The Scent of Rain Read online

  Ark House Press

  PO Box 1722, Port Orchard, WA 98366 USA

  PO Box 1321, Mona Vale NSW 1660 Australia

  PO Box 318 334, West Harbour, Auckland 0661 New Zealand

  arkhousepress.com

  © Julianne Jones

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Cataloguing in Publication Data:

  Title: The Scent of Rain

  ISBN: 9780992572624 (Paperback)

  Subjects: Fiction

  Other Authors/Contributors: Jones, Julianne

  Printed and bound in Australia

  Design and layout by initiatemedia.net

  eBook edition published by Julianne Jones, New Zealand

  ISBN: 978-0-473-32508-4 (ePUB)

  ISBN: 978-0-473-32509-1 (Kindle)

  eBook production by Castle Publishing Services

  www.castlepublishing.co.nz

  To my one and only sister who prefers that her real name not be known;

  And for women everywhere who long to be loved

  As Christ loves His Bride, the Church.

  My beloved spoke, and said to me:

  “Rise up, my love, my fair one,

  And come away.

  For lo, the winter is past,

  The rain is over and gone.”

  Song of Songs 2:10-11, NKJV

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jaena

  Chapter One

  “Hey, do you mind if I sit here?”

  Jaena Hamilton lifted her eyes from her English text and looked up into the bluest pair of eyes she had ever seen. A girl could get lost in such eyes. Furthermore, the owner of those eyes must know it too from the way he tipped his head and smiled at her. Silently admonishing herself for being such a fool, she moved her books and nodded.

  The young man held out his hand. “Mitchell Gallagher. I’ve seen you in some of my classes and you were in church last week. My friends call me Mitch.”

  Jaena tried to place him, but came up empty. True, she had spent her first few weeks at university trying to find her way around. She had taken her first year papers from home and now found that others in their second year were already familiar with the layout of the university and its ways while she was still trying to grasp it all. She could barely remember attending church the previous week – so crammed had the week been – but knew she must have, for despite no longer living under parental control, church attendance was still important to her, perhaps more so now that it was solely her choice.

  He was still holding out his hand and Jaena chose to ignore it. His smile faltered slightly as he sat down opposite her and withdrew his hand. He gave her what she thought he probably considered a piercing look. “And you are?”

  “Jae – Jaena.”

  “Just ‘Jaena’ or do you have another name?”

  Jaena sighed. “Jaena Hamilton.”

  “Nice to meet you, Jaena.”

  Jaena ignored him and reached for her pencil to mark the page she’d been reading.

  “What’s your major?”

  Did this man never shut up? “English and Media Studies. Double.”

  “A journalist, huh?”

  “No.” Jaena pulled a face suggesting his question was idiotic. “Possibly teaching or communication when I’m done. Meanwhile I’m just enjoying learning as much as I can.”

  “So, you don’t know what you want to do when you’re finished?”

  Jaena gave a dramatic sigh. Would he never go away? “Not at this stage. But there’s time to make up my mind. Meanwhile I’ll just plug away at what I’m good at and pray God shows me what He wants me to do.”

  “Then you’re a Christian too?”

  She only just managed to refrain from rolling her eyes at the question. Hadn’t he just said he’d seen her in church? It was one well known for its Bible-based teaching and refusal to compromise with modern thinking and therefore not likely to attract those only interested in socialising. When she thought about it, she was surprised she had not noticed him since so few students attended this church, preferring the larger ones that catered specifically to them and their needs.

  He was waiting for an answer.

  “Too?”

  He pointed to himself. “I thought you must have been. I had this feeling when I saw you in class. And then you were at church.” His voice faltered as Jaena, unable to help herself this time, rolled her eyes and returned to her book.

  They sat in silence, broken only by Mitchell tapping a pencil against his stack of books. Books that looked brand new and which, Jaena noticed, he hadn’t even opened yet.

  “Engineering. And an interest in English literature – ‘interest’ being the key word.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Jaena looked up and eyeballed him.

  “My programme.”

  “I’m pleased for you.” She was pleased to see him frown. Slipping out of her chair she picked up her books. “I must be going.”

  “Wait.” He pushed his chair back. “I’ll walk with you.”

  “Don’t bother. I think I can find my way.”

  He missed the sarcasm. “It’s no bother at all.”

  *********

  To Jaena’s consternation, she kept running into Mitchell Gallagher on campus. If she had been a vain person she would have believed that he was deliberately seeking her out but, perhaps because she had been raised without brothers and a father, she knew little of the ways of men, and innocently assumed that all their meetings were accidental. That they appeared that way were to the young man’s credit. He had recognised quickly that any outright display of interest would cause her to raise her defences and so he made every effort to appear pleasant and friendly and nothing more, even though he had known from the moment he first saw her that he wanted to know her better.

  Yet in her own way, Jaena saw through him. He made her uncomfortable. If she spotted him before he caught sight of her she would turn away or lower her head or appear busy. Sometimes he approached her, but sometimes he read her correctly and stayed away.

  She didn’t know what to make of him. He was handsome and whenever he smiled her heart did funny things, but she really didn’t like his manner. And there was something else too … something she couldn’t quite put her finger on.

  *********

  “How have you found your first weeks at Uni?”

  Jaena was home for the weekend and watching her mother as she made bread in the spacious kitchen. Sometimes Jaena missed the small kitchen in the house that she and her mother had shared all her growing up years but this one was so well appointed that it would be hard to find fault with it. Despite only having lived in the house for a year it felt like home, but that didn’t stop her missing the one she and her mother had shared for most of Jaena’s young life and which contained so many memories.

  She realised her mother was waiting for a reply. “Oh, okay. I’m finally finding my way around. I thought high school was bad, but this campus is huge. The first week I was late to so many classes because I was always getting lost, but I think I’ve got it sorted now.”

  “Are y
ou glad you went?”

  Jaena watched as her mother began kneading the dough. “I am. But I do miss home. I’ve met some friends I went to school with but it’s strange – it’s like we’ve all moved on. We don’t seem to have anything in common anymore. But I’m getting to know some of the others in my classes.”

  “That’s good. And where you’re living?”

  “It’s okay. My room’s on the small side, but I manage. I’m glad I decided to board – it’s more personal – but it’s not the same as home.” Jaena stood and walked over to the coffee maker. “Do you want a coffee?”

  “Not for me. I really have to be in the mood for it and I’m not today.”

  “Haven’t managed to convert you yet?” Jaena asked as she searched in the refrigerator for the coffee.

  “And you never will.”

  “I’ll go see if Uncle Marcus wants one.”

  “I’m sure he will.” Her mother placed the dough into a clean bowl and covered it. “He was in his study on the computer when I came down. He’s probably still there.”

  “I’ll find him.” Jaena started to leave the kitchen, but paused when she reached the other side of the large island. “Mum, does the name ‘Gallagher’ mean anything to you?”

  Madi paused at the sink where she was washing her hands. “Gallagher? I’ve heard the name somewhere. I’m just trying to think. Your grandfather was friends with a man named Gallagher a long time ago. They were involved in a very big outreach ministry, but then they argued or something. I’m not sure of the details but they did go their separate ways. Why?”

  “I met someone by that name in the university café the other day. His name sounded familiar but I couldn’t figure out why, and then I remembered: it’s written in the flyleaf of a book of Grandpa’s that I used to read when I stayed over. Charles Mitchell Gallagher. So what happened between him and Grandpa?”

  Madi scrubbed her hands. “I don’t really know. My parents never spoke of it. I’m confused though. What was this Gallagher doing there? Was he preaching?”

  Jaena shook her head. “No. This guy’s around my age so I’m guessing he’s the grandson of Grandpa’s friend – that’s if there’s even any connection. His name is Mitchell Gallagher, which is similar to what I remember seeing. Of course, it could just be a coincidence.”

  “Maybe.” Madi turned off the tap and reached for a hand towel. “I thought we could go around to Grandma and Grandpa’s tomorrow. You can ask him then if you like.”

  “Okay, I will.”

  Madi reached for the teapot. “It was a long time ago, Jaena, but some things never go away. Just go carefully with your Grandpa, won’t you?”

  Jaena sighed. “You don’t have to remind me.”

  “He’s not been the same since his stroke.”

  Jaena stepped out of the way as her mother headed towards the walk-in pantry. “I thought he was back to normal.”

  “Well, he is. Mostly.” Madi emerged with a packet of tea. “His speech and everything is fine now. It’s just that we’ve noticed – your grandmother and I – that he still tires easily and he seems to get upset more quickly. So just be careful.”

  “I will. I promise.”

  Madi dumped tea leaves into the teapot and smiled at her daughter. “I know you will.”

  *********

  Jaena picked up two glasses of her grandmother’s homemade ginger beer and took them out to the veranda where her grandfather was watching the cat as she lazily washed her kittens. Handing one of the glasses to him, she took the seat opposite and sat down.

  “Grandpa, can I ask you something?”

  “Fire away, Jaeney-honey.” He used the endearment he had coined in her babyhood and which even now still had the power to make her feel extra loved and special.

  “Who was Charles Mitchell Gallagher?”

  Her grandfather’s glass stopped on its way to his lips. “Charles Gallagher? I haven’t heard that name in a long time.”

  “You were friends, weren’t you?”

  “Oh yes, he and I were friends. A long time ago now. We used to travel around the country preaching together. Did it for years. Why do you ask?”

  “I’ve met his grandson. Well, I think it’s his grandson. Of course, it could just be a coincidence. But he almost has the same name. They may not be related at all.”

  “Grandson, eh? What’s he like?”

  Jaena cast about in her mind for an adequate description. “Well, for starters, he’s quite good looking – but then he knows it too and that’s never attractive. He’s persistent – very persistent – and obnoxious, too, if it comes to that. In fact, I don’t think I like him all that much.”

  “Then why the questions?”

  “Well, when he told me his name it sounded familiar but I didn’t know why. It bothered me. And then I remembered that I’d seen a similar name in one of your books once when I’d gone through your library looking for something to read. When I came home this weekend, I asked Mum and she said that the two of you had worked together in outreach ministry for a while, but then it seemed as if you parted ways. Is that true?”

  Her grandfather nodded slowly. “Yes, honey, it’s true.”

  “What happened?”

  Her grandfather took his time answering. “Your mother. When she left Damien, Charles and I disagreed. He felt that I should force your mother to return to her husband or that I should have nothing more to do with her. I couldn’t do either and so we went our separate ways. I accepted a pastorate of a small community church and Charles went on to bigger and better things. I eventually lost contact with him.”

  “He sounds as obnoxious as his grandson.”

  Her grandfather gave a small laugh. “This young man has got you riled up, Jaena.”

  “He’s done nothing of the sort. I just hate to see bigotry regardless of whatever form it takes. Didn’t this Charles Gallagher show any compassion for what my mother had to endure?”

  “He didn’t know.”

  Jaena put down her glass and stared at her grandfather. “Didn’t know? Didn’t you tell him?”

  “I couldn’t. I had to protect your mother. The fewer people who knew the better.”

  “So he sat in judgement on her when he didn’t even know the whole story?” Jaena sounded indignant.

  “It happens all the time, Jaeney-honey. He saw enough to make what he thought was a fair judgement – and who knows that I wouldn’t have done the same in his shoes? – the available evidence was certainly incriminating enough. No, I can’t blame him. I just wish that what had been a long friendship hadn’t ended the way it did.”

  Jaena picked up her glass and drained it before setting it down again. “Well, he sounds to me like a most odious and narrow-minded man and I’m glad I don’t like his grandson. It means I don’t have to have anything to do with the family. The nerve of the man to judge my mother – to judge you – like that!”

  Again her grandfather laughed. “When do you go back to university?”

  “Tomorrow. Why?”

  “Just be careful, honey. Very careful. I have a feeling that this young man is going to feature very much in your future.”

  “Don’t be silly,” was Jaena’s reply.

  *********

  “Jaena. Jaena Hamilton! Wait up!”

  Jaena recognised the voice and deliberately kept walking. In fact, she quickened her pace. If he wanted to catch up with her then he could work at it.

  She was surprised when he came up beside her not at all huffing and puffing like she had expected. Perhaps as well as having good looks, he was also physically fit.

  “Didn’t you hear me? I’ve been calling out to you for the last five minutes.”

  “Yes, I heard you.”

  Momentarily he looked hurt, but quickly concealed it. “I wanted to talk to you.”

  Jaena kept walking steadily. “Why?”

  “Why?” He seemed to falter which wasn’t at all what she had expected from him. He had seemed so
confident. Perhaps he wasn’t as obnoxious as she had originally thought. Perhaps he just lacked some of the social graces. “Well, because I want to get to know you better.”

  She turned and stared at him. “And why would you want to do that?”

  He dropped his gaze. “You seem like a nice person and I’d like to know you. That’s all.”

  Jaena turned and walked away. After a few moments, Mitchell Gallagher caught up with her.

  “Hey, did I say something wrong? Did I upset you? I’m sorry if I did.”

  “I’m just not sure if I want to get to know you.”

  He looked as if she’d hit him and Jaena’s heart smote her. She hastened to explain. “I just don’t think we could be friends. We – we’d have nothing in common.”

  “How can you be so sure?”

  “You know nothing about me.”

  “That’s true. That’s why I want to get to know you.”

  “Let’s start with this then: my grandfather is Stephen Johnstone.”

  He stopped in his tracks, and after taking a few more steps Jaena stopped too and turned to look at him.

  “Stephen Johnstone. You know the name?”

  “I’ve heard it.”

  “My mother is Madi – Madeline Johnstone. Perhaps you know that name, too?”

  “Why are you telling me this?” He evaded the question.

  “Surely you’ve heard of them?”

  “Yes, I’ve heard of them,” he admitted, “but what has that to do with us?” He took a step forward so that he was standing right in front of her.

  “Our grandfathers were friends.”

  “Once. Long ago,” he agreed. “But the sins of the fathers – well, in this case the mother’s – shouldn’t be visited on the children. Let’s just put all that behind –”

  “The sins of the mother,” Jaena spluttered and then abruptly turned and began walking. He caught up with her and tried to take her arm but she pushed his hand away. “You ignorant, odious imbecile. You have no idea what you’re talking about. You and your family have stood in judgement on my mother and her father all these years and you were wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong! For one moment I thought I was wrong about you, but now I see I wasn’t.”