Tender Love: A Christian Romance (The True Love Series Book 1)

by Juliette Duncan

  Tessa nodded, accepting the fact that although Michael had gone to church, he’d never been committed, and she couldn’t say with all honesty that he was running after God. But was she? She thought so, but she was running after so many things. Was God her focus? Was she seeking Him with all her heart? If she were honest, she’d have to say no, she hadn’t been running after God, even though at times she thought she had. But from now on she’d make sure she was.

  “Tessa, also know that if you remain unmarried, God’s love for you doesn’t depend on your marital status.” She didn’t want to hear that. Even though she was heading for her thirties, remaining single hadn’t entered her thinking. She’d always assumed she’d get married and have children. But what if that doesn’t happen? Could she cope with the loneliness of remaining single – possibly forever? A few months on her own and she was struggling. Her chest tightened at the thought. God would really have to help with that.

  “Don’t worry, Tessa. You’ve got plenty of time, and I’m sure there’s many a young man who’d jump at the chance of spending time with you. Just be discerning and don’t rush into anything. Okay?”

  Tessa nodded and smiled through the tears that had blurred her eyes.

  “If you don't mind, can I pray for you before we part?”

  Tessa sniffed. “That would be lovely. Thank you.” She released a slow breath and closed her eyes.

  Pastor Stanek took her hand and prayed. Sunlight, stained a rainbow of colours by the glass windows of the church, cast a heavenly illumination about them as Pastor Stanek's gentle voice implored God to shower Tessa with His love and peace, and to give her wisdom and discernment in her relationships. “Amen, and thank you,” Tessa said when he finished.

  “Always my pleasure, dear.” Pastor Stanek squeezed her hand as he stood.

  Tessa had only a few minutes more to wait before Stephanie came out from choir rehearsal. As they drove home, Tessa felt more at peace than she had since breaking up with Michael, and she pushed any romantic notion about Ben out of her mind.

  Chapter 7

  Stephanie sat behind her desk and glanced at the clock on the wall. Ten more minutes until Ben Williams was due. Drumming her fingers on the desk, she leaned back in her chair and sighed deeply. Even though they’d had two meetings a week for the past month, they’d made little progress. She’d been hopeful after last Friday’s meeting, but in the end she was disappointed.

  “Come in,” Stephanie said in answer to the knock on her office door.

  Stephanie’s supervisor, Rod Casey, came in and pulled up a chair opposite her.

  Stephanie’s stomach tightened while she waited for him to speak.

  “I received your case studies on Annabel and her brother, Stephanie, as well as Gwen's.”

  Stephanie held her breath and gulped. So much time she’d invested trying to get those reports right.

  “Annabel's was excellent - I was very impressed.” He looked up and held her gaze. “But Gwen…” She didn’t like the look on his face. Her heart fell. She’d really struggled to put Gwen’s together, especially after Gwen cancelled.

  “I’m not happy with your report on her, Stephanie. You could have shown more empathy and understanding with her situation. I know she cancelled, but I’m going to move her to another case worker for follow up. You can continue working with Annabel.”

  Stephanie couldn’t believe it. She felt like a school-girl who’d just been reprimanded and had her privileges withdrawn. She didn’t deserve this. Not after all the time she’d put in. And this was supposed to be a Christian counselling service. Where was the support for their workers? No wonder they struggled to keep their staff.

  Swallowing her disappointment, she put on her professional voice.

  “I’m sorry it wasn’t what you wanted, Rod, but I’ll do better with the next one.” She drew in a deep breath. “Ben Williams' is due in two weeks? Correct?”

  “Yes. I'll email some pointers to help improve your scores, but I'm sure you'll do better with him. I look forward to receiving it.”

  Stephanie’s shoulders dropped after Rod left the room. If he knew how little progress she’d made with Ben, he wouldn’t be so confident. The only progress worth noting was that Ben now had a dog. And that somehow she’d finally managed to get more than two words out of him.

  A moment later, another knock sounded on her door. Stephanie’s shoulders dropped further. He would be early, today of all days. Maybe she could say she was unwell and postpone the meeting. But that would be running away. No, she could do this. Standing, she drew in a deep breath and straightened her skirt, adopting her professional manner before responding.

  “Come in.” Stephanie welcomed Ben with a smile she hoped looked warmer than it felt and waved him to his usual chair before taking the opposite seat.

  Stephanie cleared her throat. “Mr Williams, how was your weekend?”

  He shrugged off-handedly. “It was okay.”

  How many more times could they go through the same old routine? If only he’d open up. She must be doing something wrong to have made such little progress. Two weeks left to get somewhere… Stephanie’s resolve hardened. She’d make progress today if it killed her.

  Forcing herself to relax, she softened her voice. “How is Jayden doing?”

  Ben shrugged half-heartedly and looked down at his hands. “He’s fine, I guess. But all he seems to care about now is Bindy.” He looked up and met Stephanie’s gaze. “Yesterday, he didn’t want to come to church with me. First time that’s ever happened.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that, Mr Williams. How’s he doing at school?”

  “His grades have improved a little. I’m sure it’s because of Bindy. I told him if he didn't pick up his game, he wouldn’t be going to puppy classes. Seems to have worked.” Ben ran his hands down his smart trouser pants and then glanced out the window. “But I’m concerned about the friends he's hanging out with at school. They aren't the best of kids.”

  A crack. Might only be a small one, but it was a crack. And he’d said way more than two words! Stephanie smiled to herself. There was hope.

  “Jayden’s causing you a great deal of stress and worry, isn’t he?”

  Ben let out a long sigh. “Yes.”

  A one-word answer. Drat! She’d have to make sure she didn’t ask questions he could answer with a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’. She really was no good at this.

  “Let's talk about your work. Are you happy at your current workplace?”

  “Yes.”

  Stephanie berated herself. She’d done it again. Use a different tack, Stephanie.

  “Trying to be a parent to Jayden and holding down a full-time job can’t be easy. How are you managing?”

  Ben looked at her guardedly. “Okay, I think. I try to get home as early as I can, but sometimes I get held up.” He looked out the window and stared into the distance.

  Come on, Ben, give me more. You talked to Tessa, why can’t you talk to me?

  He finally turned his head around but looked down at his hands. “I got offered a partnership last week.”

  Stephanie raised her eyebrows. Well, that’s progress. “Congratulations! Are you going to accept?”

  Ben raised his head. “I’m not sure. I’d like the challenge, but I don’t know if I should. They want me to let them know by the end of the week, after the Accounting Awards.”

  “Is that like the Grammy’s for accountants?”

  “Kind of. It’s this Friday evening. I was going to take Jayden, but I doubt he’ll want to come. It’s not really for kids.”

  That’s it! Stephanie’s mind worked overtime. Maybe he could ask Tess… she’d be blown away… and maybe she can do some sleuthing at the same time…

  Stephanie cleared her throat. Her heart beat faster. “Perhaps you could ask that girl you met at puppy training to go with you?” She hoped it sounded natural. Sounded contrived to her…

  Ben narrowed his eyes. “No, I don’t think so. I’ve on
ly met her the once. And she’d read too much into it if I did. I’ll just go on my own.”

  Stephanie let out a disappointed sigh. “Why not ask her, Mr Williams? It’d do you good.”

  “No. I couldn’t do that. But thank you for the suggestion.”

  Stephanie studied Ben as he stood. Such a sad sack. Pity. He’s a nice looking man.

  For the next two days, Stephanie’s suggestion played over in Ben’s mind. No, he didn’t want to go through another broken relationship, but something about Tessa Scott had touched him, and he couldn’t shake off his attraction towards her.

  When he saw Tessa at puppy training school on the Thursday evening, he struggled to put two words together. She smiled at him and said hello, but the connection he thought they’d shared the previous week didn’t seem to be there. Probably just as well. But he’d almost decided to ask her to the awards dinner, and now he felt disappointed.

  He caught her eye several times during the session, and each time his heart leapt. He might be imagining it, but maybe the connection was still there.

  After the lesson, Ben hurried to catch Tessa as she walked to her car. She was walking quickly, as if in a hurry to leave. Maybe he should just let her go. His pulse quickened. Now or never.

  He gulped and called out.

  Tessa stopped and turned, her eyes lighting up for an instant, but then a look he couldn’t decipher flashed across her face.

  Ben’s heart thumped. He held her gaze. Speak, Ben, speak.

  “Tessa, how are you?” Is that the best I can come up with?

  “I’m fine, Ben. How are you?”

  “I’m fine too.” No I’m not.

  Jayden had caught up. Ben glanced at him.

  “Jayden, why don’t you play with the dogs for a few moments?”

  Tessa looked puzzled.

  “I’m sorry, Tessa. I didn’t mean to be presumptuous.” He raked a hand through his hair and shuffled his feet in the gravel.

  Her face broke into that alluring smile and his heart jumped. In the dim light of the car park, her eyes sparkled with amusement. She laughed lightly, and he relaxed.

  “No, it’s fine, Ben. So, how have you been, really?”

  Ben let out a huge breath and swallowed. He couldn’t remember being this nervous asking Kathryn out.

  “Not bad. Still working through things.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “Getting there.”

  “That’s good to hear, Ben.” Tessa glanced at Jayden trying to untangle the two pups from each other. “Jayden still seems taken with Bindy.”

  “Yes, he is.”

  Her eyes met his, and his heart skipped another beat. They chatted about the puppy training sessions and how both pups had improved, but all the while Ben was waiting for the right opportunity to ask her to the awards dinner. When she asked what he did, he breathed a sigh of relief.

  “I’m an accountant.” The bemused look on her face surprised him. Was being an accountant a bad thing? “I know that sounds boring compared to being a vet, but it’s actually really interesting.”

  She shook her head. “No, no. It’s just that my father’s an accountant. He says it’s a good, stable occupation.” She said those last words in a low deep voice, and had a bemused look on her face.

  Her response helped Ben relax a little, but this was it… could he do it?

  He cleared his throat and gulped. “Tess, the Annual Accounting Awards are coming up, and I wanted to ask if you’d like to accompany me.” He’d got it out, but only just. Ben’s heart pounded. He’d put himself out there, made himself vulnerable, but what would she say?

  Tessa’s eyes widened, and she seemed lost for words.

  “I’m sorry Tessa. I shouldn’t have asked.” A heavy weight descended on his chest.

  “No, it was just a surprise. When is it?”

  Ben lifted his eyes and his whole body relaxed.

  “This Friday evening. Tomorrow, actually. I’m sorry it’s such short notice. I'll understand if you can't-”

  “Ben, stop it. I’d love to go.”

  A wave of relief washed through Ben's body.

  “You don’t know how nervous I was asking you. I expected you to say no.”

  “Well, I didn’t, and I’ll look forward to it.” Her mouth curved into a smile that warmed his heart.

  After getting her address and giving her the details, Ben drove home with Jayden, totally amazed by what had just taken place.

  Tessa entered the house and nearly bumped into Stephanie, who was carrying a load of freshly washed and dried laundry.

  “Whoa, Tess, what's the rush, and what are you grinning ear to ear about?”

  “You won't believe it!” Tessa sashayed past her friend and released Sparky onto the floor before continuing.

  “Let me guess.” Stephanie tilted her head and held a finger to her lips. “Ben asked you out on a date?”

  Tessa stopped mid sashay. “How did you know?”

  “Maybe because I was the one who suggested it.”

  “You did - what?” Tessa glared at Stephanie, her nostrils flaring. All the way home she’d conversed with God about Ben. She thought it funny that after deciding he wasn’t right for her, it turned out he might be after all. Especially after Stephanie had let slip he was a churchgoer. But knowing Stephanie was behind the invitation put a different slant on it altogether.

  “Come on, Tess. It doesn’t matter how it came about - you’re going out with Ben Williams! Be happy.”

  Tessa slumped on the couch and crossed her arms. It hurt to discover Ben hadn’t asked her out without being prompted. But did it really matter? Maybe not. But how would she explain to him that her housemate was his counsellor without him feeling he’d been set up? She humphed. God, this is way too complicated and I’m not sure what to think. Please help me.

  Stephanie sat on the couch and put her arms around Tessa.

  “It’ll be okay, Tess, you’ll see. I’m sorry.”

  Chapter 8

  “Are you sure this looks okay?” Tessa stood in front of the full-length mirror in her room and fiddled with the navy-coloured sequin mesh gown she hadn’t worn since her graduation. At short notice, it was the only thing she could find, and whilst it still fitted her, she was more at home in veterinary scrubs or yoga pants.

  “Yes, for the hundredth time, you look like a million dollars!”

  Tessa had finally decided to let go of her annoyance about how or why Ben had asked her out, and just be happy he had. Her heart skipped several beats when the doorbell rang.

  “Go on, you’ll be fine.” Stephanie hugged her. “I’ll stay out of sight. Have a great time, Tess. But don’t forget to find out what you can.”

  Tessa glared at Stephanie. Gleaning information from Ben didn’t sit well with her and she’d told Stephanie that. Taking one last look in the mirror, she walked to the front door, her pulse quickening. God, please be with me tonight. Help me not to read too much into anything, and to keep my eyes on You. Thank You.

  She reached out and opened the door.

  Dressed in a sharp black tailored dinner suit that made him look like the accountant he was, Ben stood on the doorstep. She noted the beads of perspiration dotting his forehead, possibly from wearing a suit on a hot summer’s evening, but maybe from nerves, just like her.

  Tessa swallowed the lump in her throat and smiled. “Ben, hello!”

  “Hello Tess.” Their eyes locked together for a moment, as if neither knew what to do or say.

  Ben eventually broke the silence. “You look lovely, Tess. And I'm not just saying that. You really do.”

  Tessa smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Ben. You don't look bad yourself.” She let out a nervous laugh as he led her to his car. She slid under his arm and onto the leather passenger seat.

  Ben started the engine and pulled out onto the road. “Thanks for coming with me, Tess.” His deep voice sent a tingle through her body. He looked straight ahead and had a firm grip on the steering wheel. “I
hope you won’t be bored.”

  “It’s nice just going out. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”

  He gave her a warm smile, and they chatted about pups and puppy training for the ten or so minutes it took to get to the Hotel Grand Chancellor in the city.

  Around five hundred people attended the gala awards night. Under the setting sun, the Roma Street Parklands looked spectacular from the floor to ceiling windows. Ben and Tessa had arrived right on time and Ben introduced Tessa to his associate Walton and several other of his business associates who seemed pleased to meet her.

  Tessa didn't fully understand all the accounting jargon and financial jokes that were thrown around the table as the evening wore on, but she followed along as best she could and cheered politely whenever the MC mentioned the name of Ben's firm. His firm won “Firm of the Year” and the table burst into applause. After the CEO made his acceptance speech, the MC announced “Accountant of the Year”. He mentioned the recipient stood out for his innovative client and management ideas. Ben leaned into Tessa and mentioned the name of the person he assumed would be the winner.

  When the MC said, “Ben Williams,” Tessa turned to him and gave him a brief impromptu hug.

  Ben’s face a blend of disbelief and happiness as Walton clapped him on the shoulder.

  Tessa felt nervous for him as he walked to the podium. Had he prepared a speech? If it had been her, she probably wouldn’t know what to say and would speak too fast and say things she ought not. Ben walked confidently to the front of the room and when he turned to face the applauding audience, her heart swelled with pride, even though she barely knew him.