Wanda E. Brunstetter - Love Finds a Way: 3 Modern Romances Make Falling in Love Simple and Sweet

2012 by Wanda E. Brunstetter

Print ISBN 978-1-61626-670-7

e-Book Editions:

Adobe Digital Edition (.epub) 978-1-60742-746-9

Kindle and MobiPocket Edition (.prc) 978-1-60742-747-6

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted for commercial purposes, except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without written permission of the publisher.

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the H OLY B IBLE , N EW I NTERNATIONAL V ERSION. NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the authors imagination or used fictitiously. Any similarity to actual people, organizations, and/or events is purely coincidental.

For more information about Wanda E. Brunstetter, please access the authors website at the following Internet address: www.wandabrunstetter.com

Cover design: Mllerhaus Publishing Arts, Inc., www.Mullerhaus.net

Published by Barbour Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 719, Uhrichsville, OH 44683, www.barbourbooks.com

Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

Printed in the United States of America.

BLUEBERRY
SURPRISE

To my friend Jan Otte, whose sweet treats
have brought joy to so many people.
And to my daughter, Lorine VanCorbach,
a talented musician who has fulfilled
her hearts desire of teaching music.

R ain splattered against the windshield in drops the size of quarters. The darkening sky seemed to swallow Lorna Pattersons compact car as it headed west on the freeway toward the heart of Seattle, Washington.

Im sick of this soggy weather, Lorna muttered, gripping the steering wheel with determination and squinting her eyes to see out the filmy window. Im drained from working two jobs, and I am not happy with my life.

The burden of weariness crept through Lornas body, like a poisonous snake about to overtake an unsuspecting victim. Each day as she pulled herself from bed at five in the morning, willing her tired body to move on its own, Lorna asked herself how much longer she could keep going the way she was.

She felt moisture on her cheeks and sniffed deeply. Will

I ever be happy again, Lord? Its been over a year since Rons death. My heart aches to find joy and meaning in life.

Lorna flicked the blinker switch and turned onto the exit ramp. Soon she was pulling into the parking lot of Farmens Restaurant, already full of cars.

The place buzzed with activity when she entered through the back door, used only by the restaurant employees and for deliveries. Lorna hung her umbrella and jacket on a wall peg in the coatroom. I hope Im not too late, she whispered to her friend and coworker, Chris Williams.

Chris glanced at the clock on the opposite wall. Your shift was supposed to start half an hour ago, but Ive been covering for you.

Thanks. I appreciate that.

Is everything all right? You didnt have car troubles, I hope.

Lorna shook her head. Traffic on the freeway was awful, and the rain didnt make things any easier.

Chris offered Lorna a wide grin, revealing two crescent-shaped dimples set in the middle of her pudgy cheeks. Her light brown hair was pulled up in a ponytail, which made her look less like a woman of thirty-three and more like a teenager. Lorna was glad her own hair was short and naturally curly. She didnt have to do much, other than keep her blond locks clean, trimmed, and combed.

You know Seattle, Chris said with a snicker. Weather-wise, it wasnt much of a summer, was it? And now fall is just around the corner.

It wasnt much of a year either, Lorna thought ruefully. She drew in a deep breath and released it with a moan. I am so tiredof everything.

Im not surprised. Chris shook her finger. Work, work, work. Thats all you ever do. Clerking at Moores Mini-Mart during the day and working as a waitress here at night. Theres no reason for you to be holding down two jobs now that She broke off her sentence. Sorry. Its none of my business how you spend your time. I hate to see you looking so sad and tired, thats all.

Lorna forced a smile. I know you care, Chris, and I appreciate your concern. You probably dont understand this, but I need to keep busy. Its the only way I can cope with my loss. If I stay active, I dont have time to think or even feel.

There are other ways to keep busy, you know, Chris reminded her.

I hope youre not suggesting I start dating again. You know Im not ready for that. Lorna pursed her lips as she slowly shook her head. Im not sure Ill ever be ready to date, much less commit to another man.

Im not talking about dating. There are other things in life besides love and romance. Just ask methe Old Maid of the West. Chris blinked her eyelids dramatically and wrinkled her nose.

Lorna chuckled, in spite of her dour mood, and donned her red and blue monogrammed Farmens apron. What would you suggest I do with my time?

How about what youve always wanted to do?

And that would be?

Follow your heart. Go back to school and get your degree.

Lorna frowned. Oh, that. Ive put my own life on hold so long, Im not sure I even want college anymore.

Oh, please! Chris groaned. How many times have I heard you complain about having to give up your dream of teaching music to elementary school kids?

Lorna shrugged. I dont know. Dozens, maybe.

Chris patted her on the back. Nows your chance for some real adventure.

Lorna swallowed hard. She knew her friend was probably right, but she also knew going back to school would be expensive, not to mention the fact that she was much older now and would probably feel self-conscious among those college kids. It would be an adventure all right. Most likely a frightening one.

Think about it, Chris whispered as she headed for the dining room.

Ill give it some thought, Lorna said to her friends retreating form.

Evan Bailey leaned forward in his chair and studied the recipe that had recently been posted online. Peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies. Sounds good to me. He figured Cynthia Lyons, his online cooking instructor, must like desserts. Yesterday shed listed a recipe for peach cobbler, the day before that it was cherries jubilee, and todays sweet treat was his all-time favorite cookie.

Evan was glad hed stumbled onto the website, especially since learning to cook might fit into his plans for the future.

He hit the P RINT button and smiled. For the past few years hed been spinning his wheels, not sure whether to make a career of the air force or get out at the end of his tour and go back to college. He was entitled to some money under the GI Bill, so he had finally decided to take advantage of it. Military life had its benefits, but now that Evan was no longer enlisted, he looked forward to becoming a school guidance counselor, or maybe a child psychologist. In a few weeks he would enroll at Bay View Christian College and be on his way to meeting the first of his two goals.