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

by Juliette Duncan

She sniffed and sat straighter. “You need to ask Tessa that.”

  Telford turned his attention to Tessa, a puzzled look on his face. “Well?”

  Tessa grabbed Ben’s hand and looked to him for support. He squeezed her hand and then pulled her close.

  “I think your wife has guessed that Tessa and I are now officially a couple.”

  Telford’s eyebrows shot up. “My word, son. Congratulations! When’s the date?”

  Tessa laughed. “No Dad. We’re not engaged. We’re just courting.”

  “Oh. Well, that’s still wonderful. Come here, both of you.” He shook Ben’s hand and then hugged them both. Eleanor gave up trying to control herself and joined in.

  A short while later Tessa flew through the front door of her house and nearly stumbled over Sparky. He barked eagerly at her sudden appearance and ran around in circles.

  Stephanie called out from the kitchen. “Quiet, Sparky. I'm working on my last case study, and it needs to be good.”

  Tessa sashayed into the kitchen. “Stephanie! You're not going to believe it.” She grabbed her friend's arms and swung her around. “Ben and I are officially courting!”

  Stephanie stopped her and held her at arm’s length. “It’s about time, that’s all I can say!”

  Tessa laughed. “He asked if he could court me – so old fashioned and proper! And I said yes. I can't believe this is actually happening. Pinch me so I know it isn't a dream.”

  “You're not dreaming, Tess,” Stephanie said, embracing her. “I couldn't be happier for you.”

  Chapter 22

  Jayden was allowed to go home the next day around noon. He was subdued as he climbed into the seat beside his father. Ben had decided to let a couple of days pass before having a serious talk with about staying away from Owen and the entire drug overdose situation.

  “Are you angry at me?” Jayden asked quietly.

  “Angry? No. Disappointed? Yes. But I hope you’ve learned something worthwhile from this.”

  “Yes Dad, I did.” Jayden looked down at his hands. “Never agree to a dare with Owen again.”

  “Fair enough, but I need to have a serious talk with you about Owen at some stage. But right now, we have more important things to be concerned about.”

  “Important things like what?”

  “I need your help in picking out a ring.”

  Jayden stared at Ben and then narrowed his eyes. “Have you asked Tessa to marry you?” The tone of Jayden’s voice made Ben’s heart fall. He thought Jayden had been warming to Tessa of late, but his reaction indicated otherwise.

  Ben shook his head and swallowed his disappointment. “No, but I did ask her to be my girlfriend, and she agreed.” When he pulled up at a red light, Ben turned his head and met Jayden’s gaze. “I thought you liked her.”

  For a long moment Jayden remained silent. “She’s all right, I guess.” He looked down and fiddled with his hands. “Do you think I’ll ever see Mum again?” His voice was quiet and carried a truckload of sadness.

  Ben sighed heavily. “I don’t know, son. I hope one day she’ll come to her senses.” He slowed down to take a corner. It was beyond Ben’s understanding how Kathryn could be so uncaring about what she’d put Jayden through, but he doubted she’d ever realise the full extent of the hurt she’d caused. Ben glanced at Jayden and his heart went out to him. God, please help him get through this.

  After several moments of silence, Jayden lifted his head. “At one of our puppy training classes, Tessa told me her favourite colour was orange. Maybe you could choose a fire opal.”

  Ben sighed in relief and gave Jayden a broad smile. “Great idea, son, thank you. He turned and met Jayden’s gaze. “You know, Tessa’s good for us.” He paused. “For both of us.”

  The next few days were a flurry of happiness and excitement for Tessa. She was in a constant state of gratitude to God for the goodness he was showing to her and for all the blessings he was sending her way. And Michael was now just a distant memory in her mind. After waiting and wondering when a good man would come into her life, Tessa could hardly believe she was being courted by the most wonderful man she could ever have dreamed of. Her heart was full of love for Ben and for Jayden too, though it was of a different kind.

  Whilst she spent as much time with Ben and Jayden as she could, Tessa still managed to find time to help Elliott pull off the surprise celebration for their parents’ thirtieth wedding anniversary. Hearing about her mother's horrible first marriage had heightened her respect for her parents’ long lasting love.

  The day of the anniversary dawned bright and sunny. Tessa joined Elliott on the beach early in the morning. Together, with the help of Stephanie and a few other friends, they ensured the tables and chairs for dining were set up just right. Tall and slender white candles, encircled by pink roses, stood in the centre of each table. Green and white streamers and balloons fluttered overhead in the slight breeze. Elliott pointed to a group of people busily setting up a small stage. “See, sis, I hired a live band to play tonight. Nothing too fancy, but they sound swell, so I hope you’ll be wearing your dancing shoes.”

  “I will, and I’m pretty sure I'll have the best partner on the sand,” Tessa answered with a wink. She clapped her hands together as several vans came into view. “Look! The Bussey's crew are here to start the catering.”

  Elliott laughed. “You really are excited, aren’t you, sis?”

  “Yes, it’s going to be a great night.” She turned as Stephanie joined them and slipped her arm around Tessa’s waist.

  “How’s the cake coming along, Stephanie?” Elliott asked.

  “Quite nicely. Mum and I finished frosting it late last night. We were going to make a thirty-layer cake - one layer for each year your parents have been married, but it probably would have been a bit much.”

  Elliott nodded. “I think so, but it would’ve been kinda neat!”

  Tessa chuckled. She’d miss her brother when he left to return to the States.

  “So now it’s just a really huge three-layer black forest cake, and on the top is a photo of your parents surrounded by whipped cream and a heart of maraschino cherries.”

  “I can’t wait to see it,” Tessa said, giving Stephanie a squeeze. “You and your mother are the best bakers I know.”

  “Forget about seeing it,” Elliott said. “I can't wait to sink my teeth into it.”

  “Well, you’ll just have to hold your sweet tooth until this evening,” Stephanie said as she playfully slapped him.

  Telford and Eleanor were scrapbooking old photos when Tessa and Elliott dropped by their house later that day. “Do you have any special plans to mark your anniversary?” Tessa asked after she’d hugged and kissed them both.

  “Not really,” Eleanor said. “Just being with each other is special enough, but we’re going to take a walk along the beach later.”

  “Perhaps catch a movie,” Telford added.

  Tessa and Elliott exchanged glances. “What a coincidence,” Elliott said. “Tessa and I were just on our way to the beach ourselves. Why don't we go together?”

  A short while, unaware of the party that awaited them, Telford and Eleanor were speechless when a crowd of their family members and friends greeted them with clapping and cheering.

  “Happy Anniversary!” everyone shouted.

  “Surprise!” Tessa and Elliott said together as they took in their parents’ shocked faces.

  It was a grand evening of celebration that lasted well into the night. After much of the food was eaten and before the dancing began, Tessa called everyone to attention and launched into the speech she’d prepared. “Mum, Dad, we’ve been planning this surprise party for more than a few weeks now because Elliott and I want you both to know how much we love and appreciate you.” She paused as her voice caught in her throat. Don’t get emotional now, Tessa... She swallowed and drew in a deep breath before continuing.

  “Thirty years later, your love for each other seems to have only grown stronger. E
lliott and I are truly blessed to have such inspiring and godly parents. Thank you for teaching us to be the best we can be. I know I wouldn’t be who I am today if it weren’t for you two.” Tessa paused again and steadied herself. This was much harder than she thought it would be.

  She glanced at her notes before continuing. “Your humility, strength, patience, and success push me to be better and to do more each and every day. Growing up, there were so many little things you did for me that I took for granted. I’d now like to say thank you for all those little things, and the big things too, that helped us be the family we are today.

  “Dad, thank you for respecting mum and being a man of character and faith. Thank you for your hard work, for teaching me about God, and for always making the best out of life.

  “Mum, thank you for your style, your class, and your positivity. Thank you for choosing a better life for yourself which allowed me to have a better one as well. Thank you for doing my hair, for all the meals you cooked, and for encouraging me to fulfil my dream of being a vet.

  “I’m thankful to have been raised by the both of you. The love you have for each other has inspired me to strive for something similar when I get married.” Tessa glanced at Ben sitting beside Elliott and Jayden, and her heart warmed. “By example, you’ve taught me the true meaning of relationships and family. So, from Elliott and me, happy anniversary, Mum and Dad. You deserve this night.”

  Telford wiped tears from his eyes as he and Eleanor kissed in front of everyone. Standing, Telford gazed around at the group of family and friends before settling his gaze on Tessa and Elliott.

  Tessa reached for Ben’s hand as Telford cleared his throat.

  “Thank you, Tessa. Thank you, Elliott. You’ve left me speechless. Your mother and I had no idea you’d organised all of this, as well as the cruise tomorrow, and we’re very appreciative of all the effort you’ve put in. It’s been a wonderful night, so thank you.” Tears pricked Tessa’s eyes when Telford smiled at her. “I can only say that I hope your Mum and I see many more anniversaries together. And we look forward to seeing what the Lord has in store for the both of you. Although we think we know what, or whom, I should say, He’s got in store for you, Tessa.” Telford’s eyes twinkled as he held up his glass. “Ben and Tessa, we wish you many happy years together.”

  Ben cuddled Tessa as everyone clapped and cheered. They then raised and clinked glasses with Telford and Eleanor. They could certainly toast to that.

  Epilogue

  Three months later, Tessa received a text from Ben asking her to meet him at the park during her lunch break. Nothing unusual about that. They tried to spend as much time together as they could, so after she finished surgery for the morning, Tessa cleaned herself up and headed out.

  The park was only a short walk away, and the cooler temperature made walking quite pleasant. Tessa headed for the large Moreton Bay Fig they always sat under, but was surprised to find that Ben hadn’t arrived. She checked her watch. Unusual for him to be late.

  A dog running towards her in the distance caught her attention. It looked like Sparky, but it couldn’t be, Sparky was at home. She looked a little closer. It was Sparky, and he was running straight for her with a bow around his neck.

  “Sparky, what are you doing here? And what’s this?” Tessa found a small package attached to the bow. The tag said ‘open me’. “What’s going on, Sparky? Who set you up like this?” She looked around, but saw no-one. “Guess I’d better open it.” She took the ribbon off Sparky’s neck and opened the package. Inside the wrapping she found a small box. Her eyes widened as she opened it slowly. A beautiful white gold diamond ring sparkled up at her.

  “What…?” Tessa looked up as Ben appeared from nowhere and knelt down before her. Tessa felt numb all over.

  “Ben…” Tears filled her eyes. Her heart thumped as her knees weakened.

  Ben took her hands in his. “Tessa, I’m hopelessly and madly in love with you. I have been for a long time, and I would be the happiest man alive if you agreed to be my wife. Tessa Scott, will you marry me?”

  “Oh Ben, yes, of course I’ll marry you.” Ben stood and wrapped his arms around Tessa, lifting her off her feet. As he kissed her, cheers and clapping filled her ears. When she finally managed to extricate herself from his lips, Tessa turned to see who was making the noise. Stephanie stood in front, holding Sparky on a leash, Mum and Dad, with arms wrapped around each other and huge beaming grins on their faces stood to her side, and Jayden with Bindy on her other side. No Elliott, but apart from him, the most important people in her world had come to witness this momentous and special occasion. Tessa couldn’t have been happier or more excited.

  “Ben Williams, life will never be boring with you.” Tessa leaned up and in front of everyone, kissed him tenderly and passionately. She gazed into his dreamy eyes. “I love you, Ben.”

  “I love you too, Tess.”

  Ben, Tessa and Jayden’s story continues in…

  “TESTED LOVE”

  YOU'LL FIND A BONUS EXCERPT OF “TESTED LOVE” AT THE END OF THIS BOOK

  Note From the Author

  Hi! It’s Juliette here. I hope you’ve enjoyed the first book in “The True Love” Series. Ben and Tessa’s story continues in Book 2, “Tested Love”, (free to read on Kindle Unlimited). Make sure you don’t miss updates on any new releases by joining my mailing list if you haven’t already done so. You’ll also get exclusive sneak previews. It’s easy to join, and I promise I won’t spam you! Just Click here to join, and as a thank you for signing up, you’ll also receive a free short story.

  Finally, if you enjoyed “Tender Love”, help other people find this book by writing a review and telling them why you liked it. Honest reviews of my books help bring them to the attention of other readers just like yourself, and I’d be very grateful if you could spare just five minutes to leave a review (it can be as short as you like) on the book’s Amazon page. You can jump right to the page now: “Tender Love”

  In gratitude,

  Juliette

  Other Books by Juliette Duncan

  Tested Love - Book 2 in “The True Love Series”

  FREE TO READ ON KINDLE UNLIMITED A new marriage, a ready-made family, new challenges and a face from the past all converge to pose the most difficult questions yet for Tessa and Ben. No sooner do they return from their honeymoon in Fiji when Ben’s teenage son, Jayden, reverts to old, troubling habits. Ben’s parenting style adds to the stress Tessa feels. Part of her wants to coddle Jayden; another part of her wants to support Ben’s wishes, but Jayden isn’t making it easy for her. As she frets over marrying Ben and taking on so much responsibility, a new challenge arises. How will Tessa and Ben cope when their worst fear is realized? Will Ben and Tessa have the strength to power through and hold onto God’s graces or will the turmoil be enough to make their faith falter? Can this ready-made family remain together, especially now that their worst fear has come to fruition?

  Here’s what one reader had to say about Tested Love: “If there was more than five stars I would give it to this book! I loved this book and its hard to find words to describe how great it is. Once you start reading you want to finish it, it's that good. It's so romantic,but real, the groom Ben,has a 15 yr old son,The newlyweds have a wonderful honeymoon but real life is not always sweet and romantic! Tessa thinks he's to strict on his son and the conflict begins, honeymoon seems to be over.They learn to forgive words that hurt and See how important it is to have God in their marriage. I hope the next book will be available SOON! Read this book you won't be sorry!” V Bassett

  True Love at Christmas

  A stand alone short story, “True Love at Christmas” features Margaret and Harold from “The True Love Series”, and fits between books 2 and 3. This short story is free to read on Amazon.

  Promises of Love

  This book follows on from "True Love at Christmas", but can be read as a stand-alone. When Harrison proposed to Zoe on Christmas Day, she was over the moon
and in love, but after Zoe recommits her life to the Lord and has an unexpected confrontation with a face from the past, she’s wondering if the promise she made was too hasty. While she and Harrison visit her parents on their drought stricken property, she struggles with this dilemma, but she also discovers the true state of her parents’ situation and takes it on herself to save the life they’ve always known. As Zoe plans to seek counsel from her dear Grandma, the unthinkable happens, and Zoe finds herself on a frantic race to the city to save Grandma’s life, but it’s Zoe’s ex-boyfriend, Spencer Coleman, not Harrison, who helps facilitate the trip. Zoe and Harrison’s journey to the altar is not certain. She’s made two promises - which one can she keep? Or can she keep both?

  The Shadows Trilogy

  An inspirational romance, a story of passion and love, and of God's inexplicable desire to free people from pasts that haunt them so they can live a life full of His peace, love and forgiveness, regardless of the circumstances. “Lingering Shadows” is set in England, and follows the story of Lizzy, a headstrong, impulsive young lady from a privileged background, and Daniel, a roguish Irishman who sweeps her off her feet. But can Lizzy leave the shadows of her past behind and give Daniel the love he deserves, and will Daniel find freedom and release in God?

  Secrets and Sacrifice

  The sequel to "The Shadows Trilogy", but can be read as a stand-alone.

  When Grace O’Connor arrives in the Scottish Highlands, she’s hiding a secret and trailing more baggage than she cares to admit. Grace’s sister, Brianna, has a history linked to Grace’s secret. There, amongst the rugged Scottish Highlands and a community of caring, loving Christians, Grace meets the handsome Ryan McGregor, an ex- military Paratrooper with a history of his own. As the secrets of Grace’s past unravel and the sacrifices she’s made are thrown back at her, Grace faces the biggest decision of her life. As everything Grace has believed is turned upside down, she realizes that the walls she’s worked so hard at building have been for no reason whatsoever, and she now needs to discover who she really is.