A Friend to Love

14

Hidden Valley is a fascinating small-town set in the mountains of Virginia. As I read about the farms and the horses it makes me want to know even more about it. These things just seem to add to the tranquility of small town life. As Ms. Austin introduces the characters who have come to live here I picture the town and the lives intertwining with one another.

In this book Jeff and Lora develop a relationship while making their home in Hidden Valley. By putting God in their lives, they overcome obstacles and insecurities while working on improving their lives together. They have some surprises along the way which leads to strengthening their family ties.

I especially enjoyed reading about the house coming along and getting ready to move into and the interesting turn of events with the churches. The story line flows good making it more interesting to read.

Merry and Shane were also introduced in this book which made a good addition to the family. By adding them in I think it added to the story.

Throughout the book Ms. Austin shows the power of prayer and healing and shows that by turning things over to God everything will work out for the best by following God’s plan. Her writings inspire hope. I will surely look for more in this fascinating series.

Patsy Smith

Quito, Ecuador

Chapter 1

Jeff Barnes was sitting at his desk after his last patient left. He was thinking back to when he first met Lora Matthews. They both went to work at Roanoke Regional Hospital as resident doctors on the maternity and pediatric floor.

This was Jeff’s first hospital after his residency. He was looking for the obstetrician he would be working with. When a woman came running out a door and right into him. She said, Why don’t you watch where you are going?

Excuse me, but you ran into me. When he looked at her he noticed her beautiful blonde hair and deep blue eyes. Then he noticed her white coat and name tag. This was the doctor he was supposed to work with. Oh great!

Lora knew she was wrong, but it didn’t stop her from being annoyed at being stopped from her retreat. She’d just seen her fiancé kissing a nurse very passionately in an empty room. When she looked up she was staring into the darkest eyes she has ever seen. The man was over six feet tall with dark black hair. He had on a white doctors’ coat and his name tag told her, he was the new pediatrician she was going to be working with. Oh Lord! she didn’t need this right now.

Jeff saw she was upset and took her arm. Where is the doctor’s lounge? He took her there, gave her a cup of coffee and introduced himself. He waited until she was ready to talk. He didn’t know why, but she opened up to him and told him what got her upset. The day began a friendship lasting over four years, with each of them being there for the other.

Jeff was in love with Lora from the first day they met. He kept hoping someday she would realize God meant them for each other.

His love for Lora grew but he was ready to give up when he thought she was going to marry Tom Brown, the lawyer owning the building their offices are in.

When Tom realized his heart belonged to Ellen, his new bride, and Lora realized her heart belonged to him. He thanked God for bringing them together, but wondered why it took so long. Then a thought came to him all things come to those who wait upon the Lord.

Lora opened his door and asked him if he was done for the day. Would you like to go for dinner? I don’t have anyone going in labor for at least a week.

As far as you know you mean. Where would you like to go? I’m all done. I don’t have to make rounds until later.

Maybe we should stay in town, just in case someone changes their mind. I’ll be ready when you are.

Jeff thought to himself she was just as beautiful now as she was the first time he saw her, four years ago. She was an excellent doctor and a very caring person. All of her patients loved her and trusted her.

When they arrived at the restaurant, they saw Jordan Price sitting in one of the booths. He waved at them and asked them if they would like to join him. He just finished a 24-hour shift at the fire department, where he’s fire Chief. They went over and joined him. He asked them if anyone heard from the newlyweds?

Ellen sent us a post card from the Grand Canyon and said they were having a great time. Davy, (Ellen’s son from her first marriage), was thrilled about everything, except he hasn’t rode horses with his daddy.

His third birthday is this fall. I bet he gets a horse of his own by then. His daddy wanted to get him one before they got married but Ellen said he was too young. Davy has Tom wrapped around his little finger. He picked Tom out for his daddy before his mother even knew where things were going. Tom was bringing him in for his check up and shots before they were engaged.

Lora smiled at Jeff and said It was a good thing we all came to our senses before it was too late.

Jeff put his arm around her. Lora, I wouldn’t have let you marry Tom. I couldn’t give up so easily I’ve been in love with you for over four years, do you think I would have let you marry someone else? You’ve led me on a merry chase long enough.

Well I needed to keep you on your toes. Couldn’t let you off so easy, could I?

Jordan where is your lovely wife tonight? We don’t usually see you without her.

She went with the boys on a field trip today. They haven’t made it back yet. I am fending for myself. The school decided to have this trip before school starts.

They finished their meal and Jeff left to go back to the hospital. He has twin boys to check on, who were premature. He always liked to make sure his babies are doing okay for the first 48 hours and with twins you never know what could come up.

When he got to the hospital he saw Anna Norton, the head of Nursing, and asked her how she and Hank were doing? Hank is the reason the hospital is once again a functioning hospital. She said they were all fine. She would be bringing Katelyn to his office in a couple of weeks for her yearly checkup and shots. The twins were gaining weight and doing well so he left.

As he was heading to his apartment he noticed a Victorian house for sale. He decided to stop and look at it.

Don Price and another man came to the door. Don owns the construction company in town. He is known for his work on historical homes. He and his family are also good friends and he’s Anna Norton’s father.

Hi Don, I was wondering if someone was here. I would like to look at the house if I could.

Don introduced the other man, Gordon, as the grandson of the lady who passed away. He inherited the house. He was from out of state and wanted to sell, rather than try to take care of it from 1000 miles away.

I am interested in finding someone who will love and take care of the house the way my grandparents did. My grandmother was unable to keep things up. It needs some tender loving care to bring it back to its original glory.

They took Jeff through the house. Don pointed out what needed done to bring it back to its original beauty.

Jeff, the house is solid and the roof was replaced two years ago. What needs done is more cosmetic than constructional. It could be made in to what every you want as long as we keep the historical value.

I would like to bring Lora over to see it tomorrow, if it’s alright. It’s what I am looking for.

I will be here to show it. I’d really like to get it sold before I go back to work.

They made an appointment for 12:30. They could come during their lunch. While driving home Jeff was thinking of what a great home it would make for a family. He would love to fill it up with a house full of children.

When Jeff got home he knocked on Lora’s apartment door. When she answered the door, he told her about the house. He said he wanted her to see it.

Why do you want me to see it? If you like it and want to buy it, then do.

Lora, I want you to like it too. It will be your home too, some day. Why is it every time I try to talk to you about getting married you either change the subject or start an argument? You keep telling me you love me. You have a strange way of showing it. I won’t wait forever for us to be married. It you don’t love me and don’t want to marry me, tell me and we will go back to being friends. I do want your opinion on the house, no matter what, before I buy it.

Jeff, I do love you. I will go with you to look at the house. We will talk about the rest when we can have a long talk, with no interruptions, I promise. But when we do you may not want to marry me.

What are you saying? I have waited four years for you to figure out we belong together. Nothing you tell me will change my mind about marrying you.

I hope you’re right, but you can’t guarantee it until we have a talked. When I tell you everything you need to know, we’ll decide if we get married. I’m afraid you’ll change your mind, when we talk.

Jeff kept thinking about what Lora said as he walked to his apartment. Nothing she tells me will change my mind about my love for her. What could she possibly be worried about? No one is perfect, I won’t change my mind, no matter what she is worried about.

Jeff had a hard time going to sleep. He was trying to figure out what Lora thinks will cause him to not marry her. She was his life, if she just knew it. He got down on his knees and asked God to give him peace and help him when the time came to have a talk with Lora.

God, you know she’s the only woman I’ve ever loved. Nothing she could tell me will change anything. I know she loves you as much as I do. Give her the strength to tell me and help me accept what she says. Help me show her how much I love her. Amen

Jeff went to bed then and had a goodnights sleep. He knew God is in control and everything will be okay now.

The next morning when Lora came in she looked like she hadn’t slept.

Jeff took her in his arms. Lora, stop worrying so much, turn it over to God. He has everything in His control. Everything is going to be fine. God brought us together and he will help us through whatever you are worried about. Just let him have it. He will take care of it. Lora, please believe me when I tell you I love you unconditionally. Nothing you tell me will change how I feel. We all have things in our lives we regret.

When Jeff went to Lora’s office to see if she was ready her nurse said she left for the hospital.

He asked her if there was a patient in labor and the nurse said no.

Jeff called her. When she answered he asked if she was going with him.

I can’t I am busy here at the hospital.

What are you busy doing?

That is a silly question.

No, it isn’t. I already know you’re not there to deliver a baby.

Lora if you can’t do this for me I guess it answers all my questions. I think it would be best if we try to remain friends until I can decide what to do with my life. It will be hard working with you if we can’t remain friends. I can’t take any more of your indecision. Let me know when you are ready to tell me what is going on in your mind. If you can’t trust my love for you we don’t have much hope. Good bye.

Lora went to her car and sat and cried Oh God! what have I done. I do love him so much but I’m afraid. Help me, Lord show me the way. I know Jeff wants a house full of children someday and I can’t give them to him. He will grow to hate me when he finds out we can’t have children. Lord, give me the strength to do the right thing.

She decided to go meet him. She would give God a chance to guide her. She always depended on God. She needed him more now, than she ever has.

As Jeff drove to the house to talk to Gordon. He remembered the peace he felt last night after he prayed. He knew Lora was fighting some demon. He needed God’s help to be patient with her. He decided to buy the house. He would wait to see what happens between them. He waited all this time for her. He wasn’t ready to give up on his dream yet.

He was walking up to the porch when he noticed Lora’s car pull in the driveway. He waited for her, Thank you for coming and giving me your opinion on the house.

He was afraid to read more in the gestor than her being a friend right now.

Jeff, I’m sorry I am being so much trouble. I have to work through what I am feeling. I hope you can be patient with me. I want to look at the house with you. I love it already. It’s truly a beautiful Victorian home. I love the wraparound porch. When the house is painted it will be beautiful.

When Jeff knocked on the door Gordon opened it. He introduced himself to Lora as Gordon Dobbs. They went in and looked through the house. Lora told Jeff some of the things she thought would look good in the house.

I love it, it is a beauty. The woodwork is wonderful. It’s as beautiful as I thought it would be from the outside. When was this home built?

I believe my grandfather said it was built in the late 1800’s.

Gordon, I will have my attorney, Bill Andrews, do the title search. If everything checks out, I will buy the house.

If you would like, I can set an appointment with Bill for you. You can have him prepare the deed.

"That would be great. I am not from around here. I don’t know any lawyers.

Excuse me Lora, would you happen to be from Cambridge, Ohio? You look familiar, your name is the same as a girl I went to school with. She was about two years behind me."

Yes, I did, I didn’t think you recognized me. I wasn’t going to say anything. We were in the same biology class your senior year.

Of course, I remember you. You helped me pass the course. You were the prettiest girl in the school. I was sorry you had your accident. I heard you kept up with your classes while you were hospitalized. I would have come to see you, but I’d already left for college, when I heard about it. I’m glad to see you became a doctor like you wanted.

Thank you, it was a tough year. I got close to God and my faith helped get me through it. I am thankful for the teachers who helped me continue my classes. I didn’t lose time in school. There were a lot of class mates who also helped me keep up. I will always be grateful to them.

I’m sorry Jeff, I was shocked when I came to the door and saw Lora. I wasn’t sure she recognized me. If you let me know when I can see your lawyer, I would appreciate it. I need to get back to work as soon as I can. It doesn’t look good when the boss disappears for too long. Lora, it was great to see you. Maybe we can get together before I have to leave.

Jeff asked Lora about the accident Gordon was talking about.

Jeff, I was hit by a car, while riding my bike home from school, my junior year. I spent the next six months in the hospital. I had extensive internal injuries and several broken bones. They didn’t think I would walk again. I went through two years of extensive therapy. Jeff, I guess this is a good time to tell you what’s been bothering me. Because of the accident I can never have children. I know you want a house full. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about it years ago.

Lora is this, what you were afraid to tell me? Honey, I love children, but there are children in this world who need and deserve a home. They don’t have to be my blood for me to love them. We can adopt some day. We can be good aunt and uncle to as many as we run across, if you don’t want to adopt. As long as I have you by my side is all I ask.

Jeff, I don’t want you to hate me some day because I can’t give you children. You would make a great dad and you deserve to be one.

Lora there is something you need to know. I was adopted when I was four years old. I never really knew my birthmother, she was sick all the time, I was with her. I had the best mother in the world. She couldn’t have children either. But she raised five very rambunctious children. We all loved her dearly and we were all the children of her heart. This is more important to me than them having my blood lines. If you feel you want to adopt later it’s fine with me. If you decide you don’t want to, then it will be fine. It’s not like I’m not involved with children every day.

They went back to the office for their next appointments. Lora’s patient was waiting for her. She didn’t have time to think. She asked the receptionist to order her and Jeff a sandwich from the deli, they hadn’t had lunch. Then she went in the room with her patient.

Jeff went to his office and called Bill Andrews, to have him check the title for the property. He set an appointment for him and Gordon.

He wondered about Gordon and his connection to Lora. It seemed he had something on his mind, when he realized who Lora was. Something seemed