Authors: Colleen Coble
Dangerous Depths (36 page)
tûtû
(TOO-too): grandmother
tûtû kâne
(TOO-too KAH-nay): grandpa
tûtû
-
man
(TOO-too-MON): grandfather
wahine
(wah-HE-nee): woman, wife
A
loha! I’ve grown very fond of that word in the writing of this series. Aloha means so many things: everything that is full of love, mercy, goodness, and friendship. The Hawaiian people are some of the friendliest on the planet, and they’ve opened their hearts to us every time we’ve gone to the islands for a research trip. A spe-cial blessing of aloha on Malia Spencer’s head for reading my manu-scripts and helping this
haole
navigate the writing waters to make sure I got right the culture I love so much. Her father, El Captain, as we call him, Bruce Spencer, gave me much-needed advice about Moloka’i and the world of boats.
Mahalo nui loa
to both of you!
Mahalo nui loa
to Robin Miller for reading the final draft to make sure I didn’t leave any plot holes. If I did, blame her. Seriously though, Robin, you were a great help, and I appreciate your friend-ship so much!
Mahalo nui loa
to my best friends and critique partners: Kristin Billerbeck, Denise Hunter, and Diann Hunt. Your e-mails and con-stant support make the journey worthwhile!
My great agent and friend, Karen Solem, has been by my side through thick and thin. Mostly better since you came into my life, Karen. I call a blessing of aloha from God on your head for all you’ve done for me.
My editor, Erin Healy, is a source of envy among my writing friends. They are ready to steal her away, but I’ll never let her go. She’s a fabulous editor, and she makes me better than I can be.
Mahalo nui loa
, Erin!
I’m blessed beyond measure by my publishing family at WestBow Press. When
Black Sands
arrived, publisher Allen Arnold included some tissues because he knew I always cry when I hold a new WestBow book in my hands. That’s the kind of publishing family I have: one that really knows and loves me. It’s a partnership I never take for granted but thank God for every day.
Mahalo nui loa
to the fabulous team: Ami McConnell is the best editor I’ve ever met. I love her like my daughter, and I’ve adopted her kids as my grand-children, because my own children are slow in providing them. Thanks also to Amanda Bostic, my editorial assistant who keeps us all on track and makes me smile while she does it; Caroline Craddock, my beautiful and fabulous publicist; Jennifer Deshler, my incredibly creative marketing guru; and Lisa Young, my friend and Allen’s assistant, who is always there with a quick hug to pick me up. Allen Arnold is wonderful and amazing. He has taken the WestBow imprint and launched it into the stratosphere. He charges up a room just by entering it and makes me think I can do more than I ever dreamed. Thanks for letting me share the journey, my friends.
My family is my wonderful blessing from God. No more supportive husband ever walked the earth than my David. He tells people about my books, reads them before they go to the editors, and keeps me on track. My children, Kara and Dave, bring me joy every day. I’m blessed beyond measure by what God has done in my life, both personally and professionally.
Aloha nui loa.
And most important,
mahalo nui loa
to the One who made it all possible and who has lavished every blessing on me.
Aloha nui loa
.
COLLEEN COBLE
READING GROUP GUIDE QUESTIONS
1. Tony was obsessed with finding the treasure. How do you think it affected his life for good or bad? Is obsession ever good?
2. Leia was self-conscious about her so-called “defect.” Is there some aspect of your appearance that makes you feel awkward? What can you do to get over it?
3. Leia didn’t tell Bane the truth about why she broke off her engagement. Is there ever a good reason to lie?
4. Leia never felt unconditional love from her mother. Why do you think the way our parents show love can have such crucial effects through our whole lives? Is there a way to get over what we perceive as a lack of good parenting?
5. Bane was the family leader and felt responsible for his siblings. How did that shape the man he became?
6. Bane felt he had to hide his soft side. What kinds of expectations do we put on our sons that are wrong? What are the important things to teach them?
7. Eva was an adult even though she was mentally impaired, and was fair game to a predator. It’s a difficult line to walk between giving a daughter like her enough freedom and too much. Were her parents right to let her have free time on her own? Why or why not?
8. Tûtû’s mental problems caused more problems for Leia, but we’ve all run into problems with family members who say hurtful things. How do you handle that? How would Christ respond?
9. Why do you think Leia was so attached to natural medicine? Could there be an element of rebellion against her mother’s way?
10. Have you ever know someone who was focused totally on his/her own wants and desires with no regard for other people like the villain? How do you deal with someone like that?
AN EXCERPT FROM FDireancer
D
ust settled around the Jeep as Tess parked in front of the old adobe-style ranch house. A familiar ache started under her breast-bone and moved up her chest in a suffocating pressure. She’d loved this house, yet it looked hostile to her now. The curved windows seemed to peer back at her like eyes slitted with malice. Why had she agreed to come? She should have insisted Stevie tell her what this was all about over the phone. She let her squirrel scamper out, then slammed the Jeep’s door behind her and wiped her dusty hands on the seat of her jeans.
“Some things never change,” a deep voice behind her said. “You’re still running late.”
She sometimes heard that voice at night in her dreams (or more accurately, nightmares). Tess pinned
a fake smile to her lips and forced herself to turn. “Hello, Chase,” she said, determined to sound carefree and natural. If it were up to her, he would never know how much he irritated her even still. Her gaze ranged from his dusty boots up the faded denim jeans and T-shirt, then lingered on the strong-jawed face under the tan cowboy hat. The fierce Arizona sun hadn’t managed to wash out his vivid blue eyes. “You’ve got a new hat.”
Sheesh, could she say anything more lame?
She wished she could spit the dust from her tongue, but it wouldn’t be ladylike, and while she hardly considered herself a girly-girl, she wasn’t about to let Chase Huston sense even an ounce of weakness. Why didn’t he say something? He stared her down as if he was trying to look under her skin and into her soul, a knack he’d always had, unfortunately.
Tiny new lines crouched at the edges of his eyes, and she spotted a weary droop to his lips. Maybe she could hold her own against him this trip, especially no longer than she planned to be here.
She took a step toward him, but he didn’t move. If she dared, she’d stick her tongue out at him. “Are you going to hug me or just stare?”
He unbent then, pulling his hands from the pockets of his jeans. They exchanged a brief hug, but it was like trying to embrace a saguaro cactus. She probably should have kept her distance, but she couldn’t resist the desire to unsettle him just a little.
“I’m surprised you showed your face,” he said. “I had a bet going with Whip that you’d make some lame excuse at the last minute and not show up. You’re late.”
“I took a wrong turn.”
“More likely a shortcut that got you lost. When will you learn shortcuts are of the devil?” He flashed white teeth in a grin.
He knew her too well. She stepped away from him. “Would you turn Wildfire out into the pasture?”
“Sure. I see Dooley hasn’t deserted you yet.” He watched the squirrel run along the edge of the driveway and pick up something in the dirt.
“He still rules the roost. Stevie in the house?”
“Yeah. In her bedroom. Your parents’ old room,” he amended.
Tess took two steps toward the house before his words sank in. “In bed? At eleven in the morning? What’s wrong?” She didn’t wait for an answer but stepped into the shade of the overhanging portico. Hummingbirds flitted away from the feeder as she passed, and the air movement stirred the brilliant cardinal flowers that attracted the hummers. She’d forgotten how the hummingbirds flocked around the porch. Her mother had loved them. She clamped off the memory before it could hurt her.
Crossing the threshold onto the terra-cotta tile felt like going through a time portal. The scent of the pine boughs Stevie and their mother liked hanging around the house brought all the memories of home rushing back. Tess closed her eyes and swayed. In her mind, she heard her mother’s voice call. Everything in her wanted to turn and rush out the way she’d come. She opened her eyes and forced herself to take a few deep breaths, then took a moment to glance around the large open living space. Dead pine needles lay littered around the bough on top of the TV, and a dry odor of decay began to insinuate itself past the fragrance of pine. The place was usually spotless. What was going on here?
“Stevie?” Tess ran down the hall lined with pictures of her and her sister from birth through high school. It was as if the air itself pushed against her and slowed her movements until she reached the bedroom door. An invisible barrier seemed to guard the oak door. When she was a little girl, she used to crawl in bed with her mother. Her dad was usually up and out the door by the time she and Stevie woke up. Her mom would fix him breakfast then go back to bed for a little while. When Tess poked her head in, her mom would throw back the covers and open her arms, and Tess would scramble into them.
There would be no welcoming smile from her mother today. Tess could almost hear the crackle of the fire that night so long ago, almost smell the smoke. She looked at the closed door. Her hand hovered over the doorknob. What would she find inside? Stevie never stayed in bed past six. Even after Abby was born, Stevie had been in the kitchen fixing breakfast by six.
She cleared her hoarse voice and tapped on the door. “Stevie? It’s me. Are you awake?”
“Tess, get in here so I can hug you.”
Her sister sounded normal, and the pressure pushing Tess away from the door eased. Tess twisted the doorknob and peeked inside. Stevie lay propped against the pillows with her Bible in her hand. A gray pallor pinched the color from her cheeks, and she looked like she’d gained at least twenty pounds. She put down her Bible and held out her hands. “Come here right now.”
The room looked nothing like it had when her parents were alive, and Stevie’s smile welcomed her. Tess flew into her sister’s embrace. In spite of the heat in the room, Stevie’s skin was cold and dry to the touch. She held Tess in a fierce hug that brought tears surging to Tess’ eyes. She’d stayed away too long. Tess hung onto Stevie even after her sister let go.
Stevie grasped Tess’ shoulders and pushed her away to look in her face. “You look marvelous, Tessie. I’m so glad to see you. Abby will be thrilled. She’s in the back meadow with her dad.”
“I can’t wait to see her.” She sat on the edge of the bed and took her sister’s hand. “What’s wrong with you, Stevie?” she asked, keepng her voice soft.
Stevie’s fingers tightened on hers. She licked her lips. “I’m going to be fine, Tessie. Don’t look so scared. We’ve had few rough weeks, but it’s getting better. I’m not dying or anything.”
“You’re still not saying what it is. Is it—” She couldn’t say the word
cancer
.
“I’m fine. Really.” Stevie gave Tess’s fingers a gentle squeeze. “I’ve got lupus. Isn’t that just my luck—a disease that hates heat when I live in Arizona.”
“Lupus?” Tess wasn’t sure what it was, though she knew she’d heard of it. It was some kind of autoimmune disease, wasn’t it?
“I know I look like the Pillsbury Doughboy, but it’s the steroids they have me on. I’m feeling much better, but fatigue still knocks me down at times. I’d hoped to meet you at the door.” Stevie’s eye-lids were half closed, and she was beginning to slur her words.