For All Eternity by June Foster

"Maybe not, but you didn't abort your baby. I was proud of you for that." Tammy's brown eyes glistened.

  "I don't deserve it, but thank you."

  "But that's not what I came to say." She cleared her throat. "I had a long talk with Mom yesterday and now after almost losing you today…"

  "A talk with Mom?"

  "Yeah. About time, too. I've always thought Mom and Dad favored you. Yesterday, she … she assured me they love both of us the same. We're different individuals, and she's treated us differently through the years, but it was never because she favored one of us over the other."

  "Tammy, I could've told you that. I wish I'd known how you felt."

  "I probably wouldn't have listened." She touched Joella's arm. "I'm sorry about Ted's car in your driveway. It cost you so much of your savings to get it repaired."

  Joella had tried not to think of it since that day. She still hadn't forgiven herself for not paying more attention. In the end, she couldn't blame Ted or Tammy. "I saved the funds once. I can do it again." She wrapped her arms around her precious little sister. "I forgive you and pray you'll forgive me."

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  JD balanced a stack of books under one arm. Only a short walk through Lindsay Park and he'd reach the campus library. What a relief. He didn't have to check out any more accounting text books. With his refresher class over, he could take the exam now and renew his CPA license for another four years.

  Maybe he'd check out a suspense novel. Two and a half months since he'd started dating Betty Ann, and he still needed a distraction … something to take his thoughts off Joella. He couldn't stop now with his goal of finding an EB wife in easy reach. Still every time Joella's radiant, uninvited face intruded, he had to push the vision away. How long would it take?

  Lindsay Park's abundant trees sparkled verdant green and beckoned to their shade. Late July sun produced beads of moisture on his forehead. He swiped his brow and slid down at a table, piling his books on top. When his phone rang, the caller ID read Betty Ann. Why had he, for an instant, hoped he'd see Joella Crawford? "Hi, Betty Ann."

  "Hey, JD."

  "I was just getting ready to call you." Not exactly right now though he'd planned on it later in the afternoon.

  "I need to talk to you."

  Where was the usual perky woman he knew? "Sure. What's going on?"

  She sighed. "I want to hear your voice. To feel like everything is normal again."

  Normal again? "Betty Ann, what are you talking about?"

  "I went to Ormond Park with the women's group." Her voice wavered. "We took off on our bikes, but I rode ahead of the group." She blew out a breath. "Did you hear about the blaze up in the mountains that set half of the Upper Ormond on fire?"

  "No." Fires weren't unusual this time of year. Betty Ann must've seen one as she left the park.

  She whispered. "I almost lost my life."

  "What?" JD sprang to his feet. Did he hear her correctly?

  "Thank goodness, I met another biker on the trail … a nice woman who got separated from her sister. We left our bikes and hiked down the side of the canyon when the trail became impassable. At one point I think I lost touch with reality."

  JD couldn't find words to speak. Betty Ann. Almost died?

  "She hiked back up to me and led me the rest of the way down to the creek. If it hadn't been for her courage, I wouldn't be alive."

  Betty Ann in danger. "Thank Exalted Father you're okay. I'm so sorry. You and your heroine were there at the wrong time." The breeze blew the cover of the top book open, and he flipped it closed. "If there's anything I can do …"

  "No, thanks, JD. You're sweet to offer."

  A concrete lump sat where his heart used to be. He would never want anything to happen to her. Though her story about the fire brought cold chills, he breathed a sigh of relief knowing she was okay. Maybe he should change the topic. "I hope you'll be fine next weekend. I thought we could go fishing. That is if you want to brave the elements again." The more time they spent together, the better—time to fall in love.

  Betty Ann sighed. "I'll be fine by then, I'm sure. And if I see that tall lady again, I'd like to introduce you. She said her name was Julie or Joanna something … Crawley. I'm not sure. I don't think I've seen her around El Camino before."

  Joanna Crawley? A tall woman with a sister? JD's body morphed into petrified wood. Surely the woman in the canyon wasn't Joella Crawford. "I'm so grateful you're home safe. That's all that matters."

  What else could he believe but that Betty Ann's rescuer was Joella? He scooped up the pile of books and plodded toward the library. The ten stone steps seemed like a hundred. Joella in a fire in Ormond Park … with Betty Ann? They were both safe, thanks to Joella's actions. And her sister? Tammy must be okay, too.

  The person Betty Ann described sounded like Joella—selfless and kind. He dropped the books into the Returned Books Receptacle and left. He couldn't concentrate on a novel now. "Thank you, Exalted Father." Did he hear JD's whisper? "Thank you that Betty Ann made it out safely and … thank you that the woman I love and her sister are safe."

  JD stopped dead in his tracks. Oh, man. He stood on the library steps praying to Exalted Father as if he might really listen.

  *****

  JD set his tackle box on the pebble-covered ground near the river's edge. "Here's your pole, Betty Ann. Got it baited for you."

  She flipped the worm-covered hook into the smooth waters of the Camille River. After casting again, she slowly tightened the line. Her brown skirt swayed with the breeze.

  He'd learned so much about her in the last two and a half months—smart, pretty, and she loved to talk about doctrines of their shared beliefs. Of the women at church, she was the best candidate by far.

  Candidate for what? His wife? But what about being in love? Since he'd spend his life with her—and the next, he needed to fall in love. He pressed his lips together and reminded himself again—it would happen, with time.

  JD strolled downstream through lush grass lining the water's edge and propped his foot up on a sycamore's trunk. He'd stay away from her casting radius, just in case she missed. Might as well drown a few worms himself.

  "JD, JD, help."

  He laughed. She could always be counted on to run into trouble.

  "There's a monstrous fish on the end of my hook. I pulled him in, but I don't know what to do next." Betty Ann stood on the bank, the pole still in her hand. A wiggly trout dangled from the line caught on the lower branches of a tree behind her.

  "I'm coming." JD set his own pole down and stumbled over a rock, catching himself before he tumbled to the ground.

  "Don't say it. I know this looks like the helpless female routine, but I can't stand to touch them."

  JD had to tiptoe to retrieve the fish. He wiggled it off the hook and fastened it on the stringer. "Why do you hate to touch fish?"

  "They're slimy."

  He laughed at her description of a river trout and reeled the line off the tree.

  "Fishing is giving me an appetite. Are you ready to eat?" Betty Ann patted her stomach.

  She probably didn't like fishing as much as she'd let on. "Yeah. Pulling fish out of trees is hard work." He tossed her a smile and dragged the old blanket from the back of his truck.

  "Let me help." Betty Ann leaned against him to grab the picnic basket.

  They spread the blanket on the grass next to a pine and set the lunch on top. With her back to the tree, she sat crossed legged and dug into the basket's contents. "Here's some wet-cloths."

  JD gazed at the slender, blonde woman as he wiped his hands. The last few months had been the beginning of an eternity of breaking bread with her. He slid down next to her.

  "Would you pray?" She lowered her lashes.

  JD reached for her hand. "Exalted Father. Bless this food to our nourishment. And help Betty Ann learn how to fish." He lifted his head and laughed.

  She tapped his shoulder. "You silly guy." Her eyes seemed to be fi
lled with questions as her gaze remained longer than he'd expected.

  He averted his glance to the picnic basket. "What are we having?"

  Betty Ann drew out a square plastic box and pulled the lid off. "These are my famous egg salad sandwiches, and the others are chicken." She pointed to the wax paper layers. "I'll have you know, I made everything. No store-bought food for us." Another box contained potato salad, and a bowl held fresh peach slices. "For dessert we have oatmeal cookies." She passed him a bottle of water along with a plate.

  "You must've been thinking about a picnic for a crowd." JD set the plate on the blanket and unscrewed the water bottle cap. "You don't think we're gonna eat all this."

  He was fond of her—a pleasant person, and easy going, too. From all he'd observed, she'd be willing to serve a husband and family. And bearing children would bring great rewards to her scale.

  If JD examined himself honestly, Joella was the only woman who set him on fire. Betty Ann was sweet … but there was no spark. Yet feelings weren't the basis for marriage. Commitment to a person's religion was—he couldn't have it all. Betty Ann was the EB woman he'd been looking for all this time.

  She dished some of everything onto his plate, passing him a plastic fork and napkin.

  He kinda liked having her serve him. The food looked delicious, and he couldn't decide what to taste first. "You're amazing. This looks good, and I'm starved. I had to work hard today taking all those fish off of hooks." JD bit into the chicken sandwich.

  Betty Ann took a dainty bite of potato salad. "Can I ask you a question?" She stared at the sandwich on her plate.

  JD swallowed and took a swig of water. Based on the tone of her voice, whatever she had to say must be serious. "Sure."

  "It's really none of my business."

  What was none of her business? "Go ahead. Shoot."

  "Last week when I went biking in Ormond Park, before the fire, one of the ladies who dates Tolvin Smith said something. You remember Aleece. She said Tolvin talks a lot. He's worse than some women about passing on gossip. Anyway, Tolvin told her you'd just broken up with your girlfriend … somebody who wasn't of our religion."

  JD clenched his teeth. Betty Ann was right. Tolvin had a big mouth. He braced for the question which would surely follow.

  She whispered. "Forgive me if this is out of place, but is it true?"

  "Yeah, I suppose so."

  She lowered her eyes. "Did she call it off?"

  "It was mutual." JD pulled himself up and stepped off the blanket. "I don't like to talk about it." He faced the creek. He'd tell Tolvin what he thought about him one of these days.

  "Oh, it must still be painful for you."

  Until she made the statement, he hadn't realized how raw his feelings still were—and that they were obvious.

  "Did you care about her a lot?"

  Stop asking me about Joella. He wanted to shout, but he couldn't alienate Betty Ann. She'd only asked a simple question, but how could he change the subject? He sat down on the blanket again. "Tell me how you got to be such a good cook."

  She paused and peered at him. "I … well, I don't know." She replaced the lid on the container with sandwiches. "I guess my mom always let me help her in the kitchen. She's determined I'll make a good wife someday and gain more points for my scale." Betty Ann's gaze locked onto his, not letting go.

  No doubt she picked up on his avoidance of her question. Talking about Joella with Betty Ann felt worse than listening to a lecture from Dad. "You're a good cook. I bet you love kids, too. You wouldn't be a teacher if you didn't." Focusing on Betty Ann as his future wife became imperative. He couldn't allow his mind to stray to Joella.

  His lunch companion glanced toward the trees. "I look forward to my own, someday."

  JD stood and ambled toward the stream. Sparkles of light danced on the water, and he heard a plop. Might be a fish waiting.

  How could he ask for anything better than this beautiful day and Betty Ann by his side? Had he convinced himself to do what came next in his plan?

  There's another Way for you.

  JD shook his head ignoring the senseless thought. He turned from the creek. Betty Ann stood next to him. She smiled and slipped her arm through his. He had to make a move before he strayed from his goal.

  Was it too soon? He'd heard of whirlwind romances, love at first sight. For him it seemed like admiration and respect at first sight.

  If he acted on the wise decision he'd made, surely the feelings would follow. He took a breath. "Where do you see yourself in five years?"

  She squeezed his arm. "I hope to be married with a family. I love the doctrine our church teaches—marriage in this life and the next. When two people fall in love, they can be assured of spending all eternity together."

  Her words made sense. She understood marriage and Exalted Father's design for mankind. But did he admire her enough? Would he come to love her someday? Surely the answer was yes.

  JD turned to her, leaned his head down, and placed his lips on hers. It felt flat and had none of the electricity like when he'd kissed Joella. Yet, he reminded himself again, highly charged emotions didn't make a marriage.

  He closed his eyes and opened them again. "I've been doing a lot of thinking lately. I want to get on with my life, especially my service to the church. I might be rushing things a little, but I was wondering if you would consider marrying me?"

  She blinked her eyes and squealed. "I've always dreamed of this—getting engaged. The showers, the parties, the plans, it's all so exciting. Yes, I'll marry you."

  Betty Ann's face reminded him of Glorilyn's as a child on her birthday. She stood on tiptoes and pressed against him, hugging his neck. "Oh, I can't wait until my girlfriends hear about this."

  He gripped her shoulders and gently pushed her back to observe her reaction. "What would you say to a September wedding?" The sooner the better as far as JD was concerned. Then he couldn't change his mind.

  She gasped. "A little more than a month away. Oh wow! But if Mom and I get to work now, we can make it happen." She laughed. "I think I'm the happiest woman in the world. My parents are going to be so thrilled."

  Betty Ann's reaction surprised him—not exactly how he thought she'd respond, but then he hadn't dwelt on it very long. He'd braced himself for the declarations of love and affection he figured they'd exchange. He didn't have the feelings yet, but she hadn't said the I love you or given him a romantic kiss either, for which he was grateful.

  "My dad, of all people, will be most pleased." JD hoped his words sounded more enthusiastic than he felt. Finally, his father would be proud of him.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  JD set the picnic basket in the front hall of the Roberts' spacious ranch style home. No point in kissing Betty Ann right here on the doorstep. Better wait for a private moment since her mother might be around.

  "Thanks for everything today. Especially the proposal." She touched two fingers to her lips and blew.

  "See you later." He smiled and turned to walk back down the sidewalk. A good blast of cool air from the truck’s air conditioner would feel good. Especially after the warm afternoon on the Camille River.

  Betty Ann's El Camino neighborhood sat north of where his parents lived. The winding streets and sprawling homes in the elite section reminded him of decisions he needed to make. Where would he and Betty Ann live after they married? Would they purchase a home or rent an apartment for a while?

  The heavy traffic slowed progress back to his condo. A moment to think. A dream from the other night—no, more like a nightmare, troubled him. He'd gone hiking with his father on Mount Whitney. About half way up the trail, Dad insisted JD carry him the rest of the way. With every step, JD strained on the uphill path, laboring under his father's heavy weight. He stopped once, the burden so heavy, but if his father didn't get to the top, he'd disown JD.

  When he'd awakened, sweat bathed his body and heaviness filled his mind. EB stirred that same burden. The pressure of havi
ng to perform threatened to suffocate him sometimes.

  JD gave himself a mental reprimand. EB and his father were only concerned with his own good. Besides, dreams were only random workings of an unconscious mind, nothing more. He shook his head and gave his cheek a slap.

  But what if his scale tipped in the wrong direction at the moment of death? He'd end up in The Land of Shadows—that place where nothing appeared clear, like using one's peripheral vision to make sense of the world.

  Didn't he want to do things the smart way and earn his passage now? Heaven's ticket dangled in front of him. Obey the church statutes and reach out and grab his free pass.

  The traffic grew heavier. JD wiped the moisture from his forehead. His church's doctrines were meant to empower its people, but sometimes he didn't feel strong—more like a wounded little kid. Like now. He needed support and love … from his mother, though it was hard to admit. Instead of turning left toward downtown, he took the street south to his parents' home.

  A glance at his watch said four o'clock. Mom would probably be preparing dinner. Maybe he'd even get an invitation out of the deal.

  His mother's love sent mixed messages. The church taught the only way to heaven was through hard work. But she showed a quality he sometimes wished EB embraced—unconditional acceptance and love. No matter how he misbehaved as a boy, Mom would set him on her lap, talk awhile, and kiss his cheek. Then as a sassy teenager, he'd scoff at her reprimand. But she always said "I love you" afterwards.

  JD pulled up in front of the home where he'd lived most of his life. The tugging emotions didn't make sense. For one crazy moment, he wanted to hide behind his mother's skirt, like he did as a kid, so she'd protect him from harm.

  What harm? He didn't usually entertain thoughts of childish behavior. After all, he was six feet two, a grown man. Still, the need to talk urged him on. Hopefully, Dad would stay busy in the garage.

  JD opened the front door and the aroma of baked apples engulfed him. "Mom, are you here?" He knew where to find her—in the kitchen, as always.

  Mom turned from the oven and set a pie with a golden brown crust on a hot pad. "Hi, honey. I'm glad you stopped by. How about staying for dinner?"