His Winter Rose and Apple Blossom Bride

by Lois Richer

“What’s wrong?” he asked Higgy.

  “I think we’re out of fuel.”

  “Impossible. Andy filled her last night. I checked to be sure.” Jason did his own check and couldn’t believe what he saw. “The spare?”

  “Empty. I’d say someone doesn’t want us going home.”

  They looked at each other for several minutes.

  “Find a place along the shore. The waves will push us in and we can dock. Then we’ll get the kids off. We can probably shelter them on board, but I’d feel better if we found a cave or something off the water,” Jason said.

  A crack of lightning had Jason reaching for the radio. He issued a distress call while Higgy edged them inward. Suddenly he realized the radio had died.

  Reality stung. He was on the water, in the midst of a storm, with a group of kids who would need a lot of help to get off the boat. By the looks of the sky, the houseboat was about to be deluged, perhaps even tossed onto the rocks.

  Jason pulled out his cell phone and dialed. No signal.

  The distress beacon—they could set it. He opened his mouth to tell Higgins, saw the open panel, the empty space. The beacon had been removed.

  They were on their own.

  *

  The weather bulletin ended as Piper parked her car. Her skin prickled with warning. Jason’s houseboat trip was today.

  She climbed out and raced for the marina. Her heart hit her toes at the sight of the empty berth. The houseboat was not in its mooring.

  Inside the building, Andy was on the phone.

  “I’m telling you, I can’t reach him and he’s two hours overdue. There’s no response on his radio and his cell phone isn’t working.”

  She pulled out her own phone, called Ida.

  “He’s not here, Piper. I’ve already called for help.”

  “Good. He’s got that group of disabled kids with him. If they’ve had mechanical problems we’ll have to pray they made it to shore. Who’s searching for them?”

  Ida’s silence sent a shiver through her.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Water search and rescue was called over to the next county to help there just after lunch. We’ve got a couple of launches out looking but I’m pretty sure Jason intended to take the group a long way down, make it a real tour. If that’s the case—” Ida didn’t finish.

  She didn’t have to. Piper understood exactly what she hadn’t said. He’d never make it back in time before the second storm hit.

  “Is there a way to get someone up in the air? If they could fly over, spot them, we’d know exactly where to send the boats. The wind is dying down, I think,” she added, studying the wind sock Jason had fastened to the end of the building.

  “We don’t have air support up here, Piper. It will take at least three hours to get something from the city. My other phone’s ringing. I have to go.”

  Piper hung up as the truth sank in. At best, Jason was stranded. At worst, he could be lying somewhere hurt, unable to protect his passengers.

  Have some faith that I’ll do the right thing.

  Her angry comment returned with haunting clarity. She’d told him to trust her. Now it was time for her to prove that she was worthy of that trust.

  There had to be someone with a plane or a helicopter who could help them.

  Like a dream, an old memory of her father landing his helicopter at Cathcart House flew across her mind. He still had one. She knew that. She’d seen a news clip in which he’d climbed down from the powerful beast.

  Maybe—

  This was no time for hesitation. They needed help and they needed it fast. Piper pulled out her phone and dialed the office. Baron was at home. She dialed the house. Dylan answered.

  “Dyl, this is an emergency. I need to talk to Dad.”

  “He’s not here, Piper. Did you try his cell?”

  “Not yet.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  She explained the situation as quickly as she could.

  “It’s urgent that I talk to him. The winds are down for now but the weather station says they’ll pick up later. The Bay is going to get lashed by a very heavy storm. I’ve got to find Jason and those kids.”

  “Okay. Well, if I hear from Dad I’ll get him to call you.”

  She nodded, hesitating.

  “Anything else, sis?”

  “You couldn’t come, could you? Just to be here. I’m so scared.”

  A static-filled pause hung between them.

  “I would if I could, Piper. You know that. But I’m too far away. I’d never make it there before morning.”

  “Of course. I should have thought of that. I’d better go, Dyl. I want to keep the line free.”

  He said goodbye and she hung up.

  Though Piper kept the line free, her father did not call back and hurt sent a deeper root into her heart. She’d told him it was urgent, explained how badly they needed his help. Why didn’t he answer?

  “I tried, God. I tried to forgive him. But this is exactly like before, with Vance.”

  She turned her attention to the group of volunteers who’d gathered at the marina to help organize the search effort. Most of them had friends or family on the water, searching. But nobody had reported a sighting.

  “Waiting’s the hardest part,” Andy told her as minutes ticked into hours. He handed her another cup of coffee though she hadn’t finished the first one he’d already given her. “We’ve only got a small window of opportunity here, according to the weather forecasts. If we could just get something in the air to search…”

  Piper’s cell phone rang.

  “Dad?”

  “Piper?” The beloved voice sounded faint.

  “Jason! Where are you?”

  “…help. Boat…ran out of fuel…stranded. Send help.”

  “It’s coming,” she promised. “Just hang on. Jason?”

  But there was only static, then the line went dead.

  She couldn’t lose Jason, too. She hadn’t even told him that she loved him.

  Two more boats chugged toward the marina. The room fell silent as the men walked inside, shaking their heads at the unasked questions.

  Piper knew then what she had to do. The past could not be repeated. She wouldn’t let it. The old arguments and bitterness had prevented her from pleading, begging, doing everything possible to get Vance what he needed. She’d caved in, let anger and hurt interfere when she should have demanded help no matter what the cost to her pride.

  She clicked open her phone and dialed. When one avenue didn’t work out, she tried another. Dylan was still no help but after seven calls she finally reached Tina.

  “Thank goodness! Tina, I need to speak to my father. I’ve been trying his cell, the house. I can’t find him. Do you know where he is?”

  “We’ve just come out of a meeting, honey. He’s right here. Hold on.”

  “Piper?”

  The sound of his voice grabbed her heart and squeezed until tears pooled in her eyes. She loved him. She couldn’t fix the past, couldn’t undo what he’d done. Right now it didn’t matter that he’d hurt her and maybe would do so again. This was her father and she needed his help. No matter what.

  “Daddy?” she whispered.

  “I’m here.”

  “I need help.”

  A soft, slow sigh, then the voice came back. “Tell me what’s wrong, sweetheart.”

  Piper quickly poured out her story.

  “It’s really bad, Dad. Jason’s got kids on the boat. Disabled kids. We’ve got to rescue them.”

  “I have an old friend who lives about an hour from the Bay. He’s got a big chopper he uses to bring his family to their lake home. Let me see if I can reach him.”

  “Will you let me know, Dad?” she asked softly.

  “As soon as I do. And Piper?”

  “Yes?”

  “I love you.”

  Joy sprang up inside her, a fountain of happiness she couldn’t suppress.

  “I love you, too,
Daddy.” She closed the phone and found Andy at her elbow.

  “Was that the answer to a prayer we’ve been waiting for?” he demanded.

  “I hope so.” She hugged him, whispering a heavenly plea. Please, God?

  *

  Jason tied off the lines as best he could, hoping it would be enough to keep the boat from ramming against the rocks and destroying the hull. But that was the least of his worries.

  “Did you find anyplace we could shelter?” he asked Higgy.

  “A cave, of sorts. If we can get everyone off before it starts really pouring, those with wheelchairs might have a hope of making it. Otherwise, we’ll have to carry each of them. I started a fire already in case we need to dry some things out.”

  “Good enough for me. Let’s see if we can get a ramp ready. You man the controls, try to keep us steady while I help unload everyone.”

  “Okay.”

  A clap of thunder had some of the kids whimpering.

  “Hey, this is just another part of the adventure,” he told them with a grin. “Don’t you worry. Cap’n Higgy and I have everything under control.”

  What a joke. He was utterly powerless and Jason knew it. No matter what he did, it was only a stopgap measure until—if—help arrived. The arrogance of trying to impose his will on the universe hit him full force. He was no more in control than a flea controlled the dog it sat upon.

  He looked into the trusting faces of his passengers and turned to Someone who knows all things.

  God, forgive me for thinking my way is best. Show me what to do.

  “Okay, mateys. We’re almost ready for our first expedition. I want you all to pay attention to your leaders. They’ll give you each a number. When your number is called, it’s time for you to get off this boat. There’s a storm coming so the waves will bounce us around a little, but don’t you worry. You’re all going to be just fine.”

  “Are you sure, Captain?” A little redheaded boy who looked about nine tipped up his freckled face and peered into Jason’s eyes. “Certain sure?”

  “I’m positive, son. You’re number one,” he said, then glanced at the supervisor to be sure she’d heard. She nodded and Jason went back outside.

  He jumped off the edge into the water and secured the ramp as well as possible with the waves lashing against him. They’d have to move fast.

  But with that thought the storm seemed to intensify.

  “You are in control here, Lord. But if you could give us ten minutes, I’d sure be grateful. Give us a break in the weather for ten minutes so we can unload these kids and get them safe.”

  Nothing happened. The wind continued its raging, the water soaked his pants, splashed his face. Then a soft whisper inside his head asked, Do you trust Me now?

  “All the way, Lord. Your will be done.”

  A quiet sense of calm filled him. God was here. All Jason had to worry about was the task before him. Rain pelted his upturned face, but he ignored it.

  “Number one. Come on down.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The chopper blades whipped the bay into a frenzy. To Piper it was a glorious sight.

  She stood under the eaves of the marina building, watching for the pilot to emerge. To her surprise her father stepped out of the cockpit and jogged across the parking lot.

  “Daddy?” She tumbled into his arms and hugged him back. “What are you doing here?”

  “I came to help.” He grinned. “Had to fly to Don’s house. He’s away but he said we could use his chopper. So I brought it. Are you ready to go?”

  “We have some supplies—blankets, extra clothes, stuff that might help if the kids have been exposed to the elements. Also a nurse, just in case.” She didn’t want to even think about injuries.

  He nodded. “How far out is he?”

  “We’re not sure. Probably a long way since no other boats have spotted them.”

  “Okay, let’s get loaded. It’s going to get worse before it gets better.”

  Less than ten minutes later they were airborne, carrying an extra passenger, a volunteer who’d insisted on coming, in case Jason needed help. The other two sat in the back. Piper sat across from her father, watching as he touched the controls that carried them over the water.

  “Thank you for doing this,” she said quietly, knowing the softness of her words would carry through the headset.

  Baron reached out and touched her hand.

  “Sweetheart, I’ve been waiting for so long for you to ask me for something. Your call today was an answer to a prayer.”

  “It was?” She adjusted the earphones to be sure she wasn’t dreaming this.

  “Of course.” His smile reached out to warm her. “I’ve wanted to talk to you for a long time but you would never listen.”

  “But I phoned you and you never answered.” She cut herself off, holding up her hands at his protest. “No. You know what? Let’s not do this. Vance wouldn’t have held a grudge and neither do I. I’ve forgiven you. Let’s just move forward.”

  “Vance?” Baron’s head jerked around from his scrutiny out the side window. “What grudge?”

  “Forget it, Dad. Let’s just concentrate on finding Jason.”

  She turned to stare out the window as the angry feelings threatened to take over again.

  “I am concentrating. But I want to know what you meant that Vance wouldn’t have held a grudge?”

  “That you didn’t help,” she said simply, swallowing down the tears.

  “Vance never asked me to help him.”

  “No, he didn’t.” She lifted her head, looked at him. “I did. I begged you, Daddy.” She could barely squeeze the words out. “You never returned my call. Vance believed you’d call, Dad. He died waiting.”

  “Piper, listen to me. I never got a call from you. Not once.” His face had paled, his eyes swirled dark with turmoil. “If I had, I would have sent whatever you needed, done whatever you asked.”

  “But you must have. I left a message with Dylan. He said he’d passed it on to you.”

  Baron glanced at her, then stared through the windscreen.

  “This message—what exactly did you tell Dylan to say?”

  “That I needed your help. That Vance would die unless we could get him to Italy for a new treatment. You must know.”

  He shook his head, his face haggard.

  “Don’t you think I would’ve come if I’d known my own daughter needed me?” he grated. “I thought you hated me.”

  “I thought I did, too. I was wrong. But this doesn’t make sense.”

  Baron nodded.

  “I remember—I was in Europe then. I never even knew Vance was gone until two weeks after his funeral. If I’d known you needed me—” He frowned at her. “You told Tina you’d been trying to reach me today.”

  “Yes. I left messages at the office, at the house, on your cell. I even called Dylan, begged him to tell you.” She stopped, touching his arm. “You’re very pale. Are you ill?”

  “No.” He dropped several hundred feet to get a better look at something on the water’s edge. “Piper, I spoke to Dylan about ten minutes before you called me today. He said nothing about your call.”

  “But that doesn’t—” She leaned forward, peering down at the tiny island off to her left. Her heart leaped to life, sending a rush of joy.

  “There, Daddy! I think that’s Jason’s boat. Higgy painted the top just the other day.”

  “I need a patch to land on. See if you can spot a clearing.” Baron’s voice was stronger now, his face purposeful as he concentrated on his machine. “And Piper?”

  “Yes?”

  “Pray.”

  *

  The noise echoed into the cave. The kids looked up, eyes wide.

  “Is that the elephant you were telling us about?” the smallest asked.

  Everyone burst into laughter.

  “I think it might be. I’ll go check. Don’t let those marshmallows burn.”

  Jason motioned to Higgy to w
ait then he stepped outside, scanning the sky. A helicopter was circling the island, preparing to set down on the grassy knoll fifty feet away.

  Piper had come through for them.

  He hurried back inside to tell the supervisors what was going on.

  “Didn’t I tell you the adventure wasn’t over yet?” he teased the children.

  Their laughter had Jason thanking God that none of the day’s events had traumatized any of them. He was certainly in control.

  He returned to the cave opening, watching as the massive machine came to rest. Rain fell in sheets of gray but he could make out the figures of four people moving toward him.

  “Piper?” He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “You didn’t have to come all this way.”

  “Yes, I did.” She kissed him, then leaned back, her wet hair hanging in her eyes. “Are you all right? Is anyone hurt?”

  “No. But I’d like to get them out of here while they still think it’s a game.” He blinked in surprise at Baron’s appearance. He reached out to shake his hand. “Thanks for coming, sir. I take it the transportation is courtesy of you?”

  “A friend,” Baron told him. “But that’s not important.” He pointed up. “I asked some friends to follow. I hope you don’t mind. Let’s get your passengers loaded as soon as they’re landed. We’re going to have to do it in one trip. The wind is getting too high to risk another trip back.”

  Jason nodded, squeezing Piper’s hand.

  “I’m glad you called him again.”

  “There’s something you should know, Jason.” Piper stopped speaking when Higgy interrupted.

  “Gale force winds are predicted.”

  “The storm looks like it’s worsening,” Jason told her. “We’ve got to get moving. We’ll talk later, okay?”

  Piper nodded. “Go and do what you have to,” she whispered.

  With Baron’s help, Jason soon had teams formed. Together they moved all the kids aboard the three choppers. After a last look at the houseboat, he joined the others, motioning for Baron to follow them home.

  Piper tried to give him her seat but he shook his head. “Tell them a story,” he said, then moved to the second chopper. He’d keep the kids calm, make it an adventure. Hopefully they’d never realize the perilous situation they’d been in. To keep them busy Jason launched into another story that left them hanging until the helicopters finally landed at Serenity Bay.