Promises of Love: A Contemporary Christian Romance

by Juliette Duncan

  Mrs. Coleman shook her head. "No…our…our house is gone."

  Zoe's eyes widened. Had she heard correctly? The Coleman's house had been burned? That meant their's was next. Zoe forced herself to ignore her fears and turned her attention to Mrs. Coleman. "That's terrible, Mrs. Coleman. Let me help you inside." Zoe led Mrs. Coleman to a chair and quickly found a blanket to put around her shoulders. Shock was setting in. She organised a cup of sweet tea and sat beside her, rubbing her back gently to keep her warm. Despite the heat of the day, Mrs. Coleman was shivering.

  "Is Mr. Coleman okay?" Zoe asked quietly, praying silently he was.

  "I…I don't know. Spencer's gone back."

  The dog whimpered. Mrs. Coleman tightened her grip on it.

  Zoe wanted to ask which way the fire was heading, but refrained. She didn't have to. She knew. Instead, as she comforted Mrs. Coleman, she prayed silently. God, please spare the farm and keep Dad and Peter safe, as well as Mr. Coleman and Spencer. I know You can answer prayer, so this would be a really good time to intervene. Please. I know You can. Please just keep them all safe. She gulped. If only God would let her know He'd heard.

  More people arrived, each wearing a tale of their own on their face. Zoe overhead snippets of information, none of it good. The fire's intensity was increasing. So far, three properties had been destroyed. No lives had been lost that they were aware of, but people were missing, and concern was held for their safety. Zoe gulped. How much more could these people endure? So many years of drought, and now everything they owned could be wiped out in an instant.

  She felt so sorry for them. They all worked so hard. So hard. It wasn't fair. Why didn't God give them a break? They all just seemed to accept it as their lot in life. "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." How many times had she heard that? She could get quite incensed about their simple acceptance, in fact, she was. God, why don't You answer their prayers?

  Soft singing rose from the back of the hall. Everyone stopped their conversations and turned to face the group sitting in a circle at the back of the hall. They'd joined hands and were singing 'Great is Thy Faithfulness', unaccompanied. One by one, everyone in the hall joined in. Zoe whispered the words, and as she sang, something inside her softened and tears streamed down her cheeks. "All I have needed Thy hand hath provided, Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."

  Silence filled the hall. Even those who normally wouldn't pray or sing stood quietly. Regardless of what was going on outside, God was here, working in people's hearts. God would provide, because He was faithful. Even if they lost their homes, He would provide. Zoe clutched her hands to her chest as a voice inside her said, "Trust Me."

  Mrs. Coleman straightened. The vacant look in her eyes had disappeared and had been replaced with peace and calm. "That's all we can do, Zoe, trust the Lord and praise Him, regardless of the outcome."

  She was right, but the fact Mrs. Coleman could say that after having just lost her home amazed Zoe. Especially when she didn't know if her husband and son were okay.

  People soon returned to their conversations. Zoe remembered she'd promised Mum she'd try to find out about Dad, and she still hadn't called Harrison. She turned to Mrs. Coleman and placed her hand lightly on her back. "Will you be okay if I leave you for a few minutes?"

  "Of course, dear. Thank you for being with me." She squeezed Zoe's hand, giving her a warm smile.

  "I'll be back soon." Zoe stood and walked outside. She gagged on the air, thick with smoke and soot which was settling on the pavement and all the cars. The sky was a deep reddy-grey as the sun tried to penetrate the smoke. If it was this bad here, what was it like in the thick of it?

  Zoe pulled her phone out again and dialed Harrison's number. He answered within three rings.

  "Zoe, what's the matter?"

  "You haven't heard?"

  "Heard what?"

  Leaning against the wall, Zoe closed her eyes momentarily and lifted a hand to her face. "It's horrible, Harrison. There's an out of control bush-fire heading for the farm. It's already been through the Coleman's farm and two others and destroyed everything." She struggled to get the words out.

  "Zoe, that's terrible. Are you okay?"

  "Yes." She gulped. "But we're not sure about Dad and Peter."

  "Where are they?"

  She blew out a slow breath as those words played in her mind… 'Trust me'. "We don't know. I'm just about to ask around."

  "I'll come out."

  Tears pricked Zoe's eyes. She could really do with Harrison's arms around her right now. "Would you?" Her voice was tiny.

  "Yes. I'll leave straight away."

  "Thank you. Be careful." She gulped again. "I love you."

  "I love you, too, Zoe. Hang in there."

  "I will."

  Zoe ended the call and looked at the sky, covering her mouth and nose with her hand. The smoky air was stinging her nostrils and her throat was really dry. But she had another call to make. The Transport company. They couldn't bring Grandma's body out here with a fire raging. What if the Funeral Home burned down? She stepped into the entrance away from the smoke and made the call.

  Next, Zoe needed to find someone who might know about Dad. Inside the hall, an information desk was being set up. She caught Mum's eye and motioned for her to come. Mum stood and hurried to join her. They joined the line of people who seemed just as keen to obtain information as they were.

  An older bald headed man wearing a Rural Fire Services uniform looked up when it was their turn. "Hello. How can I help?"

  "Do you have any information on Bellrae, Kevin Taylor's farm over near Bellhaven?"

  While the man looked down at his computer, Zoe's heart pounded and her grip on Mum's shoulder tightened. They had to be okay.

  Finally, the man lifted his head. "The property's still in danger, and there's a crew on their way out there. The report says the owner went back to look for his son instead of leaving. That's all I've got. I'm sorry."

  Zoe's heart felt as if it had been ripped from her chest. Of course Dad would go back for Peter. Somehow she thanked the man and led Mum to the seat beside Mrs. Coleman. As she sat, she once again heard those words…'Trust Me'.

  Peter huddled in the hay with his arms wrapped around his favourite red hen, Ginger. He had to protect her from the horrible black monster in the sky. She'd be scared of it. Just like Chicken Little, she'd be thinking the world was about to end. Maybe it was. Peter huddled further into the hay. If the monster couldn't see them, they'd be all right.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Never had five hours taken so long. Harrison prayed, yes, he prayed, that his car would behave. If God had any power, this was the time to prove it. Zoe needed him, and he had to get to her. No doubt Spencer would be there too, and the last thing Harrison wanted was for Spencer to be the hero again.

  As the hours ticked by, the sky grew darker, the sun a fierce ball of red trying to penetrate a thickening blanket of smoke. Harrison switched his headlights on as he passed through Arlington. Glancing at Joe's Mechanical Repairs, he thanked God he didn't need to stop.

  He did call Zoe, however, while he had a signal.

  "We're still at the Community Centre at Glenville, Harrison."

  "I'll be there soon, Zo. Have your Dad and Peter been found yet?"

  Zoe's voice caught. "No, they're still missing."

  "What about the fire?"

  "It's slowed a little, but it's still burning and heading for Bellrae."

  "I'm praying for you all, Zo." The words slipped out of his mouth. Had he really said that?

  "Thank you, Harrison." Her voice caught again. "Drive carefully."

  Before he could answer, his phone beeped, ending the call. The signal was lost. Leaving the town, he put his foot down.

  Kevin Taylor jumped out of his old pickup, lifting his shirt to cover his face, and scanned the fence-line. He could barely see more than a few metres either side, the smoke so thick he could almost cut it with a knife. He was start
ing to panic. Where had Peter gone? He'd already scoured all the places he could think of, but the property was so big, he couldn't search it all. Besides, Peter couldn't have gone that far. But it was like finding a needle in a haystack. Why hadn't he just stayed put when he'd been told? Kevin raked his hand across his balding head. Silly boy. It was no use. He'd never find him. But would Ruth ever forgive him if something happened to Peter?

  Kevin peered through the smoke-thickened air once more before jumping back into the pickup. He'd just have to go back to the house and pray Peter had returned. If he could get there, that is. Tongues of fire licked the dry grass at the fence-line. How could a fire spread so easily when the cattle struggled to find enough grass to eat?

  He gunned it as he headed back along the fence-line to the track leading back to the farm. He hit the brakes—a wall of fire was in his path. Swinging off the track, he headed across the paddock away from it. Kevin gripped the steering wheel as the pickup bounced across the rough ground. He should slow down, but a glance in the rear view mirror told him how foolish that would be. The fire was gaining ground. He floored it. He had to get out of there. It'd been foolish to come out on his own. What was he thinking? As he struggled to retain control, the pickup hit a ditch and rolled.

  Zoe sat with Mum and Mrs. Coleman and waited. As every minute passed, hope of finding Dad and Peter alive diminished. As she sat, Zoe prayed. What else could she do? Go and look for them herself? She would if she could, but Mum needed her. Every now and again they looked up as someone new entered the hall. But no-one had any news about the whereabouts of Kevin and Peter Taylor. At least Uncle Stephen and Aunt Veronica were safe. They'd gone to Melbourne to visit family.

  Spencer and Mr. Coleman were helping fight the fire with the volunteer fire brigade, Spencer flying an agricultural plane adapted for fire-fighting purposes, dumping water drawn from the Ridgewood dam onto the fire, and Mr. Coleman was helping on the ground. The three women prayed for their safety.

  Fire fighters had arrived from interstate to help fight the blaze, and Zoe had heard reports it was being contained.

  "We have to hear something soon, Zoe." Mum was trying to be positive and not to worry, but every few minutes she'd check her phone.

  Zoe reached over and squeezed Mum's hand. She prayed the news would be good when it came. What would they do if…no, she couldn't go there. No good would come from dwelling on that possibility.

  Ladies from the local branch of the Country Women's Association handed sandwiches around. Zoe took a bite of a ham and tomato sandwich but could barely swallow it. She felt sick in her stomach. The three women rejoined the prayer group. More than twenty people sat in groups of four and five and prayed together for the safety of those fighting the fire and those still missing.

  As Zoe listened to the prayers of those around her, especially Mrs. Coleman's, a strange feeling stirred within her. Although everyone clung to the promises God had given in the Bible that He'd care for them in times of trouble, what spoke to her the most was the commitment that regardless of the outcome, they'd still trust God, because He was God. He was the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, the great Jehovah. Like the men of old, their lives were in His hand.

  Zoe swallowed hard. It had been a long time since she'd prayed in a group, but her heart quickened and she knew she needed to. Being a by-stander wasn't good enough. When there was a pause, she cleared her throat. "Lord God, I'm not sure what more I can add, I feel so inadequate." She drew a breath. "I ask you keep the men safe, especially my dad and brother. But Lord, help me to also trust You. You know I struggle with that, because I often take my eyes off You and don't see the bigger picture. Perhaps my prayers are too selfish, but Lord God, if at all possible, would You please save them?" Her voice caught, and she paused before continuing. "I'm starting to understand that it's not so much what happens to us that's important, it's how we handle it. Thank you for these faithful people who've helped show me the way. Please help me to trust You, regardless of what happens. Amen." Zoe wiped her eyes and drew another breath. As she opened her eyes, a warm hand rested on her shoulder. Without looking, she knew it was Harrison.

  Lifting her hand, she placed it on top of his and squeezed it. How much of her prayer had he heard? She'd never expected him to hear it, but maybe God could use her honesty and vulnerability to soften his heart.

  After a few moments, Zoe stood quietly and stepped into Harrison's arms. She clung to him as he kissed the top of her hair and rubbed her back. She felt safe in his arms, and unbidden tears welled up inside her.

  "Let's take a walk, Zoe," he whispered into her ear.

  Nodding, she walked with him to the entrance, but the air was too thick with smoke, so they moved back inside and found a quiet spot in the hall. He turned her to face him, and tilting her chin up with his finger, looked at her with his deep brown eyes. "I stopped to speak with a man on the way here. Turned out it was Spencer's father."

  Harrison's serious expression gave her the feeling he was about to break some bad news. Remembering her prayer, she steeled herself, but a hard lump formed in her throat. If this was a test, she wanted to pass it, but she couldn't stop the feeling of dread clawing at her.

  "Spencer thinks he saw your father driving his pickup out near the fire."

  Zoe's eyes widened. What was Dad doing there?

  "He's not sure, but he said it looked like him."

  Zoe opened her mouth to speak. Harrison placed his finger over it. "They don't know. Nobody's gone out looking yet because they're still trying to contain the fire."

  Zoe drew a slow breath. "I should tell Mum."

  "Yes, but you can also tell her the farm's safe for the moment."

  A small amount of relief flowed through Zoe, but until Dad and Peter were both safe as well, the farm really didn't matter.

  "Let's tell her." She took his hand and together they walked towards the prayer circle. Zoe tapped Mum on the shoulder.

  Mum lifted her head, her eyes widening. "Is there news?" She spoke softly but urgently, almost mouthing the words.

  Zoe nodded and motioned with her head for Mum to move away from the group.

  Mum pushed her chair back quietly and stepped with them to an empty spot close by. "Is it good or bad?" Mum looked up with uneasiness in her eyes.

  Zoe squeezed her hand. "Mainly good." She told Mum what she knew. While Mum was relieved to hear the farm was safe, like Zoe, her main concern was for Dad and Peter. "I just need to know they're safe." Tears welled in her eyes.

  "I know, Mum. Hopefully we'll hear soon."

  "I'm sorry, Mrs. Taylor. They couldn't tell me anything else." Harrison spoke with compassion as he rubbed her arm. "I said I'd go back and help, so I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything."

  "Thank you, Harrison." Mum gave a weak smile as she looked up at him. "Take care out there… it's dangerous."

  "I will. They won't let me go near the containment line—I'm just going back with some supplies. I'll be back as soon as I can…hopefully with Kevin and Peter."

  "I'm coming with you, Harrison." Zoe grabbed his arm.

  Harrison's eyes sprung open. "No, Zoe. Stay here with your mum."

  She held his gaze. "I need to do something, Harrison. I can't sit around here any longer." Her voice softened. "Mum will be okay."

  His gaze didn't flinch. "It's not pretty out there, Zoe."

  "I don't care. I'm coming."

  Harrison raised his brow but remained silent.

  Zoe turned, and taking Mum's wrist in her hand, softened her tone. "I'm going to find Dad and Peter, Mum. I'll be okay, don't you worry."

  Mum's eyes moistened. "Be careful, Zoe."

  She leaned down and gave Mum a kiss on the cheek. "I will." She then turned, and linking her arm through Harrison's, strode to the front of the hall and out the door.

  "You do look very attractive when you're wound up, Zoe." If the situation wasn't so serious, she would have laughed at the grin on Harrison's face, bu
t instead, she just gave him a firm glare. This wasn't the time or the place for frivolity.

  Harrison headed towards Mr. Coleman's pickup.

  "Where's your car?" Zoe asked as she climbed into the passenger seat.

  "Swapped it for this to bring back the supplies." Harrison turned the key and pulled away from the gutter.

  Zoe glanced in the back. Barrels of water and protective clothing filled the cabin. A sense of pride welled up within her as she glanced at Harrison and she smiled to herself. He didn't have to help, but the fact that he was, warmed her heart.

  Her smile soon slipped. The charred ground, still smouldering and sparking, looked like a war zone. Passing the entrance to the Coleman's farm, Zoe's gaze settled on the glowing mound on the hill. She swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. How could it have happened so quickly? She reached for Harrison's hand.

  The fire had moved to the right and was slowly moving towards the next farm. For now, Bellrae was spared. Zoe held her hand to her chest, and letting out a relieved breath, sent up a silent prayer of thanks.

  Harrison slowed the Hilux as they approached the command station.

  Zoe scanned the area. No sign of Dad or Peter. Just a group of volunteer fire-fighters, including Mr. Coleman, standing around in a circle studying a map.

  "Best stay in the car, Zoe." Harrison gave her a firm look as he squeezed her hand.

  Her shoulders slumped, but he was right. This was a man's domain, even if she was more than capable of helping.

  Harrison climbed down and lifted the supplies out of the back. He spent a few minutes with the men, and climbed back in.

  "Any word on Dad and Peter?" Zoe peered into his eyes.

  "No, but a search vehicle's gone looking for them."

  "I want to look too."

  He gave a small chuckle. "Thought you might."

  "Let me drive."

  Angling his head, Harrison raised a brow.

  "I know the farm like the back of my hand."