“I was worried about it.”
“But here we are.” She held up her hands and let them fall lightly to her knees. “That’s why God’s so amazing. He knows how to fix things, even after we make a mess of them.”
“Exactly.” He stood and reached out his hand. “Come on, it’ll be pitch dark in a few minutes.”
She took his hand and felt the thrill of his touch all the way to her toes. Once she was standing she drew her fingers from his and kept the conversation light. She could hardly hold hands with Cody. First, it would only confuse things. And second, holding hands with Tim never sent a chill through her. And she wasn’t ready to analyze what that meant or what it said about her relationship with Tim. Better to keep her distance where Cody was concerned. Besides, he was holding out body and soul for the girl of his dreams. She didn’t want to get in the way of that, even if a part of her desperately wished she were that girl.
On the way back, Cody told her about a bear sighting in the woods not far from the campsite.
“Great.” She was about to tell him the story of her little brother BJ and a northern copperhead he’d nearly stepped on when her foot settled on something soft and slithery. She screamed and fell all at the same time, her ankle giving way beneath her as she dropped. She had no idea how Cody moved so fast or how in the dark he was able to catch her, but the next thing she knew she was in his arms, clinging to his neck. She pointed down at the ground. “There’s a snake, Cody! Be careful.”
He set her down a few feet away and went back to the spot where she’d felt the snake. Using the toe of his shoe, he pressed around and came up with something long and bendable. “This, you mean?”
He brought it closer and she stifled another scream. “Don’t, Cody! It could be poisonous. Shawn says there’s copperheads all around this lake.”
“Well …” He held his hands out so she could see exactly what had frightened her. “This branch is definitely not part of the copperhead family, I can promise you that much.”
Bailey straightened and stared at the thing Cody was holding. “A branch? You’ve gotta be kidding. I could feel it moving.”
“It’s a young branch. A little more flexible than some.” He tossed it off the path and grinned at her. “You probably scared it to death.”
She tested her ankle, but it was fine, and suddenly she pictured herself stepping on the branch and practically jumping into Cody’s arms. She burst into laughter again and had to hold onto Cody’s waist as they walked. Otherwise she would’ve fallen to the ground, unable to breathe because she was giggling so hard.
The others already had flashlights out, and as they reached base camp, everyone wanted to know what was so funny. Bailey told her snake story, but when she reached the part about stepping on the branch, she cracked up once again. Cody had to finish the story.
It was like that throughout the weekend. She had hours of solitude with the Lord, times when she could pray about the direction God had for her life, and whether New York City was something she really wanted. Other hours she and the girls talked together, or she and Cody took long walks together. Always their time ended up in laughter, except for once — the last night of the retreat.
That night, with the moon little more than a thumbnail of light overhead, they sat by the fire until everyone else had turned in. They talked about Cody’s mother and Bailey’s wonderful family and Cody’s dream to help kids the way Bailey’s parents had helped him. They sat close together, neither of them seeming to mind when their knees touched a time or two.
Before they turned in, Cody held out his hands to her. “Pray with me, Bailey. Can you do that?”
She wasn’t sure how smart it was, but she didn’t hesitate. She slipped her fingers in his and together they bowed their heads. She started the prayer, the way she’d seen her mom and dad pray together so many times over the years. “Dear Lord, this time away has been so good for us, for the friendships that have grown stronger and for the way You feel closer than ever. Right now I want to thank You for Cody and his friendship. Please, Lord, keep him close to You always. And let him know how much he means to me.”
It was Cody’s turn, and he gave her fingers a subtle squeeze as he started. “God, You know how I feel about Bailey.” He hesitated for a moment, as if his feelings for her weren’t something he was willing to actually put into words. “I begged You for a second chance at her friendship, and now here we are. Copperhead snake branches and all.” They both shared a couple seconds of quiet laughter, the sound of the fire crackling a few feet away. When he had control again, he finished. “Lord, I ask that You protect what we’ve found on the far side of Lake Monroe this weekend. I feel closer to Bailey than ever before, and I’m blessed for that fact.
“People could live all their lives and never have a friend like Bailey Flanigan. So thank You, Lord. And I pray for her audition coming up. If You want her to live in New York, to perform there and be part of a revival taking place in that city, then throw open the doors for her this next week. Let her stand out and let her get a role in a Broadway play.” He paused, and there was no hiding the sadness that had crept into his voice. “But only if it’s Your will, Father. Otherwise, shut the door. Then she’ll know which way You’re leading her.”
He took a steadying breath. “Be with Tim, too, dear God. If these two are meant to be together, make that clear. Life is too short to waste on half-hearted connections and meaningless runthroughs. So let them know whether what they have is something that will last.” He paused once more. “Most of all, let Bailey know how much I love her. How much I’ve always loved her. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Bailey didn’t want to let go of his hands, but slowly he let go first. She had lost her breath somewhere around the part about half-hearted connections and meaningless run-throughs, and when he asked God to let her know how much he loved her she felt her heart go into a rhythm she didn’t recognize. She swallowed hard, trying to find a way to right her world back on its axis. He didn’t mean the sort of love she’d always wanted from him. It’s only a friendship love, she told herself. Nothing more.
But still, as they stood and shared a long hug, and as he walked her to her cabin and they said good night, Bailey had to remember to exhale. She lay in her bed in her sleeping bag for a long time, looking out the window at a brilliant spread of stars and replaying every word of Cody’s prayer. He really did love her. That much was evident by the way he’d asked God to bless her audition, and in the way he’d prayed for her and Tim. When was the last time she and Tim had prayed like this, with such intensity about serious matters? She couldn’t remember the last time they’d prayed together about anything.
She fell asleep certain that the one thing she didn’t want was an existence of half-hearted connections and meaningless runthroughs. Never mind that Cody didn’t see her as the girl of his dreams, the girl he was saving his love for. They had this between them, a wonderful bond that some people could spend their whole lives seeking.
Before she was fully asleep, she made up her mind about something: she would rather be alone than have a love that was less intimate than what she still shared with Cody Coleman. They had found something special these past few days. A deep friendship-love that had come to life once more amidst the presence of northern copperhead snake branches and laughter and God.
Most of all, God.
ABOVE THE LINE SERIES
Take One
Karen Kingsbury,
New York Times Bestselling Author
Could they change the world — before the world changes them?
Filmmakers Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison left the mission field of Indonesia for the mission field of Hollywood with a dream bigger than both of them. Now they have done the impossible: raised enough money to produce a feature film with a message that could change the world.
But as Chase and Keith begin shooting, their well-laid plans begin to unravel. With millions of dollars on the line, they make a desperate attempt to keep t
he film from falling apart — even as a temperamental actress, a botched production schedule, and their own insecurities leave little room for the creative and spiritual passion that once motivated them. Was God really behind this movie after all? A chance meeting and friendship with John Baxter could bring the encouragement they need to stay on mission and produce a movie that will actually change people’s lives.
In the midst of the questions and the cameras, is it possible to keep things above the line and make a movie unlike anything done before — or is the risk too great for everyone?
Hardcover, Jacketed: 978-0-310-31843-9
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Every Now and Then
Karen Kingsbury,
New York Times Bestselling Author
A wall went up around Alex Brady’s heart when his father, a New York firefighter, died in the Twin Towers. Turning his back on the only woman he ever loved, Alex shut out all the people who cared about him to concentrate on fighting crime. He and his trusty K9 partner, Bo, are determined to eliminate evil in the world and prevent tragedies like 9-11.
Then the worst fire season in California’s history erupts, and Alex faces the ultimate challenge to protect the community he serves. An environmental terrorist group is targeting the plush Oak Canyon Estates. At the risk of losing his job, and his soul, Alex is determined to infiltrate the group and put an end to their corruption. Only the friendship of Clay and Jamie Michaels — and the love of a dedicated young woman — can help Alex drop the walls around his heart and move forward into the future God has for him.
Softcover: 978-0-310-26615-0
Unabridged Audio CD: 978-0-310-288183
Audio Download, Unabridged: 978-0-310-288190 ebooks:
Adobe® Acrobat® eBook Reader®: 978-0-310-28821-3
Microsoft Reader®: 978-0-310-28823-7
Palm™ Reader: 978-0-310-28825-1
Mobipocket Reader™: 978-0-310-28822-0
Sony® Reader: 978-0-310-29045-2
ePub: 978-0-310-29623-2
Pick up a copy today at your favorite bookstore!
Between Sundays
Karen Kingsbury,
New York Times Bestselling Author
Aaron Hill has it all — athletic good looks and the many privileges of a star quarterback. His Sundays are spent playing NFL football in front of a televised audience of millions. But Aaron’s about to receive an unexpected handoff, one that will give him a whole new view of his self-centered life.
Derrick Anderson is a family man who volunteers his time with foster kids while sustaining a long career as a pro football player. But now he’s looking for a miracle. He must act as team mentor while still striving for the one thing that matters most this season — keeping a promise he made years ago.
Megan Gunn works two jobs and spends her spare time helping at the youth center. Much of what she does, she does for the one boy for whom she is everything — a foster child whose dying mother left him in Megan’s care. Now she wants to adopt him, but one obstacle stands in the way. Her foster son, Cory, is convinced that 49ers quarterback Aaron Hill is his father.
Two men and the game they love. A woman with a heart for the lonely and lost, and a boy who believes the impossible. Thrown together in a season of self-discovery, they’re about to learn lessons in character and grace, love and sacrifice.
Because in the end, life isn’t defined by what takes place on the first day of the week, but how we live it between Sundays.
Softcover: 978-0-310-28678-3
Unabridged Audio CD: 978-0-310-26260-2
Audio Download, Unabridged: 978-0-310-27013-3 ebooks:
Adobe® Acrobat® eBook Reader®: 978-0-310-28316-4
Microsoft Reader®: 978-0-310-28317-1
Palm™ Reader: 978-0-310-28319-5
Mobipocket Reader™: 978-0-310-28318-8
Sony® Reader: 978-0-310-30290-2
ePub: 978-0-310-29601-0
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Karen Kingsbury, Take Two
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