Finding Faith

By Mary Gant Bell

Finding love was a challenge for Brenda. There were plenty of available men where she lived. The problem was not the quantity of choices, it was the quality. She was convinced that she would never marry because of this. Brenda was thankful for the friendship she had with Matthew. Matthew believed they had a future together. He waited patiently for Brenda to agree to date him. Then Joshua arrived in town. He also satisfied most of Brenda’s checklist. The problem with Joshua was that he was a pastor. And Brenda was too angry with God to consider the idea that she could ever be a pastor’s wife. When a tragedy strikes Bowerstown, a crisis the small town has never experienced before, Brenda sees a different side of both Matthew and Joshua. And they also get to know Brenda in a different light as well. Will these new perspectives create love for Brenda with Matthew or a future with Joshua?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 14, 2021
• ISBN: 9781716076190

Book preview

Chapter 1

Good bye, Ms. Gallagher. Have a nice summer, Samuel called as he ran for the door.

Brenda sighed. The last day of school was always bitter sweet. All year long, she yearned for the freedom of summer. When the day actually arrived, she longed for a classroom full of eager students. Where could she find a balanced life?

Brenda surveyed the room looking for forgotten pencil cases or misplaced library books. The custodians thoroughly cleaned the classrooms each summer. There was no need to realign the desks today. Brenda remembered the paperwork waiting on her desk. Reports cards were completed and distributed, but there was always more paperwork required by the administration. Brenda constantly wondered exactly who, if anyone, actually read the piles of reports the teachers were required to produce each year. She didn’t even want to contemplate the amount of reports the administration generated for the state Board of Education. Surely, it was a mind-numbing quantity.

As Brenda mentally prepared to conquer the reports, her cell phone rang.

Hi, Amy! Brenda greeted her sister.

Are you free! Amy chuckled.

Free from the students, but not from the paperwork. Are you home yet?

Almost. The kids and I planned to pop into your classroom today, but the car pool line was crazy. It was too dangerous to look for a parking spot. We’ll see you tonight though. You are still coming? Amy inquired.

I’m still coming, Brenda confirmed. I’m bringing chocolate brownies, but I haven’t decided if I’m going to share them!

I’ll bring some extra in case you get greedy, Amy chuckled. Listen, I need to hop. The kids are hosting a small picnic with their friends right now.

Aren’t you the party animal these days! Picnic with the kids before a dinner party with the adults.

My life is one perpetual holiday! Amy agreed. See you later.

Brenda disconnected the call and smiled to herself. Not all that long ago, her sister Amy was arguably the most annoying person on the planet. Narcissism and crying jags consumed her non-working hours. Then she met Noah Bailey and his two children, Kenneth and Karen. Everything changed for Amy after that.

Noah and his kids unlocked the key to Amy’s happiness. She blossomed in her roll as step-mother and head game warden, as Noah affectionally called her. Noah was a veterinarian who frequently fostered his patients and homeless pets. Since Amy assisted with the care and feeding of the wide variety of animals, Noah felt game warden described her activities perfectly.

When Amy met Noah, his heart still belonged to his first wife, Kristen. Kristen died in a sudden and shocking car accident a few months before Amy encountered his son, Kenneth, mourning under the garden tree. Amy was lounging under the tree in the hope of spending time with Dillon. Little did she know that Noah, not Dillon, would be the man of her dreams.

Now, Amy was too busy enjoying her role as step-mother, planning her wedding, and working as a nurse at the local hospital to waste her time crying and indulging in self-pity. Her world, and her personality, shifted that fateful day she met Noah Bailey. That shift benefited everyone involved.

Brenda was happy for her sister. Truly happy.

While Amy and Noah had danced around the idea of marriage, Brenda began dating Noah’s brother, Matthew. She enjoyed Matthew, even though they had little in common.

Most of her friends had a difficult time envisioning Brenda with Matthew. They were different in too many ways to expect long-term compatibility. Matthew was an entrepreneur who obsessed about the profit line of his business. Brenda was a public-school teacher who cashed her paycheck every two weeks without regard to where the money originated. Matthew’s firefighting hours satisfied both his need for physical activity as well as his desire to serve the community. Brenda, on the other hand, considered it a work out when she removed the brownies from the oven. And after being in the classroom all day, teaching and tending to the children of half the town, she felt no desire to serve the community in other ways.

Brenda also did not view herself as one of the beautiful people of the world. Outward beauty was not supposed to matter, but Brenda was not naïve enough to pretend that it didn’t. Matthew possessed that beauty. She did not. That was one more area where they were not well-matched.

Despite all of that, however, they continued to enjoy time together when Matthew’s schedule allowed it. Brenda still had not figure out why Matthew did not create more time in his calendar for her. He claimed he liked her and wanted to see her more. Yet he refused to make any sacrifices necessary to turn that desire into a reality.

Probably because Brenda was ugly. That had to be the reason. He was embarrassed to be seen with her. Simple as that.

Brenda pushed that thought aside and rummaged through her desk for a pen with blue ink. There were rules about the color ink to use when completing the end-of-the-year paperwork. There were rules about everything in a government agency. The clock was ticking. Brenda wanted these completed before she left for the party tonight. If she focused, she would have time to go home and change and still not be late.

Brenda smiled as she remembered how her new tribe members insisted on hosting this party for her. She had never had friends who wanted to celebrate the end of the school year with her. Brenda had many acquaintances, but she didn’t have many true friends. Most of her co-workers celebrated with their own family and friends. They spent the entire school year together. They wanted a break from each other as much as the students craved a break from them!

Everyone in her tribe would be there tonight. To celebrate her. The only question was whether Matthew, the man who called himself her boyfriend, would be there for her, too.

Chapter 2

Tracy greeted Brenda at the door. Tracy was glowing even though her baby bump was not overly huge. Her home was sparkling as well.

You decorated? Brenda chuckled. For me?

Brenda took a couple more steps into the room. Balloons, streamers, tiny lights, and banners covered every inch of the living room. She had not expected this much fuss.

Earning Teacher of the Year deserves a celebration! Tracy hugged her friend. Come on. Everyone else is by the pool, waiting for the guest of honor to arrive.

Brenda had been introduced to Tracy by Amy, who had been Tracy’s nurse when she had been in a coma. When Tracy woke from the coma, she declared Amy to be a member of her tribe. Brenda was later admitted to the tribe by default. Brenda could not remember being asked to join now that she thought about it. She had simply inserted herself into the group of women who treated each other like sisters, even though they were not technically related.

Before Tracy’s coma, she was engaged to Paul Webber, the most eligible bachelor in town. What no one knew however … well, no one but Nikki … was that Tracy was very tempted to return the engagement ring to Paul and run off with Dillon. The two men were forced to wait until Tracy woke up to discover whom she would agree to marry.

Paul was her choice, and they were married under the garden tree in a lovely ceremony. Immediately after their wedding, they purchased this newly constructed home on the north side of town. Tracy quit her job with the Bowerstown Chamber of Commerce after she learned her exhaustion was caused by the pregnancy and not the additional work of maintaining a household. These days, Tracy spent her time reading childrearing books and decorating her new home.

Paul Webber, Tracy’s husband, was a lawyer. He was also a devoted husband. He had learned a few things while Tracy was in the coma about the importance of balancing his work and personal life. Prior to his wedding, Paul primarily spent his time building his new practice. He felt strongly that the most important way a man provided for his family was through financial security. He had learned a thing or two since then about the other things that a husband contributes to his family that are as equally important as money.

As Brenda walked onto the backyard patio, she was greeted by cheers. The first ones to hug her were Paul’s parents, Catherine and Robert Webber. They were an integral part of the tribal family and enjoyed spending time with the younger generation. Paul was their only child by blood, but they considered everyone around the pool to be their adopted children.

Congratulations, Dear! Catherine kissed Brenda on the right cheek. Such a well-deserved honor for you now, isn’t it?

Thanks, Ms. C! Brenda was embarrassed by all the fuss. No one had ever done anything like this for her. Not that she won awards on a regular basis. Still … this was special.

Catherine, called Ms. C by most of the tribe, enjoyed organizing and hosting charity events in town. If she had ever been a career woman, Brenda was unaware of it. Robert Webber was also a lawyer. Brenda didn’t know Robert well, but he was always warm and welcoming whenever Brenda lounged beside the pool in his backyard.

Ms. C stepped aside so that the celebratory hugging could continue. Next in line was Nikki. Nikki, one of the few people on earth who teased and poked at Brenda in a way that would have been offensive if done by anyone else. Nikki was a renowned artist who owned her own gallery here in Bowerstown. Her current projects were searching for an apprentice, learning to run a gallery, creating work for her next gallery show, and teaching Dillon how to put the cap back on the toothpaste.

Nikki and Dillon met when Dillon began his first gardening project with the school district. That garden, the same garden where Tracy and Paul exchanged their wedding vows, continued to prosper. Now Dillon had several other similar projects with other school districts in the county. His business, while unconventional to most people, expanded and prospered in ways no one had anticipated.

Dillon’s relationship with Nikki had also progressed in ways no one had predicted. Except maybe Catherine, who fancied herself a matchmaker. Their relationship began simply because Nikki was Tracy’s best friend at a point in time when Dillon wanted to marry Tracy. That was before he discovered that Tracy was already engaged to Dillon’s best friend, Paul.

Now Dillon and Nikki were happily married. Happy as long as no one asked Nikki about toothpaste. Everyone expected Nikki to announce her pregnancy any day, but it hadn’t happened yet. When asked, Nikki skillfully avoided the topic. Dillon, on the other hand, encouraged the tribe to convince Nikki to shop for baby cribs.

Brenda greeted the rest of her friends gathered around Tracy and Paul’s swimming pool. As she surveyed the group, she wondered exactly where she fit in. Amy was her biological sister. Beyond that, she had no connection to anyone else here. Or similarities. These people, her friends, were all caring, generous, kind, and compassionate members of the community. Brenda, on the other hand, was harsher and terser in demeanor than everyone else here. She had never once participated in a community service project or fundraiser that didn’t directly benefit her own classroom. No one else here today could say the same. They were all committed to seeing Bowerstown prosper and grow. They were willing to do more than talk about it, too.

Each of them … except Brenda.

Ms. C, ever kind and gracious, would argue that Brenda’s career as an elementary school teacher did, in fact, serve the community. Somehow having a job didn’t translate to community service in Brenda’s mind. She did not organize fundraisers like Catherine and Tracy. She did not mentor upcoming artists like Nikki. There was no way you would ever see her fostering the wide variety of animals that Noah and Amy did. And no one would ever see her carry a fire hose toward a burning building like Matthew and Noah enjoyed doing.

Matthew popped into her head, but he was nowhere in sight. Was he seriously going to miss her party … ignore her achievement … for work?

Again?

Brenda sighed.

He did call. Amy hugged her sister. He will be here later. You’ll see.

You mean he called Tracy as a polite guest would but he didn’t call me? Brenda walked to the outdoor mini fridge for a drink.

Amy followed her whining sister and silently chuckled at how things change. Before Amy met Noah, she was the sister who pouted at the party. Brenda used to comfort Amy for perceived injustices, not Amy comforting Brenda. Funny how different life can be after a man enters the equation.

Try to be happy, Brenda, Amy admonished. "Tracy went to a lot of trouble to make this party especially for you. She can’t help it if Matthew isn’t here, but you can cheer up and show some appreciation. Didn’t you learn anything from my past mistakes?"

Brenda snickered, I suppose I did. And you are right. I need to find my happy and bask in the glory of being Teacher of the Year!

Chapter 3

While the ladies shared joyful stories about weddings and babies, the men huddled around the grill. Paul, Dillon, Noah, and Robert cooked the meat while Thomas prepared the side dishes in the kitchen. Everyone bragged about how they could host party without Thomas’ help. None of them, however, had ever been brave enough to test that theory. The accepted explanation was that there was really no reason to exclude Thomas. Even though he was the paid butler of Robert and Catherine Webber, he was basically family. Plus, he was a magician in the kitchen.

I suppose it doesn’t matter that Matthew is not here. Brenda sipped her drink. Since Webber parties are segregated events, he wouldn’t be talking to me anyway.

Tracy frowned and observed her guests. They had, in fact, separated into females lounging at the patio table and males flipping burgers. Segregation was the expected norm at Robert and Catherine’s home. Tracy had vowed it would not be the custom at her own home.

This is how it works now, isn’t it? Catherine commented. The men don’t really want to talk about wedding flowers and baby strollers any more than we want to talk about sports or business. We’ll have our time for other topics over dinner now, won’t we?

I suppose you are right, Ms. C, Nikki interrupted before Tracy could contradict her mother-in-law. There was no reason to start a squabble tonight. Tracy would have plenty of time to develop a plan before the next party at her home. One time did not make a habit.

Nikki threw Tracy a look and shook her head in a tiny movement. Don’t start something now. We’ll deal with it later.

Tracy pursed her lips and decided to take Nikki’s advice. When Tracy and Paul had married, Tracy was adamant that their home would not be an exact replica of Paul’s parent’s home and habits. While it bothered her to see this party take the form of Catherine and Robert’s parties, she agreed with Nikki. It was not worth hurting Catherine’s feelings in front of everyone.

People were more important than procedures. That was another life lesson Tracy had learned as a result of her coma.

Did Matthew say what time he would arrive? Amy asked. She had picked up on Nikki’s cues to Tracy.

No. Tracy patted Brenda’s hand. He hopes to be here in time for dinner.

Brenda stared at her shoes. I wouldn’t wait for him. We might starve before he arrives.

Tracy, Nikki, Amy, and Catherine exchanged grim glances with each other. None of them had a plan to repair the problems in Brenda’s relationship with Matthew.

Chapter 4

How are your workshops going? Dillon asked Paul as he flipped burgers on the grill.

When Tracy had her accident and was in a coma, Paul discovered that she had no Will, Power of Attorney, or Medical Directive forms in place. As a lawyer, Paul chided himself daily that he had not encouraged her to prepare these documents. No one wants to think about the what if situations in life. Tracy’s accident had proven that those what if events really do happen. Because of this, Paul now offered monthly seminars for people to learn about the value as well as the limitations of these types of legal documents. Those who attended his seminars could then hire him at a special rate to create these documents for themselves and their loved ones. Paul considered this one way that he could serve the community in his chosen career path.

They’re going great, I think. Paul repositioned the chicken breasts on the flames. The attendance grows with each event. I wish more people would follow through and actually have the documents made. I’m only getting about a fifty percent conversion rate.

I think fifty percent is high, Noah exclaimed. Fifty percent avail themselves of your special rate, and there are probably others who have the documents done by other attorneys. There is always the percentage you cannot reach no matter what you do. You should be happy with the results.

I wonder what would happen if you offered seminars for pets, Dillon chuckled. As a dog lover and owner, he would be first in line.

I never thought about that, Paul laughed. You do hear the occasional weird story of the rich man who left everything to his dog. You might be on to something there, Digger. Becoming a business owner changed how your brain works.

Dillon recently became the proud owner of the land were his first gardening project was born in Bowerstown. When he first took the job, no one told him that Robert Webber owned the land. Once Dillon demonstrated an entrepreneur drive, Robert sold him the land for one dollar and called it a wedding present. Dillon was now under strict order to not expose how he acquired the land. Robert preferred to be an anonymous donor regarding the businesses that he supported.

As a veterinarian, Noah said, I would like to see a legal document that outlines and clarifies how much will be spent on the care of an animal by its owners. I cannot tell you how many times the wife agrees to expensive treatments just to have the husband refuse to pay the bill after I’ve already provided the care. There should be a legal document that protects me … and marriages … from this type of disagreement.

That’s one problem Nikki and I will never have, Dillon snickered. We would both spend every last penny on Candy.

You make it sound like you and Nikki fight like cats and dogs. Paul put the buns on the grill. What’s up?

I don’t see any bruises or scratch marks. Noah inspected Dillon’s arms.

Paul noticed that Dillon was not smiling or returning the humor. Maybe he should be more concerned than he originally thought.

Dillon, Paul prodded. Everything OK in paradise?

Dillon removed the burgers from the grill as he debated how much to tell. They were his friends, and he knew he could trust them. But how would he feel if he knew Nikki were airing their dirty laundry on the other side of the pool right now? Then another part of his brain admitted he could use all the help he could get. Maybe Paul and Noah would have the perfect solution.

I love Nikki, Dillon sighed. Don’t question that. I have no regrets about marrying her.

But having a strong-willed roommate has its challenges, Noah finished for him.

I suppose Noah and I have the advantage there. Paul checked the buns. Tracy and I never lived in a place that was mine or hers before it was ours together. Amy won’t move into Noah’s home until after the construction project is completed, so it will be new for Noah as well as Amy.

You, on the other hand, Noah picked up where Paul stopped. You moved into Nikki’s house. The space that was one hundred percent hers before you were married. That was probably ill-advised on your part.

Yeah, well, I don’t see us buying another house anytime soon, Dillon mumbled. We are both focused on our new businesses. It’s not the right time to invest in another property.

You can always live with my parents, Paul suggested. That would solve my problem of watching my mother sulk about having an empty nest.

Catherine will soon be too busy telling you how to change a diaper to have me and Nikki underfoot at her house. She’ll be moving in here to make sure you don’t forget to feed her grandchild, Dillon snickered.

Paul growled at Dillon.

Noah chuckled and patted his friend on the back. Grab the burgers, Dillon, and let’s feed our women. Maybe they educated Nikki about how to train her man.

Chapter 5

After everyone was settled at the table, Catherine announced the topic for discussion. Since this was Paul’s home, that task really belonged to either Paul or Tracy. Tracy would have to talk with Catherine about the boundaries, once again. Since the topic was one that Tracy approved of, however, it was difficult to chastise her now. Even so, Tracy would confront her later. She was out of line, and Tracy would not allow it to continue.

What does everyone have planned for the summer? Catherine asked.

I’m planning a wedding and supervising construction on our home! Amy smiled at Noah. That and working at the hospital.

How do you plan to coordinate the summer activities of the kids while doing all of that? Tracy passed the potato salad.

I haven’t exactly figured that out quite yet, Amy admitted. This will be my first summer as a mother. I’ll make it work somehow.

Sarah will help, Noah assured Amy.

I’m afraid Sarah and I have plans for ourselves now, don’t we? Catherine’s grin was mischievous. Have you already spoken to her about this summer?

Catherine became friends with Sarah, Noah’s mother-in-law, when Karen was in the hospital with a concussion. Anyone who knew them quickly realized they were two peas in a pod. Once Catherine and Sarah put their minds to something, there was no stopping them from accomplishing their goal. Fortunately for the city, their goals always benefited some charity or community fundraiser.

Amy and Noah exchanged a look.

Noah cleared his throat. I assumed that since she had been helping us during the school year that she would continue in the summer.

Yes, but that was before she met me now, wasn’t it? Catherine looked for the salt. Tracy, Dear, you really should have two salt and pepper shakers on the table during parties. One at each end avoids unnecessary passing now, doesn’t it?

Tracy looked at Paul and silently begged him to correct his mother.

It was Amy who saved this one. I think Tracy is right to have only one, Ms. C. Too much salt is bad for your health. Besides, with Thomas cooking, this food is seasoned perfectly and doesn’t even need salt.

Catherine’s mouth pulled tight, but she decided to let the issue pass. Instead she turned to Nikki and asked, What are your plans for the summer, Dear?

I have some remodeling I want to do at the gallery now that it is mine, Nikki beamed. And the search continues for an apprentice.

I have so many new clients this summer that I doubt we’ll find time for any travel, Dillon added.

We just got back from our honeymoon, Nikki smirked. Doesn’t that count as travel?

Dillon still has the travel bug, Tracy laughed. Considering the scowl on Nikki’s face, Tracy decided to change the subject. How much of the food on my table right now came from your garden?

Nikki looked at Tracy and silently mouthed, thank you to her friend. She realized that Dillon loved to travel, but Nikki was more of a home body at heart. One trip a year was enough for her.

Most of it, I would imagine, is from the garden, Dillon grinned.

You all know what Paul and I will be doing this summer. Tracy attempted to regain control of the conversation from Catherine. We’ve started the nursery but need to finish it.

And pick out baby names, Paul added. We can’t settle on names.

Well, Catherine