Out of a Dream (Sandy Cove Series Book 1)

by Rosemary Hines

  Steve nodded. “So you became a Christian that night?”

  “Yep. And I haven’t regretted it for a minute since. As soon as I laid down my old life and turned my new life over to God, I felt a huge weight lift off of me. I knew I had a fresh start. And get this, Steve. I haven’t had one drink since then. Don’t even want the stuff.”

  “That’s great! You know, I could tell when I first saw you up here that you had changed.”

  Ben smiled at his comment.

  “I mean it. You’re not the same guy you were in high school. Maybe it’s God, like you say.”

  “It is, Steve. So what do you think? I know you’re not coming from the same place I was, but we all could use a helping hand and the knowledge that God is on our side.”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right. So what do I have to do?” Steve rubbed his hands together as if he felt nervous.

  “Well, let’s pray and seal the deal.” Ben clapped Steve on the back.

  “Okay. I’m game.”

  Ben placed his hand on Steve’s shoulder and both men bowed their heads as Ben led Steve in a prayer asking Jesus to become the Lord of his life.

  As Ben stretched out in bed that night, he thanked God for bringing him to Sandy Cove. Flashing back to his youth and the cocky arrogance that dominated his life at that time, he was amazed the Lord could use him to impact one of his old classmate’s lives so profoundly in such a short time.

  Everything Ben was doing in this venture to Oregon relied on his faith in God. He didn’t know where the money would come from to start a new church, but he knew God had called him to go. As he drifted off to sleep, he thought about his bride back home, who believed in him and encouraged him to step out in faith. And he thought about his God, who had already blessed him with the time he had spent with Steve. Maybe he really was supposed to become a pastor!

  Sheila’s hand was resting on the phone receiver, her mind lost in a fog of concern. John was not answering his cell phone even after she left repeated messages. And why wasn’t Michelle calling her back?

  Who else could she call? Someone must know something about where John might have gone. Groping for ideas, she gazed across the dimly lit study and sighed. It seemed a bit eerie to be sitting at her husband’s huge desk, surrounded by his books and papers. No one used this room but John. It was his private sanctuary and she felt almost as if she were trespassing. She could picture him sitting at this desk, his pipe cradled in his hand as he hunched over his work. Even Sheila did not dare to interrupt him at times like that.

  A moment later a ring of the phone jolted her back to the present. Hoping that John would be on the other end, Sheila quickly picked up the receiver.

  “Hello?” she said tentatively.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  “Mom? Is that you?” Michelle asked.

  “Yes, Mimi. It’s me.” Sheila’s voice caught in her throat as tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank God. I need to talk to you.”

  “I know about Dad. Steve told me,” her daughter began. “Have you heard anything at all from him?”

  “No. I was hoping this might be him calling,” she replied. “Where do you think he could be, Michelle?”

  “I don’t know, Mom. This just isn’t like him. Have you called anyone from work?”

  “No. He doesn’t want me to do that. You know. Because of the lawsuit. He told me to tell them he’s out of town on urgent family business if they call here,” she said, beginning to sob softly.

  “Oh, Mom,” Michelle said. “Do you want me to come home?” Sheila could hear the concern in her voice.

  “I don’t know what I want yet, Mimi. Your grandfather suggested I go to their house for a few days.”

  “That sounds like a good idea. I think it would be good for you to be with them. Grandma and Grandpa always seem to know what to do.”

  “You’re right, dear. Your grandparents are very wise,” she agreed, sniffling softly as she thought about her parents. “But what if your father tries to reach me? Maybe I should just stay here.”

  “Do this, Mom. Leave a message on your answering machine that says you are visiting your parents. Then if he does call home, he’ll know to call you there.”

  “Yeah, I guess I could do that,” she replied. “Do you think he’ll be okay?”

  “He’ll be okay,” Michelle said, but her voice didn’t sound convincing. “Dad is strong. He can take care of himself. I’m sure he’ll be calling you pretty soon.”

  Her well-meaning words of reassurance sounded hollow to Sheila. “I hope you’re right. I’ve never seen him like this—so distraught and frantic.”

  “Maybe Tim could go out and look for him,” Michelle suggested.

  “He’s already begun driving around town asking people we know whether they’ve seen him.”

  “That’s good. I’m sure he can’t be too far away. Dad’s not just going to disappear off the face of the earth. He’s too responsible for that.”

  “So you think I should go to your grandparents’ house?”

  “I think you should go, Mom. Tim can reach you at any hour of the day or night, and Dad will call your cell phone if he calls home and gets your answering machine.”

  “Okay, Mimi. Are you home now?”

  “No, but I’ll be back soon.”

  “Call my cell phone when you get back.”

  “I will, Mom. And try not to worry, okay? We’ll find Dad somehow, and get this mess straightened out.”

  After she hung up the phone, Michelle sunk back against the bed pillows. She tried to imagine her brother driving around town asking about their dad. What would people think? And would Tim have any luck tracking him down? This just wasn’t like the big, strong, self-sufficient dad who raised them. In spite of her attempts to reassure her mom, Michelle was deeply troubled in her mind and spirit.

  The flight home was quiet. Sitting next to Trevor, Michelle thought about her mom and dad.

  “You okay?” Trevor asked, noticing her pensive expression.

  “Yeah, just a little worried about my parents.”

  “Anything I can help with?” he asked.

  “No. It’s kind of complicated,” she answered, looking away so he wouldn’t notice the tears in her eyes. This was one problem that Steve would definitely understand better. She was eager to get home and discuss it with him. He always had great ideas for resolving a crisis or solving a mystery. He’d know what to do.

  Trevor, himself, was also running intermittently through her mind. How could she have let things get this close? Admittedly, she felt much more comfortable with him now.

  There was such ease to their friendship while they were together at the conference. A level of intimacy had broken through the nervous energy that once permeated their contacts. But getting off the plane and greeting Steve, with Trevor on her heels, was something that she was not looking forward to experiencing.

  Trevor didn’t push the conversation about Michelle’s parents. He was deep in thoughts of his own. He could see her out of the corner of his eye. Her beauty was so striking, even when she was wrestling with worries.

  He thought back to their encounter over the pillow fight. There was definitely something positive developing between the two of them. He hadn’t experienced these feelings since the early years of his relationship with Trisha. The magnetism was undeniable. Even Michelle had to admit there was something special between them.

  Clearly their relationship could evolve from here. It was in the stars for both of them. He could feel it, but he knew this was no time to push her. She had too much on her mind already. His own inner wisdom told him to leave her alone with her thoughts for the time being.

  As the plane was about to land, he reached over, took her hand and said, “When we get off the plane, you go first by yourself. I’ll hang back here. It might be awkward greeting Steve with me there.”

  She squeezed his hand. “Thanks, Trevor. That would be much easier.” Leaning her head back against, she let out a de
ep sigh.

  “How can I explain all that I’ve learned to Michelle?” Steve asked Ben as he dropped him off at his hotel. “I really want her to know and understand this stuff.”

  “That’s only natural, Steve,” Ben assured him. “But you’ve got to remember that Michelle is in a different place than you are, spiritually speaking. She’s intrigued by the New Age approach to spirituality. You can’t just jump in and spin her around to Christianity. What you need to do is to hold on tight to what you’ve got. Sink your roots deep into the Word of God. We’ll keep studying together. And pray for Michelle. Ask God to show you any open doors to share with her, but don’t try to bombard her immediately and start setting out to convert her. Only God can do that. The Holy Spirit must draw her to Him. Do you understand what I mean?”

  “Yeah, I guess I do. I remember several times when people tried to push me in the past. It didn’t work,” Steve agreed.

  They both prayed for Michelle and that God would woo her into an intimate relationship with Him. Then Ben gave Steve a handshake and a hug and waved good-bye as he walked into the lobby of the hotel.

  Steve drove to a florist, picked up a dozen red roses for Michelle, and then went to meet her at the airport.

  Michelle realized how tired she was as she walked through the airport. The carry-on bag she was pulling behind her felt heavier than ever, and a bag of conference material was slung over her shoulder. Scanning the area, she saw Steve walking toward her holding a bouquet of roses. He hurried in her direction with a smile.

  “Welcome home,” he said, extending the roses.

  “Thanks!” She grinned, and they embraced. From the corner of her eye she caught sight of Trevor. He smiled and nodded his head, then walked off without saying a word.

  “It’s so good to have you back, babe,” Steve said.

  “It’s good to be back,” she replied. She looked up at her husband. His familiar smile and the warmth of his body against hers gave her a feeling of safety. Everything would be okay. Her dad would come home soon, and she’d explain to Trevor the limits on their relationship.

  They spent most of the ride home talking about Michelle’s parents. Steve seemed really concerned, too. He asked her if she thought he should hire one of the private detectives Roger sometimes used on their cases to help find her father. But she was reluctant to do anything that drastic. She wanted to give her dad some time alone to think. Hopefully he would contact them soon.

  Steve glanced over at Michelle as they approached Sandy Cove. He wanted to tell her all about his weekend and about his new commitment to God. But he knew he needed to wait.

  Michelle talked vaguely about the classes and seminars she had attended. Even though she didn’t say much, it was obvious from the enthusiasm in her voice that she was as thrilled about her new spiritual discoveries as he was about his. Steve listened patiently, trying to understand this world of mysticism and occult that was so fascinating to his bride.

  They decided to pick up Chinese food for dinner. When they arrived home, Steve proudly showed her how he had already straightened up the house and set the coffee table in the family room for their dinner. While she went upstairs to change, he started a fire in the fireplace.

  As soon as she came back down, she told him she wanted to give her mom a quick call before they ate. Sitting on the couch, she picked up the phone and dialed. She seemed relieved to hear her mom’s voice. Steve heard her say, “You sound a lot better, Mom.”

  Then there was a pause.

  “Yeah. I’ve noticed that with Steve sometimes,” Michelle said.

  Steve wondered what she was talking about.

  “I’m sure you’re right. Well, tell Grandma and Grandpa I said hi.”

  Another pause.

  “Love you, too, Mom. Bye.”

  Steve glanced over at her. She looked more relaxed. “So, what did your mom say?”

  “She’s doing better now that she’s at my grandparents’ house.”

  “What was the bit about noticing something with me?”

  Michelle looked confused for a moment and then replied, “Oh. Mom was saying that Grandpa told her men sometimes need to get away from everything and think things out by themselves. I just said that I’d noticed the same thing about you.”

  “Yeah, I guess I do that sometimes. So does your grandfather think your dad will be okay?”

  “He seems to. You know how Grandpa is. Always trusting that God will take care of everything.”

  “You don’t sound so sure about that yourself,” Steve said. He could feel his heart speeding up at the mention of God, and he wondered how far he should take the topic.

  “Well, it really doesn’t matter what I think right now. I’m just glad Mom is feeling better.” She got up and walked into the kitchen to serve up the takeout food.

  Steve cleared off the coffee table and lit the pillar candle. Then he started some soft music.

  Walking back into the family room, Michelle was impressed and touched to see Steve’s efforts at atmosphere. She remembered how attractive that aspect of his personality was when they were dating. When he wanted to, he knew how to romance a woman.

  Pushing all remnants of Trevor out of her mind, she settled on the couch beside him. She noticed him silently pause for a moment with his head down as if in thought, and then he looked up, kissed her softly, and said, “Let’s eat!”

  After dinner, they snuggled in each other’s arms and reminisced about their dating days. She laughed as he reminded her of their second date. They had eaten dinner at an elegant restaurant overlooking the ocean in Malibu, and when Steve had reached for his wallet to pay the bill, he’d realized he’d forgotten it. He had to call his dad to bring it.

  “You looked like you’d seen a ghost!” she said. “I couldn’t figure out where you were going in such a hurry.”

  “Well, how was I supposed to tell you that I had to go call my dad to bring money to pay for our dinner?” he asked with a chuckle.

  “We’ve had a lot of good times, haven’t we Steve?” Michelle said.

  “We sure have. And they’re not over yet.” He smiled as he draped his arm over her shoulder.

  She looked into his eyes, reaching out and touching his check with her hand. He leaned toward her and his lips met hers tenderly. His kiss felt like home.

  Trevor was alone in his apartment. He sat with a glass of wine, staring into the dancing flames in the fireplace, and thinking about Michelle. There was something special about her—innocence somehow mixed with grace and sophistication. She seemed so fragile in his arms, and yet there was a passion inside that he had sensed in their kiss.

  She loved the things he loved—the mysteries of the cosmos, the lure of the occult, and the drive to evolve. He smiled as he thought about her childlike awe of his knowledge and understanding of mystical matters. He wanted to take her to higher and higher levels—to teach her things that had taken him years to learn.

  Trevor took another sip of wine and sighed. “I will know that woman in every way,” he promised himself. “Eventually Michelle will realize that we are meant to be together.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Michelle could feel herself moving in perfect harmony with her partner. They danced to a melody that only the two of them could hear. Perched on a cliff in a clearing surrounded by beautiful wildflowers, they were alone together with nothing but the sound of the crashing surf far below and the music in their minds.

  An incredible feeling of peace and joy caressed her soul. She moved with grace and perfect rhythm. Clearly, they were made for each other. Everything felt so right. She looked up into Trevor’s seductive eyes, and she felt herself stir as his hand on her lower back drew her closer to him. The smell of the salt air mingled with the aroma of his scent.

  They began twirling and swaying with more passion and fervor, moving closer and closer to the edge of the cliff. Michelle knew there was danger, but she refused to let the moment slip from her hands. As they reached th
e drop-off point, Trevor gently pressed his lips to hers. She leaned into his kiss, and they started to fall through space.

  The ringing of the phone awakened her with a start. She sat up feeling lost and confused. Where was she? Her mind groped for its bearings. Was she at home with her parents? Or in a hotel with Trevor? Reaching for the phone, she saw a framed photo of Steve and Max. Reality rushed at her.

  “Hello?” she said in an uneasy voice.

  “Good morning!” a familiar, masculine tone replied.

  “Trevor?” she asked, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.

  “One and the same!” he said cheerfully. “Are you awake?”

  “Well I am now,” she murmured, rubbing her eyes and brushing her hair off of her face.

  “Oh, sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “It’s okay. I need to get up anyway,” she admitted as she struggled to push her dream aside and focus on reality.

  “Okay, then I won’t feel too bad. Hey, I bought you a present,” he announced.

  “What are you talking about?”

  “A present. As in a gift. You’ve heard of them before, I’m sure,” he teased.

  Michelle was a little taken aback. “Why would you get me a present?”

  “Let’s just say it’s my way of thanking you for the great companionship at the conference.”

  “I don’t know about you giving me presents, Trevor,” she said guardedly.

  “Since when does the receiver of the gift make that decision?” he quipped in reply.

  “You’re making me crazy, Trevor.” What is it about this guy?

  “Good. Then we can be crazy together,” he laughed. “I’ll meet you at the Coffee Stop at ten. Bye!”

  Before she could reply, the phone connection was cut off. She shook her head and crawled out of bed, almost stepping on Max in the process. “Sorry, pal! I’m not quite with it yet!”