Above All Else (Sandy Cove Series Book 7)

by Rosemary Hines

  Still, she longed for home and the sound of the surf and the familiar chatter of family around the dinner table.

  Smiling as she watched one young man from the team twirling a child in the air, she thought about tonight. Luke had promised they could call home. And she could hardly wait. “Oh please let there be good news about the fundraising for Lily,” she whispered softly in prayer.

  It was ten o’clock that night before Luke and Madison were in their quarters and ready to phone home.

  “How are all the kids doing tonight?” Luke asked, referring to the rubella patients.

  “Most of them should be able to go back to the dorms in the next few days,” she replied, “barring any complications, that is.”

  “And Lily?”

  Madison sighed. “She’s getting weaker every day, Luke. I’m really concerned that we may lose her.”

  “Well, hopefully we’ll get good news from Dad,” he said.

  “So what time is it there?” Maddie asked. “Six o’clock in the morning?”

  “Seven. So we should be able to catch everyone up but still home.” He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Wanna go first?”

  “No. You first. Then maybe I’ll have good news to share with Mom and Dad about Lily.”

  “Okay, you’re the boss!” he teased, pulling out his cell phone and punching in his parents’ number. As it began ringing, he draped his arm over her shoulder and pulled her close.

  He could hear his father’s voice as if it was in the next room. “Luke! Honey, Luke’s on the phone.”

  A moment later, his mom’s voice joined in. “Luke! How are you? Tell us everything that’s going on out there.”

  Luke laughed. “Okay, okay, Mom. But first how are all of you?” He could hear voices of siblings in the background asking if they could talk, too.

  “We’re all fine,” Kelly replied. “Although your dad’s been pushing himself too much as usual,” she added, a hint of concern in her tone.

  “I’m fine, son,” his father quickly added. “So how are the newlyweds? And how’s the orphanage doing?”

  “Maddie and I are fine. I’ll let her say hi in a minute,” he said. “Children’s Garden is pretty busy right now. We have a fifteen-person team here from Arkansas, and the kids I emailed you about with the rubella outbreak are still recovering in the infirmary, so that’s keeping Madison busy.”

  “And don’t forget about Lily,” his wife urged, gripping his leg.

  “Here, I’m giving the phone to Madison. She wants to ask you about Lily’s fundraising.” He handed the phone to his wife. “You’re on, babe,” he said with a smile.

  “Hi Mom, Dad,” she said. Luke loved hearing her call his parents that. How sweet to have a wife who loved his folks, too.

  “So, I’ve been eager to hear how the fundraising is coming for Lily’s surgery. She’s getting pretty weak, and I’ve been concerned.”

  Luke watched her face as she listened to his parents’ reply.

  “Uh huh. Okay. Yeah, I know what you mean.” There was a pause, and then Luke saw her expression light up. “Wow! That’s so great! Okay, I’ll tell Dr. Su to start making the arrangements.” She looked over at him and said, “They’ve got most of the money. And Grandma Sheila and Rick offered to pay the difference.”

  “That’s wonderful!” Luke said, her joy infecting him as well.

  Madison turned back to the phone. “Okay, so I’ll put Luke back on. But please tell everyone how much I appreciate this. I’ve gotten pretty attached to her, as you might have noticed,” she added before saying goodbye and handing him the phone.

  Luke knew his wife was eager to call her parents, so he kept the rest of the conversation as short as possible. He asked his father a few questions regarding the transfer of funds for Lily’s surgery and then added, “Don’t overdo it, Dad. Mom sounds a little worried about you.”

  “I’m fine. Really,” Ben replied.

  But Luke noticed a slight drop in his father’s voice. He made a mental note to pick up his prayers for the man who’d been his hero all of Luke’s life.

  “My turn?” Madison asked, excited and eager to call her folks.

  Luke leaned over and kissed her. “Your turn, babe.”

  Her hand shook a little as she punched in the number. This was the first time she’d be talking to her parents since she called them to let them know she’d arrived at the orphanage safely three weeks ago. Never in her entire life had so much time passed between hearing their voices.

  “Madison, is that you?” her father asked.

  “It’s me, Dad!” she replied, grinning ear to ear.

  “Let me get your mother on the other line,” he said, calling out, “Michelle, it’s Maddie. Pick up the phone up there.”

  “Maddie!” Michelle exclaimed. “How are you? Is everything okay?”

  “Hi, Mom. Yeah, we are fine,” she replied. “But I miss you guys so much.”

  “We miss you, too, honey,” her father said.

  “Tell us about the baby. Lily, I mean,” Michelle added. “Ben announced at church that we’ve reached the goal for her fundraising.”

  “Yeah, we just talked to him,” Madison said. “You knew about Grandma and Rick, right?”

  “What about them?” Michelle asked.

  “They donated the balance to meet the goal.”

  “They did?”

  “Yeah. I’m surprised you didn’t know,” Madison said, glancing over at Luke and mouthing, ‘Mom didn’t know.’

  Madison’s father jumped back into the conversation. “I’m not at all surprised, Michelle. You know how Rick is. He keeps his generosity under wraps.”

  “True,” Michelle replied. “But I would have thought Mom would have said something to me. At any rate, that’s great news, Maddie. So, will Lily get her surgery soon? And how’s she doing? We loved the little picture you sent us in the mail. She’s adorable.”

  Madison’s heart swelled hearing her mom talk about Lily. It was great to know that her parents were also invested in this little life that had become so important to Madison. “Luke and his dad discussed the transfer of funds, so I’ll be talking to the doctor tomorrow about setting up the surgery. It’s not coming a moment too soon, though, Mom. She’s really getting weak. Please just pray that she makes it to the surgery and survives the operation.”

  “We will, sweetheart,” her mother promised.

  “I’ll have the men’s breakfast group pray, too, honey,” Steve added. “And how about you? Are you enjoying your work there?”

  “I am, Dad. It’s great working with the kids. And Dr. Su is wonderful,” she said, hoping she sounded upbeat.

  “Why do I feel like there’s a ‘but’ in your voice?” he asked.

  Madison paused. She didn’t want to talk about her struggles with loneliness when Luke was sitting right beside her. What was it about her dad that he could read beneath the surface? Maybe it came with years of being an attorney.

  “I’m fine, Dad. Really. It’s just an adjustment period right now. And I’m trying to learn the language, so that’s an added challenge.” There, that was the honest truth without going into details about her loneliness and homesickness, which she knew would place an added concern on Luke’s shoulders that he didn’t need right now.

  “How’s Caleb doing?” she asked, changing the subject.

  “He’s had a rough few weeks,” Steve replied.

  “But it’s nothing for you to worry about,” Michelle interjected.

  “Is he around? I’d like to talk to him. He emailed me about the whole Adam thing, but I’ve been so busy, and I wanted to give him a thoughtful reply.”

  “He had an early shift at the Coffee Stop this morning,” her father said. “He’ll be bummed that he missed your call.”

  “Well, tell him I’m praying for him and I’ll email as soon as I can,” she promised, feeling a lump in her throat as she prepared to say goodbye. “We’ll call again in a couple of weeks,” she said. �
��And please give Grandma Sheila, Rick, and Grandma Joan big hugs for me.”

  “We will, Maddie,” her mother replied.

  “Let us know if you need anything,” Steve added.

  “I will, Daddy,” she answered, suddenly feeling like a little girl. How she yearned to see them both, to just sit across the kitchen table with them and share a meal. It was almost too painful to picture.

  “So, we’ll talk to you again soon. Take care, honey,” Steve added.

  “We love you, sweetheart,” her mom said, and Madison thought she heard Michelle’s voice shaking a little.

  “I love you, too,” she replied before hanging up. Turning to Luke, she managed to hold back her tears, and she reached out and hugged him tightly. He was her lifeline. Not only to family, but also to God. And right now, she needed him more than she ever had.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  Luke lay awake, staring at the ceiling fan turning slowly overhead. Madison was sleeping, curled up next to him, but something was gnawing at his mind. He had a premonition that they were about to face a challenge that would test the two of them. What was it? Did it have something to do with his father and how tired he sounded? Or was it something about the orphanage?

  What is it, Lord? Help me know how to pray here.

  He waited in silence for an answer. Starting to go through the usual prayers for his wife, his family, and his ministry, he suddenly felt the presence of God fill the room.

  Brace yourself. And know that I am with you always. I will carry you.

  A strange combination of fear and faith surged through Luke’s veins. What was he bracing himself for? He was thankful for the reminder of God’s faithfulness, and an unusual sense of peace fell upon him. But he knew this tangible sensation of God’s very close presence was not a random event. Something was about to happen, and he would need God to carry him through.

  Luke awoke with a start. The jaws of a giant threatened to swallow the room as loud rumblings and shattering glass engulfed the two sleepers. Adrenaline jolted Luke out of bed as the room rocked violently, and Madison screamed in his ears.

  Earthquake!

  Jumping to his feet, and grabbing his wife’s hand, he fled the room, narrowly missing a beam crashing to the floor. Pain shot through his bare foot as he stepped on a shard of glass from the broken window. Sweeping Madison up into his arms, he carried her out of the building. Loud voices and screaming children filled the air in the outside courtyard as they watched the structures around them sway and buckle under the powerful tremors.

  “Lily!” Madison cried out, pushing away from him and starting to run toward the nursery.

  Luke grabbed her and held her tightly. “You can’t go in there! Wait for it to stop!”

  They clutched each other through the final jolts, and then the earth rested. Loud cries continued to pour from the broken windows in the dormitory and the infirmary, and Luke saw Erick waving them over from across the yard. “We’ve got to get the kids out!” he called.

  Every step brought searing pain to Luke, but he led Madison over to where they could join forces with Erick and the mission team.

  “Are you two alright?” the senior director asked.

  “We’re fine,” Luke replied, not wanting to impede the rescue by admitting his injury.

  Sirens had begun to fill the air as they pried open the infirmary door. The place was a disaster, with broken glass, ceiling tiles scattered about, and doorjambs bent like straws. Kids were huddled under beds, while the night caregiver circulated throughout, evaluating the injuries. Thankfully they were all conscious and able to respond—most crying from pain and trauma, while some stared silently like deer caught in headlights.

  “I need to go to Lily,” Madison repeated.

  Luke nodded. “Okay, but then come right back. We need to get over to the dormitory, too.” He turned to the team members and began giving them instructions, silently thanking God for the extra hands to help in the crisis.

  Madison found Lily whimpering in her crib, still wrapped securely in her swaddling blankets. Quickly unwrapping her and checking for injuries, Maddie converted the blanket into a sling and carried the infant in it back to the main infirmary. Luke was sitting on a bed with a little boy, who had his arm clutched to his chest.

  “Better take a look at this,” her husband said, gesturing to his charge.

  Madison stooped down and gently pried the boy’s hand from his arm. Bone protruded just under the flesh at an unnatural angle. Glancing up at Luke, she nodded, “It’s broken. I’ll need to try to set it or at least immobilize it in a sling until we can get him treatment.”

  “What can I do to help?” he asked.

  Madison glanced around the room. Most of the kids were being ushered out of the building. “Should we get out of here? I know there could be aftershocks.”

  Luke nodded. “Good idea.”

  As Madison rose to her feet, she noticed the blood on the floor. “Where did this come from?” she asked, looking over the boy again for other injuries.

  Luke lifted his foot to show her.

  “Luke, why didn’t you tell me? This is really deep. You’ll need stitches.”

  “We can worry about that later. Let’s get this little guy taken care of and see how the kids are in the dorm,” he replied.

  Out in the yard, Erick, Lian and the team members were getting kids settled into groups—those who needed medical care, and those who were only shaken. A separate area was set aside for the kids recovering from rubella, although that was the least of anyone’s worries at this point. There were multiple cuts and abrasions that needed tending, as well as a few possible concussions Madison would need to evaluate for head trauma.

  The only building that seemed unaffected for the most part was the cafeteria, which had been recently remodeled and retrofitted. Although the sun was beginning to peak over the horizon, the air was cool and damp, and Madison was concerned about all the kids who were shivering from both the shock and the drop in temperature.

  “Would it be safe to move everyone into the dining area?” she asked Erick.

  “Good idea, babe,” Luke said in agreement.

  After Erick inspected the inside of the building, he gave them the thumbs up to begin bringing the kids in out of the cold. Madison discovered the little boy with the broken arm was named Chen. He stayed glued to Luke’s side as the adults worked together to bring the children inside. A couple of aftershocks gave quick jolts, but none of them had the impact of the initial quake, and the dining hall structure seemed sound.

  Since it was clear that little Chen needed Luke’s presence, Madison handed Lily over to him as well, giving him strict warning to stay off of his foot, and then began circulating through the injured, triaging them for treatment and giving instructions to team members, all the while replaying in her mind the steps she’d observed for setting and splinting a broken bone when she was in her hospital rotation in nursing school. Erick had tried to reach Dr. Su, but the phone lines were all jammed. It was likely she’d have to do the initial treatment herself, until he could get here.

  Thankfully the equipment closet was located between the dining hall and the infirmary, so she was able to retrieve first aid supplies to hand out along with her instructions. Madison attended to the more difficult cases, often asking Lian to translate for the frightened kids so they would understand what she needed to do to treat their injuries.

  Then she headed back over to Luke, who had somehow evoked a smile on Chen’s face. Lily was sleeping peacefully in his arms, and Madison paused a moment, taking it all in. Her husband was such a natural with children. Guess it came from being the oldest in such a big family. He’d make a great father someday.

  As she was about to explain to Chen through Lian what needed to be done for his arm, Dr. Su appeared in the doorway. “Thank you, Lord!” Madison exclaimed under her breath as she waved the doctor over.

  Once Chen was settled with Dr. Su, Madison turned to Luke. “Your t
urn, honey,” she said, gesturing to his foot. She handed Lily over to Lian and opened up her supply kit. Asking Dr. Su for a local anesthetic, she injected the area around her husband’s gash, cleaned it thoroughly, and began stitching the gaping hole closed. “This is going to hurt for awhile once that lidocaine wears off,” she warned. “And you should stay off of it for a few days.”

  Because of the severity of the cut and the exposure to dirt and debris, Dr. Su recommended Luke take antibiotics as well as having frequent bandage changes and topical ointments.

  “There’s too much to do around here without worrying about a little cut,” Luke scoffed.

  “That ‘little cut’ took twelve stitches, sir,” she replied firmly. “And an infection will only make you less available for longer.”

  “Yes, Nurse Ratchet,” he replied with a grimace.

  Giving him a gentle, playful shove, Madison turned to help Dr. Su with the sling for Chen.

  That night, after all the kids were settled into makeshift beds of mattresses on the floor of the dining hall, Luke and Madison met with Erick to evaluate the damages and come up with a plan. Windows needed replacing in both the dorm and the infirmary, and ceilings needed repairs and some retrofitting. Luke and Madison’s bedroom was uninhabitable until the beam could be replaced.

  They learned from Dr. Su that many homes and structures outside the walls of Children’s Garden were in shambles. Various temples and meeting halls were housing the displaced residents. It looked like it would take several weeks to even hope to get replacement windows or any reconstruction done.

  For the time being, their lives would revolve around the outdoor areas and the dining hall. Erick dragged their mattress in and set it in the corner of the dining hall. Then he brought some bags of clothes from their closet as well as the essentials from their bathroom. Because of Madison’s ongoing concerns about Lily and Chen’s newfound attachment to Luke, they ended up with a ready made little family of four sleeping in their cordoned-off area.