Take Two Read online

  You’re my youngest, my last, Austin. I’m holding on to every moment, for sure. Thanks for giving me so many wonderful reasons to treasure today. I thank God for you, for the miracle of your life. I love you, Austin.

  And to God Almighty, the Author of Life, who has — for now — blessed me with these.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  NO BOOK COMES TOGETHER WITHOUT a great and talented team of people making it happen. For that reason, a special thanks to my friends at Zondervan who combined efforts to make Above the Line: Take Two all it could be. A special thanks to my dedicated editor, Sue Brower, and to my brilliant publicist Karen Campbell, and to Karwyn Bursma, whose creative marketing is unrivaled in the publishing business.

  Also, thanks to my amazing agent, Rick Christian, president of Alive Communications. Rick, you’ve always believed only the best for me. When we talk about the highest possible goals, you see them as doable, reachable. You are a brilliant manager of my career, and I thank God for you. But even with all you do for my ministry of writing, I am doubly grateful for your encouragement and prayers. Every time I finish a book, you send me a letter that deserves to be framed, and when something big happens, yours is the first call I receive. Thank you for that. But even more, the fact that you and Debbie are praying for me and my family keeps me confident every morning that God will continue to breathe life into the stories in my heart. Thank you for being so much more than a brilliant agent.

  A special thank you to my husband, who puts up with me on deadline and doesn’t mind driving through Taco Bell after a basketball game if I’ve been editing all day. This wild ride wouldn’t be possible without you, Donald. Your love keeps me writing; your prayers keep me believing that God has a plan in this ministry of fiction. And thanks for the hours you put in working with the guestbook entries on my website. It’s a full-time job, and I am grateful for your concern for my reader friends. I look forward to that time every day when you read through them, sharing them with me and releasing them to the public, lifting up the prayer requests. Thank you, honey. And thanks to all my kids, who pull together, bring me iced green tea, and understand my sometimes crazy schedule. I love that you know you’re still first, before any deadline.

  Thank you also to my mom, Anne Kingsbury, and to my sisters, Tricia, Sue, and Lynne. Mom, you are amazing as my assistant — working day and night sorting through the mail from my readers. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.

  Tricia, you are the best executive assistant I could ever hope to have. I treasure your loyalty and honesty, the way you include me in every decision and the daily exciting website changes. My site has been a different place since you stepped in, and the hits have grown tenfold. Along the way, the readers have so much more to help them in their faith, so much more than a story with this Life-Changing Fiction™. Please know that I pray for God’s blessings on you always, for your dedication to helping me in this season of writing, and for your wonderful son, Andrew. And aren’t we having such a good time too? God works all things to the good!

  Sue, I believe you should’ve been a counselor! From your home far from mine, you get batches of reader letters every day, and you diligently answer them using God’s wisdom and His Word. When readers get a response from “Karen’s sister Susan,” I hope they know how carefully you’ve prayed for them and for the responses you give. Thank you for truly loving what you do, Sue. You’re gifted with people, and I’m blessed to have you aboard.

  A special thanks also to Will Montgomery, my road manager. I was terrified to venture into the business of selling my books at events for a couple of reasons. First, because I never wanted to profit from selling my books at speaking events, and second, because I would never have the time to handle such details. Monty, you came in and made it all come together. With a mission statement that reads, “To love and serve the readers,” you have helped me supply books and free gifts to tens of thousands of readers at events across the country. More than that, you’ve become my friend, a very valuable part of the ministry of Life-Changing Fiction™. You are loyal and kind and fiercely protective of me, my family, and the work God has me doing. Thank you for everything you’re doing and will continue to do.

  Thanks, too, to Olga Kalachik, my office assistant, who helps organize my supplies and storage area, and who prepares our home for the marketing events and research gatherings that take place there on a regular basis. I appreciate all you’re doing to make sure I have time to write. You’re wonderful, Olga, and I pray God continues to bless you and your precious family.

  I also want to thank my friends with Extraordinary Women — Roy Morgan, Tim and Julie Clinton, Beth Cleveland, Charles Billingsley, and so many others. Also my friends at Women of Joy, including Phil Waldrip. How wonderful to be a part of what God is doing through all of you. Thank you for making me part of your family.

  Thanks also to my forever friends and family, the ones who have been there and continue to be there. Your love has been a tangible source of comfort, pulling us through the tough times and making us know how very blessed we are to have you in our lives.

  And the greatest thanks to God. The gift is Yours. I pray I might use it for years to come in a way that will bring You honor and glory.

  FOREVER IN FICTION

  Whenever I receive the completed paperwork for a Forever in Fiction winner, I read through the details of the life being honored in fiction — whether the person is alive or dead — and I am touched by the real-life stories that come my way.

  That was especially true for Laurie Weeks, forty-five. I read the information sent in about Laurie, and I kept seeing all we had in common, how Laurie and I would’ve certainly been friends if we would’ve met. Our love of family and healthy living, board games and beaches … Even our shared joy at documenting our family’s activities in photographs. The similarities were striking.

  Laurie was one of four siblings — three sisters and a brother. She married when she was twenty-two and had three children — Audrey, twenty-three; Lucas, nineteen; and Sam, seventeen. She loved the beach and the Bible and playing Apples to Apples when her family was gathered together. Trips to Atlantic Beach in North Carolina were always accompanied by a trip to her favorite Windmill Restaurant, walks on the beach, and fresh grilled salmon. She walked every day and never missed the sporting events and musical performances of her children.

  Laurie was 5’5{dec63} and slender, with brown hair, green eyes, and a contagious smile. She rooted for the underdog, and people knew her as a peacemaker — confident and trustworthy. She played the handbells in her church bell choir and served as family photographer for the many special moments she helped create for those she loved. A spiritual high for Laurie was 2001, when she and Audrey took a mission trip to Nicaragua.

  Laurie was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in June of 2005. Though she nearly died twice in the ensuing months, her family prayed for a miracle. Laurie lived long enough to attend the funeral of her ninety-six-year-old grandmother and long enough to share one last very beautiful Christmas with her family. She lived to see a final prom and her son’s confirmation, along with one last season of football and musical performances. Throughout her illness, she endured much pain, but she never complained or let others see how she suffered. Though her family prayed for more time, God had other plans for Laurie. She loved Jesus very much and knew she would be well with her Savior — but she hated the thought of leaving her family. Laurie went home to heaven in March 2006 — just nine months after her diagnosis. Those who love her miss her very much.

  Laurie was placed Forever in Fiction by her sister — Cindy Jacks — who won the item at the Lafayette Christian School auction, a year after Laurie died. A special thanks to Cindy for honoring her sister this way. I chose to make Laurie the friend of my character Kelly Ryan — producer Chase Ryan’s wife. Much as I believe Laurie would’ve been a friend of mine, her character will certainly be a friend to Kelly Ryan in this time of dramatic highs and uncertain lows. Cindy, I pr
ay that your family will be blessed by the placement of Laurie in the pages of Above the Line: Take Two and that when you read this book you will always see some of Laurie here, where she will be Forever in Fiction.

  For those of you who are not familiar with Forever in Fiction, it is my way of involving you, the readers, in my stories, while raising money for charities. To date, Forever in Fiction has raised more than one hundred thousand dollars at charity auctions across the country. Obviously I am only able to donate a limited number of these each year. For that reason, I have set a fairly high minimum bid on this package so that the maximum funds are raised for charities.

  If you are interested in having a Forever in Fiction package donated to your auction, contact my assistant, Tricia Kingsbury, at [email protected]. Please write Forever in Fiction in the subject line.

  One

  KENDALL ADAMS SAT across from her father in the executive boardroom of his Los Angeles high-rise and stared at the rolling hills of Hollywood in the distance. October was always like this — brilliant blue skies and air as clear as a summer day in Montana. Kendall breathed deep, stood, and sauntered to the window.

  “I’m still amazed — “She glanced over her shoulder at her dad.” — that you’re doing this.”

  “It’s my passion too.” Her father smiled, and the warmth in his eyes belied his cunning business sense and high-profile international-billionaire status. “I’ve been looking for an investment opportunity like this for years.”

  Kendall looked down from twenty-three stories at a busy Melrose Boulevard. What would this venture bring, this decision to team up with Chase Ryan and Keith Ellison? Was filmmaking where she would find healing for her broken heart?

  She watched a breeze dance through the palm trees that framed the constant traffic below.

  “You’re thinking about him again.” Her father was on his feet, coming toward her. “I can feel it.”

  “No.” She linked her arm through his as he came up alongside her. “About the movies. And whether or not this is when life finds its way back to normal again.”

  A tight-lipped sigh hung briefly on her dad’s lips. “I wish I never would’ve introduced you to that … that —”

  “It’s over.” Her calm voice reflected none of the pain that still colored the edges of every moment. “I don’t blame you or me. Or God. It’s time for whatever’s next.”

  A comfortable silence fell around them, tempered only by the distant sounds of telephones and office staff on the other side of the door.

  “Will you tell them? The producers?”

  “No.” She didn’t hesitate. “What happened was private. The media never really figured out the story, so no one else needs to.”

  Sympathy shadowed her father’s expression. “Good call. You’ll spend a lot of time with Chase and Keith, but it’s better to … well, you know, keep things on a business level.”

  Kendall studied her dad for a long moment. Times like this she still wondered if he merely offered fatherly advice or worried about saving face, about making sure no one knew how much she’d lost over the last year. How much they’d both lost.

  A shiver ran down her spine. Maybe if she pretended it never happened, a time would come when she might go a whole day without feeling the pain.

  The phone rang from the middle of the long table and her dad answered it. “Yes, fine. We’re ready for them.” He hung up and reached back to give her a hug. “It’s a new day, Kendall. God’s going to use this partnership. I have a great feeling about it.”

  Giving her father a smile, she ordered herself to set aside the memories of the past. Her dad was right. This was a new time for both of them.

  She smoothed her blouse and stayed at her father’s elbow as he moved to the door. His secretary knocked at about the same time and ushered in Chase and Keith. This was the first time the four of them had been together since the wrap party in Bloomington, Indiana, for The Last Letter, so the greetings between them took a little longer than usual.

  As soon as they were seated at the table, Chase leaned back and gripped the armrests. “Keith and I truly appreciate you taking the time to meet with us.” He looked at his friend and then back to Kendall and her father. “But with the economy the way it is, we don’t want you to feel obligated to give us additional financial help. We wanted to get that out at the beginning.”

  Kendall felt like rushing around the table and giving the guy a hug. Did he know how rare his attitude was in Hollywood? The idea of looking out for someone else first?

  She shared a smile with her dad and the look in his eyes told her to take the lead. She sat up a little straighter. “Actually, we’re more committed to your movies now than ever.”

  “That’s right. Kendall has great news about your next film — the one we talked about last time we were together.” Her father looked elated. He had said once that his fortune brought him no joy whatsoever except when it could be used to share God’s truth and light, and when it could help make other people’s dreams come true. “And I’m certain you’re needing more funds for the editing process, is that right?”

  “Actually, we’re okay.” Keith opened a file he’d brought with him and handed copies of an accounting sheet to Kendall and her father. “The funds you provided at the end of the shoot have gone a long way. We’ll get through the editing process okay. It’s what happens after that.”

  “Publicity and advertising — or the P&A budget, as they call it.” Kendall’s father grinned. “Not a problem, guys. Count me in. We want this movie on the big screens.”

  Chase looked a little dizzy, and again something about him touched Kendall’s heart. He was sincere and kind, genuine in his desire to make movies for the purpose of reaching people. With everything in her she hoped the movie business never changed him.

  Once they moved past the initial budget issues for The Last Letter, Kendall took over. “The author of Unlocked is still very interested in giving you both the option for her book. It’s been on the New York Times Best-Sellers List for ten weeks now.”

  “We know.” Keith allowed the hint of a smile. “We figured she must’ve had a hundred offers by now.”

  “She has.” Kendall felt her eyes begin to dance. Like her father, she loved this — watching the impossible become a reality for a couple of good guys like Keith and Chase. “But she wants to work with you.” She pulled a notepad from her bag and checked the details. “Stephanie’s on deadline for her next novel. She’ll be busy the next month or so. Then she’d like to fly here and meet you. Get the option in ink.” She looked up. “That should give you enough time to finish editing The Last Letter and submit the film to the festivals. Which I’d like to help with, by the way.”

  She could see Chase wrestling with a question. After a few seconds he lost the battle. “Brandon Paul? Is that still an option for Unlocked?”

  Kendall laughed — the happy lighthearted laughter that had once marked her world. “He’s more than an option. I talked to him yesterday. He’s in. We only have to work out the details with his agent, pull together a screenplay and a director.” She grinned at the men around her. “Monumental details like that.”

  Both Keith and Chase hesitated, but seeing Kendall and her father’s confidence, they both chuckled and the mood relaxed. They spent the next few moments talking about their families, their wives and kids. Keith was worried about his college-aged daughter, Andi, away at school in Bloomington, and Chase was concerned his wife might get tired of running things back in San Jose. But for the most part, life was good for the producers, and Kendall was glad. They would need to be strong. If their experience was like hers, Hollywood life would test them sorely.

  The meeting lasted another thirty minutes while they worked out specific details of the financing and repayment plan for The Last Letter. They discussed how Kendall would look for additional investors for Unlocked as well. The budget would be considerably higher because of Brandon Paul, but because of her father Kendall was v
ery connected with Hollywood’s wealthy elite — people looking for film projects to invest in. She knew she’d find someone.

  When the guys left, everyone shared hugs. Kendall hugged Chase last, and not until she was in his arms did she realize with great alarm something that hadn’t occurred to her before.

  Chase’s athletic build was the same as that of Kendall’s ex-husband.

  She drew back quickly, though not quickly enough to let on what she felt. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and she hurried through one last round of good-byes.

  Even before the producers reached the end of the hall, Kendall’s father kissed her cheek. “I have to check on another meeting down the hall. Will you be here?”

  “No.” She still felt flustered, dizzy almost. “I … I have an appointment in Laguna Beach with an investor.”

  She bid him good-bye and walked to the elevator, grateful no one else found their way into her car as she made her way down. Why hadn’t she seen it before, the physical resemblance between Jay Randolph and Chase Ryan?

  She hurried through the lobby and into the parking structure, and when she was alone in her car she leaned back against the headrest and closed her eyes. God … let me get past this. Please. She longed for a response. But there was none. And like that, the past played out again in her mind.