A Bride Worth Waiting For (5 page)

“You’re right Buddy, but I’m hoping to get to know her before I drop that bit of news. If she knows who I am I’ll never have a chance with her. I haven’t given up trying to win her over and I’m hoping Lord willing, by the time that I do she’ll care enough that when I have to tell her she’ll be able to forgive me for my part in it. ”Cole watched Bethany cross the room as she walked to the elevator.

“I hope you’re right and I’ll surely be praying about it,” Chancelor said.

“Thanks. I know I’ve only known her for two weeks, but I felt a connection between us the minute I met her on the plane. I feel the Lord has a future planned for us and I think it started back ten years ago on that cold wintery night. I don’t know how it’ll happen, but one thing I do know is that the Lord is bigger than all of this and if in fact this is His plan for our lives, I believe He’ll work it out in His timing. As frustrating as it is, I feel she’s worth waiting for, so I’ll be patient and pray. “

“I’ll be praying too, Cole.” Scott drank the rest of his coffee.

“Well, guys we know the power of prayer, nothing is impossible with the Lord.” Hunter drank the last of his ice tea and sat his glass on the table. “I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m bushed, it’s been a long day.”

“Yeah, I think it’s time we called it a night and guys, thanks for the prayers and coming out here, it means a lot.” Cole stood and pushed his chair under the table.

“Hey, that’s what are friends for! Chancelor laid his napkin on the table as he stood up.

“That’s right,” Scott agreed.

“You know us, Bud we always stick together. When one has a problem we’re all there. Be careful, Cole. I’m with Chancelor; I don’t want to see you get hurt. I think you’ve been through enough.” Hunter stated.

“Cole pulled them all into a brief hug together. Thanks. I’ll see you in the morning.”

Cole headed upstairs to his room. He was fortunate to have those three for friends. They’d been close since fourth grade. Their friendship seemed to get stronger as time went by and he’d trust his life to any of the three. He knew they’d be praying for him and Bethany. He couldn’t seem to get anywhere with her. She’d talk and cut up with him and she seemed to enjoy his company. But when he’d ask her to spend time with him alone, she’d politely refuse.

Father you know what’s best and I ask that You would soften Bethany’s heart toward me. Please work this out according to Your will. Thank you, Lord, Amen.

Cole felt better after his prayer. He knew he needed to tell Bethany who he was soon, but he wasn’t looking forward to it. He was tired so he made his way up to his room, brushed his teeth, and went to bed deciding tomorrow was another day.

Chapter Six

“Bethany poured milk from their small refrigerator into a cup of hot chocolate and placed it in the microwave. “Anyone want some chocolate?”

“I have coffee, thanks.” Melanie smiled.

“Me too, thanks.” Carla answered.

“I’ll take a cup, please.” Michelle sat down at the table in their small kitchen.

Bethany gave her the cup she’d just made and fixed another for herself. “Since it’s Saturday I’m going to spend my day off skiing, anyone game?”

All three said in unison. No, thanks.”

“Well, okay then, I guess I’ll go by myself.” Bethany took a sip of her hot chocolate.

“Be careful up there, stay in a populated area if you’re going alone.” Carla cautioned. “While you’re up there in the quiet by yourself, I suggest you take the time to talk to the Lord about Cole. He may very well be your mate.

“I’ll think about it and I’ll be careful, but it’s not like I’ll be totally alone, the slopes are plenty full of skiers this time of year. Bethany finished her chocolate, rinsed the cup and put it in the dishwasher. “I’ll see you later.”

Bethany checked out a pair of skis from the Lodge ski shop and told her grandparents she’d be out for the day. She headed up to the lifts, they weren’t her favorite part of skiing but it was the only way to get to the top of the slopes. She showed the man in charge her ski pass and hopped onto the next lift. Bethany didn’t like the way they swung back and forth as they traveled up to the top. She always felt as if she’d fall off so she held on for dear life until it came to a complete stop. She hopped off of the lift, and slipped her skis on. Bethany pulled her gloves off long enough to buckle her ski boots on good and tight then pulled them back on to keep her hands warm. She used her poles and skied over to the intermediate slopes.

Bethany stood for a moment looking at the tall majestic trees, they were gorgeous with snow hanging from there mighty branches. She breathed in the pine scent in the air. It was so beautiful up here; it reminded her of a winter wonderland as she pushed off. The cold wind blew against her mask the dampness freezing her skin. But in spite of that she loved the feel of sailing down the slopes as if she didn’t have a care in the world. That became her routine for the remainder of the afternoon. Her last time up to the top she decided to try a new run, it was one of the advanced slopes and she was excited by the challenge.

As she pushed off she thought about Cole, were her friends right? Was she using the fact that she needed to concentrate on her new job as an excuse not to see him? Was the real reason she wouldn’t go out with Cole because she was afraid of getting hurt again?
Lord, what should I do? If I’m honest with myself I have to admit I have feelings for Cole and I’d like to get to know him, but I’m afraid. Roger just pretended to be a Christian and he betrayed me. I know Cole isn’t Roger and I’ve seen Your light shine through him. Deep down I know that Cole isn’t pretending. He truly loves you. Guide me, Lord. Please help me to make the right decision.

Bethany skied for awhile longer thinking about Cole and whether she wanted to take a chance and go out with him. After awhile she stopped and pulled her goggles off so she could look around; she didn’t see any other skiers or hear anyone in the background as she had earlier. It was totally quiet almost eerily so. She didn’t recognize her surroundings either. How long had it been since she’d seen anyone on the slopes? She didn’t know and that was unnerving. What had Carla told her just before she left this morning? Not to get out away from the beaten path and here she had done just that. Panic gripped her for a moment when she realized she was lost. Where did this lead? If she skied to the bottom where would she come out? Would it be somewhere familiar or would she be even more lost?
Okay Bethany get hold of yourself. Panicking isn’t going to help anything you have to keep your head here.
There weren’t a lot of choices at this point; she certainly couldn’t ski up the slope and she couldn’t stay here it was beginning to snow, so the only option was to go down no matter where she wound up. She had to ski to the bottom and hope that it would come out somewhere she recognized. She took a deep breath to calm herself and put her goggles back on before she started down the hill; she hadn’t gone very far when she hit fresh snow. Her skis stuck, her knee twisted painfully and the next thing she knew she was falling, falling, toppling head over heels down the slope. Her last coherent thought as her head connected painfully with something solid, was the knowledge that she was going to die out here all alone.

* * * * * *

“Hi, Elizabeth.” Cole sat down at the table across from her in the dining room with a cup of coffee. He had just finished a Bible study and devotional with the guys, Shane being a new Christian had several questions they had tried to answer for him. Elizabeth glanced up at Cole and he could see right away something wasn’t right. “Elizabeth, what’s wrong?”

“Well, I hope nothing, Cole. But Bethany went out skiing this morning and she hasn’t returned. It isn’t like her to be out this long. I’d ask Mack go look for her, but he went to town to run some errands. I’m probably worrying for nothing, but in another hour and a half it’ll be dark. I just can’t imagine her not being back by now. ”

Cole sat his coffee cup on the table. “I’ll take one of the snowmobiles and go look for her, Elizabeth. Don’t worry I’m sure she’s fine, she’s probably just lost track of time. I’ll find her and we’ll be back in a little while. If she comes in call me, I’ll take one of the radios and clip it to my belt.”

“I will and thank you, Cole. I really appreciate it, I’m sure you’re right and she’s fine, but just in case something is wrong, I’ll feel better knowing you’re out looking for her.”

Cole tried to reassure Elizabeth, but he was worried. Something must be wrong or Bethany would be back by now. As Cole went out the door he glanced around, all he could see for miles were ski slopes in the distance and snow covered mountains and pine trees. He stopped and took just a moment to bow his head and pray.
Please, Lord lead me in the right direction, help me to find Bethany, she could be anywhere and please let her be all right. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Cole continued out to the shed where the snowmobiles were housed and chose one that would hold two passengers. He started up the side of the hill that led to the intermediate slopes praying that’s where she’d be. In the next hour he covered all of the intermediate slopes and every area he could possibly imagine Bethany could be, but she was nowhere to be found. Where in the world was she? The temperature was dropping rapidly. If he didn’t find her before long it would be dark. In this temperature she’d freeze before morning.
Please help me to find her, Lord.
Cole prayed frantically.

* * * * * *

Bethany slowly regained consciousness and became aware of her surroundings. Her knee was throbbing to the point of making her nauseous. She slowly sat up trying to get her bearings, she was dizzy and her head hurt. Where was she? What had happened to her? Then all at once she remembered exactly what had happened. She’d fallen down the ski slope. Looking up the hill she realized she was fortunate to be alive. She hurt all over; she feared she’d be bruised from head to toe. Of course it wouldn’t matter for long if someone didn’t find her soon, it was snowing, coming down steady, and it would be dark before long. She’d freeze to death before morning. Were there animals that came out at night looking for food. That wasn’t a very cheerful thought she felt she’d rather freeze than be eaten. She shuddered at the thought.

“Please Lord forgive me for being so foolish and send someone to find me. I don’t want to die out here.”
She prayed softly as tears rolled down her cheeks, freezing almost immediately against her skin. Bethany didn’t know when she’d ever been so scared. She was so cold, her body shaking, the temperature was dropping rapidly and she was getting sleepy. But she knew better than to go to sleep, she shook her head trying to stay awake. Her teeth began to chatter and she knew she was going to be in real trouble if someone didn’t find her soon. Gradually she became aware of a distant noise, it sounded like a snowmobile. She heard the engine fade away and feared it was gone.
“Oh Lord, Please help them to find me, don’t let them leave without me!
She’d barely finished her prayer when she heard someone calling her name.

“I’m here, please help me! She yelled and the engine started up again. A minute later a snowmobile came over the hill. Bethany waved her arms frantically and prayed the person would see her. The person on the snowmobile pulled over as close as they could to her and shut it off. She realized it was Cole when he kneeled down beside her.
Oh thank you, Lord.

“Bethany, I’ve been looking for you for over an hour. What happened?”

“I’m so glad to see you, Cole.” She wrapped her arms around his neck for a minute.” I got lost and then I hit fresh snow about half way down this slope. My skis stuck and the next thing I knew I was falling.” She started to cry.

“Take it easy, Darlin. It’s going to be alright. I’m going to get you out of here. How bad and where are you hurt?”

“Bethany moved her arms from around Cole’s neck. “I hurt everywhere, but I don’t think anything is serious except maybe my knee, it’s throbbing. I don’t know what I’ve done to it, but I know I can’t stand on it.” She looked at him.

“Did you lose consciousness?”

“Yes, I must have because I don’t remember actually hitting bottom.

“Does your neck or back hurt?”

“Only bruised I think, because I can turn my head okay.”

Cole took the pin light out of his pocket and shined it in her eyes. She knew he was checking for concussion. He then checked her knee even though he was very gentle she gasped at the pain.

“I’m sorry, Darlin. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I don’t think it’s broken but we need to take you for x-rays to be sure. I’m going to lift you onto the snowmobile, we have to get out of here it’s going to be dark soon.” Cole glanced at the sky. “It’s snowing so hard if we don’t get out of here in the next few minutes we aren’t going to make it back. I’ll try to be as gentle as I can be when I move you.”

“I know. Do what you have to, Cole. I’ll manage.”

* * * * * *

Cole lifted Bethany and she felt him wince as she cried out. He gently set her onto the back of the snowmobile. “I’m sorry. Are you all right?

“Yes, it just hurt more than I thought it would to move my knee. I don’t think I can bend it to put it on the peg, Cole.” She was touched by his caring gentle way of handling her.

“Let me get on and put my foot on my peg. I’ll help you slide your leg inside mine against the snowmobile and then let it rest on mine. My leg against yours will keep it from bouncing so much. It’s going to hurt anyway we go about it, but I think this will be the best way.”