NO ENGAGEMENT RING

Chapter 11

Elizabeth chatted away as she helped Hannah with the last minute preparations for the

next night. Not that there was much outstanding or many changes required. Elizabeth absently

folded, stretched, righted or moved things around her.

Forty minutes later, Hannah stood up and paced. "What could they be talking about?" she

wailed.

"Honey, what is eating you up?" Elizabeth asked concerned dropping whatever she was

doing.

"What could the two of them be talking about?" she nodded in the direction the men had

taken.

"Church stuff, probably," Elizabeth said dismissively.

"I hope dad's not telling him about my predicament. He just can't tell pastor Chandler,"

Hannah flopped into a chair in despair.

"Hannah, your father will never tell anyone about what you went through. It's not his

style. Besides, why does it rile you so? Do you have feelings for Jonathan?"

"No!" Hannah denied vehemently giving her mother an annoyed look. Then she

simmered down. "Unless you call intimidated...feelings." She just was not prepared to confide

in any one just yet about her confusing feelings for Jonathan especially since she wasn't sure

where she stood with him, what his feelings toward her were.

Giving her an odd look, Elizabeth sat next to her and hugged her. "Dearest, your father

will never tell anyone without your permission," her mother soothed.

"You're right. But pastor Chandler has a way of drawing things out of people even if they

don't want to divulge." She was morose.

"Don't worry, your father is also a minister and he is pretty aware of your feelings."

Elizabeth chuckled as if Aaron was more than a match for Jonathan.

"You're right, mum. I should give dad more credit," Hannah humbled herself, knowing

that Jonathan would respect her father and honour him.

"That's my girl," Elizabeth said proudly.

"Thanks, mum!"

But her anxiety was only allayed later, when Aaron and Elizabeth were leaving to their

guest house where they were staying the next couple of nights. They didn't want to be in

Hannah's way when the cast was doing their final practise.

"Did you have a good conversation with pastor Chandler?" Hannah asked casually as they

stood at her father's car.

"I certainly did. Very enjoyable conversation indeed. He is a wonderful young man,"

Aaron marvelled.

"So...what did you speak about?" Hannah was amazed that her tone remained casual.

"Mostly ministry. We exchanged advise. I must admit, I thought he would be arrogant

and not want to listen to an old minister but he truly is God's servant," Aaron laughed

sheepishly.