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Bellewood Book One: Give Us This Day (Volume 1)

By June Foster

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Chapter One


The overweight guy leaning against the mirror in the corner of the elevator caught Holly Harrison's attention, not because of his girth, but because of the kindness on his chubby face. Embarrassed she'd stared too long, she turned toward the closing doors and pushed five. The motor whirred with a quiet hum as the floor beneath her lifted for a second or two, then ground to a halt. She punched her apartment floor number again but nothing happened.
A chill crawled up Holly's spine. She'd never liked confined places. Was she trapped?
The man moved to the panel and poked a few numbers before craning his neck to glance at the ceiling. "Hmm. I've never had this happen before."
Holly tried to breathe but only took in shallow gulps of air. Things like this happened on television -- not in the real world. A knot formed in her stomach. "Are we stuck?" She fought to control the rising tone of her voice.
The man pressed his lips together as his gaze fixed on her, then he looked about the small space. "Could be. Don't worry. We’ll get out."
His assurances brought no relief. Holly's heart pounded harder.
He fingered the panel, pushing the Door Open, and the Door Closed buttons a couple of times. Still nothing. "I think we better ring the alarm."
An alarm sounded in her head.
The three mirrors around the perimeter of her prison scoffed at her. She hadn't suffered from claustrophobia for a long time, not since that horrifying afternoon she lay bound to a gurney in the back of an ambulance.
"Oh dear God, I need to get out of here." She sank to the floor and drew her knees as close to her chest as she could. Her rocking motion did little to soothe her jangled nerves.
"Look." The big guy opened a metal compartment. "Here's the emergency call button. Relax. I'll get help."
She wrenched away from his kind eyes and hugged her knees tighter. The walls threatened to squeeze the life out of her. Gulping for air didn't help.
"Hello, hello. Can anyone hear me?"
The sound of clicking buttons drifted toward her.
The other occupant placed his mouth close to the panel. "Help! We're stuck in the elevator."
He settled back against the mirror appearing calm. His lips moved without a sound.
Holly pressed into the corner. Her reflection blurred.
"Hey, are you okay? Let me try something else." He punched another button and a shrill sound grated against her eardrums. The emergency alarm. Still nothing. The elevator was a dead thing suspended in space. She slumped against the wall as everything spun.
With a groan, the broad man bent down beside her and patted her arm. "I'm going to keep trying. Before I do, let me pray for you. I find it helps in all situations." His warm hand caressed her shoulder. "Dear Lord, I trust You for our safety today. Please provide us with the way out of here. Until help arrives, I ask You to bring this lady Your peace. In Jesus name."
The prayer calmed her. She breathed easier and rubbed the pain in her leg. After standing all day, she couldn't wait to get home and rest.
Her companion hoisted himself up and poked his fingers into a small crack where the doors met. The gap widened two inches.
Some kind of metal tubes were visible beyond the double doors. The car was between floors. Panic struck her again. "Oh no, what if this thing falls? How many floors did we go up?"
"It couldn't be more than a couple. This is a newer elevator. I doubt it would go into a fall." The man pried at the door again. It opened another inch. "Hello. Can anyone hear me? We're stuck in here."
Holly tried to steady her intake of air, remembering his soothing prayer.
"Hello in there." A voice sounded from below them.
Oh, thank you, Lord. Holly stopped digging her nails into her good leg.
The man put his mouth to the opening. "Yes, hello. Can you hear me? We're stuck in here."
"Craig Schackelford, the general manager here. I've notified the fire department. We'll get you out. Shouldn't be more than a few minutes."
The heavyset man looked down at her and smiled. "We're okay. You can stop worrying now." He patted her shoulder again. "For a minute there, I was concerned about you. Are you okay?"
She gulped. "I... I think so."
He ran his hand along the opening between the two doors. "I'd suggest you look out, but all you're going to see are the hydraulic cylinders. Just breathe."
"Hey there. This is Craig again. The good news is they've begun working. It may be a while. Try to relax. I'm terribly sorry about this."
Holly drew in a breath and looked up at her fellow inmate still poking at the space between the doors. For the first time, she allowed herself to take in his appearance to discover what she'd found so intriguing at first glance. With golden brown hair and soft blue eyes, he had one of the most handsome faces she'd ever laid eyes on even with a roll of flesh framing his chin and a large stomach protruding from his tee shirt and warm-ups.
"Looks like we're going to be out of here in a bit, Holly." The man knelt beside her, then plopped down on the floor.
"How... how did you know my name?" Her eyes widened.
"It says Holly right there on your nametag, just below The Happy Smile Center." He grinned, a twinkle in his eye... "I'm Jess Colton. Seventh floor."
His face expressed compassion, like he really cared. She slapped a hand over her mouth as a giggle escaped, a release from her tension. A neighbor? If his clothing was any indication, like her, he probably had to stretch his budget to live at Rainier Regency. "Holly Harrison from the fifth floor."
"Nice to meet you, Holly, even under these circumstances. Hope you wouldn't pull all my teeth if I come down to the Happy Smile Center?"
"No." She laughed, part of the stress melting away. "I'm a dental hygienist with Dr. Murphy. How about you? Where do you work?" He certainly wasn't dressed for his job in those sloppy clothes.
Sweat poured down his face. "I'm a systems analyst for Evergreen Technologies. We're based in downtown Seattle."
Wow, that sounded like an important job. "A systems analyst? I have no idea what that is." Holly glanced at their reflection in the mirror. She looked a wreck, but her leg sat in the right position.
"I don't think you want a full explanation now, but I plan, configure, and install computer applications for various companies."
"Are you off today?" While she may have misjudged him based on his clothing, he sure wasn't dressed to go downtown.
"No, I work at home. Just started about a month ago. Beats fighting the Seattle traffic."
"Not as nerve wracking, I'm sure. Oh, and thank you for reminding me to stay calm. The prayer helped."
His eyes sparkled, and his mouth formed a grin. "You're welcome. If I didn't have the Lord to rely on, I'm not sure what I'd do."
"I agree, but sometimes I think..." She wouldn't go there. God saved her from her sins, and she prayed to the Lord, but deep down, she doubted it did any good. After all, her sister Diana said the past would always have a bearing on Holly's life.
Yet how could she have known? Those months during college changed everything. "Well, anymore I don't know what to think."
She wrung her hands. Her sister's admonition played in her head. Maybe getting stuck and dying in this elevator would be her final payment on those sins. Oh, God. I'm so sorry.
He patted her fingers, stilling them. "So you're close to the Lord?"
"Well, I know He's my Savior." That much she could say with certainty.
Jess lowered his voice. "Do you attend a particular church?"
Having Diana remind her of her wretchedness was enough. She didn't need to go to church and hear it from other people. "I did once, but not now."
The elevator gave a groan and shifted with a jerk. Her heart slammed into her stomach. "Are we going to fall?" She grabbed Jess's arm and hid her face against his shoulder. "Dear Lord, please get us out of here safely." She tightened her grip on the stranger as the elevator jerked again. Maybe Jess could convince God to save them. "Look, if we get out of here, I'll go to church. Tell God for me."
Jess chuckled. "I'll tell Him." He lifted his gaze to the ceiling. "Lord, Holly says she'll make the step of drawing closer to You by attending church. She promises to go if You'll see us out of here." He held her at arm's length. "Okay, I think He heard that. We're fine."
"I'm being childish." Warmth climbed up her neck and into her face.
"I don't think so," he whispered.
The elevator wrenched, and Holly shrieked.
Jess put a finger to his ear and shook his head, but the knowing smile never left his handsome face.
Oh, finally. The cab moved downward, and the doors slid open. Never had she been so glad to see Mr. Schackelford.
Jess struggled to his feet, wheezing for breath as he held out his hand to her.
She clasped it and managed to stand. He was her hero -- he and the repairman. She straightened her slacks and stepped out into the lobby.
Mr. Schackelford bit his lip. "Ma'am, I'm so sorry. Please accept my apology for the delay." He ran a hand through his hair. "If I may, I'd like to offer you both dinner on the Rainier Regency at any restaurant of your choice."
Holly waved him off and headed toward the stairwell. "Thank you, but another day. Right now I'm taking the stairs to my apartment. I just need to relax."
Jess probably couldn't follow her up five floors at his size, but then, it wouldn't be easy for her either. He chatted with Mr. Schackelford but stopped to wave at her. She slipped through the door. If she could get away, maybe he'd forget about her promise to attend church.

*****

Work was a nice distraction from the claustrophobic thoughts crowding Holly's memory since yesterday's incident in the elevator. Still, she welcomed Friday afternoon, the end of her week.
"I'm almost finished with the last step, Mrs. Blaine. Your teeth will be sparkling after I polish them." She dipped the brush into the cup of cinnamon paste and applied the powder as she glided the instrument along the front surface of the woman's enamel. "You can rinse in a moment."
What would she do this weekend? Maybe she'd call Diana and see what she and Red had planned, but knowing her sister and husband, they were probably either balancing the books at Sound Fitness or devising some new weightlifting class. They never took a break.
"There. You're done." Holly gave the woman a cup of water and pushed the receptacle of whirling water in front of her mouth so she could rinse.
Mrs. Blaine patted her lips with the green paper bib. "Thank you. As usual, you did a wonderful job."
"I'm afraid not everyone is as devoted to keeping up their dental home care. You're my star patient." Holly unhooked the chain attached to the bib.
The receptionist stuck her head into the cubicle. "Are you free, hija? You've got a phone call." Marcela always called her "daughter" in her Spanish tongue.
"Yes, thanks, Marcela. Be there in just a minute." Probably a dental products salesman.
Holly waved good-bye to her patient and replaced her polishing tool. Then she tossed the disposable brush, sanitized the equipment, and followed Marcela to the front.
"Here you go." Her friend pointed to the phone at the empty desk near the wall.
She picked up the receiver and punched the button with the blinking light. "This is Holly Harrison."
"Holly, Jess Colton. I apologize for calling you at work, but I didn't get your number yesterday. I wanted to know if you'd like to attend church with me Sunday."
She stiffened -- never dreamed he'd follow up with her. "Oh... maybe I'll pass this time."
Silence stretched between them for a moment, then he gave a soft laugh. " Remember? You made a promise to God."
"I did?" She cleared her throat. Of course, and Jess hadn't forgotten as she'd hoped he would. "Yes, I did."
What choice did she have? She couldn't add a broken promise to her list of things God could hold against her. "Well, okay."
"Great. You want to meet in the lobby?"
"Oh, all right." How did she let this guy talk her into going to church? Jess seemed nice enough, but why was he so insistent?
She rubbed her forehead. Learning to forgive herself was first on her list. Learning to trust people again was the next.

*****

Even in his dreams, Jess Colton never imagined he'd have a woman as pretty as Holly Harrison sitting beside him. Her green eyes and light brown hair caught his attention the first time he saw her, the day she stepped into the elevator. The sprinkling of freckles over her nose gave her a childlike look, but he guessed she was close to his age, early thirties.
"I'm glad you decided to go today. Bellewood Fellowship is a small, friendly church. I promise the people don't bite."
Holly hadn't stopped fiddling with the tissue in her hands the entire way from the apartment complex. Was she nervous around him, or ill at ease about attending church?
"Yeah, well, I suppose a promise is a promise."
"You said you used to go to church?"
She turned the tissue over in her hands then stuffed it into her opened purse. "Yeah."
"Why did…" Jess bit his lip. He shouldn't ask any more questions. She looked wound tight, and he didn't want to press her.
"Why did I stop?" She swallowed hard. "It's not easy for me to talk about."
"Okay, but I'm a good listener when you get ready." The tense look on the woman's face tugged at his heart. What could have happened to keep her from church?
She opened and closed the clasp on her purse. "I don't think I'll ever be ready."
He gave her a wide grin. "The offer stands, just in case."
Holly cleared her throat as she chewed on the nail of her little finger. "Thanks."
Jess parked the car in the lot nearest Lake Wycot. The crystal waters next to a stand of Douglas firs always blessed him when he glimpsed at the scene through the window behind the altar.
He lumbered around and opened the door for his reluctant companion. The cool rainy season of Western Washington had given way to the more sunny days of late June.
She swung her legs out, tugged down on her pants leg before standing, and gazed straight ahead. Did the little building with its white vinyl siding and gray roof threaten her? He grasped her elbow and nudged her toward the door. "I think you'll like it here."
Joe and Connie Tyler stood on the threshold.
Jess leaned close to her ear. "Watch out. Here comes the attack of the friendly greeters."
"Good morning and welcome to Bellewood Fellowship." Joe passed a bulletin to Holly, then one to him.
Connie spread her arms and engulfed them in a hug. Not an easy task.
Jess backed away and tugged on his blazer to cover his big stomach. "Joe and Connie, this is Holly Harrison."
She held out her hand to the Tylers and smiled. He had to give them credit. They got her to loosen up when he couldn't.
His usual seat which provided a little more room waited at the end of the aisle toward the back. The feeling of being trapped between two people didn't appeal to him.
A hush came over the congregation when Pastor Downing's wife began the organ prelude. He closed his eyes. I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord.
To sing to the Lord was a privilege, something the pastor said they'd do for all eternity. Jess loved the new choruses, but today his heart soared when they sang What a Friend We Have in Jesus.
He stole a look at Holly. Her lips moved part of the time, but when they sang, "Oh what needless pain we bear," she slumped forward and twirled a strand of hair.
Pastor Downing rose from his chair and stood at the pulpit, the lake visible behind his thin frame. Jess couldn't remember a Sunday when he wasn't blessed by the man's power-packed message. "My beloved, I want you to understand who you are in Christ."
Holly fingered a tissue again.
"Satan would have you believe you are of no value, but the Lord says you were bought with a price, and you belong to God."
Jess's new acquaintance crossed and uncrossed her legs. She rummaged through her purse before setting it down on the pew.
"God is patient and slow to anger. You have been chosen by Him. Your relationship with Him is not based on yourself or anything you've done, but the work He did for you on the cross.
Now she picked up a hymnal and flipped through the pages.
"Believe me when I say you are free from condemnation. God loves you that much, my beloved."
Finally she grew still, her gaze glued on Pastor Downing. His words must've struck a chord. Her hands lay quietly in her lap as she stared at the preacher.
"You may approach God with freedom and confidence. Hope is only found in the Lord. Our regret or grief should turn us toward Him, not away from His presence."
She glanced at Jess then looked toward the front, a furrow on her forehead. Did the pastor say something that touched her?
With a punishing thought, Jess froze. Maybe her unease wasn't about church after all. Maybe it was about sitting next to him. The fattest man in the building.

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