River's Edge (Hope Rising Book 1) Page 12

  “You look beautiful, as always,” Natalie replied.

  “Thank you, love. Now, I’m off to enjoy the last of this wonderful evening. Take care, you two.” With a grin, Esme clutched her oversized jacket around her chest and shuffled off across the park, stopping to chat to people along the way. Ben could’t contain the grin on his face. His chest heaved with long-forgotten feelings he’d missed so dearly. Peace. Contentment. Joy. And all thanks to the woman he held in his arms who’d shown him the meaning of hope.

  A drop of rain landed on Natalie’s nose. She angled her head upwards as the last of the fireworks drifted away on the breeze. Soon the heavens opened and rain pelted down.

  “Perfect timing.” Ben released her, and quickly helped her pack the last tray of brownies and the table into the van. Around the park, people sprang to their feet, gathering chairs and blankets off the ground. Vendors rushed to pack up their stalls, while the crowd dispersed in a melee of madness with people scurrying to their cars and the nearby bus shelter.

  Apart from other vendors and organisers of the festival, the park was soon all but deserted. A bubble of laughter escaped Natalie’s lips as she darted under the awning of the van.

  “I prayed the rain would hold out until the end. And it did. God’s got a great sense of humour.” She wiped water from her face as her body shivered with cold. Her hair hung in limp strands around her face while her clothing clung to her body. “You must be freezing,” she called to Ben over the downpour. “I’d offer you your jacket, but it’s soaked.”

  “I’m good. How are you?”

  “I’m okay.” She laughed as sheets of water cascaded over the awning, creating a waterfall of seclusion around them. “This is crazy!”

  Ben’s mouth was inches from her forehead as they huddled together against the van. Water gushed around their feet, soaking into his joggers. Without another thought, he cupped Natalie’s face in his hands, wiping away the water with the pads of this thumbs. His breath came in short bursts as her gaze rose to meet his.

  The relentless downpour drowned out any noise, and any sane thought other than for the woman standing before him. He lowered his lips to meet hers. And just as he’d thought all along, they were soft. Supple. Inviting.

  Closing his eyes, he listened to the rhythm of his heart, urging him to savour the promise of what now lay within his reach. He didn’t want to move too fast, but when Natalie’s hands slid around his neck, and her fingers ran through his hair, he was lost - captivated by her beauty and her heart. He didn’t have anything to offer by the world’s standards, but he had his heart. And by God’s grace, he hoped it was enough for the woman who’d turned his life around.

  Epilogue

  Ben loaded the last of the cardboard boxes into the van and slammed the back door. Sliding onto the driver’s seat, he waved to Graham and Sue standing together on the footpath in front of their apartment building.

  “Thanks again. I really appreciate everything you’ve both done for me.”

  “You’re more than welcome. All the best, Ben. We’ll be praying for you.”

  “Thanks. Keep doing that. It seems to be working.” He chuckled. “I’ll have you over for a meal as soon as I’m settled. I can’t promise a gourmet feast, but it will be edible.”

  “And you’re welcome here anytime,” Sue called as Ben started the ignition.

  With a honk of the horn and another wave, he pulled onto the street and headed through the Valley towards the river. Turning the stereo up, he drummed his fingers on the steering wheel in time with the popular beat. After a few minutes, he pulled into the familiar park and waved to Smiley who was sitting on their bench. He’d dropped by to say goodbye to some of their friends. There were so many memories and so many conversations wrapped up in that one place. He wondered who would take it over once they’d gone.

  Winding down the window, he called out, “Want a ride?”

  “Only with you.” Smiley grabbed his trolley and shuffled over to the van, loaded his belongings in the back, and climbed onto the passenger seat.

  With the wind rushing through the open windows, the two men chatted as Ben drove out of the city. The Kurilpa Bridge disappeared in the rearview mirror along with the remnants of another life, and before long, they entered a leafy suburb verging on the outskirts of the city.

  “Here we go.” Ben grinned, pulling into the driveway of a single storey Queenslander. Set between two larger homes that had been renovated, the weatherboard house was small and in desperate need of a new coat of paint. But it was all he could afford on his wage. After three months of working at the hardware store, he’d been offered a promotion and had already begun training in store management.

  “Nice place.” Smiley climbed down from the van and stood on the driveway, raising a hand to shield his eyes as he surveyed the house with its peeling paint and overgrown lawn. Wooden steps led to a wraparound verandah. Wrought iron lace added a decorative touch to the exterior, and would have looked beautiful in its heyday, but was now coated in rust and in need of repair.

  “Better than the Kurilpa Bridge?” Ben hauled a few boxes up the front steps.

  “You have no idea. This is a mansion compared to what I’ve been used to.”

  A musty smell greeted them as Ben unlocked the front door. Placing the boxes against a wall, he walked through the house, opening windows to allow fresh air to filter through. Dust motes danced in beams of sunlight pouring through the open windows. Peeling paint and faded wallpaper lined the walls. The Tasmanian oak floorboards were dull. And the kitchen, with its pine timber cabinets and lime green benchtops, was a little dated. But for now, it was his.

  “You’ve got first pick.” Ben gestured up the hallway that offered a perfect blank canvas for displaying photographs.

  “What do ya mean?” Smiley rocked his trolley back and forth on the timber floor.

  “Go ahead and choose your room.”

  “Don’t you want the main bedroom? After all, you’ve done all the hard work.”

  “I don’t really mind. As long as I’ve got a bed to sleep on, and a roof over my head, I’ll be happy,” Ben replied. Never did he think he’d see the day where a poky, rundown timber house would be his castle.

  After sorting out the bedrooms, Ben unpacked the few boxes of his worldly possessions. He didn’t own much. Sue had given him some kitchen utensils and a few other bits and pieces, and he would buy things as he needed them. After living on the streets, he’d come to the realisation that he didn’t really need much to survive.

  When most of the unpacking was complete, Ben opened the dust-covered French doors leading out onto the back deck.

  “Hey, Smiley,” he called, stepping outside, avoiding the nails poking out of some of the wooden planks. “Come and have a look at this.” Footsteps echoed from inside, and soon Smiley appeared beside him.

  “Would you look at that,” Smiley murmured, letting out a low whistle. The older man placed a hand on the faded green timber railing. The tree line parted along the back fence, giving them an unobstructed view of the city skyline. “We’re kings. Look at us. Million dollar views all around.”

  “It’s great, isn’t it? Once I cut back some of that scrub there, I reckon we’ll have views for days.” The memories of his former home in the affluent western suburbs were but a blur as his heart filled with gratitude at what he had now. He was thankful for the second chance he’d been given. And he was thankful he could offer the same to his friend.

  A beautiful woman had taught him about generosity and helping those in need. If he could only do half of what she did, then he would be more than content.

  The Artist’s brushstrokes filled the sky with an array of pinks and oranges, creating a stunning heavenly display as the sun dipped low behind the trees.

  “It’s truly amazing,” Smiley breathed. “I’ve always loved a good display in the sky, but this is something else.” He shook his head, and Ben’s heart warmed at the look of pure joy on his frien
d’s face.

  After enjoying an early dinner of oven-baked fish and chips, courtesy of Sue’s grocery haul, Smiley settled in front of the television set given to them by people from the church.

  “Isn’t this pure luxury? This is five-star at its best!” Smiley waved a hand around as he wriggled into the recliner and elevated his feet. “I’ll still be here when you get back, mate. Take all the time you need.”

  Grabbing his jacket and keys, Ben bid Smiley farewell and stepped out the front door. Climbing into the van, he tossed his jacket onto the passenger seat and started the ignition. Anxiety coiled in his gut as he drove away from his new home towards the city.

  Even at night, the city streets were busy with traffic and pedestrians. He’d always kept away from the crowds once the sun went down, but this was something he would have to get used to. The city. The people. Society.

  After exiting the freeway, he pulled into a gravel carpark and saw a familiar figure waiting outside the low grey building. He never tired of seeing her, and he took his time gathering his jacket in order to calm the racing of his heart.

  “Hey.” He ambled over, adjusting his jacket over his arm.

  “Hi, yourself.” Natalie smiled and her entire face lit up.

  “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be.”

  Ben opened the door, ushering her inside the building where they’d soon be experiencing a guided walk across Brisbane’s iconic cantilever bridge. A television in the corner of the room played a montage of people climbing the Story Bridge. Photographs of stunning scenery atop the bridge adorned the walls. In the corner of the room, a display of original black and white photographs depicted the construction of the iconic bridge.

  After announcing their arrival to the receptionist, Ben gestured towards a row of chairs and they sat.

  “How’d the move go?” Natalie turned towards him, clasping her hands on her lap.

  “Yeah, good. I’ve unpacked mostly everything. We didn’t have much to move, so it didn’t take long. ”

  “I’m so happy for you, Ben. Sorry I couldn’t help today. I wasn’t able to get out of my shift because they’ve been short-staffed lately.”

  Ben waved her apology away. “All good. I’m not going anywhere, and you know you’re welcome to come over anytime.”

  The front door swung open and another couple walked in.

  “That’s our last booking. Is everyone ready?” The receptionist came out from behind the counter and led the two couples through to another room where a man wearing grey coloured overalls with loops around the belted waist greeted them. After introducing himself as Rob, he showed the group a short safety video, before fitting them with harnesses.

  “All right. Who’s ready to climb?” Rob’s enthusiasm was contagious, and a small cheer went up from the group. Ben reached for Natalie’s hand, giving it a light squeeze as they followed Rob out a side door leading them beneath the pylons of the Story Bridge.

  As they walked, Rob gave a fascinating talk about the history of the bridge and informed them it was only one of three bridge climbs in the world. After navigating the under part of the bridge, the group began the stair climb. Hooking their carabiners - the specialised shackles for climbing - onto the rail, they climbed the narrow stairs in single file.

  “Are you warm enough?” Ben called over his shoulder to Natalie.

  “For now.” The overalls provided by the company weren’t attractive in any way, but they offered some warmth and protection against the wind.

  “Wow!” The woman behind Natalie gasped as they ascended the stairs and approached the narrow walkway across the top of the bridge where the nation’s flag fluttered high and proud in the wind. It was a postcard snapshot, with the city lit up against the night sky, and the inky waters of the Brisbane River snaking below them.

  “This is amazing,” Natalie murmured, locking her carabiner into place on the rail. “Thanks for inviting me to do this. It’s been one of the things on my bucket list, so now I can tick it off.”

  Ben moved his rope beside Natalie’s. “You’re welcome. I used to look at the bridge from down by the river and wonder what the view would be like from up here.”

  “Now you don’t need to wonder any more. It’s absolutely incredible,” Natalie sighed.

  “Yes, it is. And so are you.”

  Natalie turned towards him, her lips slightly parted, her eyes questioning.

  Rob led the other couple further along the catwalk to take photos with the city as a backdrop. For now, it was just Ben and Natalie on top of the world.

  With his gaze fixed on hers, he lifted her hand to his lips. With his spare hand, he fumbled in the pocket of his overalls.

  “Natalie,” he began, his voice choking with emotion. He sniffed and raised his head, taking in the expanse of sky above them where a million stars shone against the black velvet night. “I’m not the man I used to be. And that’s all thanks to you. For believing in me, for encouraging me, and for introducing me to the One who made me.” He blew out a breath and chuckled. “This is crazy.”

  Natalie’s eyes were wide. Hopeful. Her face aglow with wonder. Anticipation.

  “You are my angel. You saw beyond the wreck of a man I was and helped me start again. When everyone else rejected me, you accepted me. When everyone else ran away, you stayed. I may not have much to offer in terms of money, but I have my heart, which will always be yours if you’ll accept it. I want to walk the rest of my life with you by my side. Will you marry me?”

  A single tear rolled down Natalie’s cheek. Cupping her palm to Ben’s cheek, she smiled softly. “Of course I will.”

  Her melodious laughter lilted on the air as Ben slid a simple solitaire diamond ring onto her finger.

  “It’s not extravagant, but its beauty reminds me of you.”

  “Ben, it’s stunning.”

  “Like I said …” Natalie’s lips crashed over his, silencing his words. Wrapping her arms around his neck, they celebrated their love in a connection of joy, wonderment and hope.

  A cheer erupted from somewhere behind them, and the others in their small group applauded their display. Natalie pulled away from Ben, laughing. He grinned at the blush slowly creeping up her neck.

  “Congratulations!” Rob called. “We need to capture this moment.”

  After untangling their ropes, Ben leaned against the rail and pulled Natalie to him, kissing the top of her head. His heart was overflowing.

  “Say ‘Cheese!’” As Rob held up the digital camera, Ben lowered his lips to Natalie’s once more, sealing his love, his heart, and his future with the woman who’d given him everything.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading River’s Edge, book 1 in the Hope Rising Series.

  I was inspired to tell Ben’s story after witnessing homelessness on the streets of some of the cities I have visited. I am often curious about how people reach a point where homelessness is their only choice. What has happened in their lives to bring them to that point? I know homelessness is a complex issue - and there are many facets contributing to the choices people make, including mental health, drug addiction and abuse, and unfortunately, it’s not such a simple issue to resolve.

  While my story is fictitious, the reality of hope is not. The hope and unconditional love found in Jesus Christ alone is available for each and every person, regardless of their social situation and their status in life. It is my prayer that you would come to know that hope and love in your own life as well.

  Blessings,

  Kristen.

  Please take a moment and leave a review for River’s Edge. Honest reviews of my books help bring them to the attention of other readers just like yourself, and I’d be very grateful if you could spare a few minutes to leave a review (it can be as short as you like) on the book’s Amazon page and/or Goodreads.

  Thank you!

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  About the Author

  Kristen M. Fraser is a Christian fiction author, residing in beautiful Queensland, Australia with her husband and four children. She drinks way too much coffee, has a far too messy house, and probably doesn’t get enough sleep. When she’s not being the family Uber driver, or making a gazillion school lunches, Kristen loves running, climbing mountains, spending time at the beach, and given a moment of solitude (ha!), curling up with a good book.

  Although her books are works of fiction, Kristen believes everyone has a story to tell. As such, she takes inspiration for her writing from people’s everyday lives - their struggles and successes. It is her prayer that you will be encouraged and inspired by her words. Kristen loves hearing from her readers, and will always endeavour to reply. You can connect with Kristen here:

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  Also by Kristen M. Fraser

  The Whitecliffe Bay Series

  Shining Grace

  Holding Hope

  Enduring Love

  The Whitecliffe Bay Series Box Set

  The Tallowood Valley Series

  Heart on the Land

  Bridge to Return

  Home in the Valley

  The Tallowood Valley Series Box Set

  The Potter’s House Books Series

  A Vow Redeemed

  Heart Transformed

  Dawn of Mercy

  Hope Rising Series

  River’s Edge

  Valley’s Reach (coming soon)

  Ocean’s Drift (coming soon)