by Delia Latham
“And what story did you offer him?”
“Chrysalis. You told me once that you were always willing to shine a light on the outreach, and I think it’s high time someone did that. People need to know what you’ve set up there, Ethan. It’ll make teens all along the coast aware, and they’ll know there’s a place they can go when life becomes impossible where they are. But also, people who have the wherewithal to help will have the opportunity to do so, on a much larger scale than what you’ve accomplished, although what you’ve done is amazing, considering you did it without television coverage or outside investors.”
He reached for her hand and wrapped his fingers around hers. “Thank you. This is an incredible gift.”
“The kids deserve it. It’ll happen just after the new year. Jeremy’s sending photographers and all the equipment we’ll need to air the story remotely.”
“We’ll do whatever you need to make it perfect, sweetheart.”
“Ethan…”
He waited, but she seemed to have trouble finishing her thought. “What is it, honey?” He squeezed her hand. “You can talk to me about anything. I hope you know that.”
“I didn’t mention this to Jeremy, so if you want to say no, it’s not a problem. But…I’d like you to consider letting me do your story as well. Not like I would’ve done before, but something truer and more honest. You and your family need to be able to see each other, Ethan—without being concerned about media or safety—yours or theirs.”
“I don’t know...” His gut clenched at the thought of being in front of the camera again for any reason.
“Hear me out. I worked on my own and managed to contact almost everyone who was part of Rory Cope’s entourage when you were there. A few were off the grid completely—probably gone underground, as you did. A couple had passed away. But everyone I reached was adamant that you knew nothing about Cope’s illegal activities—although some of them admitted to having had vague suspicions, but never anything concrete. Apparently, the man was scarily capable of hiding anything he didn’t want known.”
Ethan cleared his throat. “He was a master of subterfuge.”
“Which is exactly what everyone else said. They were all touchingly protective of you, Ethan. You clearly made an impression on these people. Even the ones who were still hurt and bitter at Rory vouched for your complete innocence in the whole mess. Maybe this story would convince families who’ve lost people to Cope’s evil that you had nothing to do with what happened to their loved ones.” She squeezed his hand. “Wouldn’t you like to see your family again, without worrying that your presence would place them in danger?”
“More than you know.”
“Then let me do this for you. Let me help clear your name, once and for all.”
He drove in silence for a while, gratified when Kalani made no attempt to draw him out. She let him mull over her words without any further persuasion, leaving the decision to him.
At last, he pulled off the road and gathered her into his arms. “You’re right, sweetheart. It’s time. Do it…and thank you.”
Kalani endured being fussed over by the makeup and wardrobe people Jeremy had sent along with the photographers and sound crew. She allowed the dedicated professionals to do their jobs only by focusing on the activity around her.
Raine, Miss Angie, and Miss Josie, the live-in housemother at Chrysalis, used quiet but firm directives to prevent any intrusion into the teens’ private spaces within the facility. Well aware of how persistent and aggressive a news team could be, Kalani was awed by the women’s ability to maintain control without ruffling feathers or interfering with the process. They somehow managed a perfect balance of cooperative and unyielding. Not a single teen would feel threatened or pressured. Nor would any one of the news crew be disrespected…but there’d be no media takeover within the walls of the Chrysalis shelter.
A few of the young residents hadn’t felt comfortable being in front of a camera, or taking part in interviews that would be aired over the entire Central Coast. Any of the Chrysalis teens who asked had been granted permission to remain in their rooms during the taping.
“We don’t know what brought some of these kids to Chrysalis,” Raine had explained. “Some are running from abuse. Some may be hiding from the law.” Her beautiful eyes shadowed with concern. “God alone knows what they’ve been through. They each have their own stories, and most of them aren’t pretty. Not all of our little caterpillars have opened up to us about their pasts. Not yet. But I can see how television cameras might be a very real threat to their mental comfort, if not their physical safety. If they want to avoid the dog and pony show, they have every right to do so, and with my blessing.”
A dog and pony show. The truth of the term had hit Kalani with the force of a tsunami. How had she ever thought she wanted to spend her life in this kind of atmosphere? Her experiences in Cambria had changed her, and not only because she’d given her heart to Christ.
Upon returning to Cornelius Cove, she’d found that the anchor desk held little appeal. The lights, the cameras, the attention…none of it mattered. Too bright, too hot, too chaotic…too much emphasis on things that few viewers would even remember by the same time next week.
She’d once loved being fussed over by the makeup and wardrobe staff. Their attention bolstered her sense of self-importance and fed the craving for public attention and celebrity status. How could she suddenly find that same attention smothering? What she’d once called being fussed over now felt more like being manhandled.
Today, she’d had all she could take.
“Enough. Seriously.” She shoved off the high stool on which she’d been perched for at least an hour while people messed with her hair, tugged at her clothes and applied shadows, powders, and lip tints to her face. “This is as good as it’s gonna get today. Thanks, everyone, but we’re finished here.”
She caught the eye of the photographer, who was explaining the camera to a fascinated teen boy across the room. “Let’s do this.”
Within moments, they were ready to start taping. The crew had turned one end of the big room at the Chrysalis shelter into something that almost passed for a real newsroom. Once televised, few viewers would recognize the signs of a staged anchor desk. Kalani would start in that area and then move around the facility.
She stood in front of the desk, running through everything before stepping into the fray. Miss Josie needed to be introduced. Several of the kids had agreed to be a part of the segment, and Kalani hoped to find time for each of them. She would also discuss key elements of the program with Raine and Ethan.
No formality. Nothing stiff and starchy. Just informal chats that would reveal much more than if she tried to simply tell about Chrysalis. Viewers should feel as if they were right there, looking into the haunted eyes of the teens and experiencing the love, care, and concern that emanated from the entire staff.
She’d finish the segment right back at the fabricated anchor desk, where she and Ethan would talk a bit more about Chrysalis and then ease into a discussion of his past, and the ultimate revelation of his identity—Ethan Miracle, the young minister who’d disappeared more than a decade ago after the shocking revelation of Rory Cope’s human trafficking operation.
“Winter?”
Jarred by the sound of the name she’d once thought so perfect, Kalani shot a startled glance toward the photographer and then offered a shaky smile. “I’m OK, Paul. Just going over everything in my head. Ready to rock and roll?”
“Hey, you forget who you’re talkin’ to? I was born ready.”
Kalani gave one firm nod, accepted the microphone someone shoved in her face, plastered on the semi-famous Winter Wonder smile, and headed into the cocoon.
“That was fantastic! The two of you were awesome together.”
Ethan managed a nod and a smile at Julia Rafferty’s exuberant praise, but he wasn’t
sure his heart would ever beat at a normal rate again. Adrenalin, not blood, pumped through his veins.
“Hey, man…you OK?” Kai spoke low, for Ethan’s ears only. “You look a little weirded out—not that I blame you. I could never have done what you just did. Come on, let’s sit down and take a breath…or five.”
Could he take a breath? Ethan made a deliberate effort to pull air into his lungs, relieved to discover they still functioned.
Kai and Julia had invited Kalani and him to Maddy’s for a “celebratory” dinner. Now, sitting at a white-linen-covered table, Ethan struggled to maintain a calm façade.
What were they celebrating? He had, after all, just revealed his whereabouts to a large portion of California, and Kalani had warned him that the story would likely be picked up by national networks and aired across the country.
He had no idea what kind of backlash to expect. There might be none at all, but…Ethan bit back a groan. It was that but that made his heart race and tied his stomach into a dozen kinks. Coming clean about who he was might have placed everyone around him in danger.
His new wife slid into the chair beside him and took his hand. “I know what you’re thinking, Ethan. I see it in your eyes, and I want you to stop it. Now.” She squeezed his fingers. “God’s got this, ke aloha. We prayed about it. We placed it in His hands…and I don’t want it back. Do you?”
Ke aloha. Beloved. The beautiful creature at his side called him “beloved.” How dare he give negativity even the smallest access to his heart and mind?
Ethan pulled in another deep breath. Then he shook his head and wrapped his fingers around Kalani’s. “No. I do not. How did you get so wise in the Lord in such a short time?”
“I had a wonderful mentor.” She smiled and leaned in to drop a kiss at the corner of his lips—just close enough to awaken a familiar longing within him. He gave it a firm mental dressing down.
“Of course. Miss Angie’s the very best.”
“I’ve been blessed with two of ‘the very best.’ Miss Angie and my handsome, wise, and wonderful husband.”
The soft, musical sound of her laughter worked on his nerves like some kind of magic serum. No matter the problem in Ethan’s life, her smile, her laughter, her touch melted it away to nothing.
“You’re the Wonder-ful one, sweetheart.” Ethan took her face in his hands and leaned in for a real kiss.
The Baptist minister, Alan Durbin, had united them in a quiet wedding ceremony just a few days after their return from Cornelius Cove. Only a few close friends and family members attended, along with those among the church congregation who could pull away from their busy holiday activities.
The twins’ parents came all the way from Hawaii, despite the spur-of-the-moment event.
But the most surprising of guests at the wedding was the family of the groom. Ethan had told his parents and his sister—the only member of his family he’d seen in the past thirteen years—about Kalani. He’d even shared that he planned to marry her but provided no date and did not extend an invitation. Until he could be certain of their safety, he refused to take the risk.
But someone had. His family declined to reveal their source of information, saying only that no amount of danger could have kept them away, and they’d be eternally grateful for their secret “snitch.” They welcomed Kalani into the Miracle clan with wide open arms.
The local paper had called the event “a small, but grand gathering of Miracles and Wonders.”
“All right, you two.” Kai broke into their moment. “I get that you’re livin’ on love right now, but Julia and I need real food now and then. Could you maybe save all the hands-on stuff for later…like when you’re all tucked in at home…by yourselves…where I don’t have to watch?”
Julia laughed. “Now, now, my handsome Hawaiian cowboy. Our time’s coming soon enough. Give your sister a break.”
Kalani opened her menu, but wrinkled her nose at her brother. “Listen to the woman, brother mine. You know what they say about paybacks.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Kai rolled his eyes and raised the menu to hide a flushed face that grew redder by the moment.
After they placed their orders and had beverages at their fingertips, Ethan found he was capable of discussing the action-filled day. “How do you think it went, sweetheart?”
Kalani’s eyes went wide and she opened her mouth to respond.
He held up a hand like a cop stopping traffic. “I mean, how do you really feel? Julia seems to think we did well.” He sent a quick grin across the table.
“Julia’s right. You will be blown away when you see what Jeremy and the crew back at the Cove do with all the bits and pieces. Although, to be honest…” Her eyes glazed over for a moment. “I don’t think they’ll have to do much. We got a lot of really clean video. Some absolutely awesome bits of conversation from the kids. I was so proud of them! Miss Angie and Raine…Josie…they were more natural on camera than some people I know who actually call themselves professionals.”
Kalani fixed her gaze on Ethan’s face. Nothing cloudy about those eyes now. “And you, ko`u aloha. You were amazing…but then, you’ve been on television before.” She shook her head. “I still can’t believe I wasn’t able to get my hands on a single film reel from Rory Cope Ministries. The legal system apparently buried it too deep to ever be dug up again.”
“Well, I’d be just fine with keeping it that way,” Ethan admitted.
“Maybe they will. I hope so. But if they don’t, well…” She smiled, and everything in Ethan’s world settled into perfect place.
“Well, what?” Julia’s quiet question broke the moment.
“Well, we’ll deal with it. Us and God.” Kalani smiled at the server who appeared seemingly out of nowhere. “I know what I’m having. You guys ready to order?”
Ethan nodded but pretended to study the menu again anyway. His heart was simply too full to allow for speech. Uhm, Father? I know I don’t thank You enough, but I just gotta say it…You did a heck of a good job on this woman. A real heck of a good job!
22
They were running late for Miss Angie’s party. Kalani sat next to Ethan as he sped a little faster than he probably should have toward Paradise Pines.
He’d kept her away from the lodge since he brought her home, refusing to give in even when she begged to see what was going on out there. “I want you to see it at the party for the full effect.”
Now, she all but perched on the edge of her seat, as if she could physically move the car forward at an even greater speed.
Her cellphone rang, and she snatched it up when “Paradise Pines Lodge” appeared on the display. Nothing catastrophic, please Lord. Not tonight. She punched the speaker button. “Hi, Miss Angie. You’re on speaker with Ethan and me.”
“I’m so glad I caught you. I hate to ask it of you, tonight of all nights, but…could I talk you into stopping for ice? Judging by the number of people already gathered outside, I think it would be prudent to have at least a couple more bags.”
“Of course, Miss Angie.” Ethan grinned and pulled over. “No problem.”
“Thank you yet again, dear boy. Every time I turn around, you’re doing something for me. You’re a prince among men, Pastor Miracle.” Her voice rose as she spoke to someone nearby. “Yes, dear, I’ll be right there.” She rang off without a goodbye, evidence that even the unflappable lodge hostess could be “flapped.”
Ethan chuckled as he turned the car around. “We won’t tell her we were already halfway to the lodge, right?”
Kalani smiled, despite her disappointment at the delay. Anything for Miss Angie.
Even Ethan all but lost his sense of humor when they found the grocery store packed with last-minute shoppers. “What in the world?” He eyed the long lines as if dumbfounded.
Kalani laughed. She couldn’t help it. “Honey, it’s Christmas Eve. This is last-minute food shopping at its crazy best.”
“Best?” He eyed her as if she’d grown an ex
tra nose. “There is nothing even a little bit good about this. Forget better and certainly not best.”
“Relax, angel man.” She winked, more concerned now with his frustration than her own. “We’ll get there, and still have more than enough time to enjoy the evening.” She applied the advice to her own nervous energy and pulled in a deep, calming breath. Then she reached for his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m kind of glad Miss Angie called. I love what’s happening here.”
“You mean the utter chaos?”
“No, silly. I mean so many people sharing a common goal—making Christmas perfect for their families. They’re flustered and frantic, yes, because they’re down to the last possible hours of preparation. But look past the surface tension, and you’ll see a child-like expectation on every face. It’s a phenomenon only seen at this time of year, sweetheart. Enjoy it!”
He slipped an arm around her waist, pulled her close to his side and kissed the top of her head. “You do know you’re the most incredible woman in the universe?”
“I only know you’d best think I am.”
Over half an hour later, she gasped as Ethan rounded a curve in the drive and Paradise Pines Lodge came into view. Thousands of lights, in every color imaginable, lit the structure and the grounds with a glow to rival any lighthouse beacon.
“It’s absolutely, stunningly beautiful!” Kalani breathed. “Like the stars came down to light the lodge tonight.”
His gaze took a slow trip over her outfit. “You’re absolutely, stunningly beautiful, sweetheart—the brightest star Paradise Pines will ever see.” He took her hand and pressed it to his lips, sending a delicious shiver from head to toe. “I can’t believe you’re mine, Kalani Miracle.”
“Believe it, ke aloha. I’m here to stay.” She clung close to his side as they quick-stepped around the circle drive. A humongous pine, topped by a shining star at least four feet in diameter, graced the center lawn. Huge ornaments hung from its branches—wooden cardinals, clusters of holly, large red and white poinsettias, silver bells, and an enormous number of angels and woodland creatures.
