“I know. But by the grace of God, I escaped. And they’ve been looking for me ever since. And if it weren’t for Burke here … I wouldn’t have made it. I owe him my life.”
Burke cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably. He wasn’t used to this type of attention thrown his way.
“I only did what anyone else would have.”
“No, he saved me. I was stranded on the beach, which happened to be in front of his home – and he saved me from a purse-snatcher and took me in. Once I found out you were taping on the island, he found a way to bring me to you.”
Anne lifted to her chair and took Burke’s hands in hers.
“Thank you for saving my sister. You’ve done the impossible. I didn’t think I’d ever have her back again. I thought she was lost to me forever.” Anne wiped away another tear, only to feel her sister’s arms around her.
“I would have found a way back to you with or without help Anne.” Grace assured her.
“Wow, I’m blown away. So, now where is Zach? Have you pressed charges?” Her protective spirit was kicking in.
“He’s back home and no, not yet. I’m not sure what I want to do next. I just knew I had to find you. And I know I’m done with the Aundines. I finally get what you did and why you left. I know you didn’t leave me… you just needed to have some normalcy in your life.”
“I didn’t leave you.” Anne reiterated.
“I know, but now it’s our time. We need to get reacquainted.”
Burke cleared his throat once more, to offer a suggestion. “I have an idea. You should come home with us. There’s plenty of room at my house.” He smiled warmly to both sisters.
Grace’s eyes lit up. “That’s a great idea! Would you?”
Anne wanted nothing more … well almost nothing more. If she had her pick of perfect scenarios, she would take Chad with her. But she knew she gave up that option when she left the show.
“Let me pack and we can leave in five,” she said with bittersweet resound.
Chapter 33
“You’re not going to make it magically ring.” Allyson nudged her son. Ever since he’d returned from the set, he had been obsessed with checking his cell phone.
“It’s just that she said she’d call me when I could go see Anne.”
Chad’s gut churned. He did not like waiting one bit. It was eating him from the inside out.
“And she will. From what you’ve told me, Anne has her hands full.” Chad’s mom patted her son’s back, as he laid his phone on the counter.
Chad’s house, which was down the shore from where the girls had been staying, was now grand central station, as a camera crew was setting up shop in his living room.
Abbey bounced in from the back lanai and watched her family navigating around the crew members. She gave one of the camera crew a fake grin and plopped down next to Chad.
“What’s up brother? Last night you were almost in mourning, then today you left the house with an amazing smile, and now you’re wound tighter than a clock.”
Chad groaned. “Don’t remind me.”
Abbey tucked her feet under her legs, and peered into her bag, searching for a tank top to don over her swimsuit.
“Anne hasn’t called.” Allyson told her daughter.
“What if she doesn’t?” Chad’s brow furrowed.
“Are you kidding? She will.” Abbey laughed.
“No, Abs. She left me. She’s gone. I mean I get why.” He turned to take his sister’s hands in his. “I’d do anything to find you if you were missing. I guess I just wish she’d let me help. Instead she left.”
Chad sunk back into the couch and stared out to the ocean, wondering where she was.
“Listen.” Allyson wished she could take this heartache from her son. She crossed the floor and sat on the coffee table, across from her kids. “From what I know about her, in the time I’ve spent with her … and now from what I’ve learned about her family life.”
Abbey cut in. “Yeah, I can’t believe she’s an Aundine … so surreal.”
Allyson gave her daughter a warning glare.
“Anyways,” she continued, giving her attention back to Chad. “She’s used to taking things head on, without asking for help. Keep in mind that she didn’t leave you … she left the show. There’s a big difference. I’m willing to bet the only reason she left was to keep some sort of privacy as she searched for her sister. She didn’t need a camera crew tracing her every step. That would be too much.”
Chad lowered his head. “I know you’re right. But it still hurts. And, now to know that they’ve reunited, and I have to wait on a stupid phone call...” He craned his neck toward his phone. This time he didn’t bother to get up to check it.
“Well at least you have a few things to keep you busy. Didn’t you say that her sister’s boyfriend said it could be tomorrow until they called?”
“Yes.” Chad’s eyes were somber.
“Well, you have to get us to the airport in the morning, and we’ll find ways to stay busy until then.” Allyson smiled down at her son. She put her hand on his knee and added, “Besides, you know my philosophy. If it’s meant to be, it will be. So pray and have faith.”
Chad smiled at his mom. If there was one thing he could count on, it was her heart and amazing faith. He knew it was just one more reminder for him to look in the right place for strength … to God. And it’s not that he didn’t believe in God’s power – because he did.
Chad just figured he had time to sort out his faith and his walk in it, as he grew older. After all, he was young and had his whole life ahead of him.
“You’re right.” He leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
“I have an idea!” Abbey jumped up. “Let’s go for a run. That will burn off some nervous energy for sure.”
“That’s a great idea.” Allyson encouraged her son. “Go on, and I’ll see you two in a little bit.”
She took a deep breath, and rose to go upstairs. As she ascended half way up, she paused to glance at her kids, who were grabbing their running shoes.
To her, no matter how old they got, they’d always be her babies and in moments like these, when they weren’t looking, she loved to watch them as they found their way in life.
She loved that Abbey was striving so hard to help her brother. The fact that they were close, made her fill with such joy.
The last thing Chad did before leaving the house, was grab his phone, turn it to vibrate, and zip it into his shorts pocket. He didn’t want to take a chance on missing a call while he was out running.
Once in her room, Allyson walked to her window, which overlooked the beach. She watched her children race up the shoreline, and realized this was the happiest she’d been in over a year.
Oahu had been good for their family. And although she still missed her husband, she knew he was smiling down on them in this moment.
As Chad ran off in the distance, she truly hoped that he wasn’t running toward heartbreak. It was then that something truly indescribable happened.
A bright light flashed before her eyes leaving her feeling as if she’d been jolted by fire. Allyson, not being able to bear the pressure on her small frame, fell to her knees, as if the air had been completely sucked from her lungs.
The view out her window quickly transformed from a carefree run, in which her kids were jogging down the beach, to one of Chad, as he frantically ran down a different shoreline in desperate search of something or someone. She watched in fear as her son disappeared into the dark night, and did the only thing she could. Allyson dropped her head in reverent prayer, asking God to protect Chad and help her understand the vision He’d given her so that she would know how to help him.
This vision, which could only be from God, although scary, was a gift. And even though she knew her kids were safe and enjoying a casual jog in this moment in time, she also knew that the vision she’d been given was also very real. She even felt the fear that poured from her son’s body as he ran in frenzy,
as he searched the shoreline.
Allyson wasn’t sure if it was a symbol of Chad trying to find love or if it was a foreshadowing of what was to come. Either way, the only definite in all the indefinite possibilities was that Allyson knew to pray.
Chapter 34
They stayed up all night, catching up. Finally when they couldn’t keep their eyes open any longer, Burke convinced them to go to bed.
After their reunion, he was glad he’d asked Anne to come stay with he and Grace, at his home. It would give them the privacy they needed, and help keep Grace out of any limelight that was sure to follow from her appearance on the show.
By morning, Burke knew both girls would be too tired to wake up for his and Grace’s normal morning ritual, which was walking the beach at dawn.
And true to his prediction, he cracked the door to his bedroom to see both still out like a light, lying next to each other in his bed.
Anne heard Burke softly shut the door.
“Was he checking on us?” She stretched, yawning.
Grace turned to her side, and nodded, smiling to
her sister. “He’s a good guy.”
“Seems like it.” Anne grinned, and then remembered Chad.
Grace saw her sister’s face fall, and wondered if it had to do with her own love life.
“It’s important to have someone you can lean on.” Grace propped up on both elbows. “You know when I came to the set yesterday to find you, I met Chad.”
Anne sadly smiled up to her sister, not knowing what to say.
“I told him I’d call you after we caught up. He was on his way to find you, when we drove in.”
“I told him not to bother with me.” Anne frowned. “He still has a show to finish.”
“Oh, I don’t think there’s much of a show left to finish.” Grace almost sang. “I can’t believe we didn’t get into this yet. I meant to tell you to call him. I was just so tired …”
“We had a lot of ground to cover. I still can’t believe Grandmother robbed us of all this time. I’m so angry with her, and I’m not sure what to do with that.”
Anne quickly got back on track, remembering what Grace said about the show. “What do you mean by – not much of a show left?”
Grace grinned. “He sent the other girls home. He was literally leaving to find you, when Burke and I got there.”
“How do you know?” Her heart leapt. She popped up and drew her knees into her chest.
“Because after we found out what hotel you were in from that girl, Janie.” Grace paused to catch her breath. “She told me the latest scoop on what was happening on set.”
“He sent them home? How could … why would he do that?”
“Why don’t you ask him?” Grace grinned. “I bet he’s going crazy by now. I told him to hold off on reaching out to you until we got our stuff out of the way.”
Anne’s face lit up, and she leapt for her bag. “I have his number. He gave it to me earlier in the show, in case of … anything.”
“Call him, and I’ll give you your privacy.” She got up, and opened the door to leave.
“Grace?” Anne called to her sister, before she left the room.
“Yes.” She paused at the door.
“You know we need to call Grandmother, and have it out with her. And you should probably call the police to let them know you’re okay.” Anne encouraged her sister, but knew she couldn’t force anything.
“I know. I’m just not sure I’m ready. I know at some point I’ll have to face Zach, and after what he did...” Grace’s voice fell.
Anne’s blood boiled at the thought of anyone harming her, and knew that if she ever ran into this lunatic, who hit Grace, she’d have a few words for him … maybe more.
“I’ll be there every step of the way.” Anne stood to cross the floor for another hug.
The two pulled back from their embrace in time to see Burke popping around the corner. “I see someone’s finally up,” he said, holding two steaming mugs. “Coffee?”
Anne turned to Grace and said in awe, “He brings you coffee too? Where do I get one of those?”
Grace lifted her cup for a sip, and replied, “I think you know. Call him.”
“She still hasn’t called Chad?” Burke asked, astounded. “I bet that guy’s going nuts. Give him a break and call him.”
“Okay, but remember what I said about Grandmother.”
“I know. I know,” she sighed with anxiety, leading Burke from the room. She shut the door tightly behind them to give Anne her privacy.
Anne set her coffee on the nightstand, and picked up her iPhone, rolling it a few times in her hands.
He was leaving to find me?
She slowly scanned her contacts for his name and hit dial.
Chad jumped at the sound of his phone. He’d already taken his family to the airport, and had done a full upper body workout. There was only so much he could do before driving himself mad, wondering how Anne was and if she’d call.
He slid his phone open, and finally heard the sound he’d been waiting for.
“Hi,” she said softly.
“Hi. How are you?”
“I’m good, now.”
“Did you get to catch up with your sister?” He wanted to break into how much he missed her, but let her lead the conversation.
“Yes, thank you for letting us have that time. I know it must have been hard to see me go.” Anne hoped she was right.
“You have no idea. Man, it’s so good to hear your voice right now.” He breathed into the phone.
The sound of his breathe in her ear is what did her in, and the rest of what was in her heart tumbled out.
“Oh Chad, I’m so sorry for leaving. I just couldn’t take knowing my sister was out there somewhere, and not go find her. I know it wasn’t right …”
Chad quickly interrupted. “Hey ... slow down. I understand. I have a sister too. I know how hard it must have been for you. I can’t imagine what I’d have done in your shoes. I just wished you would have let me help.”
“I’m sorry,” she said softly, and then added, “I heard about the show…”
He grinned, but said nothing. There was still a camera in his home, and he was trying to have a somewhat private conversation without the public hearing his every word.
Although there was silence that hung in the air between them, she was sure he could hear her heart beating.
“Is it true?”
“About what?”
“That you let the girls go?”
“I didn’t let them go. I gave them a choice, hoping they would. I needed to work it out so the only option I had left was to come find you.”
“I don’t get it.”
“Let me come over, and I’ll explain everything. I just need to see you.”
Anne dragged in a breath, feeling every emotion behind his words. She could almost feel his need for her.
“Will there be cameras?”
“Sadly, yes. I’ve got to give them an ending.” Chad hoped the cameras didn’t ruin his chances.
“Let me see if Grace minds, or her boyfriend, and I’ll let you know. I’m at his place now. He insisted I leave the hotel and stay with them.”
“That was nice of him.”
“Can I call you back later?”
“Of course. Just know I’m here if you’ll have me.”
“So I’m the last girl standing, huh?” Her heart was light.
“You were always the last girl standing … from day one,” he said, thick with emotion.
That’s what did it. She didn’t need anyone’s permission. She only needed Chad.
“Okay, screw the cameras. Come over. I’m sure my sister will be okay with it. After all she’s lived most of her life in the limelight, right?”
Anne caught a tear that escaped down her cheek, as she half laughed into the phone.
“Yeah,” Chad said, feeling as if his chest might explode with joy.
“I could try to give you d
irections.” She looked to the clock on Burke’s nightstand, which read 11:00 a.m., then looked to the mirror to check her appearance. She still needed to shower and change. “Do you think you could make it for dinner?”
Chad groaned. “Now wouldn’t work?”
Anne hit the home button on her iPhone and put Chad on speaker, adding, “I’ll send you a pin to Burke’s house, because there’s no way I could give you directions. I’m not ever sure where I am.”
Chad waited to receive the notification on his phone, to where Anne’s location was, before testing the waters once more.
“Can I come pick you up for lunch? Or is dinner my only option?” He asked, hoping for both.
“I just woke up not too long ago. It’s been a long couple of days. Give me the afternoon with my sis, and then come for dinner. Is that okay?”
“Of course.” He felt a bit deflated, but would take anything at this point. He was just grateful she wanted to see him at all. There was hope for them yet.
“I’ll see you in a few hours,” he said, happier than he had been in days.
“See you soon.” She hung up, only to hear a shriek of joy from the other side of the door.
Grace promptly burst in, yelling, “Is he coming over?”
Anne rolled her eyes at her sister, and said the words Grace was dreading, “Yes, but now it’s time to call Lilah.”
Grace plopped down on the bed, and slumped to her lap.
“Argh! You’re such a killjoy! Don’t you want to lavish in the moment a bit longer?” She peeked out from under her long hair, with questioning eyes.
She was met with stern ones. “Of course, but Grandmother has to be dealt with. Then…” The spark was back in Anne’s eyes. “I can lavish all I want.”
Grace threw a pillow at her sister and groaned. “If I weren’t so overjoyed to have you back…”
“You’d what?” Anne gave her a fake evil eye. “Pick up the phone and dial sister, from your phone. Because we know she won’t answer mine.”
“Give me one more day until we call them. I just want more time with you before all hell reigns down.” Grace gave Anne her best set of puppy dog eyes. “Please.”
Anne smiled, knowing she could never resist that look … not even now.
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