Take One (30 page)

He held out his arms and clasped hands with Lisa and Chase. “Lord … we are speechless, amazed at Your mighty power and the
way that Your will was done here today. We promise You,” he paused, his voice thick with emotion, “as sure as we stand here
today that we will make this movie and any other film You let us create, and that we will not compromise the message of truth
and faith and redemption. We will bring Your voice to the world as long as You allow us to do so. We thank You, God … we celebrate
Your sovereignty and we rejoice that You brought Ben Adams into our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Keith opened his eyes and grinned at his wife and his best friend. “Now, let’s get out there and wrap this movie.”

T
HE PARTY WAS HELD ON A
lawn near the east side of campus, close to where the final scenes were shot, and not far from the place where earlier that
day Chase picked up his megaphone and shouted the words he’d been longing to say from the first day he set foot on the set.

“That’s a wrap!”

Now the cast and crew were celebrating with barbecued ribs and an enormous chocolate cake that read, “Congratulations to the
amazing cast and crew of
The Last Letter
.”

Chase was refilling his glass of iced tea when Janetta Drake walked up and gave him a side hug. “You did it.”

“Come on, Janetta.” Nothing could touch the great mood Chase was in. He grinned at his favorite actress. “You know better
than that.”

“You’re right.” She stepped back, her face practically glowing. “God did this.” She angled her head as if she were weighing
whether she should say the next part. “You were in big trouble a week ago, weren’t you?”

He breathed in sharply and shook his head just once. “You have no idea.”

“When you came up to Keith in the middle of the meeting … it was because God had given you a miracle, right?”

“Were you hiding in the production trailer?” He laughed, because he could. They could all laugh now that they were on this
side of that crucial day.

“I was praying, like I told you. Every day. And that morning I woke up with the strongest sense that a very serious battle
was taking place over the continuation of our movie. I figured something big was going to happen, and, well … we could all
read the direction Keith was headed with his talk.”

“You’re right.” He chuckled. “About everything. And yes, I got word that day about a new investor. He wants to do whatever
he can to help us—not just with this movie, but with all of it.”

Janetta’s smile said she wasn’t surprised. She hugged him once more. “We serve a mighty God.”

“Yes, we do.”

Chase would’ve loved for Kelly to be here, but it was Friday, and until yesterday they hadn’t been sure they would wrap today.
Now, though, he and Keith would spend one more day making sure everything was torn down and shipped to its proper place, and
then they’d fly home. At this point, it made more sense for Kelly and the girls to wait there for him.

Keith and Lisa were talking with the DP, laughing about something and for a long moment Chase looked around the wrap party
and soaked in every detail. Janetta had told them that a few of the minor actors had recommitted their lives to God because
of what they’d experienced working on
The Last Letter
. The thought made Chase smile. God was letting lives be changed already.

There was a commotion near the edge of the field where it butted against the parking lot. Andi and Bailey had arrived for
the party, the two of them grinning and happy. The girls walked over to Lisa and Keith, and it was easy to see that whatever
struggles his friends were having with their daughter, they were working things out.

It was another victory, and Chase could feel God’s presence moving powerfully among them. The dailies had continued to show
footage that took their breath away, footage that most certainly when combined and edited would put them in the running for
film festivals and awards.

The future was more than Chase could imagine, so here he would simply enjoy the celebration, the finish line they’d reached
together. He was drinking his iced tea, leaning against one of the picnic tables brought in for the party, when he heard voices
behind him.

He turned and though the sun was setting and darkness was falling around them, he saw two people approaching—one a kind-looking
man in his sixties, the other a tall, leggy blonde with an aura of charisma that shone in her eyes and her smile. He hadn’t
seen either of them before, and at first he figured they must’ve been locals, residents of Bloomington come to check out the
final day of filming. But as they came closer, Keith hurried over and introduced himself to them. Chase couldn’t hear them,
but his friend’s body language said they were someone Keith was expecting, someone he was thrilled to be meeting. Chase stood
and walked toward them.

“Hey … there he is.” Keith waved him over. “Come meet Ben Adams and his daughter, Kendall.”

Chase tried not to show his surprise as he put the pieces together. This was Kendall Adams, the woman who had seen his feature
story on
Entertainment Tonight
. Kendall reached out and shook his hand. “I loved your interview.”

“Yes.” Her father stepped up and did the same. “You were insightful about your purpose, and direct with your intentions. Very
well done, young man.” Ben seemed to realize that formal introductions hadn’t been made. “Forgive me. I’m Ben, and this is
my daughter, Kendall.”

“I’m Chase Ryan, sir.” He looked from Ben back to Kendall. “Nice to meet you both.” He sent a half smile in Keith’s direction.
“I didn’t realize you were coming.”

Keith chuckled. “I wanted you to be surprised.”

Chase raised his eyebrows. “It worked.”

They all laughed and Keith led them across the grassy field to the table where Lisa was sitting. There were more introductions,
and then Kendall looked at the group of them, her eyes dancing with what looked like some unspoken bit of news. “I’m glad
you’re all sitting.”

Chase liked her already, her determination and the positive attitude that exuded from her.

“You’ll have to get used to Kendall,” her father patted her hand. “She’s a doer. Around her I always say look out and expect
the unexpected.” He lowered his voice and leaned across the table toward Keith and Chase. “It’s like she’s got a direct line
to God.”

They had Chase’s attention. He reminded himself to inhale as he waited for whatever was coming.

“Okay, so before I left the office, I took a call from a literary agent.” She laughed. “I’m not sure how he heard about my
father’s connection with the two of you, but he told me that one of his novelists has a great story that’s been sitting at
the top of the
New York Times
Bestseller List for more than a month. The woman’s had offers from producers interested in making her book into a movie,
but she’s turned them all down.”

“Never from the right people, mind you.” Ben smiled proudly at Kendall, his eyes full of anticipation.

“Anyway, the agent tells me his author would love to sign the rights over to the two of you. She saw the special on
ET
too, and she can’t wait to work with you.”

What? Chase worked to keep his mouth from falling open. Had she just said that? Of course, Chase knew the book, and he had
no doubt that a film on the subject would have dramatic life-changing potential. He looked at Keith and all he knew for sure
was that his friend was experiencing the same surprise and disbelief. Chase held onto the bench on either side of him so he
wouldn’t fall to the ground. “So now … I mean, this is unbelievable because—”

“Wait!” Kendall laughed in delight. “There’s more.” She swapped a conspiratorial look with her father. “You want to tell them?”

“No, honey.” He easily deferred to her. “This was your deal.”

“As soon as I knew we could have the rights to the novel, I called a friend of mine—Brandon Paul.” She hesitated, looking
more like a little girl on Christmas morning than a powerful player in the world of show business.

Chase felt his head begin to spin. Brandon Paul? He was twenty-one, a hit Disney sensation, whose face and image were on everything
from T-shirts to lunch boxes and key chains. Everything he touched turned to gold, and more than that he had a young generation
of kids looking up to him, wanting to be just like him.

“So, here’s the deal.” Kendall kept her voice low, so the people at the table next to them couldn’t hear what she was saying.
“I told him about the book and the two of you, and … no, he’s not a Christian, but he likes his image clean. He’s talking
to his agent today, but he would love to play the lead.”

Keith looked like he might pass out, and Chase understood how he was feeling. He tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry.
Instead he looked intently at Kendall. “You’re serious? This all happened in the last few days?”

“Yes! Because God is with the two of you, I can feel it.” She held her hands out to her sides, showing an exuberance that
clearly couldn’t be contained. “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, right? This mission you’re on, we have no idea how
big it’ll be.”

They talked a little longer, and Ben moved the conversation back to his daughter. “Kendall likes her work as a production
assistant,” he stroked his chin, his eyes thoughtful, “but I think she’d be better suited working with the two of you. I mean,
I’m invested either way, but I thought I’d mention it.”

“Dad.” She gave him a patient look that said he’d overstepped his bounds just a little. She turned to Chase and Keith. “I
wasn’t going to ask you just yet, but I’d like you to think about it. I can get you plenty of funds—not just from my dad,
but from other investors I know.” She hesitated and her excitement was like fresh air in a stuffy locker room. “I believe
the same way you do about the power of film. I want to be a part of this if you’ll let me.”

Keith took the lead. “I like the idea. Chase and I can discuss it this next week.”

She smiled. “Good enough.”

Their conversation moved from the quality of footage Chase and Keith had gotten while on the Bloomington set, to the possibilities
that lay ahead for their next project. Kendall and her father stayed only an hour and then left for the airport, a one-day
turn-around trip to tell them the unbelievable news in person.

Gradually, the party wore down and the cast and crew exchanged hugs and phone numbers, photographs and promises to stay in
touch. A warm humid weather front had moved into town, and the locals had been talking all weekend about this being their
Indian summer, and how even August hadn’t been this hot. Chase loved the change. The warm night air felt wonderful compared
with the cold from a week ago. They were walking to the car when Chase stopped and stared at a cropping of bushes at the edge
of the field. It couldn’t be, but then … he stared at the sight, and he felt goosebumps on his arms.

“What is it?” Keith followed his gaze. “What’re you looking at?”

“Don’t you see them, flashing their pretty lights near the bushes?” Lisa grinned, snuggling close to Keith. “They’re fireflies.
The last of the summer.”

“Right.” Chase was drawn to the sight, unable to look away. “Fireflies.”

They climbed in the car and Chase thought about the little Baxter girl, the
ET
interview, and the faith of his wife and friends. He was reminded of God’s provision and providence, his miracles and majesty.
With what they had faced this past week, and the victories that had unfolded, of course there would be fireflies tonight.
He could feel God near him, reminding him of His great and marvelous love.

Because if fireflies were real … then God could get them through anything.

A NOTE FROM KAREN

Dear Friends,

For months now I’ve been getting your letters, smiling when you ask me, “You’re not really going to stop writing about Bailey
and Cody, are you?” The answer was as easy for me as it’s been for you. Bailey and Cody live on in my heart, where my imagination
is watching them move into their college years, and into the lives God has for them. When a story is that strong in my heart,
I have no choice but to write about it.

As much as I love writing every story God gives me, I must say there was a special joy bringing to life this first book in
my new series. I had fun knowing that if my new characters needed a doctor, John Baxter wasn’t far away, and that when legal
troubles presented themselves, Luke Baxter was the natural attorney for the job. The idea that Ashley and her sisters would
pray for my producers made this book special for two reasons—I love the new characters, but I can still check in with the
old.

For those of you who don’t know it, the Baxter family was the subject of my Redemption Series, Firstborn Series, and Sunrise
Series—in that order. If you haven’t read them, you miss nothing by staying with this new series. On the other hand, you can
go back and read their stories and have a little more to smile about when you hear mention of Cole or Maddie, Tommy or Hayley.

Another reason I’m going to love this series is that I’ll have the chance to take a hard look at some of the contemporary
issues facing our society today, how it’s easy to become confused and embrace whatever becomes popular with the culture, and
how difficult it is to see real truth in anything we view in movies or on TV, anything we read about in the newspapers.

All that, and of course, Bailey and Cody. I love that they’re on a college campus, where so much of our nation’s moral crisis
is rooted. This series will give me the chance to show through Bailey’s character how hard it is to stand up for the truth
in the face of today’s free-for-all social climate. Mistakes will be made and consequences will take place, but through it
all God’s voice will be heard. The way His voice is always heard whether people are willing to listen or not.

In the books ahead, Bailey and Cody, Andi and her parents, Chase and Kelly, and Kendall Adams all will face great temptations
and trials, and at the same time brilliant, tearful triumphs. As always, I’m grateful that you’re starting this new journey
with me, and I look forward to hearing your feedback. You can contact me at my website,
www.KarenKingsbury.com
.

Take a minute and visit my website where you can get to know other readers, and become part of a community that agrees there
is life-changing power in something as simple as a story. On my website you can post prayer requests or you can stop by to
pray for those in need. You can also send in a photo of your loved one serving our country, or let us know of a fallen soldier.
Either way people will be praying for you and your family, grateful for your sacrifice to our country.

My website will also tell you about my ongoing contests including “Shared a Book,” which encourages you to let me know when
you’ve shared one of my books with someone in your life. Each time you let me know, you’re entered for the chance to spend
a summer weekend with my family. In addition, everyone signed up for my monthly newsletter is automatically entered into an
ongoing once-a-month drawing for a free signed copy of my latest novel.

On my website you can find out which women’s events I’ll be speaking at next, and whether you might live close enough so we’d
have the chance to meet in person, share a hug, or take a picture together. There are also links that will help you with matters
that are important to you—faith and family, adoption, and ways to help others.

Also, you can find out a little more about me and my family, my Facebook and Youtube channel, and my Karen’s Movie Monday—where
I release a Youtube clip each Monday dealing with some aspect of my family and faith, and the wonderful world of Life-Changing
Fiction™. Finally, if you gave your life over to God during the reading of this book, or if you found your way back to a faith
you’d let grow cold, send me a letter at Office@ KarenKingsbury.com and write, “New Life” in the subject line. I would encourage
you to connect with a Bible-believing church in your area, and get hold of a Bible. If you can’t find one, and can’t afford
one—include your address in your email and I’ll send you one.

Again, thanks for traveling with me through the pages of this book. I can’t wait to see you at the start of
Above the Line: Take Two
.

Until then, keep looking for fireflies.

In His light and love,

Karen Kingsbury

www.KarenKingsbury.com