In the Potter's Hands

By Debrah Gish

Growing up in a strong Christian home, Jennifer Brewer's dream was to one day marry a good man and raise a family. When a disease attacked her body at age sixteen, part of that dream was made impossible. With a broken heart and a stiff resolve, Jenni decided that if she couldn't have all of her heart's desire, she would have none of it. When a would-be suitor would show interest in her, she would tactfully but firmly turn them away. Now at the age of twenty-six, Jenni has her life of solitude in order. No attachments, therefore, no heartbreak. Until Tim Carlson moved to town. His immediate interest in her was apparent, but she quickly rebuffed him. Not expecting to see him again, she was totally surprised when he continued to come around. His kindness to her was a threat to the barricade that had been erected around her lonely heart. Would she ever be able to trust her future to the man that wanted to share her life? Or would her crippling fear of rejection keep her from trusting anyone with her future, even God?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 11, 2019
• ISBN: 9781098001162

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In the Potter's Hands

Debrah Gish

Copyright © 2019 by Debrah Gish

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

To Bob, you will forever be my always.

Chapter 1

Jennifer Brewer lay staring through the predawn darkness at the twinkling stars that were still visible from her bedroom window. Sleepily, she focused on the illuminated dial of her alarm clock. Four-thirty, still an hour until getting up time. With a sigh, she rolled over, taking the bed covers with her, trying one last time to go to sleep. After several minutes, she pushed the mound of blankets from her and sat on the side of the bed. Beneath the tousled cloud of her golden blonde mane, she rubbed her throbbing temples. She groped her way down the hall to the bathroom before turning on a light. At the flip of a switch, her eyes closed quickly to escape the brightness from the florescent bulbs over the huge mirror. Avoiding her reflected image, she quickly stepped into the shower. Minutes later, she left the bathroom dressed in her most comfortable robe and a towel wrapped turban-style around her head. The tangle of bedclothes had to be sorted before she made the bed and headed for the kitchen.

Jenni made a cup of instant coffee while the water heated for her oatmeal. Brown sugar added to the dull gray mixture was meant to stimulate her nonexistent appetite. Even with the added sweetener, the oatmeal seemed to stick in her throat, making swallowing an effort. Abandoning her attempt at eating, she dumped the coffee down the sink and scraped the oatmeal into the garbage.

Jenni returned to the bathroom and quickly dried her hair. She skillfully applied her makeup to hide the signs of a near sleepless night. After tugging on her white nylons, she pulled on her nursing uniform, smoothing it into place over her slim, shapely figure. She straightened the bathroom and flipped off the light on her way out.

Jenni was greeted in the hallway by Roxie, her slightly overweight black and white tabby, who led her to an empty feeding bowl. She filled the cat’s bowl with cat food, all the while keeping up a nonsensical conversation with the spoiled meowing feline.

Jenni looked out the living room window of her duplex apartment to her childhood home located across the street. The lights from her parent’s window illuminated the bare branched trees and the lingering remnants of the latest January snowfall. Her eyes were on the familiar structure of her parent’s home, but her mind was on the phone call she’d received the previous evening which had inadvertently cost her a night’s sleep. The call had been from her best friend Katie, and she could still hear the excitement in her friend’s voice.

Jenni, I’m going to have a baby. Kyle and I wanted you to be the first to know, Katie confided softly.

Jenni gripped the phone tightly, Katie, congratulations. Honey! I’m so happy for you. How are you feeling, and when is the baby due?

Katie eagerly supplied Jenni’s answers, I’m doing fine. I’m still having some morning sickness, but it seems to be getting better. The baby is due the middle of June. We’ve known for a few weeks, but we decided to wait until after the holidays before making it known.

What does Kyle think about it, Katie?

Katie painted Jenni a mind picture of her tall muscular husband fussing and worrying over his petite pregnant wife. Jenni was warmed by Katie’s contagious laughter.

He’s nearly doing handsprings, Jenni! He’s beside himself with happiness, but at the same time, he’s so worried and protective that he’s making himself miserable. It’s going to be a long six months for him, I’m thinking.

Katie, I’m truly happy for you, Jenni spoke truthfully, even though her hand was nearly numb from gripping the telephone so hard.

I know you are, Jen. But I still wanted to tell you myself. I didn’t want you to find out by way of the grapevine. Besides, we’ve always shared our secrets with each other. We may live hundreds of miles apart, but we’re still best friends.

That’s true, agreed Jenni. Kiss the girls for me and tell Kyle I said hello and congratulations. I won’t tell you to kiss him. I have a feeling you’re going to do that without being told, she teased.

The girls shared a good laugh and more talk of Katie’s coming baby before ending the conversation.

Jenni drew herself back to the present and turned from the window. She was indeed happy for Katie Eastin, her dearest friend, who was now living as a transplant on a large cattle ranch outside of Casper, Wyoming. She had been very upset over a year ago when Katie moved seven hundred miles away from their childhood home in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to marry her tall handsome cowboy. But time and prayer had helped Jenni adjust and settle into a quiet, comfortable life without her bubbling friend, except for their weekly phone visits.

As she glanced back across the street to the welcoming lights from her mother’s kitchen window, she suddenly wanted to be there. Checking her watch, Jenni hurriedly slipped into her all-weather coat without bothering to belt it. She grabbed her purse and felt for her keys as she went out the door. She sprinted down the sidewalk and across the street, dodging puddles of slush. Lights appearing in darkened windows was evidence that her quiet residential neighborhood was waking up to greet a new day. A twist of the knob opened her parent’s unlocked door, telling her that her father had already been outside for his morning paper.

Homey smells of freshly brewed coffee and frying bacon greeted her. Her father was seated at the breakfast table with his head buried in his newspaper while her mother was busy at the stove.

Good morning, you two, Jenni greeted them as she bounced into the bright, cheery kitchen.

Good morning, kitten. Her father laid his paper aside.

Jenni smiled at his greeting. Even after twenty-five years, he still called her by the pet name he had given her when she was a small girl.

Good morning, dear. Her mother turned from the stove. Pour yourself a cup of coffee. Do you want some breakfast? How about some bacon and eggs?

No thanks, Mom. I will have some coffee though. Your coffee is always better than mine. She poured a cup of coffee and carried it to the table and sat across from her father.

Aren’t you up and out a little early this morning, honey? Jim Brewer looked over his reading glasses at his only daughter.

Maybe a little. I couldn’t sleep, so I got up and decided on an early morning visit and a cup of Mom’s good coffee on my way to work.

I’m glad you came by, but why couldn’t you sleep? Any particular reason? her father questioned.

No, not really. She sipped her coffee. Guess what! Katie called last night, and she’s expecting a baby! The baby is due in June, and Katie says Kyle is acting like an old mother hen, Jenni laughed, remembering her conversation with Katie.

With a look of sympathy on their faces, Jenni’s parents made silent eye contact while their daughter continued her lively chatter.

Katie says they’re going to take the small sitting area in their bedroom for the newborn nursery before they move the baby into the room next to theirs. She’s looking at wallpapers and baby furniture. She’s very excited!

I’m sure she is, dear. We need to find out her chosen colors and send her something nice, her mother commented as she joined her husband and daughter at the table.

Oh, I already know her colors, Mom. It’s blue and white. She’s positive the baby is a boy, Jenni declared.

Has she had a sonogram? her mother asked.

No, it’s too early for that. Jenni laughed. But she’s sure it’s a boy.

Ruth Brewer joined Jenni’s laughter. That sounds like our Katie. Well, I hope she’s not disappointed. How are the girls?

Katie said they’re growing and doing fine. She and Kyle haven’t told them about the baby yet because time goes by so slowly for children. She said the girls have adjusted well to life on the ranch.

Her father sat, listening. That’s because of God, honey. In his infinite planning, he maneuvered those two little girls into the heart and hands of Katie and then Kyle. God always has a purpose for everything. He never makes mistakes, and remember, Jenni, nothing ever takes God by surprise.

I know, Dad, Jenni answered quietly, knowing the advice was for her even if he didn’t say it. Reluctant to leave, she glanced at her watch.

I guess I’d better go. Jenni stood and placed her cup in the sink.

Drive carefully, dear, her mother cautioned, and wear your seat belt.

Don’t worry, Mom, I will, she promised. Emergency room duty has taught me that.

She quickly kissed her mother’s cheek and her father’s balding head before dashing from the house and back across the street to her car. Jenni pulled out into the street and directed her car toward the hospital where she’d worked for nearly six years. Her hands automatically made every turn while she let her mind wander. To the onlooker, Jennifer Brewer had her life together. She was a devoted Christian with a positive outlook on life. She led a life that some would envy. Her job made her totally independent, and she had no responsibilities. Her future looked secure and empty. She pushed the disturbing thought from her mind as she pulled into the employee’s parking lot. She locked her car and crossed the street to be swallowed up in the early morning crowd reporting to work.

She made her way to the nurse’s lounge and locked her purse in her locker. In front of the long mirror, she checked her hemline and pinned her shoulder-length hair into a becoming twist on the back of her head. With a small pat on her hair and a deep breath, she pulled open the heavy door and entered the hallway.

She stood in the crowded elevator and watched the numbers blink off and on as she waited for her floor. Jenni enjoyed working different areas of the hospital, and when the floating job came open six months earlier, she applied and obtained it. This week’s assignment always gave her mixed feelings. She worked it with both excitement and dread. The elevator doors slid open, and she was met by the early morning sounds of clanging breakfast trays, eager voices, and crying babies.

Good morning, Mrs. Gray.

Good morning, Jenni. The supervisor looked up from the charts she was reviewing.

Did they have a busy night? Jenni looked over the older woman’s shoulder at the charts.

Yes, they did. They had four deliveries. All girls! laughed Mrs. Gray.

How many babies do we have in the nursery this morning? asked Jenni.

Twelve.

Twelve! echoed Jenni. We’ll be busy today, won’t we!

Yes, we will. Those new mothers will be a bundle of nerves. We’ll have our hands full, the supervisor commented dryly.

With that many babies usually come the same number of mothers. I’d better get started, with her parting words, Jenni went down the hall and to work.

The morning sped by quickly as babies were carried to their mothers to be fed and then collected again. Jenni was kept busy filling out forms when new mothers decided upon a name for their newborns. Some names were cute and seemed appropriate, but some made her cringe. Jenni felt sympathy for the children tagged with such outrageous names as Beau Ty, Sahara Desert, and River Mudd.

As things slowed down later in the morning, Jenni was doing some charting when she came across the name of a young woman from her church. Eager to visit one of her fellow church members, she kept one eye on the clock which told her it was almost time for the lunch-time feedings.

She knocked quickly and entered the patient’s room with a small pink bundle tucked expertly within her arm.

Lunch time! Little Sarah Elizabeth wants to join her family and have lunch, Jenni said merrily.

Hi, Jenni! I wondered if you would be here today, Amy Carlson responded from the bed.

Hi, Amy. Hi, Phil, Jenni spoke to the man hovering near his wife. Yes, I’m here, but I’ve been so busy today that I didn’t know that you were here until a few minutes ago. Although, I have been expecting you.

The young couple laughed with her as she placed the tiny bundle into eager arms.

Oh, Jenni, I want you to meet Phil’s brother. He’s just moved here. He will be joining us at church, Amy stated.

Jenni turned to the chair that was placed near the door just as a tall broad-shouldered blonde man stood to his feet.

Jenni, Amy continued. This is Tim Carlson. Tim, this is Jenni Brewer.

With a friendly smile, Tim Carlson stuck out his hand, and they exchanged greetings. He directed a question to Jenni, Do I need to leave the room since you brought the baby in?

No. Not unless you have a bad cold or something, she answered.

Well, I guess I can stay then, he grinned as he approached the bed to get a closer look at his new niece.

Jenni turned back to the proud mother. Push your call button when you want me to come back and get her.

On her way out, she spoke to Tim. Welcome to our city. We hope you’ll like it here.

I’m sure I will, Jenni. Thank you, he answered pleasantly just as she disappeared through the door.

Jenni entered the noisy cafeteria and stood behind the fast-moving line at the food counter. She selected a pimento cheese sandwich to go with her vegetable soup and collected an abandoned newspaper on her way to a small empty table in front of a large window. She scanned the articles until she found one interesting to her and read it while she ate.

Jenni, may I join you?

Startled, she looked up to see Tim Carlson holding a loaded tray.

Yes, of course. She quickly rearranged the newspaper and her plate to make room for his.

Since it’s lunchtime, I thought I’d try the food in here before I go back to work. Actually, Phil recommended it, he commented as he transferred his food from the tray to the table.

Phil’s right. It’s not bad for hospital food, she agreed. She watched him bow his head and silently pray over his food.

How long have you worked here, Jenni?

Nearly six years.

Amy says you’re a top-notch nurse, he declared.

Jenni laughed, I don’t know about that, but I do like my work.

What do you think of my little niece? he asked proudly.

I think she’s beautiful.

I guess you see a large number of babies in your line of work, don’t you?

"Yes, I do. Especially when I’m working the OB floor, but I float to other areas of the hospital also.

"Phil and Amy’s three-year-old son Daniel has put a spark back in our family, and now, we have another one to enjoy. Christmas and birthdays are much more fun when there’s a little one around. As