Claire's Hope: A Contemporary Christian Romance (Love's Enduring Promise Book 3) Read online

  Everybody exploded in cheers as Matt made it to the island. Coming out of the water, he held his fists high in the air and shouted from the shoreline, “I love you Claire Lea Vander!”

  Blushing, I shouted back, “I love you too! Forever and always!”

  “Forever and always babe!” Matt shouted as he dove back in and swam back from the island.

  “You’re so lucky,” Nicole said, standing next to me as she grabbed the bottle of rum from my hands and took a drink.

  “I know,” I smiled.

  Coming out of the water, he came right for me.

  “Don’t!” I said, backing up the shore so he couldn’t pick me up. He smiled as he quickened his pace and picked me up at the thighs. The water seeped through my clothing and chilled me instantly. “Ack!”

  “Oh come on… It’s not that bad,” he laughed, setting me back down.

  “Still cold!” I replied.

  He carried me over to the fire and sat me down. As he tried to warm himself at the fire, he became cranky. “This fire isn’t warming me up enough!” Matt said, rubbing his hands together.

  Joshua came over to us and said, “I have an extra pair of jeans and a shirt in my car you can use, let me go grab em.”

  “Thanks dude, that’d be great,” Matt replied as he shivered.

  Joshua left through the woods and I turned to Matt. “You know, you shouldn’t be swimming in December.”

  “I’ve done it a hundred times; it’s no big deal…” Matt replied.

  “If that’s the case, you should have come more prepared.”

  He grinned and kissed me on the cheek. “You’re cute.”

  The party began to wind down and it was quarter to two in the morning when we were ready to leave. Matt had drunk far more than his usual bout and was in no condition to drive. Grabbing the keys from his pocket, I began leading him through the woods with one of his arms draped over my shoulder.

  “Forever and…” He hiccupped. “Always…”

  Forcing a smile, I wasn’t amused, but I replied. “Forever and Always…”

  Arriving to the car, he lifted his head up and said with a slur, “I’m good to drive… I’m not even buzzed.” He reached for the keys in my hand.

  “Uh, yeah you are drunk. I had far less, I’m driving,” I said sternly. Trying to find the keyhole for the passenger door side of the car, I let out a curse word, but not without Matt hearing it.

  “That’s no way for a lady to talk,” he said with a serious tone.

  “Um… I’m just struggling.” Finding the keyhole, I opened up the door and set him in the passenger seat. “There,” I said, shutting the door and sighing heavily.

  “Need some help?” Joshua said, walking up to me in the gravel.

  “No, I’m good.”

  “You’ve been drinking… Let me take you guys home.”

  “No… I’m fine.”

  “Really?” Joshua fiddled in his pocket and pulled out his keys. “Here,” He said, stepping up to me. “Blow into this if you are really sure, it’ll tell us your blood alcohol content. I’m just trying to make sure you guys get home safe,” he said, showing me a black plastic thing.

  “No way!” I retorted.

  “Come on, please? It’s not safe to drive under the influence.”

  Suddenly I thought about my parents and the wreck. I didn’t want to risk it, Todd couldn’t handle another loss. “Okay,” I said, grabbing it from his hands and blowing into it.

  Leaning over, he read the numbers. “0.07… Not good… but it’s legal if you get pulled over.”

  “Great,” I replied going over to the driver side of Matt’s car. As I began to open the door, I noticed Joshua still lingering at the front of the car. “What’s the problem?”

  “I don’t know… I just don’t think it’s safe. I would feel better if you let me drive you still.”

  “Don’t you have other drunks to drive home?”

  “Seems like people brought their own designated drivers tonight, just let me take you two home Claire.”

  “Okay,” I said, sighing as I held up the keys for him.

  On the drive back into Spokane, it began to snow and Joshua broke the silence in the car. “Did you ever make igloos as a child?”

  “Random. But no, I didn’t. Did you?”

  He laughed. “Yeah, I was just thinking of when my Dad made this massive igloo out in our backyard when I was a kid. It looked just like a real one, we were so excited. I want to make one someday.”

  I laughed as I imagined him being younger and playing in one. “That’s awesome and it sounds like you had a fun childhood. My Dad always worked and was tired when he was home, so we didn’t do a whole lot. We did go on some pretty cool vacations though. Just last winter we went to Hot Springs over in Southern Idaho. It was neat because it was super cold outside, but after being in the hot pools, you get out and can walk around soaking wet in thirty degree weather, but it feels like a hot summer day… because your body temperature or whatever isn’t cool down.”

  “Oh wow, that’s pretty cool. I had no idea about that.”

  “Yeah, it’s awesome.” I looked out the window as we crossed over into west Spokane and by the Delta Conference Center.

  “Have you ever been there on the first Thursday of the month?” Joshua asked, looking at the Delta Center out the window.

  Shaking my head, I replied, “No, why?”

  “There’s an art gallery there and one of the professors at MCC that used to attend Chattaroy Baptist has students showcase their work there. It’s pretty cool.”

  “Okay? I don’t get your point with that Joshua… Art? Really?” Pausing, I thought about what I said and felt bad. “Sorry, was that rude?”

  Looking into the rearview mirror, he grinned. “Nah… Did you forget we have been in the same school for a while now? Remember sixth grade?”

  “What about it?” I replied, staring out the window as we continued down the street.

  “That was the year you went through your, ‘I want to be an artist phase.’ You carried a sketch pad with you everywhere you went.”

  “Oh yeah,” I said, recalling the time. Sixth grade was a strange time. I had the whole emo phase where I emotionally expressed everything through painting and drawing. I even recalled a particular painting of a cat and mouse. Both the mouse and cat were all black, and in the painting the mouse was falling off of a table, while the cat had its mouth open just waiting for the mouse to drop in. I thought at the time my sadness over losing my Grandma was the cat, and the mouse, well that was my soul. It made no sense, but either did that entire year. I found it odd Joshua remembered it. “I’m kind of over the whole art thing,” I replied to him.

  Dropping us off at the apartment, Joshua helped me with Matt up the stairs. Finally getting him into the bedroom, Matt fell onto the mattress with ease. Matt was out cold and snoring by the time we shut the door to the bedroom.

  Walking Joshua to the front door, he paused for a moment and looked at me. “You ever think about coming to church? You already have family that goes there and-”

  Holding up a hand to stop him, I shook my head. “Don’t waste your breath Dude; I don’t need church… God’s never been in my life thus far and I’ve made it, I don’t plan to change that any time soon. No offense.”

  Nodding, Joshua said, “I had to try at least.”

  “I know… that’s like your thing or whatever.”

  “Have a good night Claire,” Joshua said as he left out the door and down the stairs.

  “Wait, how are you getting home?” I asked.

  “I’m having a buddy pick me up. I already shot him a text; he lives right up the road from here.”

  “Okay, have a good night,” I said shutting the door.

  CHAPTER 3

  While lying in bed next to the love of my life, I watched as Matt slept off the heavy night of drinking. He always slept in, but if he had been drinking the night before, he sleeps in a bit longer. He wa
s so handsome, strong and perfect.

  His eyes began to open. Squinting as he looked at me, he turned over and mumbled something incoherent.

  “What babe?” I asked, leaning over his shoulder.

  “Why’d that guy bring us home?” He asked raising his mouth up from his pillow to help project his voice.

  “We were both in no condition to drive…” I replied, running my fingers along his muscular arm.

  Turning around, he sat up and had a crazy look in his eye. “What’d he do?”

  “What do you mean babe? He brought us home…”

  “I might have been pretty drunk, but I know you guys put me in here and then talked out in the living room.”

  Shaking my head, I said, “He just left afterwards.”

  “Don’t lie to me…”

  “I’m not lying Matthew,” I said sharply as I stood up from the bed infuriated.

  “Why are you getting so upset and defensive?” He snapped at me.

  “Because you’re accusing me of…”

  Standing up, Matthew came closer to me. Grabbing the back of my head in an aggressive way, he pulled my face in close to his. “You’re not going to act like a whore if you want me to take care of you.”

  “Ummm… Excuse me?” I said, slapping his hands away from my head. “I wasn’t acting like one!” I shouted, heading for the doorway. Quickly jumping off his bed, he darted after me and slipped on a pile of clothing, bumping me and causing my head to slam into the door frame.

  “Ah!” I shouted, grabbing my head. When I pulled my hand away, I saw blood dripping. “What the hell Matt!” I screamed, rushing out of the bedroom and down the hallway towards the bathroom.

  Following after me, he began to plead, “I’m sorry babe! I slipped and bumped into you. Come here…”

  As I turned around, he grabbed me softly and began to inspect my head. “I’m so sorry… this is my fault… I shouldn’t have accused you of anything.”

  “Yeah – that was stupid! I am not a whore and never have given that impression off… right?”

  Shaking his head, he looked me in the eyes. “No baby… you’re perfect, I was just upset. I’m super hung over and I know that guy likes you.”

  “Okay…” I replied. “I need to get this cleaned up and get to work.”

  “Sounds good, I’ll give you a ride, even though you should quit… you’re so much better than that lame job.”

  “Without that lame job I wouldn’t have met you, would I?” I smiled at him.

  “That’s true, go ahead and get ready I’ll be waiting,” he smiled at me.

  Nodding, I continued onward to the bathroom.

  “Hey babe?” He said from the hallway. Turning around, my eyebrows were raised and I waited for a response. He smiled and said, “Forever and always.”

  “Forever and always,” I replied with a grin as I walked into the bathroom to get ready for work.

  Arriving at Slippery Treats for my shift, Matt pulled up to the front of the building. “Have a good shift love,” he said, leaning over the armrest to kiss me.

  “I will,” I replied confidently as I kissed him back.

  Coming through the double doors of the entrance, the frozen yogurt shop was empty except for a mother and her daughter enjoying a treat over at one of the green booths. I smiled at them as I came behind the counter to start my shift. When my eyes fell on my boss, Leslie, she looked upset as she tapped her foot and had her arms crossed.

  “You’re late again! And you look like someone beat you up!” She shouted as she reached a hand out to stop me. I glanced over to the lobby and saw the mother and daughter heading out the door, the shop was now completely empty.

  Cupping my forehead, I replied, “I fell into a wall. Being late isn’t that big of a deal, its winter… and it’s not like we were getting slammed… Look, they’re leaving.”

  “I don’t care if we aren’t getting slammed! If you work at two, come to work at two!” She shouted as she followed me into the back where I was headed to clock in.

  “Aye, Aye, Captain!” I snapped back at her.

  “That’s it. You’re done here.”

  “Whatever…” I said as I clicked into the login screen where I clock in. She reached her hand over and stopped me from clicking.

  “I’m serious. It’s bad enough you aren’t going back to school and now you just show up all the time hung over or stoned… And you’ve been showing up late… I’ve had it with you. Just leave.”

  “Come on! My parents just died!” I pleaded.

  Shaking her head, she said, “That’s no excuse. In fact, that’s a good reason to be a little bit more involved in your work here, but instead you’ve just been slacking off.”

  Running past her, I exited from behind the counter and back out to the parking lot. Coming outside, I took a deep breath as I rested my hands on my knees. Maybe Matt isn’t far? I thought. Calling his phone ended up on getting his voicemail.

  “Great! Ugh!” I shouted, walking down the sidewalk to get away from the frozen yogurt shop. Glancing over my shoulder, I could see back into Slippery Treats just beyond the oversized windows and Leslie was standing there with her hands on her hips, shaking her head. “Thanks for being an amazing boss…” I said under my breath as I kept walking.

  I was irate over the fact I got fired, but it wasn’t enough to bring me to tears. What is wrong with me? I wondered as I crossed the street. My thoughts shifted back to Matt. He shouldn’t be too upset… he hated that job anyways. Glancing up the road I loathed the idea of walking clear across town back to Matt’s. It’d take quite some time to make it back over there. I’ll just keep trying his phone; he’s bound to answer at some point. The breeze outside kept pushing cold air against me, causing an unshakable shiver.

  A car zoomed by, splashing through a puddle of snow and water, shooting it up onto the sidewalk. I jumped out of the way and found myself in front of a bridal shop. Looking through the display window, I saw a wedding dress that was exquisite. The gown was white, long and flowing with gemstones along the edges. I want to try that on, I thought to myself as my eyes lit up.

  Pulling open the shop door, a bell chimed as I entered. A tall and thin blonde woman approached me. “Can I help you?” she asked.

  “I’d like to try on this dress,” I said, pointing to the one in the window.

  “Sure… what size are you?” I saw her catch a glimpse of my wounded forehead. When I covered it, she looked away. That stupid head wound gets too much attention.

  “Eight,” I replied.

  She nodded and then vanished through a doorway into the back. Walking along the walls, I let my fingers touch each dress as I strolled by them. There were so many dresses. Some were disgusting and I felt nobody would ever buy, and then there were some with price tags in the tens of thousands that I assumed nobody could buy. Ending my stroll, I sat down on the couch that was near the window and let out a heavy breath. Glancing at my phone, I wondered when Matt would call me back.

  Thinking about Slippery Treats and how I just got canned, I suddenly remembered Nicole saying that the call center she worked at was hiring. At ten dollars an hour and full time, Matt would be happy.

  The woman reappeared from the back with the dress in hand. As she brought it over to me, she asked, “When’s the date?”

  “We haven’t set one,” I responded, nabbing the dress from her hands. Matt has said over and over again that he wants to marry me, but he has yet to propose. He’s probably waiting for the right moment. I’ve caught myself daydreaming several times of what the proposal would be like. With how extreme and passionate he was, I imagined a hot air balloon proposal over the Spokane Valley or up on a billboard at a Spokane Chiefs game.

  Taking my dress into the back dressing area, I put it on and looked in the mirror. I beamed with joy as I saw myself in it. It was perfect. With the dress on, I came back out of the dressing area to be surprised by Joshua and Trinka. Trinka was a new kid at school and part o
f Joshua’s group of Bible thumpers. Hiding myself behind a wall, I quickly asked, “What are you two doing?”

  “I’m here with Trinka; she needed someone to tag along with her to look at dresses.”

  “I see…” I could tell he saw the wonderment in my face to him being in a bridal shop.

  “Hey, before you get the wrong impression, I’m just being nice.” His palms were held out portraying his innocence and his words sounded genuine. “She wanted me to tag along since her Sister and bridesmaids won’t be here until right before the wedding…”

  “Okay, whatever, still weird.”

  He nodded and then shifted the conversation. “So you and Matt are getting married?” His eyes drifted to my wounded forehead.

  “Well of course,” I lied. The shop lady who had helped me earlier shot me glare as she overheard my deception. When I caught the glare, she quickly turned away and went about her business trying to look busy.

  “I see, well, congratulations, I hadn’t heard about it.” Turning, he looked back at Trinka to see she was on her way over to browse the dresses. “Well, I better go offer the little help I can,” He said with a smile as he hurried his steps and went to catch up with Trinka.

  Why’d I lie to him? I thought to myself as I went back into the dressing area to change back into my street clothes. As I put my jacket back on, I concluded that it was just a convenient way to shorten the conversation with him. I knew Matt wouldn’t be thrilled to know I was talking to Joshua without his knowing.

  Handing the dress back to the lady, I thought of my parents. Whenever my wedding date does happen, they won’t be there for me, they couldn’t be. I could feel my eyes well with tears. My phone began buzzing and broke my train of thought.

  “Hello?”

  “What’s up?” Matt asked.

  Turning away from the shop lady, I gave her a wave and headed back out onto the sidewalk. “I got fired...”

  “What? Why?”

  “I guess she was upset I was late…”

  “Dang.” He sighed heavily.

  “Well, I was talking to Nicole the other day and she mentioned her call center was hiring.”