“No.” She came to him and eased her arms around his waist. “I’m too excited for you. I can’t believe it’s finally here.”
“Me either.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “You sure you can’t come with me tomorrow?”
“I want to.” She swayed with him, her eyes never leaving his. “I’ll be there Wednesday.”
“And you’ll stay for the entire shoot?”
“Most of it.” She touched her lips to his, and for a while their eyes did all the talking. “I’m so proud of you, taking this step.” She eased away from him and turned to the same photo he’d been looking at, the first one on the study wall. With her fingertips, she brushed off some of the dust that had accumulated on the frame. “I loved every minute we spent with those people. But even back then I used to ask God how we wound up in Indonesia when you were born to make movies.” She looked over her shoulder at him. “I don’t think there’s another producer out there like you, Keith. I mean that.”
“Babe, there are lots of producers.” He put his arm easily around her shoulders.
“Not like you.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’ve seen what you can do. You’re amazing, Keith. The films you made in college blew everyone away, remember?”
“Not everyone.”
“Your professors.” She pulled away just enough to make eye contact. “They wanted you to submit a couple of those films to Sundance.”
“I guess.” Those days felt like they’d happened to someone else, a lifetime ago at least.
She slipped her arm around his waist and snuggled close to him again. “No one has your talent and passion for a life-changing message. I can’t wait to see what God’s going to do over the next month.”
“Remind me of that.” He smiled at her, at the fierce belief she had in him. “Remind me when I feel like giving up, okay?”
“God brought us this far.” She had nothing but utter confidence in her voice. “He won’t let you give up now. Neither will I.”
They were quiet a moment, studying the other photos on the wall, the pictures of Andi at age twelve, sitting in the cockpit ready to fly the bush plane on her own, and the one of Lisa holding two babies born to village women who had given their lives to Christ. Chase and Kelly performing minor surgery on a man whose leg had been cut open, and a photo of two tribes who had come together for a Bible study after decades of warring against each other.
“The job we had to do, it was all so black and white back then.” He removed his arm from her shoulders and lifted a framed photograph of their daughter from the cluttered desk. “I worry about Andi … if she’ll make the transition well.”
They’d been home from Indonesia for almost two years, and Andi had finished her high school education at King’s Way Christian, fifteen minutes from their new home. As always, she’d been a bright light, but sometimes her enthusiasm and zest for each day crossed the line from exuberance to daring. Something wild and adventurous shone in Andi’s eyes, and more than once Keith and Lisa had prayed fervently for their daughter, begging God to protect her and to use her charisma and curiosity for good.
“She loves life.” Lisa smiled. “She can’t get enough.”
“But she needs to love the life God wants for her.”
“She will.” The strength in Lisa’s eyes was unwavering. “And if it takes a little time, we’ll just love her through it.”
“Right.”
Lisa kissed him once more. “See you upstairs.”
After she left, Keith stared a little longer at the picture of their only child, their precious daughter. As a young girl, Andi’s unbridled love for God had led countless people into a relationship with Jesus. The tribal people were drawn by her blonde hair and blue eyes and the innocent full-hearted way she sang songs of praise and raised her hands in prayer.
From the time she could walk, Andi had been fearless around strangers, showing them unrestrained attention and concern and making friends as easily as she breathed. One time when she was thirteen, she hadn’t shown up for dinner so they quickly formed a search party. Half an hour later they found Andi talking about her faith with the women of the neighboring tribe, telling them in their native tongue about the grace and mercy of Christ.
But as she neared sixteen, Keith and Lisa had to admit that their daughter might not be safe in the bush. She was willowy and long-legged, her straight blonde hair hanging in a single sheath halfway down her back. So much time outdoors had given her a honey-colored complexion, and rather than seeing her as the delightful pixie she’d been as a child, the village people began treating her differently—like there was something almost mystical or special about her. The men especially took extra notice of her wherever she went.
Keith and Lisa directed her to wear men’s pants and baggy shirts, but even so, Andi had a way of making people catch their breath when she walked up. Now, dressed in fitted jeans and stylish sweaters, Andi was a stunning, fresh-faced beauty, wide-eyed and innocent, afraid of nothing. Keith could only imagine the impact she was having on the freshmen boys at Indiana University.
And what about her interest in acting? Ever since he and Chase determined to come back to the States and make movies that might influence the culture, Andi had been driven to appear on the big screen. Keith and Chase had met at USC’s film school, and both of them had been around enough young actors to recognize talent. There was an “it” factor that was absolutely essential for young people looking to make it in the movies. That indefinable something.
Whatever that something was, Andi had it. Keith and Chase both agreed. But so what? She could be the next Reese Witherspoon or Kate Hudson, but how would that make a difference for eternity? And what about Andi’s faith? Could it survive the movie industry, the fame and attention, the ridiculous scrutiny?
Keith set the photo back on the desk. Sometimes he wished they could all move back to Indonesia, back where life truly was simpler, and the activities of their days were clear-cut and singly focused. Before the contemporary American culture could change Andi. But there was no turning back now. This was where she wanted to be, and Keith and Lisa had no choice but to let her follow her dreams—including her desire to embrace all of life—to experience it.
Whatever the lessons involved might cost.
Keith was grateful he’d have the next four weeks to interact with her, to meet her roommate, and see how she was settling in at college. But even so he felt a heaviness in his heart. Keep her safe, Lord … please. She has to grow up, and we have to let her … but keep her on the right path. Please.
A line from last week’s sermon sounded again in his heart. “Don’t worry about your children,” the pastor had said. “Raise them in the way they should go, pray for them, and trust them to Jesus. He loves them even more than you do.”
Yes, Keith told himself. That’s true. He and Lisa had done that, hadn’t they? They’d raised Andi in the way she should go, and they’d prayed for her. Now, in her first year of college at Indiana University, they had to trust her to Jesus. That meant they had to believe that the roommate she’d been assigned to was exactly the right person for this new season in both their lives. They knew the girl’s name now, and Keith had been praying for her as often as he prayed for Andi. She was a local girl, the daughter of an NFL coach and the oldest of six kids. A theater major like Andi, whose faith was important enough to list on her housing application.
A girl Keith believed would not only be a great roommate for Andi, but something far more than that.
An answer to their prayers.
Three
THE WEEKEND HAD BEEN WONDERFUL, BUT now it was Sunday night and the first full week of classes at Indiana University would begin in the morning. Bailey Flanigan stood in her family’s driveway and hugged each of her younger brothers, saving her goodbye to Connor for last. She was only three years older than Connor, and the two of them had always been close—especially because of their involvement in the town’s Christian Kids Theater grou
p.
Connor was taller than her now, so she stood on her tiptoes and hugged him around his neck. “It’s not like I’m going across the country.”
“I know.” Connor smiled, but his eyes stayed glum. “But you’re not down the hall.” He raised a single shoulder. “It’s not the same.”
Bailey felt her heart sink. “Things are never the same when you grow up.”
“Right.” He found a grin for her. “Just come back next weekend, okay?”
“I will.” She moved on to her dad, and then to her mom.
Connor and the other boys headed back inside, talking about their coming football season and the homework their teachers were already handing out even though it was just the first week of school. Bailey loved the familiarity of their voices mingled together. This was why she hadn’t chosen a college farther away. She loved her family and these weekends home were something she would look forward to. Still, the time on campus would be good for her. She smiled at her parents. “It was the right decision, moving onto campus.”
Her dad put his hand on her shoulder. “I agree with you, honey.” His eyes filled with pride for all she was doing. “You’re ready for this. If you want to experience college life, you have to be there.”
Her mom nodded. “Even if the college is only fifteen minutes away.”
“Right.” Bailey smiled, grateful for their understanding. She’d earned nearly a full scholarship based on her grades and her audition for the drama department. Now that she was living on campus she could handle a full load of courses and still participate in school plays and get involved in student activities. She could practically feel her eyes sparkling with all that lay ahead. “I’m excited about Campus Crusade too. The first Cru meeting is Thursday night.”
“You’ll love it.” Her dad put his arm around her mom. “It’s a great way to meet other kids.”
“And keep your focus.” Her mom’s look went deeper than her dad’s, the way it often did. Bailey had always considered her mom her best friend, and these early days of college life hadn’t changed that. “I have a feeling you’ll be a very bright light for Campus Crusade.”
“Me too.” She hugged her mom once more. “I better get going. Andi will be looking for me.”
“You have auditions this week, right?” Her mom wasn’t stalling, just getting every last bit of conversation in before Bailey had to leave.
“On Tuesday, for the whole season.” Bailey raised her eyebrows. “First show is Scrooge.” She made a nervous face. “Pray for me. I’ve always wanted to play Isabel.”
“You’d be perfect for the part.” Her dad leaned in and kissed her forehead. “You certainly have the talent and experience for it. After all those CKT shows. The director’ll probably beg you to take the part.”
“Dad.” Bailey laughed and shook her head.
“I’m serious. Indiana University doesn’t know how lucky it is to have you.”
“Not yet, anyway.” Her mom joined in. “Seriously, sweetheart. You’ll be amazing.” She hugged Bailey once more. “Are you babysitting for Ashley this week?”
“Wednesday and Friday.” Bailey didn’t have time for a real job, but a few times a week she watched the three kids of Ashley Baxter Blake and her husband, Landon. Ashley was an amazing artist, and she’d even helped out with sets for a number of CKT shows. These days she was painting landscapes again, and two afternoons a week she needed a few quiet hours to work. Her kids were great—Cole and Devin, and their baby sister, Janessa. The family lived in Ashley’s old house, the one where Bailey and her family had joined the Baxter family for a number of celebrations.
Someday when God brought the right person into her life, she hoped she had a marriage like her parents or a marriage like Ashley and Landon’s. In some ways, Ashley was like an older sister, always willing to listen or spend an extra few minutes talking. For now, Bailey figured babysitting the Blake kids wasn’t only a job, it was one of the best ways to pay back Ashley’s kindness.
She walked to her car and her parents followed. “Drive safely,” her mom folded her arms against the cool night breeze. The smell of burning leaves and damp grass mixed in the air the way it did every fall.
“Call us when you’re in your room.” Her dad winked at her. “Bring down the house at the audition.”
Bailey laughed. They said another round of goodbyes and then she was on the road. She checked the time on her car radio. It was just after nine. Her roommate Andi should be back in the dorm by now. Her dad had flown in today for the movie he was filming in town and on campus over the next few weeks. The two of them were supposed to have dinner, and then Andi needed to get back to finish setting up her side of their dorm room.
An easy smile lifted the corners of her lips. She’d only met Andi Ellison a week ago, but already she could see the two of them becoming good friends. Andi was striking, but she wasn’t into herself or stuck up like she could’ve been. Instead, she was anxious to connect with Bailey and quick to share her own experiences on the mission field and in her final few years in high school. And she was always wanting to know more about Bailey’s life in Bloomington.
“What about love?” Andi had asked after they turned out the lights their second night together. Her bed was beneath the window, and Bailey’s was near the door, but the room was so small they could easily talk in whispers and hear each other. “You ever been in love?”
Bailey’s heart beat a little quicker at the question. “Well … you know, I’m sort of dating Tim Reed. I told you about him. The guy I did Christian Kids Theater with all those years.”
“Yeah, I know.” Andi kept her voice low since the walls were thin. “But you didn’t say you were in love with him. So … have you ever been in love?”
Bailey sighed because this was exactly what she wrestled with at least once a day. Was she in love with Tim, or were the two of them only following some script that their CKT friends had practically written out for them? Tim was the natural choice for her, right? Wasn’t that what she’d always believed? But if so, then how come she didn’t see his face in her mind as she lay there in the dark?
Instead, the face that took over her thoughts belonged to Cody Coleman, the boy she still couldn’t forget—no matter how hard he tried to convince her to move on. Cody was two years older than her. He’d lived with their family when she was a sophomore and junior, and though he’d had his struggles, in the end he’d learned much about life from his high school football coach—Bailey’s dad. More than a year ago Cody joined the army, but after a few months in Iraq he’d been captured by enemy forces. During his escape, he was shot, and when he returned this past summer, he was missing his lower left leg.
Bailey didn’t think him any less for his injuries. But despite her feelings for him, Cody had been adamant when he stopped by her house his first day back in town. It was the Fourth of July, and even though his eyes had told her his real feelings for her, his words said something else. “You deserve better than me, Bailey.” He had hugged her close, and clearly neither of them wanted to let go. “Tim’s good for you. The sort of guy you deserve. You and I … we can be friends, nothing more.”
Cody had stuck to his determination, keeping his visits to the Flanigan house brief and rare, and maintaining a distance with Bailey. But no matter how hard he worked at it, Bailey knew better. Because there was something else he’d told her that day when he returned home from war. Something that would always stay with her.
“Bailey?” When the silence lasted too long, Andi giggled. But her whispered tone was sharp with impatience. “Come on. Tell me if you’ve ever been in love.”
“I’m not sure.” Bailey answered quicker, because she wasn’t ready to talk about Cody. Maybe one day she’d tell Andi. If they became close enough. But for now only her mom knew about her feelings for Cody. “What about you?”
“Nah.” Andi laughed again. “There were no guys in Indonesia, and once I came home everyone had their friends and cliques. It was all I
could do to finish school with decent grades.”
“Really?” Bailey was surprised. A girl as pretty as Andi, and she’d never been in love? “So you didn’t date or anything?”
“A couple times. No one special.” She sighed, and there was a dreamy sound in her voice. “I have a feeling I’ll meet him here. Like somewhere out there on the big campus of Indiana University is my own Prince Charming.” She yawned. “Now all I have to do is meet him.” She hesitated. “Has Tim kissed you?”
“Just once. After prom back in June.”
“Was it amazing? I mean, I haven’t had my first kiss so I’m scared to death about it,” she giggled. “But still … I know it’ll be amazing. So was it?”
Amazing? Bailey let the question drift slowly through her mind and into her heart. She enjoyed being with Tim, and that night at the prom they’d had a great time laughing and dancing. The kiss left her with butterflies, and she’d never forget it as long as she lived. But amazing? “I don’t know.” Bailey stared at the ceiling, searching for the right words. “It was my only kiss, so I guess.”
“Hmmm.” Andi rolled over onto her side and peered at Bailey through the dark shadows. “If you have to think about it that hard, it couldn’t have been too amazing.”
After that, Bailey had found a way to change the subject, and though they talked every night, true love didn’t come up again. Bailey was glad. Now she could hardly wait to get back to her dorm and hear the details of the movie Andi’s father was about to film.
She stuck to the speed limit, but she pulled her cell phone from her purse. Her dad had installed the hands-free unit in her car so she’d be safe. A conversation would make the drive feel shorter. She thought for a few seconds about who to call, and a wild idea came to mind. Cody Coleman. She should call Cody, just so he’d know he couldn’t hide from her forever. But before she could hit the first number, her phone rang. It was a song by Taylor Swift—“Teardrops on My Guitar.” The song was about a girl who loved a guy she could never have. Tim Reed must’ve heard her ring tone a dozen times when they’d hung out, but he hadn’t made the connection.