Montana Rose Chapter Two

Chapter Two

I Samuel 16:7 “For the Lord sees not as a man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Audrey Rose Hamilton was a young widow with four children when she moved to the small town of Youngstown, Arizona. With her late husband's life insurance she was able to buy a simple house and a life that would protect her children from the dangers of Los Angeles. Her parents, Lois and Dan Miller, came also and helped her cope with single parenthood. As a grandfather Dan brought that much needed safety and security for the children. Lois was always there with a ready prayer and wise words when Audrey and the children needed guidance. They vowed to always be there as long the family needed them.

The Hamilton family quickly settled into the small community. They were active in church and the boys played baseball with the neighborhood little league team. To occupy her time Audrey made quilts and gift baskets to sell at rummage sales and gift shops. It was the Sinclair Farm Pumpkin Festival that would change her life forever.

She was invited to display her wares in the antique gift shop year round at the Sinclair farm and that was when she first heard mention of Jamie Sinclair. He was the owner's son and the ladies did swoon for him. Audrey didn't see what all the talk was about. He was a tall, strong man, with a nice smile and a pleasant face but desperately in need of a woman's guidance in the area of fashion. She smiled now to think of it, the plaid shirts with striped pants, sandals with dark socks. The uneven haircut and long sideburns dated him to the late seventies. One of their first dates was a shopping trip to choose some new items for Jamie's wardrobe so they could go out for a nice dinner together.

James Michael Sinclair Jr was a divorced father of three. His wife of ten years one day decided she could no longer live the farm life and left him high and dry with three young children to care for. She had always been a melancholy sort and he never knew from one day to the next what to expect when he came home each evening. Most often it was an untidy home, unkept children, and an unprepared dinner. Her leaving wasn't too much of a shock because she already left the family emotionally many years ago. He did the best he could and depended on his mother and sisters in the care of his young sons and daughter. When Audrey came into the picture their world changed drastically. There were hot showers every night and she made them use soap! Best of all were the good hot meals with grace said at the table as a family. A blended family. Audrey's three sons, Joe, Jacob, and Tommy, and her daughter Stacey. Jamie's two sons, Brad and Mark and his daughter Janie. After they were married the Lord blessed them with one more son, Tyler James Sinclair.

Their very first date began with an unexpected phone call from Jamie.
“Audrey? This is Jamie Sinclair from Sinclair Farms.”, said the voice on the phone.

Audrey smiled at the sound of his voice. It had been seven years since she had received any calls from a man, for business or pleasure. She assumed he was calling about her quilts.

“Hello Jamie. I'm sorry I haven't been in the store lately. It's just that the children haven't been well and,” she hesitated.
“Well now Audrey, I wasn't calling about the store. It's just that it's my birthday today and I thought you'd like to come out to the farm for some cake with my family.” he said.

Cake with his family? The Sinclair family? The wealthiest family in the county, THE Sinclairs?
“This is a surprise Jamie, are you sure you want to invite me?” Audrey asked.
“I'm very sure.” he said emphatically.

They made arrangements for Jamie to pick her up. Audrey hung up the phone and shook her head. She had never exchanged more than a few words with this man and out of the blue he was inviting her for cake. A date no less. He was so calm and assured of himself, never doubting that she would accept his invitation. This took her back some but something about him intrigued her, he was a man with a quiet confidence in himself.
“Well Lord,” she thought, “Maybe you're bringing that new chapter into my life that I’ve been hoping for.”

Jamie informed his mother and sisters that he was inviting a friend over for cake tonight.

“Could they please have cake and ice cream ready for his birthday?” Jamie had requested.
“A friend?” his mother said.
“Who might this friend be my son?”
“I've invited the girl who brings quilts to the store. Audrey Hamilton is her name.” Jamie said.

His mother and sisters exchanged looks of disbelief. What good could come of this? Audrey was a beautiful girl, too beautiful for Jamie. A city girl couldn’t adapt to a life on the farm. Sinclair women were tough, they had to be able to jump on a tractor to help out their men when needed. Jamie's first wife had already run from the pressures and struggles. This girl would never make it. What could be Audrey's interest in seeing Jamie anyway? Could it be his money? They had heard that she was a widow, trying to raise four children on her own. This Audrey Rose had another thing coming if she thought she had found a ticket to an easy ride.
 
When Audrey returned home late that evening she was surprised to find her parents waiting up for her in the kitchen, their faces strained with worry.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Was there a problem with the children?”

Her mother spoke first, “No, they were fine. Your father and I have been praying and we feel it’s time to have a talk with you.”
“Audrey Rose what are your plans with this man?” her father demanded.
“My plans? Dad, I just had cake at his parent’s house. It means nothing. What are you two so worried about?” she said.
“This Sinclair man has a wife doesn’t he?” he asked.
“He had a wife, they divorced five years ago,” Audrey explained.
“Audrey, you are playing with fire if you continue to see this man,” Dan Miller’s voice was shaking now.
“Times have changed Dad, we don’t live under the law now, this is New Testament times.” Audrey said with a shrug, “I’m turning in now, I love you both. Please don’t worry about me, I’m a big girl and can handle my own affairs.”

Her mother softly pleaded, “Please pray about this, you have your children to think about. The Lord won’t bless something that is not His will.”

The Lord won’t bless something that is not His will, those words still rang in her ears today. Sixteen years, a new child, seven teenagers and one thousand miles away and her mother’s voice still haunted Audrey. She and Jamie had fallen fast for each other and had truly felt that God had brought them together. Each had thought they would never love again and then suddenly they were in love and planning a life with each other. Surely their parents would come around and the children would adjust. They had even sought the counsel of their pastor before announcing their plans. He had warned them that it is not an easy road to blend two families together, but as long as God was the center of their lives He would see them through. Things had been difficult at times but the one constant was their love for each other and their faith in God. It seemed like God blessed and provided them everything but their relationship with each family was strained at best. Jamie and Audrey had finally decided to strike out on their own and leave the Sinclair family business. It meant being far away from their adult children and their growing families but the hope was to encourage them to visit often. As the grandchildren grew older they could spend summers on the ranch. Audrey and Jamie prayed that one day there would be a reconciliation with their parents. “Whatever it takes Lord” had been the cry of their hearts. Audrey wondered what it would take to move their hearts. She missed the close bond with her parents, the chats at the kitchen table with her mother. Sharing a scripture for the day..
“Whatever it takes Lord,” she whispered to herself.