She glanced at Jenny as she headed toward the stage wings. The look on her friend’s face said Jenny was okay with Cody giving Bailey the flower. They’d all grown much closer to him since his alcohol poisoning. Cody seemed like a different person, and with the way Jenny said he was relying on God these days, he probably was.
The excitement continued to build as Katy zipped down the stairs and into the greenroom. The kids were putting the finishing touches on their makeup, smudging powdered cocoa on their faces so they’d look like dirty orphans, and adjusting their costumes and microphones.
Dayne was downstairs too, helping Larry Taie with the buttons on his Mr. Bumble costume. The kid was the funniest actor they had in CKT. He was perfect in the role, and he and Dayne had bonded in the course of bringing the show to life. Dayne saw great promise in Larry and had encouraged him to study acting in college.
“Okay, everyone.” Katy clapped the rhythm the kids knew instinctively.
In only a few seconds, a hush fell over the greenroom, and the kids echoed the clap back to her.
“All right, let’s circle up.”
All seventy kids and fourteen crew members squeezed into a circle that took up most of the room. Dayne was at the opposite end, and just as Katy opened her mouth to make the final announcements, her eyes caught his. A sudden wealth of emotion built in her, and she brought her lips together and swallowed. Here they were, she and Dayne, doing the thing they loved without any cameras or paparazzi or national fame.
But was it the last time? the last time she’d ask her CKT kids to circle up before a show? the last time they’d share opening night in the Bloomington Community Theater? She blinked back tears, and one at a time she looked at each boy and girl in the circle—Bailey and Connor Flanigan, Tim Reed, Larry, Patrick, Sydney, the Shaffer kids, and the Picks. . . .
Dayne seemed to sense that she was struggling. He coughed, and the attention shifted to him. “Katy and I are very proud of all of you.” His eyes shone, and sincerity rang in his tone. “You’ve worked hard to get where you are tonight. Now it’s time to go out and show them what you can do, what God’s given you the gift and talent to do. Tonight isn’t about us. It’s about giving glory to the One who brought us together.” He glanced at Katy. “The only One who could’ve done that.”
Katy was grateful to Dayne. If she could have frozen the moment, she would’ve crossed the room and hugged him. He knew her so well that they might have been friends for a decade or more. She found her voice. “Let’s pray.” She closed her eyes. “Lord, thank You for each one here. Help them remember their lines, and be with them that they might sing clearly for You. Above all, we pray that Your light will shine through us tonight. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
In her heart, she added another prayer that developers might not buy the theater and turn it into condos, and the kids might have the chance to continue with CKT, even if her position among them was replaced by Rhonda and Chad Jennings from Cleveland.
Before the circle broke apart, Tim Reed led the group in the song that had become as much a part of a CKT show as the lights and the stage. “‘I love You, Lord, and I lift my voice. . . .’”
Katy swallowed again. CKT couldn’t be nearing its end. It was enough to think that this might be her last show without having to imagine one day driving by where the theater had been and seeing condos. She focused on the matter at hand, and when the song ended, she smiled at her entire cast. “Let’s make it happen!”
A cheer rose from the kids.
As Katy made her way toward the stairs, Dayne fell in beside her. “Somehow I can’t imagine you not doing this work, Katy.”
“Me neither.” She sniffed and kept her smile in place. This wasn’t the time to mourn future losses. It was time to celebrate all they’d worked for. She looped her arm through his. “Here we go!”
The show began five minutes later and went along flawlessly through the curtain call. Patrick’s nose stayed in place, and Bailey’s angry interchange with Tim Reed’s Bill Sikes character was something Katy felt in the pit of her stomach. There was no question that by the end of the show, everyone believed Bailey was an abused barmaid and not the innocent girl she was offstage. Connor was wonderful as Dodger, and Larry brought down the house with his funny leprechaun-like dance in pursuing the hand of the workhouse widow.
It wasn’t until the play was over and they’d celebrated opening night with a party at the Flanigan house that it occurred to Katy: with this milestone behind them, the next one lay just ahead.
Their wedding.
Ashley stayed in touch with Katy throughout the run of Oliver! shows. She even left baby Devin with Kari and took Cole out of school so the two of them could act as ushers for one of the school-day shows.
“I don’t get it,” Cole told her that afternoon. “Why would they sell Oliver? You don’t just sell people, Mom.”
“No.” Ashley thought about all that Cole would learn in the coming years, about the civilizations and generations who did indeed believe that people could be bought and sold. “No one should ever be sold like that.”
“Because Jesus already paid the price for everyone. So that means people can’t be sold again, because we’re already sold to Jesus.”
“Exactly.” She loved the way Cole was growing, the way his thoughtfulness was starting to shape his worldview. “A lot of leaders would’ve done well to understand that through the ages, Cole.”
She could tell by the look on his face that he wasn’t sure what she meant, but he smiled anyway. “Exactly.”
Later that night she shared his words with Landon, who pressed his fist over his heart. “That kid gets to me every time.”
They were in the family room watching a basketball game on TV. Ashley kissed his cheek. “That’s why I told you.”
He cocked his head and studied her for a moment. “How’re you feeling? You’re not feeling sick like you were with Devin?”
“Nope.” Ashley was glad. With Devin she’d had nausea morning, noon, and night. “This is my easiest pregnancy by far.”
“Which’ll make traveling a lot easier.”
“I’ve thought about that. I think Dayne and Katy are going to whisk us off to some island somewhere.”
It was fun trying to guess and allowing the actual destination to be a mystery. Ashley and Landon talked about it with each other and with the other Baxters whenever they got together over the next week.
Then on Tuesday, March 14, a woman knocked on their door and delivered an envelope to them. “It’s from Dayne Matthews. I believe you’ve been expecting it.”
Ashley could hardly wait to rip it open. She thanked the woman and yelled for Landon. “It’s here! The golden ticket is finally here!”
Landon had Devin on his hip. He hurried into the room with Cole in tow. “Is it the invitation?”
“Yes.” Ashley held it up and did a little dance. She waved the envelope around and then tore off the top flap. “‘The honor of your presence is requested at the wedding of Katy Hart and Dayne Matthews, March 18, at the Riviera Resort in Cancún, Mexico.’” Ashley let out a squeal. “They’re getting married in Cancún!”
The rest of the information explained that guests should pack swimsuits and casual clothes, as well as wedding attire, in one suitcase each and meet at five o’clock in the morning on Thursday, March 16, at the Indianapolis airport. From there they would fly by private jet to Cancún, where a bus would transport them to the resort, which had been rented exclusively for the occasion. There would be a bridal shower on Friday morning and various meals and gatherings throughout the day.
“Which means we have exactly one day to pack.” Ashley paced a few steps toward the garage. “I better get the suitcases.”
Landon looked at the front window. “Katy said the press are in town, right?”
“Yes.” Ashley frowned. “They could be watching now.” She peered out the window too. “If they are outside, we can’t let them see us packing. We have to keep
everything secret until the plane takes off.”
By the next evening, Ashley had talked to her sisters and Katy. Everyone felt the same way—that three days on the Mayan Riviera would make for a dream wedding and a vacation at the same time.
It was time to celebrate. The brother they’d never known wasn’t only found—he was getting married! And the sweet theater director who had become Ashley’s friend was about to become something far more lasting.
Her sister.
At the last minute, Jenny and Jim decided to take Cody Coleman to Dayne and Katy’s wedding in Mexico. Originally he wasn’t going, but he’d developed a strong attachment to the Flanigans since Thanksgiving. The time away would be good for him, a reward for his dedication to his classes and his growing faith.
By three o’clock Thursday morning, the Flanigans were awake and racing through the house.
“I’m bringing my stuffed dolphin.” Shawn held it over his head as he ran down the stairs. “That’s okay, right, Mom? Justin says I can’t bring it ’cause there’s no room in the suitcase, but I sleep with that dolphin every night, so it’s okay, right?”
Jenny could barely keep the lists in her head straight. She waved her hand in Justin’s direction. “Let him bring it. The dolphin’s squishy. It doesn’t take up much room.” She raised her voice. “Bailey, get your suitcase down here. You’re always last.”
“I’ll help her if she needs it.” Cody was up, his duffel bag already sitting by the door.
For the first time Jenny heard it, sensed it in Cody’s voice. Over the past couple of months, she’d seen Cody and Bailey getting closer, and she’d believed it to be nothing but a friendship. A brother-sister relationship. But here, in the midst of a crazy predawn morning, she had no doubts. Cody was developing feelings for Bailey, feelings she doubted he would act on any time before he left for the army.
Jenny hid her surprise with a smile. “Thanks, but she has to get her things together by herself. Otherwise she can’t go.”
“Hurry up, Bailey.” Connor moved to the bottom of the stairs. “Mom says you can’t go if you don’t get down here.”
“I’m coming. . . .” Her frantic voice came from her bedroom. “I can’t find my curling iron.”
Cody chuckled and turned his attention back to his bowl of cereal. “It’s weird eating this early.”
“Not for me.” Ricky was the best eater in the family. He was finishing his second bowl of Cheerios. “Mom says we won’t eat again till we get to Mexico.”
Jenny smiled to herself. “Cody, why don’t you check the boys’ suitcase—all four little ones are sharing one big bag. Make sure they each have a bathing suit and flip-flops and their wedding clothes.”
“Will do.” Cody took a final bite of cereal and moved his bowl to the kitchen sink. He rinsed it and put it in the dishwasher. “Okay, boys . . . let’s take a look at your suitcase.”
Jenny’s thoughts jumbled in her mind, and she pressed her fingers to her brow. “Vitamins . . . sunscreen . . . allergy medicine for BJ . . . nylons . . . hair spray.” She muttered the list under her breath. “Bailey, do you have the hair spray?”
“Yes. Coming, Mom . . . really!”
Jim waltzed into the kitchen with a small suitcase. He lined it up next to Connor’s and Cody’s. “Everyone ready to roll?”
The chaos continued, but finally, they were loaded into the Flanigans’ Suburban complete with six suitcases, three backpacks, vitamins, sunscreen, and plenty of hair spray. Even so, Jenny felt restless. “I keep thinking I forgot something.”
“Not me, Mom.” Ricky waved from the backseat. “You know, like Home Alone. You didn’t forget any kids.”
“This time.” Jim gave her a wary look. “There was the trip to Cedar Point.”
“Ugh.” Jenny let her face fall into her hands. “What a nightmare.” They had been four miles from home when they realized BJ must’ve gone back inside to the bathroom. Because he was definitely missing. By the time they got back, he was sitting on the front porch with tears in his eyes.
“It’s more fun in the movies,” he’d told them. “I never wanna be home alone for real.”
But that wasn’t it this time. Suddenly she gasped. “My camera! I forgot my camera!”
“Nope.” Bailey was sitting between Cody and Connor in the middle seat. “I remembered it for you.” She patted her purse. “It’s in here.”
“Along with most of her bathroom.” Connor laughed. “The thing’s bursting at the seams.”
Jenny allowed herself to relax. “I can’t believe this.”
“A wedding in Cancún?” Jim grinned. “I remember when the quarterback of one of my pro teams did something like this. Chartered a jet and took all the guests to Hawaii. I heard everyone had a blast.”
“I can’t imagine how excited Katy must be.” She leaned back in the seat and set her purse on the floor. “I mean, did you really think this would happen? that she and Dayne would find a way to work things out?”
“No.” Jim didn’t hesitate. “God’s moved mountains for this one.”
A smile tugged at Jenny’s lips. She was tired and mentally drained from the effort of packing the family and getting out the door in time. But that didn’t matter. They were on their way to Mexico with the Baxters and CKT families, on their way to witness Katy pledge her life and love to Dayne Matthews.
Nothing was greater proof of God’s love than that.
Katy couldn’t believe it was really happening.
Wilma Waters was in charge of checking in the guests at the counter for private air travel in the terminal adjacent to Indianapolis International Airport. Katy and Dayne personally greeted each family and offered them coffee and doughnuts.
Wilma asked the same questions of everyone. “Anyone follow you? Anyone ask you about today? Any photographers in the parking lot as you came inside?”
Wilma was pretty certain the paparazzi from Bloomington would figure something was up. They might even get as close as the airport. But they couldn’t get into the private terminal without identification, so that would be that. They would know that Dayne and Katy’s wedding guests were boarding a private jet, but they wouldn’t have any idea where they were going.
Already Wilma had required a signed affidavit promising secrecy for the flight plans of the company’s private jet. If anyone from the air travel company leaked information to the press—anyone at all—Wilma promised a lawsuit and said she wouldn’t do business with the company again. It was a threat the company took seriously. Wilma didn’t expect any trouble from the flight crew or people back at the corporate offices of the leasing company.
There wasn’t a sign of trouble until John Baxter arrived. “We were followed,” he told Wilma the moment he and Elaine joined the others inside the terminal. “Someone was waiting at the end of my driveway. They must’ve figured the wedding was coming soon.”
“That’s okay.” Wilma checked her watch. “We’ll be off the ground before anyone else figures it out.”
Katy’s nerves rattled. She found Dayne and clung to his arm. “A photographer followed your dad.”
He touched her cheek. “We could be flying anywhere. If this is the first they know about it, they’re too late.” He slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “You know what? God hasn’t brought us this far just to see the wedding crashed by a bunch of photographers.” He kissed her. “We’ll be fine.”
She nodded. He was right. They would be better than fine; they’d be perfect. Her private wedding was actually going to take place.
Katy and Dayne boarded the plane last, and as they did, the plane full of people erupted into applause ripe with excitement. She stopped, struck by the sight. Looking back at them were the faces of people she’d laughed and cried with—the Flanigans and all the CKT families she was close to. Her parents were on their way on a commercial flight from Chicago. She couldn’t wait to see them.
Katy felt her eyes dance to life. Because she couldn’t
believe it. She sat next to Dayne in the second row, and within an hour most of their family and friends were sleeping. Everything about the flight and the fact that the wedding was about to happen felt surreal. When she was a little girl, she’d dreamed of being a fairy princess and marrying a prince. The way Cinderella did. And now here she was—being carried off in her jumbo-jet carriage with midnight a lifetime away.
“I keep thinking I should have glass slippers,” she whispered against Dayne’s neck. “Like someone’s going to wake me up and tell me it’s all a dream.”
Dayne looked down at her, and the love in his eyes was enough to make her heart skip a beat. “It is a dream.” He brought his lips to hers, and this time, sheltered from the watchful eyes of their guests, he kissed her slower.
By ten o’clock that morning they were on the ground with the entire party loaded into a series of buses. The planes coming from Hollywood and Chicago had landed half an hour before the one from Indianapolis, and now all the wedding guests were on their way to the Riviera.
Katy loved watching the people they’d invited, the looks of awe and excitement on their faces. Many of them had never been to Mexico, let alone the gorgeous eastern coastline of Cancún and its surrounding cities. Dayne’s siblings sat with their families at the back of the bus. Their laughter rang all the way to the front. Wilma sat in the seat next to the bus driver, going over her notes like the lead contractor in a massive building project.
With every mile, Katy felt the thrill again and again. She and Dayne were really getting married, the way she’d only dreamed possible.
The weather in Cancún was warm and clear and beautiful, with temperatures expected to be in the eighties for the next several days and low humidity. It took four buses to get all the guests to the resort, and security was at a premium from the moment they arrived at the gates.