Clare was discharged. They would need to find a place for her soon.

  The hospital was not the place to speak to her about her life and the incident that brought her to that place. In the meanwhile, both Hannah and Jonathan made her feel comfortable, gave her hope and encouraged her.

  On the way back, Hannah asked without guile, “Do you think they will ever find the person who did this to her?”

  “I hope so,” he said without emotion.

  “I guess it won't matter even if they do; the damage has already been done. No amount of punishment will undo it,” Hannah stated again without guile.

  “You are a very perceptive person, Hannah Wilkens,” Jonathan said in amazement kissing her hand.

  “Why thank you,” she accepted graciously. She knew better than to question his praise.

  The very next day, Jonathan paid a visit to the widowed sisters, Caroline Thomas and Denise Rainey, who were pleased to see him. They were always hospitable and plied him with refreshments whenever he visited which he accepted, not wanting to offend them.

  They listened carefully to what he proposed, giving them the full details of Clare's situation, their grey eyes absorbing his every word as their grey heads bobbed now and then. At the end, he offered them the option to think about it.

  “Nonsense!” both women exclaimed simultaneously.

  “What is there to think about? The child needs caring for and that is what we are on this earth to do. Care for one another. It's God's desire for us,” Denise completed.

  “Besides it would be good to have another person in this large house. It gets rather quiet and lonely with all this space,” Caroline reflected.

  It was settled, Clare would live with them at least until things were sorted. The sisters were the dearest people he knew from his congregation and they had a special place in his heart. They loved taking care of people and since neither of them had children of their own, Clare would be a welcome child to them. He prayed that Clare would remain with them for a long time.

  He couldn't see Hannah that day or the next; so he wasn't able to give her the good news. Fortunately Luke was available to take her to the hospital, so he was at peace about her visit with Clare. On Wednesday, when he picked her up for the course, he didn't tell her right away, either. Instead they spoke about general things on their trip to Grace Community Church.

  However, before they left the parking lot, Jonathan pulled Hannah back and said, “I have some good news regarding Clare.”

  Hannah was all ears as she looked at him with expectant eyes.

  “I have found a family for Clare!” he announced triumphantly.

  Hannah flew into his arms, even though he had not given her full details and if she wasn't much smaller than him, he was sure she would have knocked him over.

  “You are amazing!” she said breathlessly hugging him tightly. “How did you manage to get someone so quickly?”

  He was
amazed that she trusted him so completely, taking his word for it that the family was plausible and not questioning their suitability or anything in that light. Joy pervaded him. As they walked, hand in hand, to the building, Jonathan, gladly, told her about Caroline and Denise.

  “They sound absolutely stunning,” Hannah said excitedly. She stopped him just before the door. “Thank you!” she said sincerely and standing on tip toes, kissed his cheek, lingeringly.

  A rare action from her. Hannah was not very generous with kisses, he had observed. It was the first time she had done that and it felt wonderful. “You are welcome!” he managed to say before the door opened and they were forced to go inside.

  That evening, the delegates were called to mention the one thing that attracted them to their partners.

  Hannah squirmed and Jonathan put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her to him. Fortunately, they did not have to go first, giving Hannah time to pluck up the courage to speak. To help, Jonathan volunteered first from the two of them.

  “Hannah's honesty,” he said briefly. “She is a very honest person and I love the way she looks at things with total sincerity.”

  Hannah was warmed by his observation of her and it encouraged her to say, “He has a very mesmerising persona.”

  Jonathan looked at Hannah in wonder. He had no idea she saw that in him. He was pleased he was learning more and more about her and liking what he learned.

  The session took them through the phases of marriage from honeymoon to children to latter years. They spent ample time on children and their effect on marriage.

  On the ride home, Jonathan observed that Hannah was even quieter than usual. Lately, she had been taking more initiative to start conversations but not tonight. He learned over the last couple of months, that when she was this quiet, she was contemplating something or mulling over an issue. He was certain it had to do with the evening's session.

  “Want to talk about it?” he asked quietly.

  “Er?”

  “You seem to be deep in thought,” he explained.

  “Sorry!”

  “Hannah, you do not have to be sorry all the time,” Jonathan reprimanded gently. “You know you can be yourself with me.”