Love Interrupted: A Sweet Christian Romance Read online

  “I know who she is; Rosie couldn’t stop talking about her Sunday when we got home from church. I knew Tim and Lisa had a kid, but didn’t make the connection until Rosie started talking about her. They live just down the street.”

  “I didn’t know that,” Liam said surprised.

  “Yeah, they are pretty well off, Tim and Lisa own the COHO and Seahorse hotels here in town.”

  “Ahh… I see…” Liam said looking back at Derek as he came back into the living room.

  “Katie’s going to come over and visit with her, she’ll be here around six o’clock,” Derek said looking at Liam and then over to Tiffany.

  “Okay, good. That will make Rosie happy. That reminds me, The Rothway’s, Tim and Lisa, will be throwing a masquerade ball tomorrow. You two should come; it’s at The COHO event hall.”

  “I don’t know about that…” Liam said. I don’t want to party, I need to just stay focused.

  Tiffany interrupted him again, “It’s a clean affair, no booze. Just costumes and punch. It’s going to be great and it’s a good way for you to get more acquainted with people.” Liam thought to himself, No alcohol and I can connect with more people, seems like a good thing.

  “Okay, I’ll go,” Liam said with a smile.

  “I’ll be there also,” Derek said patting Liam on the shoulder. “We better get going; we need to go setup for New Life tonight.” Tiffany got up from the couch and rushed over to them.

  “Thank you so much for trying, hopefully Katie will be able to better reach Rosie,” She said hugging them both.

  8-Katie

  “What was that about?” Tristan asked.

  “This girl Rosie, from the youth group at the church needs me to come visit. She had a sister pass away from drugs and she’s really struggling with it… I don’t know how to feel about it,” Katie said before taking a bite of her pretzel.

  “Why? You went through all that stuff with Elana… It’s good to help her out, you’ve been through it and came out the other side.”

  “I know… It just brings up all these old feelings and memories of Elana… and I just thought I saw her… It’s just a door I wanted to shut and it feels like it is being reopened.” Katie set her pretzel down and her eyes watered up a little. She began shaking her hands in front of her eyes to dry them. “It’s like… it feels like she’s dying all over again and the worst part is knowing she alive and is somewhere in this stupid city. She could be dead… she could be alive, I don’t know!” Tristan got up and sat in the chair next to Katie and hugged her.

  “It’s going to be okay. She’s okay and maybe she’ll come back home, we don’t know Katie.” Tristan rubbed Katie’s shoulder to try to comfort her.

  “She’s never coming back… Tristan,” Katie said dropping her head onto Tristan’s shoulder. I have to put this aside and move on, I can’t let these memories control me. Sitting upright, Katie cleared her eyes of the tears and picked up her pretzel. “It’s time to move on. I’ll go see Rosie and help her through this time in her life.”

  **

  Upon arriving back home, Katie dropped her purse on the counter and headed back outside to walk down to Rosie’s house. Helga followed behind her and stood at the entryway of the house.

  “Did you want me to start dinner?” Helga asked. Katie looked back at from the sidewalk and nodded.

  “Yeah…” Katie said nodding her head in annoyance. Focusing on the task ahead, Katie thought to herself, just don’t break down, whatever you do, don’t break down.

  Knocking on the door, Katie hugged herself to stay warm as she waited. Her purple puffed coat was warm, but the breeze had a bite in the air that just added enough chill to make it unbearable. Tiffany answered the door beaming.

  “Katie!” she said giving her a hug. “How are your parents? Craig and I are looking forward to the ball tomorrow.” Katie returned the smile politely. Katie’s parents were known for their extravagant parties and attracted even well known celebrities from Portland on occasion.

  “They are good, they got delayed and won’t be in until late this evening,” Katie said stepping inside, shutting the door behind her. Looking towards the hallway Katie wondered if that’s where Rosie’s room was located.

  “I see, well I am sure it will be lovely. Go ahead and go see Rosie, she’s in her room down this hallway, last one on the left,” Tiffany said.

  “I’m sorry… but I have to ask, why are you so happy? I expected to find you devastated…” Katie said politely.

  “That boy Liam was over here earlier and what he said… it just struck a chord with me. He explained why he was happy and it made me realize we should have the joy of the Lord in our hearts all the time.” Katie smile and nodded. That’s interesting he was able to sway her so easily… We should have the Lord’s joy in our heart though, so it makes sense. Katie smiled politely and walked down the hallway towards Rosie’s room. Upon entering Rosie’s room, her heart sank in pain as she saw her curled up in a ball. I remember that feeling… Like nobody understands and you just want to curl up in a ball and disappear. Keep it together Katie, keep it together.

  Sitting on the edge of Rosie’s bed, Katie placed her hand on Rosie’s head and brushed her hair back to see her red eyes streaming tears of a broken heart. “Hi Rosie…” Katie said softly.

  “They don’t understand… nobody does… this pain in my chest is a knotted mess and it numbs me…” Rosie said choking on her words as they spilled from her lips. Katie knew the feeling, the lump that felt like it was going to stay in your chest forever.

  “I’ve been there… It’s the worst pain imaginable… Why’d you hurt yourself though Rosie?” Katie asked with heaviness in her tone. Rosie sat up and turned around looking at her dead on in the eyes. Her eyes were hazel in color and the whites of her eyes were bloodshot from the never ending crying.

  “I wanted to feel something… The cutting made me feel something other than the pain of my sister being gone. It made me feel human, it made me feel like I could be somewhere else, if only for a moment… I know it doesn’t make any sense…” Rosie said with her head hanging low. Katie rubbed Rosie’s shoulder slightly to comfort her.

  “Emotional turmoil like what you are going through is insanely difficult… People don’t lose their sister this young, but you did. The pain makes us act in ways we don’t understand.” Katie thought back to the night the last time she saw her sister.

  Getting up off the floor after Elana smacked her and took the plastic bag, Katie stormed down the stairs after her out the front door. She saw Elana running down the middle of the street with the bag in hand. Katie darted in a full on sprint after her until a car approached the side of Elana and stopped. Elana jumped in and the car turned around screeching down the road. Katie ran back into the house and destroyed her sister Elana’s room. She threw the lamp from the nightstand at the mirror; she ripped clothing out of the closet and piled it onto Elana’s bed. Katie grabbed the matches off the dresser and lit the pile of clothes on the bed on fire. Tossing everything she could grab from Elana’s room, she piled the items into the fire and walked out of the room. Helga came rushing by screaming as she saw the fire in Elana’s room.

  “Katie, what have you done?” Helga screamed as she ran into the bathroom and grabbed a cup of water, she ran between the bathroom and Elana’s room putting out the fire that Katie had started.

  Coming back from her memory of her sister, Katie grabbed Rosie’s face with both her hands, “Accidents happen, Rosie. This all was just a terrible accident and you will get better. Have you been praying?”

  “I have… but it doesn’t feel like God’s listening to my prayers,” Rosie said as she began to cry more.

  “God’s always listening, even when we are hurting and we can’t see him doing much in our lives, he’s always there and he hears our afflictions,” Katie said hugging Rosie. Rosie’s crying began to subside.

  “Can we go to New Life?” Rosie asked with hopeful eyes. Katie was caught off guard by the request. She hadn’t been to the New Life group and didn’t have a desire to do so with that Liam guy being there. Don’t let one man stand in your way of helping this girl, Katie thought to herself.

  “Okay… What time does it start?” Katie asked. Rosie wiped her remaining tears away and looked around for her phone. Grabbing it from the nightstand, she looked at the time.

  “About 20 minutes ago…” She said looking up at Katie, “Do you think being late would matter?”

  “Nah, let’s go.” Katie pulled her phone out and texted Helga to stop making dinner and to get the car and come get them.

  **

  Arriving at the church, they went into sanctuary to find Derek leading the youth group in song while he played the guitar. This sanctuary seems to work fine for their youth activities; I don’t see why they need an entire building. Joining the rest of the youth, they stood in a pew singing.

  “At the cross, at the cross… I surrender my life… I’m in awe of You…” They sang along with the lyrics up on the wall behind Derek and Liam. Liam smiled at Katie and she felt a twinge of butterflies when their eyes met. What was that? She thought to herself. Remember, you don’t like him! They continued to sing through songs until they were asked to be seated.

  “I want to say thank you for coming to the new kids that have shown up today.” Liam looked across the 20 or so teens and Katie did also. Wow, a lot more than on Sunday! I’m impressed, Katie thought to herself. “We want to keep building this group and let God’s love reach all over Lincoln City,” Liam said as he kept glancing Katie’s direction. Each time he’d look at her, she’d feel a fluttering of butterflies rush through her. You hate him, you don’t like him, stop it!

  “Okay, let’s head over to Taft, the sport’s d
irector at the Physical Education department has been kind of enough to let us use their gymnasium for tonight’s dodge ball session.” The kids cheered and high fived each other over the news of getting to play dodge ball. Katie thought to herself, letting the kids play instead of giving them a message? Huh… Interesting tactic since they need God more than ever at this age. This guy is kind of whacked in his ideas… But why do I feel so attracted to him right now?

  As everyone stood up and headed out to the church parking lot, Liam stopped Katie. “Go ahead to the parking lot Rosie, I’ll be there in a second,” Katie said. Rosie left the sanctuary out to the parking lot.

  “Did you get through to her?” Liam asked. Katie noticed his sincerity in the concern for Rosie’s well being and felt touched that he cared so deeply.

  “I think I did...” Katie said.

  “That’s great. Derek and I tried talking to her earlier and it didn’t work out. Thanks for going over there,” Liam said looking her in the eyes. Katie nodded as she put her purse over her shoulder flashing him a smile. “Do you want to grab some dinner?” Liam asked.

  “Yes,” Katie responded immediately without thinking about it. Why’d I agree to a date? Dang it… He’s cute though… and thoughtful.

  “Great! Tonight? After dodge ball?” Liam said.

  “Well, I have my maid outside waiting with a car for me and Rosie,” Katie responded looking back towards the sanctuary doors.

  “Just tell your maid to take Rosie home and I’ll take you in my truck.” Katie nodded and they left the sanctuary, proceeding to the parking lot.

  “That’ll work.” Just dinner can’t hurt. Getting into the back of her town car, she couldn’t keep her eyes off him as he got into his truck. There’s something different about that guy. I can’t seem to peg it though.

  “A new boy toy?” Helga asked as Katie shut the door to the car. “He’s cute.”

  “No, it’s not like that. I am going to have dinner with him, but it’s just that, dinner. I need to talk to him anyways about the fundraiser results… we aren’t going to waste money on the development of a youth building. The sanctuary seems to work fine for them.”

  **

  Stepping onto the court for dodge ball, Katie looked up to see Liam came prepared. He had shorts and a tank top on that revealed his toned arms. So what? He has nice arms. I don’t care. “I don’t think I want to play,” Rosie said leaning up into Katie’s ear. Turning to her, Katie’s face weighed with sorrow. I remember wanting to do nothing.

  “You’ll have fun… You are already here, so you might as well play,” Katie said patting her on the back. “Trust me.”

  “Okay, if you say so…” Rosie said with a forced smile. Liam and Derek placed the dodge balls up and down the center of the basketball court. With everyone lined up on each side, Liam blew the whistle and everyone ran towards the center grabbing the balls.

  They played for an hour before stopping just shy of eight-thirty. With sweat dripping from his head, Liam headed into the locker room. Katie noticed his definition as the shirt stuck to his muscles. He’s gorgeous, she thought to herself while taking a drink of her water before she went into the women’s locker room.

  9-Liam

  Climbing into the truck, Liam turned the key over and it didn’t start. Katie looked at him and smiled politely. She probably thinks this is a piece of junk… I can see those judging eyes. Liam turned the key back and said a quick, silent prayer.

  Please Lord, just let it start.

  Turning the key again and pumping the gas, the truck fired up. “There we go,” Liam said flashing a smile over to Katie. “Pier 101 okay?” Liam asked putting his truck into gear.

  “Yeah, that’s fine,” Katie said. They traveled down Highway 101 to the restaurant that was about ten minutes away. Arriving to the restaurant, Liam saw Katie wave to a few people as they entered.

  “You come here often?” Liam asked as they were seated in the restaurant section of the bar and grill.

  “My dad owns a couple hotels in town; being known comes with being a Rothway.” Liam pulled out a chair for her as they sat down at the table. Sounds a little conceited if you ask me, he thought. A waitress came over after a few minutes.

  “Hi, I’m Lexi and I’ll be your server, can I get you started with an appetizer and some drinks?” Liam looked over at Katie, indicating she could order first.

  “Do you have any bottled water?” Katie asked.

  “Yep, sure thing,” the waitress said before looking over at Liam.

  “I’ll take a coke,” Liam said with a polite nod. Glancing at the appetizers on the menu, Liam decided against it. “That’ll be all.” The waitress disappeared into the back. “So what’s the deal with you hating the youth group? You seemed to connect pretty well with Rosie.”

  “Straight to the point aren’t ya?” Katie asked. The waitress returned with their drinks and Katie opened her water and wiped the opening with a napkin.

  “Why do you do that?” Liam asked intrigued.

  “Germs… You can never be too safe,” Katie said taking a drink of her water. She continued, “As far as the youth group is concerned, I don’t hate them, I just don’t think they need a building. I think it’s just a waste of money when the church needs serious upgrades.”

  “The church has a sanctuary, how’s that a need?” Liam asked.

  “It’s… I don’t know… Why do you insist on coming to town and making things difficult? Derek and I agreed on this until you came into town. The fundraiser fell flat and there just are not enough funds to give the youth group its own building.” She’s so narrow minded and stuck in her ways.

  “That youth group is going to keep growing and the sanctuary doesn’t provide adequate space for youth activities, not to mention that the older adults want it back for their Sunday school class. You have to be able to see the value here… just a bit?” Their waitress returned to take their orders and Liam sat back in his seat. “I’ll take a BLT,” Liam said handing his menu to the server.

  “I’ll take a house salad, but instead of ranch, I’ll have blue cheese and bring it on the side.” Katie handed her menu to the server. “Look Liam, the youth are just going to end up doing whatever they want anyways in the end.”

  “I know you have issues with your sister, but that doesn’t mean other kids shouldn’t have a chance… Look at what’s going on with Rosie,” Liam said confidently looking Katie in the eyes.

  “My sister? She’s a prime example of the problem with the youth. I do see what’s going on with Rosie. She’s broken, upset and hurt because of her sister’s drug overdose. It’s another drug-addict sister vanishing from a Christian home, just like my sister. Don’t you see how it doesn’t matter what values you instill into children Liam?” Liam noticed Katie was about to cry and decided to shift the topic away from it.

  “I’m sorry… let’s talk about something else. How did you like tonight’s New Life? I thought it went well,” Liam said. She had to of had fun, she was having a blast at dodge ball.

  “It was fun…” Katie said, Liam could sense her holding something back.