“It’s a great place to live!” Landon raised his glass of water and grinned at Ashley. “Right, honey?”
“As long as there are no fires.” She gave him a wary smile. “I’m ready for you to run the department. Then you can keep your uniform clean.”
They all murmured their agreement. The times when Landon had been injured in serious fires were before Dayne had come into the family. But the chance always remained. It reminded Dayne to pray for his brother-in-law every day. He needed absolute protection in his line of work.
The conversation was slowing when Reagan put down her fork and looked around the table. “I have some news. Luke asked for your prayers for us.”
Concern showed on their father’s face. “He’s traveling a lot lately.”
Dayne wondered if this was his segue. Maybe Luke wanted prayers because of the changes taking place with Jeremiah Productions. In addition to handling Dayne’s business, Luke was now almost entirely working with Keith’s production company. Dayne could barely contain his news.
“We’re fine.” Reagan’s eyes warmed. “It’s just…we’re thinking of adopting again. Maybe from the U.S. this time. I talked to Luke earlier today and he asked you to pray. He’ll be home in a few weeks. We might start the process then.”
“Reagan, that’s great!” Ashley was sitting beside her. She reached out and took hold of her sister-in-law’s hand. “We’ll all pray.”
“Can you make this one a boy, please?” Cole sat up straighter. “We need more boy cousins.”
“They’re talking about a baby.” Landon put an arm around their oldest son. “I don’t think cousin kickball will be a part of his or her life for quite a while.”
“Ya,” Cole looked disappointed. “I guess you’re right.”
They all laughed, and Reagan promised to keep them posted. The time had come, and Dayne couldn’t keep the news a secret a moment longer. Besides, his father was watching him, waiting for whatever it was he’d called the dinner for. Dayne set his napkin down and grinned, first at Katy, then at the others. “Katy and I are taking Sophie to Los Angeles tomorrow.”
“For Disneyland?” Tommy jumped out of his seat. “Daddy’s taking me and Malin to Disneyland this summer, right Mommy?” He spun around and stared at Reagan, then spun back to the group again, eyes big. “Disneyland’s the happiest place on earth.”
Reagan helped Tommy back to his seat. Dayne waited for the commotion to die down. “No, not for Disneyland, not this time.” He winked at his young nephew. “But maybe we’ll join you later this summer!”
Cole whispered something to Ashley, but she held her finger to her lips and whispered, “Later.” Then she turned to Dayne. “Is this business, then?”
“Yes.” He grinned. “I’m joining Keith Ellison as the newest producer with Jeremiah Productions.” His family leaned in closer, listening to every word while Dayne explained how Chase had stepped down, and how at the same time he and Katy had felt God calling them into moviemaking. “The timing is perfect. Katy and Sophie can travel with me when we need to be in LA. Otherwise we can work from here.”
His father nodded thoughtfully. “Sounds fantastic.”
“I talked to Keith this morning. He and Lisa are listing their house and moving here to Bloomington. We want to film as many movies in Indiana as possible.” He held his hands out to the rest of the group. “That way we don’t have to give up this.”
“And Keith and Lisa can be closer to their daughter.” Ashley sat back in her seat, beaming over Dayne’s news. “That’s wonderful. Congratulations!”
Peter asked if Dayne would consider acting in one of the Jeremiah Productions films. “Not yet.” He remembered how crazy his life had been back when he was in two or three movies a year. He shared a knowing look with Katy. “God would have to make that very clear.”
“When will the media know?” Elaine’s question was a good one.
Dayne imagined the public attention just ahead of them. There would be major interest in him joining forces with one of the most talked about new producers in town. Especially since Jeremiah Productions was clearly a Christian-based company. “Luke’s releasing a statement to the press tomorrow. I imagine we’ll have interviews pretty quickly after that.”
Reagan exhaled hard, as if she’d been holding her breath. “Luke told me before we came over.” She smiled at Dayne. “If you didn’t say something soon, I was going to tell them myself.”
Their father expressed his gratitude that Luke and Dayne would once again be working closely together. “And it’s great you and Katy and Sophie can do this together. When you have to be on the road,” he patted Dayne’s shoulder. “I’m very happy for you. For all of you.”
By the time everyone left, the whole family was excited about the future of Jeremiah Productions, and Maddie had announced that she planned to star in one of the movies. Just as soon as she finished middle school. Dayne was still smiling when he and Katy and Sophie piled into their SUV and headed home. They were packed, but there was still one thing Dayne wanted to do before they turned in for the night.
Back at their lake house, they tucked Sophie into bed and Dayne took Katy’s hand. “Come with me,” he whispered.
She followed him down the hallway, through the dining room, and out onto the back porch. The stars were bright against the dark sky, and in the distance the soft cry of an owl carried across the lake. They stood beside each other against the porch railing, staring out across the sloped hillside toward the water.
“Everything’s happened so fast.” Dayne slipped his arm around Katy’s shoulders and held her close. “I guess I didn’t want to set off for Hollywood tomorrow without making a few things clear.”
Katy smiled up at him. She didn’t seem worried. Rather her eyes told him she completely trusted his lead in this new venture. She looked straight ahead again and rested her head on his chest. “Tell me.”
“It’s been awhile, and time…well, time’s healed a lot of the wounds from the past.” He paused, choosing his words carefully. “But I want you to know I remember what making movies cost us when we first started out.”
“Hmmm.” She nodded. “You were nearly killed.”
“Yes.” He still had occasional aches and stiffness from the car accident that almost took his life. The paparazzi had been so intense that day, they’d run him off the road, straight into an oncoming truck. He spent weeks in a coma, and months of rehabilitation before he could come home to Bloomington to marry Katy. “The accident, and the lies the rags printed every week. Pretty tough times.”
“They were.”
A light breeze rolled up from the shore, brushing Katy’s hair against Dayne’s cheek. “I promise you, Katy, it won’t be like that this time. We’ll only be in LA on occasion. You and Sophie will be safe at our rented house, and the paparazzi will be more concerned with Brandon Paul than me.”
She smiled again. “You can’t promise that.”
He lifted his eyes to the starry sky above. She was right, and that frustrated him. “I’m married with a baby now. I’m boring by the world’s standards.”
A light laugh slipped between her lips. “Hardly.” She leaned up and kissed him softly. “You’ve never been more handsome.”
“What I’m trying to say is—”
“Shhh.” She held her finger to his lips. “I trust you, Dayne. That’s all that matters. We won’t be in LA any longer than we have to, and no matter what anyone says about you or me or our family, we know the truth.” She paused, looking deep into his eyes. “We have God and we have each other. What you’re doing by joining Jeremiah Productions is mission work. It’s what God’s calling you to do, and I’m in complete support.” Her unwavering love lifted the corners of her lips again. “It’ll be an adventure.”
“And if it gets too crazy?” He wanted her to know he didn’t have all the answers. “What then?”
“That’s easy. If God releases us, we do what Chase did. We walk away. This time mayb
e forever.”
He allowed himself to get lost in her eyes, in her smile. “I love you, Katy Matthews.”
“I love you too. I always will.”
Her words eased the question marks that had popped up in his heart throughout the day. He wanted her to know she came first, and that he’d never put her or Sophie in danger by taking his spot in the public eye again. But he should’ve known that this would be her response. She was his other half, his best friend. She had stood by him before, and she would stand by him now.
No matter how wild the adventure they were about to begin.
Twelve
BAILEY WAS PACKING UP THE LAST of her things she’d left in her dorm room, when she came across a program for Scrooge—the show she and Tim and Andi had starred in last winter. She opened it and looked closely at their photos. The show had been Andi’s first, and yet she’d easily sung like an angel and won the lead female role. Bailey studied her roommate’s eyes. She’d been full of joy and light back then, innocence shining from her face. Everything she was missing now, since she’d dated Taz.
Ever since the conversation with her mom in the market that day, Bailey had wondered about having Andi live with them. She was willing to make it work, if Andi would consider it. But Bailey guessed Andi wouldn’t agree to move in. She was different now, and Bailey had a pretty good idea why. She hadn’t said so, but Bailey’s guess was that Andi had slept with Taz, that they’d gone too far, and that her compromise of her beliefs had something to do with why they’d broken up. Bailey would’ve loved the chance to show Andi she didn’t judge her. But they hadn’t shared a conversation in weeks.
She opened a desk drawer and pulled out a stack of old papers and notepads. Nothing much worth saving, but Bailey wanted to go through it all the same. Somewhere in this mess was a letter from Tim—and she had precious few of those. She pulled up a trash can and began sorting. Halfway through the stack, she heard someone at the door and turned to see Andi walk in. She was carrying an armload of boxes, and Bailey jumped to help her.
“Give me those.” She took the stack, while Andi closed the door behind her.
“Thanks.” She looked gaunt and withdrawn. “I thought I was going to drop them all on my way here.”
Bailey waited until her friend caught her breath. “You…moving in with the girls from your humanities class?”
“No.” Andi dropped to the edge of her bed. “A lot’s happened since we last talked.”
“Yeah.” Bailey didn’t mention that she’d tried to call half a dozen times. She didn’t want to make Andi feel bad. As long as her friend knew she was here for her. “So what’s new?”
“I’m staying here for another few weeks. After that I’m moving in with my parents.”
Bailey was shocked. “You’re moving to California?”
“No.” She smiled, but it stopped short of her eyes. “They’re moving here.” Andi crossed her arms in front of her. “You remember Chase Ryan, the guy who worked with my dad?”
“Of course. Everyone says the movie’s amazing. The one we we’re in.” Their parts were small—featured extra roles, nothing more. But still, Bailey definitely remembered Chase.
“So anyway, Chase quit. He’s staying home with his family. I guess the same day my dad got the news, Dayne Matthews called and said he’d like to work with Jeremiah Productions.”
“Really?” Bailey was thrilled with this development, happy for Chase and certain that Dayne would be an asset for the production company. “So your parents are moving here?”
“Right. So they can work with Dayne and film in Bloomington. They already have a renter for their house. And a place to stay when they need to be in LA.”
Bailey studied her roommate and wondered why she wasn’t more enthused. “That’s great. I mean, it’ll be wonderful having your family here.” She hesitated. “Right?”
Andi stood and slowly crossed the room to the photo of Rachel on the wall by the window. “I guess.” She turned and crossed her arms again. “I’m different now. I’ve done some things I’m not so proud of.”
“They still love you.” Andi’s answer stirred concern and sympathy in Bailey. “You know the truth. Even if you made a few bad choices this past year.”
“How would you understand?” Andi cocked her head, defiant the way she’d been most of the time lately. “Your life’s been perfect since the day you were born, Bailey Flanigan. It’s easy for you to talk about being a Christian.”
She wanted to argue, tell Andi that her life had not been easy. She’d been ignored by the girls in high school, and the guy she really loved had no interest in her. But she had a feeling her answer would sound laughable to Andi, so she kept quiet.
“Never mind.” Andi returned to her bed and moved the stack of boxes to a corner of the room. “It’s not your fault.” She pulled her iPod from her purse and slipped her ear buds in. “I’m taking a nap.”
Bailey’s mouth hung open as Andi stretched out on her comforter and rolled onto her side facing the wall. She had to try one more time, no matter how Andi treated her. Something must be very wrong for her to act this way. She stood and moved to the edge of Andi’s bed. Then she put her hand on her friend’s shoulder. “Andi?”
She uttered a tired sigh, and slipped the ear buds loose. “What?”
“Don’t be mad…but is something wrong? I mean, really wrong?”
Andi rolled over just enough to meet Bailey’s eyes. For a long moment it seemed she might say something, maybe share whatever was at the root of her obvious pain. But a darkness clouded her eyes and she gave a quick shake of her head. “I’m fine.” She turned back toward the wall. “Don’t worry about me.”
Bailey stared at her for another few seconds before returning to her own bed and resuming her sorting. Something was definitely wrong, but whatever it was, her roommate didn’t want to talk. Bailey had tried, but she couldn’t force a conversation. A few minutes passed in awkward silence, when Bailey’s cell phone rang. She glanced at the small window and saw it was Tim. The two of them hadn’t talked much this past week. He was taking dance and voice at a local studio, getting ready for their August audition.
“Hello?”
“Hey. I’m on campus. What’re you doing?” He sounded happy and interested in her—the way he hadn’t sounded for a long time.
“Packing. Where are you?”
“The cafeteria. Come have coffee with me?”
Bailey stared at Andi’s back and didn’t hesitate. Maybe when she returned to their room, Andi would feel more like talking. This strange tension between them reminded Bailey of the way her friends in high school had turned against her—all because they could no longer relate to Bailey. Too pure, they’d tell her. Too much a goody-good. Was that how Andi saw her now? As she left the dorm, she prayed for her roommate, that God would break through the walls she’d built around her heart. And that whatever was wrong, Bailey might somehow be part of the solution.
Then, without looking back, she closed the door behind her.
ANDI WAITED UNTIL THE DOOR WAS shut before she let her tears come. She figured she was four weeks pregnant now—four weeks at least—and still she’d told no one. When Bailey asked her what was wrong, she almost broke down and explained everything. But she stopped herself for one reason.
Bailey would never understand.
And by now, Andi’s plan to raise her baby with the help of her parents had crumbled like a sand castle at high tide. She had planned to move to California, but now her parents were moving here. Her father would be working with Dayne Matthews now, so everything about their lives would suddenly be very public. Bloomington was a small town, and if she moved home, alone and pregnant, everyone would blame her parents. People would think the Christian faith of the family at the helm of Jeremiah Productions was nothing more than a joke. The press had made a media circus out of other public figures whose conservative Christian kids had gotten pregnant. Her story would be no different.
S
he couldn’t do that to her parents. No way.
So now she’d begun to entertain an entirely different plan, a terrible, gut-wrenching option. One that haunted her day and night, but one that sometimes seemed the only way out.
Either way, she needed to see a doctor. The trouble was money. The clinics she’d called wanted money up front for an appointment, more than she had. Finally Andi had scanned the local Yellow Pages until she found a small ad that said, “Sarah’s House—Crisis Pregnancy Center. Free ultrasounds.”
Andi didn’t know the difference between a clinic and a crisis pregnancy center, but free was free. She had an appointment to be seen at the center tomorrow. After that she’d have her ultrasound and she’d know for sure how far along she was. And then she would face her options. If there were any.
But there was a problem.
She couldn’t stop thinking about the baby. Abortions had been so foreign to her that after she found out she was pregnant, after she stopped freaking out and throwing up that first night, she looked up everything she could find on the internet. Some websites said very little about the process of the abortion except to reassure young women that the procedure was their choice, and that “only through an abortion could an unexpected pregnancy truly be resolved.”
But other sites showed pictures of aborted babies, graphic pictures that turned Andi’s stomach and made her feel like a monster for even considering such a thing. But what were her choices? She couldn’t tell her parents now that they were moving here, and unless death mercifully claimed her in the next few weeks, abortion might be her only answer. And the longer she waited, the worse the situation would be.
She could hardly tell Bailey. Her roommate wouldn’t consider sleeping with her boyfriend, let alone looking twice at a guy like Taz. Andi covered her stomach with her hands. How could she have gotten pregnant? Why would God have let a baby start to grow inside her? Andi felt the sting of still more tears, and she shut her eyes tight. If God loved her, he never would’ve let this happen.