Previous excerpts:
First Chapter : http://www.jennthorn.blogspot.com/2015/01/excerpt-from-work-in-progress-novel.html
Eighth Chapter : http://www.jennthorn.blogspot.com/2016/01/novel-excerpt-healing-of-eric-richardson.html
Tenth Chapter: http://www.jennthorn.blogspot.com/2016/02/novel-excerpt-healing-of-eric-richardson.html
It had taken most of the
afternoon to fix the mess Victoria had made of things with Charlotte, but
eventually they were talking as though nothing had happened at all. After the
drama of the first full day of her visit the next day and half with Charlotte
went smoothly and Victoria ended up being grateful for her friend’s advice with
how to handle the current situation in a Godly way that honored both herself,
her convictions and feelings, as well as her parent’s wishes for her. Not all
of Charlotte’s advice or points were easy to hear, but she knew in the end that
Charlotte was right, even if she wanted to have a romantic relationship with
Eric it would be wrong, he was too old and not really a Christian.
Before the forehead kiss Victoria had always talked
herself out of any feelings that bubbled to the surface for Eric, but now she
couldn’t do that. The simple kiss had made it clear to her that she did in fact
have feelings for her employer, and that Garret had been right to suspect the
same feelings existed on Eric’s part. But talking to Charlotte had settled
things for her, she couldn’t act on those feelings and if it became too much of
a temptation she’d have to return home. Her parents would never approve of her
seeing her boss, it had been their fear in the first place. And while Eric had
attended church with Evelynn and once with her, she knew he wasn’t really a
Christian and the warning that was found in the bible about being unequally
yoked. Charlotte was without a doubt right, seeing Eric would be a mistake and
she would do best to guard her heart before she fell for him any harder.
“Call or text me as soon as you get home Char, okay?”
Victoria asked giving her friend a tight squeeze before releasing her and
stepping away to let Charlotte leave.
“I will, and don’t forget to send me some pictures from
the beach! I am so jealous that you’ll be staying in a private beach house for
two weeks!” Charlotte squealed in genuine delight that her friend was getting
to have such an exciting experience, before opening the door to her little
silver Ford Focus that was at least ten years old, and getting inside ready for
the almost hour and a half drive she had ahead of herself.
Stepping back as her friend started the engine
and began pulling out of the drive way, Victoria’s heart sank a little. It had
been easy to follow her friend’s advice while she was there to watch her and distract
her when she started to go off into a daydream, or got upset again but now as she watched as Charlotte head out
on to road, her confidence wavered. Charlotte had been her rock over the last
couple days, but now it was all up to her, and Victoria prayed for the strength
to stay strong and hold onto her convictions when temptation came.
Life at the Richardson household had anxiously been
waiting for her attention as she tried to take a break from it and gather her
own thoughts and feelings after a very emotional week. Now that Charlotte had
left though her break was over and it was time to deal with everything she’d
been avoiding on her own, beginning with packing herself and the boys for the
trip. With these thoughts in mind
Victoria took her time walking back into the house, where she was greeted by a
crying Alex, a hiding Drake, and Braden who looked as though he was ready to
explode from the frustration of dealing with the two very active little boys.
“Oh Alex what happened baby?” Victoria cooed as she
leaned down to pick up the crying child so she could comfort him with kisses
and cuddles.
“Drake
pushed him over and took his stuffed elephant. I tried to go get him but I
couldn’t leave Alex, and he wouldn’t let me pick him up. They haven’t napped
today, I couldn’t get Drake to lay down and he kept waking up Alex. And every
time I tried to talk to Drake calmly about it he’d either start shouting ‘no’
or run way again!” Braden reported, more than happy to give Victoria her job
back and get back to his much more comfortable routine of running the house. These
last couple of days had been a good reminder to Braden that Victoria’s job
wasn’t as easy as she made it look. “How do you do this every day?”
“I
guess they just need a woman’s touch Braden. I wouldn’t take it personal, you
know Alex and Drake love you. They just aren’t used to you taking care of them
anymore.” She said smiling at her older friend as she continued to hold Alex,
rocking him gently and shushing him as his crying faded to whimpering and his
fatigue started to take over causing him to relax into the familiar comfort of
Victoria’s hold. “I’ll get Alex to sleep first, then I’ll go deal with Mr.
Drake. Thank you so much for taking over while my friend was here. I owe you
big time.”
“I’d
say no problem Vicki, but we both know this last week has been crazy. So, what
I’ll say instead is, next time you take time off or have a friend over, please
pick a better time!” Braden teased, some of his usual good nature returning as
he saw that Victoria was already getting things under control and he could now
let go of the extra burden.
“Hey,
I’m sorry about everything with Jessica, Braden. I never expected Eric to react
like that.” Victoria whispered, trying to keep her voice down so that Alex
would fall asleep.
“Honestly
Vicki, it’s for the best.” Braden replied reassuring the young woman with a
pleasant smile. Now that Jessica was gone Victoria and Braden would share the
kitchen responsibilities until someone new was hired. It was yet another extra
burden on Braden, but one he took on cheerfully, knowing that the atmosphere in
the house would now be different and that for Eric to have fired her that he
must finally be getting back to his old self.
“I
know you’re right, but I still feel bad.”
“Don’t,
like Eric told you it should have happened a long time ago, and you know why.
I’m glad to see this finally happened. I’m glad that Eric is finally making the
right choice and letting go of that mistake, hopefully for good.” Braden said
in a hushed but somewhat stern voice. To him this day had been a long time
coming, something he had prayed for as he watched his friend struggle with his
drinking and guilt. Despite the extra work load Braden saw the loss of Jessica
as answered prayer.
Victoria
nodded her understanding but still didn’t feel any better. Someone had lost
their job because she tattled on them like a child, whether they deserved to be
there or not was beside the point to her, she still felt responsible. Giving
Braden a warm smile Victoria pointed to the stairs and started to creep away to
the nursery, gently rocking the baby and humming ‘Amazing Grace’.
Watching
Victoria walk up the stairs holding a sleeping Alex, Braden thanked God for her
and prayed for Eric. He knew what was on Eric’s mind and the hopes that his
friend had recently developed where she was concerned. When
Evelynn had died after Eric’s mistake with Jessica, Braden worried that the
guilt and despair would crush his friend to the point that Eric would never
recover, but Victoria’s presence had changed that, her loving nature and
typical good humor had brought light back to all of them, but most especially
Eric. Now Braden hoped with everything in him that God
would once again answer his prayers and make Victoria a permanent part of the Richardson
household.
Over the last several months Braden had quietly
watched the growing attachment between them, how they often watched the other
when they thought no one else was looking, or how Eric was always quick to
think of her comfort or the things Victoria might enjoy. In the evenings they
spent much time talking and laughing together over the children, sometimes while
playing a game together and other times while they were watching television. Even while she was dating Garret, Victoria
had been quick to change her plans if Eric asked her to join him and the boys
for something. And then there was their intimate moment together by the pool
the other day, a moment that confirmed every suspicion he had had up until
then. Now Braden was more certain than ever of his employer’s heart and nothing
would bring him more joy than seeing the two of them together.
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