A Spark of Hope

Chapter Ten: Sunny skies after stormy weather

Carron was accepted at the University and started class the semester after the holidays. She got into contact with an agency who lined up one media job after another, weekends and some evenings. They all found a church on the other side of town. They slotted in easily and felt very welcome. No one's past was disclosed, and no one judged or spat insults at each other.

They slotted into something called Connect Groups once a week, similar to Bible Study, where a small group of people met in homes. A DVD was viewed, questions asked and a different topic for the evening discussed.

Gabriel was out most weekends and some weekdays, taking tourists hiking in the mountains. He loved his job and enjoyed the salary that came with it. Carron and Gabriel spent every waking moment together when he was back in town. He moved out of his parent's place and bought a home of his own and was given a company car, a stylish SUV. Within two years, he had received five bonuses and four raises in salary as the reviews from tourists were outstanding. He was asked to speak abroad and did a promotion on behalf of the tourist board. All tickets and accommodation paid for. Carron was able to accompany him on one occasion.

One weekend bright and early, a 4X4 limo arrived at Carron's house. Gabriel stepped out and knocked on the door. Carron answered. All she could see was an enormous bunch of roses,

"What's this?" she gasped in surprise.

Gabriel lowered the flowers and Carron saw the limo behind her. She looked past him and then back again, "Gabe what's going on?"

"Hello, my lovely lady. Today I'm going to take you on a surprise outing. Everything about today is a surprise, so please go back into the house and change into hiking gear. Oh and please take these with you."

Carron had never seen such a huge bouquet of roses in her life. She needed to grab them with both hands and carry them mostly on her arms for support. She lay them down on the dining room table and just then caught her mom and dad standing in the middle of the room, grinning. "You two know something don't you?"

"Yes, we know something," replied Harrison looking at his wife. "In fact, we know a few things. Plenty of things actually. Get dressed honey. You in for a real treat."

When Carron was in the limo, she was handed a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice. On the side of the limo was a big silver container with champagne cooling on ice. Gabriel pushed a button, and a table slid open out of nowhere. He opened a tub and put it down. It contained all her favorite finger foods.

Carron looked at him in disbelief, "What, meals on wheels?"

"Dig in my love and enjoy the ride."

"You are incredible you know that?"

"So I have been told."

The limo ride was long but incredible. Carron was sometimes hand fed her favorite finger foods and enjoyed the freshly squeezed juice and sipped champagne. The scenery was beautiful. It appeared they were going to the mountains, but a part she hadn't been to before, which was rare as she thought she had seen every inch of it by now.

"Here give me your glass."

Carron gave her glass to him.

He put both glasses down, "Hold my hand, lean on me and stand up."

"What?"

"Trust me."

They both stood up and out popped their heads from the sunroof of the limo.

"Wow," Carron looked around and took in a deep breath, "pine trees. I love the smell of them. And see all the ferns, wow this place is amazing! How did you find it?"

"It's my job to find the most incredible places remember?"

The limo climbed a very windy, steep hill. At the top was a chopper. Carron looked at Gabriel with bewilderment on her face, "What's this?"

"You'll see. Come back down inside."

The Limo stopped, and someone opened the door. Carron stepped out onto a red carpet. She looked at Gabriel and shook her head.

He took her by the hand and escorted her to the Chopper and helped her in. The pilot wore formal clothes and tipped his hat to her, "Morning Mam."

When inside, Gabriel helped her with her headset and buckled her up.

"Sit back and enjoy the flight."