Caleb + Kate
Page 21
“It’s you, it’s really you,” he whispers into my ear, and I’m lost in him, more than I’ve ever been.
“I’ve missed you so very much.” I’m crying, I realize, and he holds me firmly and with such immense tenderness, pulling back to kiss me in the most electrifying kiss—a true love kiss.
After a while, I realize people are staring at us, mostly with smiles on their faces. I feel myself blush and he laughs, cupping my face with two hands.
“We’re together. I can hardly believe it,” I say, holding tightly to his strong hands. He places a lei around my neck, kissing me again on the lips, then on my chin and back to my lips.
“Believe it. I have your two weeks packed full. Did you know I’m staying at the hotel with you guys? So I can be closer. Jake and I are roommates.”
“I suppose that should make me happy,” I say with an exaggerated pout that isn’t altogether fake. The parents-and-little-brother factor take my romantic visions down a few notches.
“You’ll be sick of me by the time you go home.”
“You are my home,” I say, and he stares at me with such a look of wonder that I want to cry with happiness.
He nods. “Yes, you are.”
I hear my father clear his throat behind us, and we’re forced to act more civilized, though I can’t stop smiling. Caleb greets my family like they are his own, placing a flower lei like mine over my mom’s head, and then leaf leis around my dad’s and brother’s necks, which makes Jake laugh.
Though I want to disappear with Caleb, there is something about being here together, with my family, even, walking to baggage claim and talking about where to go to lunch . . . that gives rise to an enormous joy. There’s something wonderful about us living life—walking hand-in-hand through the mundane, the normal, the moments that make a day—together.
As we watch the passing luggage, searching for our bags, Caleb clears his throat. “I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he says with a slight smile. “Have you been missing some shoes?”
I look at him strangely.
“Maybe some shoes you left . . . on the beach?”
It takes a moment to remember the prom shoes I thought were lost at sea.
You have them?” “
He shrugs and laughs. “I was thinking I’d keep them forever. They’ve been on my dresser, so I see them every day. They’re like your glass slippers; they remind me that you’re real. But I don’t need them anymore.”
“Why not?” I love the idea that he’s kept my shoes like that.
“I don’t need them because I know you’re real. What we have is real.”
“Yes. But does that mean I have to give back your leather jacket?”
“You have my leather jacket?”
CALEB
I love seeing Kate here, showing her my favorite places, telling her stories, taking her surfing for the first time and making her try my favorite foods.
This evening, we’re walking along a perfect pale beach on the North Shore, looking out at a dramatic Hawaiian sunset.
Grandfather is changing, but I don’t know what will happen with us. Dad and I have been by his side, and he’s been the worst patient—disobeying the doctor’s instructions, shouting at his staff, and being an overall grouch. He also continues to try to bully me into doing whatever he wants. However, he did send me in his car to pick up Kate and her family from the airport. He’s having her family for dinner before they leave, before his next round of chemo. That seems like a hopeful sign of reconciliation, at least.
I notice Kate doing that thing with her lower lip that could be the end of all my resolve and convictions. I would marry her tomorrow, and sometimes I want to convince her to run away with me. We could live anywhere. If we ran out of money, I’d play my guitar in the park. I told her this once and she was too quick to agree. I want to take care of her nearly as much as I want to be with her, and she doesn’t make either easy sometimes.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, stopping our walk through the warm sand.
“We’ll be apart soon,” she says, and I follow her eyes to watch the edge of the sun dip into the straight blue horizon.
The days are disappearing, and I feel desperate to slow them down. But I’m trying to be strong for her. “Hey, then we’ll be together again. We will be together. So let’s enjoy every part of it as much as we can.”
I say this and I mean it.
Because I know now, despite all the challenges before us, somehow, some way, we will be together. Forever.
Acknowledgments
My gratitude is deep and wide and full of people.
First to my mom, Gail McCormick. You do SO much for me, and it’s all appreciated. Where would all of us be without you? And Dad, too, thanks for the countless little and big things. Grandma Ruby, thank you, thank you for more things than I can write here. Tuesdays at Grandma’s have been such a treat! And my sister, Jenny—sisterpower forever! I couldn’t imagine a better sister—and you know I have a good imagination. To my Coloma family (Mom, Dad, and Honey)—thanks for the prayers and generous love. I’m grateful for such wonderful inlaws!
My rich friendships save the day over and over again:
Jenna Benton—our morning prayers as you head to work have been a brillant idea and a great gift. I’m excited about our creative collaborations!
Kimberly Carlson—ours is a rich friendship infused with words and so much more.
Amanda—Aloha and tears. Where would I be without you? I’m coming to visit soon!
Katie—oh, our journey since third grade. Here’s to new roads!
Evan Benton—thanks for being my first male reader and for the input on the initial chapters. Your encouragement was great!
Ellis Benton—you took a lot of heat for reading my first YA novel. Thanks for being brave! I hope you like this one too.
Payten Harman—my niecy! I love you so. (Next book will have a Payten, okay?)
Travis Thrasher—my writing brother who understands it all. Thanks for the friendship all these years.
Quills of Faith (Maxine Cambra, I cherish you)—we’ve been together for thirteen years. Thanks for the cheerleading, and keep writing everyone.
Julie Marsh and Cathy Elliott—lovely writing buddies who bring great encouragement to my life!
To the amazing people at Thomas Nelson, thank you! I am always grateful for the love and support you give me. What a group! Allen Arnold, Ami McConnell, Becky Monds, Jennifer Deshler, Katie Bond, Andrea Lucado, the many people behind the scenes. And of course, my fabulous editor, Natalie Hanemann! Your guidance and ideas were key to this book coming together, as with every book we’ve done!
Jamie Chavez—it was great fun working together. Thanks for the hard work and skill it took to make me look so much better.
Janet Kobobel Grant—my agent friend. Thanks for giving me what I need—a shoulder or a loving kick. You’ve taken such great care of me these many years.
Thank you to my wonderful family. My son, Cody Martinusen, and daughter, Madelyn Martinusen, I just love you more than you know. I’m so proud of the people you’ve become. And special thanks to my youngest son, Weston Martinusen. Your belief has meant so much to me, and you inspire me in return. I know you’ll write many great stories. My husband, Nieldon, thank you for such a wonderful love that heals, strengthens, and amazes me
My gratitude for all good things goes to God, my Savior and Redeemer, who brings true love to the moments of life.
Lastly, to my readers. May you discover the wonders of love both in human and divine form.
Reading Group Guide
1. Do you believe in true love? What does that mean to you?
2. Are there people in your life who display the kind of love you hope to find?
3. What are some of your favorite love stories in movies or fairy tales?
4. Do you think people can fall in love as quickly as Caleb and Kate did?
5. Do you know people who have held grudges or been unable to fo
rgive something for years and years? How has that shaped who they’ve become?
6. When Kate works on her poem at Starbucks, what does she realize about the nature of love and of God?
7. Elaine describes love as “death,” and Kate finds new meaning in “God is love.” How do you describe love?
8. If you believed there was a “Caleb” out there for you, how would that change your dating life?
9. How did Kate change from how she wished for love to remain safe from the outside “mundane” world to her being happy to have their love in the details of life (at the airport)? What are the challenges every kind of love faces in the real world?
10. Do you think Caleb and Kate’s love will last forever?