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 copperheads are 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 promise.”
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.
The other campers 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 again and Cody had to finish for her.
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, and still others, when she and Cody sat alone, rebuilding their friendship. Always their time together ended in laughter, except for once—the last night of the retreat.
That night, with the moon a 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 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. Will you?”
She didn’t hesitate. She slipped her fingers into 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.” She paused, working to focus. “Thank You for Cody and his friendship. Please, Lord, keep the two of us close to You, and let Cody 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. Life is too short to waste on half-hearted connections and meaningless run-throughs. Now I feel closer to Bailey than ever before, and I’m blessed for the 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 maybe a revival taking place in that city, then throw open the doors for her this August. 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. 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 go to New York only if it was His will, she felt her heart go into a rhythm she didn’t recognize. She swallowed hard, trying to find a way to set her world back on its axis.
But as they stood and shared a long hug, and as he walked her to her cabin and they said good night, Bailey was breathing normally again. She was dating Tim, and until that changed, she couldn’t let herself have feelings for Cody beyond the ones they’d found here at camp. She lay in her bed in her sleeping bag for a long time, looking out the window at a brilliant spread of stars.
God had met her in this place, in a number of ways. She felt ready to take her finals, ready to take on the challenges of the summer, ready for her audition. And she felt certain about one thing. She didn’t want to settle for an existence of half-hearted connections and meaningless run-throughs. Not with Cody or Tim or God Himself.
And after this weekend, settling for anything less than God’s best wasn’t even an option.
C
HASE WAS GRATEFUL THE PREMIERE WAS
almost over. The night seemed to last forever, and he could hardly wait to talk to Kelly, to see how she and the girls were doing. He’d been caught off guard earlier in the limo at the start of the night. He could barely focus on their prayer because of Kendall’s hand in his. And so his prayer had been a personal one.
God, thank You for bringing Kendall and her father to us at a time when we were ready to close shop and quit. We’re here at the top of a mountain that belongs only to You. Please…don’t let me forget our mission…
Keith was looking at him, which could only mean one thing. A question had come his way. He shot his friend a desperate look, one Keith must’ve read immediately.
“As a director,” Keith spoke into the microphone, showing none of the concern he must’ve been feeling, “what was the most difficult part of making this movie?”
Chase nodded and took the mic. “The actors made it easy on me, really. The hardest part was making sure the intensity of their emotions came across in every scene.”
“You pulled it off!” a person from the middle row shouted. “Great job, Chase!”
He nodded, humbled. How could this be happening, the audience so taken by a film they almost couldn’t make? This moment, this realization that God was opening the floodgates was more than he could fully comprehend. He only wished Kelly were here to share it with him.
Finally the question-and-answer session ended, and as they filed out of the theater and into the lobby, as one person after
another congratulated them, Chase’s emotions shifted from exultation to something quite disturbing: Fear. Because the higher God took them, the more difficult the expectations. How were they going to top this moment? Chase swallowed hard and kept his attention on the moment at hand.
Don’t be ridiculous
, he told himself.
He put his inner dialogue to rest and focused on the numerous executives in attendance from every major movie studio. Everyone wanted to talk to the up-and-coming producers from Jeremiah Productions—Chase or Keith, Luke or Ben. From across the room, Chase noticed that even Kendall was brought into a number of conversations by executives anxious for a chance. He admired her professionalism and ability to hold her own with Hollywood’s movers and shakers.
“Where’d you get your experience?” a vice president from one of the top studios caught up with Chase at the food table. “Your work as a director…it’s amazing. Impeccable.”
“We had training from some of the best college professors in LA before leaving the U.S. for mission work,” Chase said. He tried to sound modest, but he couldn’t fight an overwhelming desire to impress the man. He gave the guy an unassuming smile. “It’s God’s gift, but a highlight of this experience has been winning at the festival.”
“You deserve it.” The man nodded appreciatively. “It’s uncanny, having the ability to produce and direct a film of this caliber, with virtually no experience.” He shook his head, as if he couldn’t quite get over Chase’s talent. “Our team wants to work something out with you and Keith. For this film or the next. You’re exactly the kind of team we want to work with.”
They exchanged business cards and the conversation ended, but it was followed by another dozen like it. At the end of two hours, Chase felt the strangest sensation that he’d missed out. Not in making the movie, but because he hadn’t really enjoyed what God had given them this night. He’d been tempted by Kendall,
flattered by movie execs, and he’d spent much of the night regretting that he couldn’t be with Kelly when she needed him back home.
Before the end of the night, Luke Baxter brought them a pre-liminary offer from American Pictures. The offer was beyond anything any of them had ever imagined: ten million dollars for
The Last Letter.
The figure was eight million more than any of them had hoped to get up front. In addition, the studio was still willing to front half the publicity and advertising money. Luke was giddy over the proposal. “They want a full theatrical release, a thousand screens across America.”
Keith looked at him, and his eyes said everything he clearly couldn’t put into words. He came to Chase and hugged him hard, the way two friends embrace after surviving a war together. As Keith released him, Chase looked across the room. Kendall and Ben were having what looked like a serious conversation in the opposite corner of the lobby.
Keith and Luke were going on about God’s mercy and grace, His perfect timing, and how they would have the freedom to make more movies with the commitment from American Pictures. They were still celebrating, when Luke’s cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID and his eyes lit up. “NTM.” The last guests were gone by then, but Luke distanced himself from the group as he answered.
Kendall and her father must’ve finished their conversation, because they crossed the lobby and joined Chase and Keith. Kendall looked weary, her eyes darker than Chase had ever seen them. “What’s all the excitement for?”
“We’ve got an offer!” Keith stepped up and hugged Ben Adams. “American Pictures wants to give us ten million for a theatrical release!”
Chase kept his attention on Keith and Ben. He could’ve been wrong, but Ben’s enthusiasm seemed tempered, somehow. He
would have to ask him about it later. Luke returned to them a few minutes later. As he reached them, a grin spread across his face. “It’s happened!”
“What?” Chase couldn’t imagine anything else tonight. Already he was dizzy from everything he was feeling.
Keith moved in close to Chase so they could hear, and Luke gave each of them a strong pat on their backs. “NTM is printing a retraction tomorrow. I guess they got pressure from Brandon’s agent that he’d pull out of his existing contract Monday if they didn’t run something taking back the story.”
Chase wished he had something to hold onto, but since there was nothing, he put his hand on Keith’s shoulder and grabbed tight. Wasn’t this what they’d prayed for? Wasn’t it what Keith had believed could happen, and what Kendall was absolutely convinced would take place? That NTM would back down and Hollywood’s top young actor, Brandon Paul, could actually star in their next film?
Luke was going on about how NTM never does this, and how the news release would state that failed communication was to blame for their retraction. Chase wanted to be sure he understood. “What exactly does this mean for
Unlocked
?”
This time Luke leaned his head back and laughed out loud. “It means you and Brandon Paul can take this deal to whatever studio you’d like. Sounds like American Pictures might be your first stop. Either way, NTM is so worried about losing Brandon, they’re even willing to let him film this movie before he fulfills his agreement with them. As long as he doesn’t pull out of his contract.”
When Ben and Kendall got up to speed about the latest developments, Ben directed everyone to hold hands one more time. “We’ve taken time to ask God for His blessing,” Ben’s voice was scratchy, thick with emotion. “Now it’s time to thank Him.”
Chase studied the older man. He seemed deeply emotional, maybe because of his earlier talk with Kendall. The conversation
had been very private and seemed more intense than was fitting for a night like this. Chase wondered if Kendall’s dad was warning her to keep her distance from Chase, reminding her that Chase was married. He hoped not. He’d be mortified if his errant thoughts were that obvious.
This time Keith was between him and Kendall as they linked hands and bowed their heads. This time the profound nature of the moment spilled into their prayer and they went on for ten minutes while each of them took turns praising God for His direction and wisdom, and thanking Him for the premiere and the way it was received, and the way it was already working to change lives for His glory, and finally for the deal with American Pictures and the breakthrough with Brandon Paul and their next film.
As they finally climbed into the waiting limo and drove across town to their hotel, Chase was positive he’d never felt like this before. He wasn’t tired, and when Kendall asked him if he wanted to join her for a cup of coffee in the lobby, he agreed before he could remember a single reason why he shouldn’t. Keith and Lisa went off to their room, and Luke to his—clearly assuming everyone was turning in, and Kendall’s father set off for home.
And like that, Chase and Kendall were alone.
They chose a table tucked into the corner of the lobby, near a roaring fire and out of sight from the main traffic at the front desk. She put her elbows on the table and leaned in close, her eyes imploring him. “Before we talk, I need to apologize.” She held his gaze. “That was awkward, on the red carpet. People thinking we were…you know, married.” She rushed ahead, her voice rich with regret. “I had no idea…I mean, I would’ve walked five feet behind you if I’d known.”
She seemed anxious for him to find her innocent in the situation, and Chase did so immediately. He clasped his hands around hers and squeezed gently before letting go. “Don’t worry about it. You did nothing wrong.”
Her remorse eased a bit, and something in her eyes made him feel uneasy. Did her expression hold a hint of desire, or were his own feelings shading the way she came across in a moment like this?
“Still.” She blinked, and the desire—if there’d been desire—was gone completely. “It was awkward, and I apologize. Please tell Kelly it was one of those crazy moments. Neither of us meant anything by it.”
Again Chase swallowed hard, and he moved his hands out onto the table again. For the next half hour he forgot about his promise to call Kelly. Instead, he and Kendall replayed every moment of the amazing night, the red carpet and the premiere, the reaction from the audience, and the telltale questions that followed. Through it all, their hands touched at times, and once their faces were so close Chase could imagine kissing her. He didn’t want the moment to end. This was only the beginning, right? The start of all they would accomplish together as a team—Keith and him and Kendall and Ben. Luke working out the details.
Finally, she blinked twice, as if she was only just realizing how they might’ve looked together, how they’d been acting. She blinked twice and withdrew her hands to her lap. The color in her cheeks deepened. “Chase. I didn’t only want to talk about the premiere…or Brandon Paul.” She looked away, as if the eye contact between them had become too much for her.
Only then did Chase notice that her fingers were trembling. She looked up and her eyes were deep with agony. Whatever was coming, it wasn’t good. He felt his heart skip a beat and then pound into a faster rhythm.
Kendall lifted her eyes. “My dad asked me something tonight that shocked me. He wanted to know if I was falling for you.”
“What?” Chase’s heart slammed against his chest and he felt suddenly clammy. Had things between them become so obvious that Ben had picked up on it? When neither of them had even
hinted at the possibility until tonight? “I can apologize to him if he thinks—”
“Chase.” She peered at him through teary eyes, her heart clearly anguished. “I’m finished with Jeremiah Productions. I’ve loved every minute, but now…my dad made it clear tonight. I need to move on. There’s too much at stake.”
“You can’t quit.” He rose halfway out of his seat, shocked and angry, embarrassed at the implied accusation from Kendall’s father. “We didn’t do anything wrong. We were on the same team, Kendall. We were bound to get close. We were…”
His words trailed off and Kendall said nothing, only stared at him, deep into his eyes, and the message was beyond clear. He could lie to himself, but he couldn’t lie to her. She must’ve known every time he’d been moved by her, every time he’d found her interesting or alluring. The proof was all over her face.
Chase studied her, unable to completely process the finality of what was happening. A few minutes ago they’d been celebrating, right? But the whole time Kendall had been harboring her father’s warning, holding back about the fact that this wasn’t only their greatest night as a team—it was their last.
Suddenly like a tsunami overtaking him, the truth hit. Never mind that he hadn’t acted on his private wanderings. He had unwittingly given Kendall a piece of his heart. In doing so he had gone against God and Kelly and everything he believed in. Even if only in thought. This was God’s answer to the half-hearted prayers he’d uttered off and on through the night. He couldn’t possibly be a filmmaker looking to touch the world with God’s message of hope and redemption if he was having feelings for someone other than his wife. And now the decision about how to handle himself around Kendall had been made for him. His hands suddenly felt uncomfortable on the table and he lowered them to his knees. “How soon?”
“Monday.” Shame filled her eyes. “I’m sorry, Chase. It wasn’t only you.”
And like that, the second wave hit. He wasn’t the only one entertaining wrong thoughts. This new truth was both flattering and horrifying at the same time. He couldn’t possibly ask her to stay now. They’d avoided a disaster, but clearly the only option was to split ways. He didn’t say anything, because there was nothing to say. Her admission had said it all.
She sat a little straighter, more composed than before. “Life is made up of seasons. My dad used to say that.” No smile lifted the corners of her mouth. The sadness in her eyes was all-encompassing. “Maybe some other season I’ll be back.”
All Chase could think about was Kelly, and how badly he wanted to call her. “It’s late.”
They took the elevator up, and her floor was before his. As the door opened, she stepped out quickly without a hug or any physical contact. She waved. “Keep in touch.”
“We will.” He got out the words just as the door shut, and like that he was alone with his raging emotions. Guilt for his earlier thoughts, and shock over the news about Ben Adams. Relief because he no longer had to worry about Kendall.
But he still had to worry.
What flaw in his faith and commitment to Kelly had allowed him to take even a few steps down the path of infidelity? He was still buzzing from the shock when he reached his room and flipped on the TV.
Entertainment Tonight
was showing highlights from the premiere, but the thrill was overshadowed by the obvious impression the images gave off. He and Kendall looked like they were together, and Chase could only admit the obvious.