Love Finds a Way

BLUEBERRY
SURPRISE

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

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

The burden of weariness crept through Lorna’s 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? It’s been over a year since Ron’s 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 Farmen’s 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 I’m 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 I’ve been covering for you.”

“Thanks. I appreciate that.”

“Is everything all right? You didn’t have car troubles, I hope.”

Lorna shook her head. “Traffic on the freeway was awful, and the rain didn’t 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 didn’t 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 wasn’t much of a summer, was it? And now fall is just around the corner.”

It wasn’t much of a year either
, Lorna thought ruefully. She drew in a deep breath and released it with a moan. “I am so tired—of everything.”

“I’m not surprised.” Chris shook her finger. “Work, work, work. That’s all you ever do. Clerking at Moore’s Mini-Mart during the day and working as a waitress here at night. There’s no reason for you to be holding down two jobs now that …” She broke off her sentence. “Sorry. It’s none of my business how you spend your time. I hate to see you looking so sad and tired, that’s all.”

Lorna forced a smile. “I know you care, Chris, and I appreciate your concern. You probably don’t understand this, but I need to keep busy. It’s the only way I can cope with my loss. If I stay active, I don’t have time to think or even feel.”

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

“I hope you’re not suggesting I start dating again. You know I’m not ready for that.” Lorna pursed her lips as she slowly shook her head. “I’m not sure I’ll ever be ready to date, much less commit to another man.”

“I’m not talking about dating. There are other things in life besides love and romance. Just ask me—the 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 Farmen’s apron. “What would you suggest I do with my time?”

“How about what you’ve always wanted to do?”

“And that would be?”

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

Lorna frowned. “Oh, that. I’ve put my own life on hold so long, I’m 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 don’t know. Dozens, maybe.”

Chris patted her on the back. “Now’s 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.

“I’ll give it some thought,” Lorna said to her friend’s 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 she’d listed a recipe for peach cobbler, the day before that it was cherries jubilee, and today’s sweet treat was his all-time favorite cookie.

Evan was glad he’d 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 he’d 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.

Evan’s other goal involved a woman. He had recently celebrated his twenty-eighth birthday and felt ready to settle down. He thought Bay View would offer him not only a good education, but hopefully a sweet, Christian wife as well. He closed his eyes, and visions of a pretty soul mate and a couple of cute kids danced through his head.

Caught up in his musings, Evan hadn’t noticed that the paper had jammed in his printer until he opened his eyes again. He reached for the document and gritted his teeth when he saw the blinking light, then snapped open the lid. “I think I might need a new one of these to go along with that wife I’m looking for.” He pulled the paper free and chuckled. “Of course, she’d better not be full of wrinkles, like this pitiful piece of paper.”

Drawing his gaze back to the computer, Evan noticed on the website that not only was Cynthia Lyons listing one recipe per day, but beginning tomorrow, she would be opening her chat room to anyone interested in discussing the dos and don’ts of making sweet treats. Her note mentioned that the participants would be meeting once a week at six o’clock Pacific standard time.

“Good. It’s the same time zone as Seattle. Wonder where she lives?” Evan positioned his cursor over the sign-up list and hit E
NTER
. Between the recipes Cynthia posted regularly and the online chat, he was sure he’d be cooking up a storm in no time at all.