One of Life's Surprises .... Love Story

One of Life's Surprisesis one of thew Best Inspirational Love Story.

At nine o' clock in the morning, the next day, Hannah was awakened by her mother.

"Sweetie, I know you wanted to sleep in, but there's a reporter downstairs, asking for you." Hannah immediately woke up.

"A reporter?" she repeated. She began to search her mind for a reason. Mr. Hanley was the only reason she could think of. Hannah put on her terry robe, and followed her mother downstairs. Mr. Anderson was sitting in his favorite armchair, and reading the morning newspaper. Daniel was resting on the sofa, where Mrs. Anderson had made a kind of makeshift bed for him, so he would not have to stay in his room all the time. When she walked down the steps, everyone, including Daniel, looked up. A smartly-dressed woman got up from Mrs. Anderson's armchair and approached Hannah.

"Hannah Anderson?" she asked, holding out her hand, in a friendly like manner.

"Yes?" replied Hannah, shaking the offered hand.

"I'm Victoria Jackson of the 'Daily Report.' Are you familiar with the 'Daily Report,' Hannah?" she asked, taking out a tape recorder.

"I don't read tabloids," replied Hannah, evenly.

"Well, then," she smiled, "good thing for me five million other people do. You don't mind if I record this interview, do you? Of course you don't," she replied, answering her own question. "Would you prefer to sit, or stand?" Hannah could not help comparing that question to an executioner asking his victim if he would rather be blindfolded or not.

"I'll stand." She could feel the eyes of everyone in the room on her.

"Hannah," began Victoria, "did you, by any chance, read the newspaper this morning?"

"No, I did not. As you can see," said Hannah, referring to her terry robe, "I just woke up."

"Then you did not hear of Tom Hanley's marriage?"

"So that's what this is about," Hannah thought. "I thought just as much."

"No, Victoria, I did not."

"Does this come as a surprise?" asked Victoria. Hannah looked into her eyes. She saw the ease with which Victoria tried to entrap her in her own words.

"Life is just full of surprises," replied Hannah.

"Doesn't this come less than a day after you turned down a proposal of marriage from Tom Hanley?" she asked. Mr. Anderson looked at his daughter in surprise.

"Is that so?" replied Hannah, raising her eyebrows. Victoria saw that she was not going to cooperate.

"If you want it the hard way, Hannah, you're going to get it," she warned. Daniel's face tightened. "There's a rumor going around that a bug was placed in the office of Tom Hanley, taping both him and his private secretary," she said, pointing at Hannah. "I already know everything," she smiled.

"Then why ask me these questions?" asked Hannah, gripping the banister.

"We like to confirm our stories, firsthand," Victoria explained.

"Since when?" retorted Hannah. "I don't believe you are here to confirm anything. If what you say is true, then to publish anything that was recorded without knowledge of the parties concerned would be breaking the law, am I right, Victoria? You can't use the tape-- if there really is one." Victoria's jaw grew tense.

"If you talk, we could make it worth your while," she said temptingly.

"I'm not interested," answered Hannah, entering the living room and accepting a cup of hot tea from her mother.

"Not even half a million dollars?" she asked. Hannah looked at Victoria over the rim of her cup.

"If you really believe I rejected a proposal of marriage from one of the ten wealthiest men in America, why do you think I would accept your offer?" Victoria shut off her recorder.

"I think you know the way out, Miss Jackson," said Mr. Anderson sternly. She grabbed her coat, and walked to the door. But, before leaving, she swung around sharply.

"Don't think you've won!" she threatened, "Not by a long shot!" Hannah listened as Victoria drove away, and took another sip of tea. In spite of her bravado, Daniel saw the cup tremble. Mr. Anderson looked at his daughter, incredulously.

"Did you really turn down THE Tom Hanley? The one we see on all those commercials? Was he very mad?" asked Mr. Anderson.

"He didn't exactly click his heels for joy, if that's what you mean," replied Hannah, setting down the cup, for her hands could not hang on to it any longer.

"Sounds like there's going to be trouble," observed Mrs. Anderson.

"I'm sorry I brought you into this mess," Hannah said, verging on tears. Mrs. Anderson opened her arms and hugged Hannah lovingly.

"It's in God's hands," Mrs. Anderson reassured. Daniel got up from his bed on the sofa, and returned to his room. The picture of a mother comforting her child, brought back a flood of memories Daniel thought he had forgotten. He hugged the bed and wept. Hannah noticed Daniel's abrupt departure and walked over to his shut door.

"It sounds like he's crying," she said, surprisingly. Mr. Anderson motioned for her to come away from his door.

"Beth, sit down," he instructed. Hannah sat down on the sofa. "You are surprised to discover that Daniel has feelings, Beth? I think I know why he does not look at you when you speak to him." Hannah leaned forward. "To you, Daniel is someone you rescued from the streets. You saved his life by taking him in. I am proud of you for that. It shows a merciful heart, and God delights in mercy. But," he went on, "you treat him like a child. Daniel knows that he owes you more than he can ever repay. By your attitude towards him, you remind him of his own shame." Mr. Anderson paused, "There is one thing more I think you should be aware of. Your mother and I saw it the first time we saw Daniel, but you, apparently, have not noticed it. That poor man is in love with you, Beth." Hannah shook her head, disbelievingly.
"You have to be mistaken. Daniel doesn't even like me," said Hannah.

"Beth, I have been married for forty years. I could recognize the love in his eyes when he looks at you, a mile away! But," he continued solemnly, "this is a dangerous situation. A man, who as far as I know, is not a Christian, is in love with you. It would be very easy for you to love him in return. That is why, your mother and I think it would be best if you went away." Hannah looked up at her mother, who was standing beside her husband's armchair.

"I'm sorry to send you away, especially with all the media trouble, but it is the right thing to do," exhorted Mrs. Anderson.

"But I don't love Daniel," replied Hannah.

"This is best, Hannah," said Mrs. Anderson. Hannah accepted her parents' advice. After all, she had been the one who took the job with Mr. Hanley's office. Look at the trouble she was in now!

"I'll go back to my apartment. It's probably best that I leave anyway. I don't want any more reporters bothering you guys again. Besides," she added on a happier note, "Jenny's baby is due soon. I think her husband will appreciate my keeping her company while he's at work." Hannah got up from the sofa. "It's strange," she observed outloud, "I feel like the whole world has changed in one morning."


"Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.