Above All Else (Sandy Cove Series Book 7)

by Rosemary Hines

“Oh, no. Nothing like that,” Amber replied.

  “Good. Has he shared anything about his plans for the summer?” Michelle asked.

  “He mentioned a job,” Amber hedged.

  “Anything else? I just can’t kick this feeling that he’s up to something.”

  Amber paced the kitchen floor, trying to decide what to say. She hadn’t promised Caleb she wouldn’t say anything to Michelle. But she knew he probably assumed she wouldn’t. On the other hand, maybe it would be best if Michelle knew in advance, so she could prepare herself and Steve.

  Besides, she couldn’t help but think that Caleb would need his parents more than ever once he met Adam.

  “There is one thing,” she began. “He has a lot of questions about Adam.”

  “Adam?”

  “Yeah. You know, his biological father.”

  There was a pause at the other end. Then Michelle said, “Okay, so now it’s coming together for me. The secretive persona he’s been giving off lately, like spending more time in his room on his computer than he usually would and flipping it shut whenever we walk in the room.”

  “He’s pretty set on finding him,” Amber said.

  “Why wouldn’t he tell us?” Michelle asked. “I just don’t understand. We’ve been so open with him about you and about letting him have a relationship with you.”

  “Yeah. I think this is different, though. He’s known about me from the start. He’s not sure how you and Steve would react to the Adam thing,” Amber explained.

  “I guess. So what did he want to know?”

  “Adam’s last name, his age, and his old address when I knew him.”

  “Wow. Okay, I’m glad I called,” Michelle said. “I’ll talk to Steve about this.”

  Amber felt a sense of dread. “Do you think Caleb will hate me for telling you?”

  Michelle laughed. “No. He might be mad, but he won’t hate you. Don’t spoil your visit with him by telling him I called. Steve and I will handle all this on our end. And I promise I’ll defend you to Caleb.”

  Relief replacing her dread, Amber thanked Michelle and said she’d be praying for wisdom for her and Steve as they approached Caleb about his search.

  “So I talked to Amber today,” Michelle began as she and Steve sat down for dinner.

  “No Maddie tonight?” he asked, glancing at their daughter’s empty chair.

  “She and Luke are meeting with Ben tonight. They’re going to discuss the orphanage and what the job would entail if they take it.”

  “Hmmm. Okay.” Steve gazed off into space as if deep in thought.

  “What are you thinking?”

  It took a moment for her husband’s attention to return to the present before he replied, “Just wondering about how Maddie would do. It’s a lot to bite off at one time—marriage and a big overseas move to start something completely new.”

  Michelle nodded. “Yeah. I’ve been wondering the same thing. She does seem to be getting stronger though. I think it’s good that she’s seeing Taylor again.”

  “Hmmm. Yeah, maybe. I’m not big on counselors. Other than pastors, I mean,” he added quickly.

  “I know, Steve. But Taylor’s really helped her in the past. And I’m seeing that Maddie’s getting more confident again since she started going back to her.”

  “Well, Taylor won’t be in China with her,” he remarked.

  Michelle could feel exasperation creeping into her emotions. Please, Lord, let’s not make this into a big deal. I really need to talk to Steve about Caleb tonight. Hesitating for a moment, she decided to take the path of least resistance. “You’re right, honey. Taylor won’t be there.”

  Standing to go refill her water glass, she attempted to draw the conversation back to Caleb. “So, like I was saying, I talked to Amber today.”

  “Oh, yeah. How’s everything going out there?” he asked.

  “Fine, I guess. But we need to talk about Caleb.”

  Steve looked up. “What about him?”

  Michelle paused, searching for the right words. “So, apparently Caleb had more than just a visit in mind,” she began.

  “What? He’s not thinking he’s going to move out there and live with Amber, is he?” Steve’s voice was filled with alarm.

  “No, no. Nothing like that,” Michelle replied, hoping to sound reassuring.

  “So what do you mean by ‘more than a visit’?” he asked.

  Michelle reached over and took Steve’s hand. “It seems he’s on a search.”

  “For what?”

  “For Adam,” she replied.

  “Adam who?” Steve asked, his face drawing a complete blank.

  “Adam, Amber’s old boyfriend.”

  Steve still looked puzzled.

  “Caleb’s biological father,” Michelle said softly, searching Steve’s face for his response.

  He looked shell-shocked. “You’re kidding me.”

  “No. He’s been asking Amber questions,” Michelle continued.

  “Like what?”

  “Like Adam’s last name, his age, and his address in Sandy Cove when he and Amber were dating.”

  Steve shook his head. “I didn’t see this one coming,” he remarked, looking distressed.

  “Me neither.”

  Sinking back into his chair, Steve absentmindedly pulled his hand away from hers. He stared off into space for a minute. “I suppose it’s inevitable that we would face this some time or other,” he said, without looking her way. He tipped his head back and then to each side, a habit Michelle recognized immediately.

  “Here, let me help,” she said, standing up and stepping behind him to rub his neck and shoulders. They were hard as rocks. Steve always did carry his tension there. He’d have a headache all night if she couldn’t get those muscles loosened a bit.

  Closing his eyes, he leaned into her hands and sighed. “Thanks, babe. You’ve got the magic fingers.”

  Michelle leaned forward and kissed the top of his head. “Happy to help.”

  A few minutes later, Steve reached up and put his hand over hers. “Better,” he said. Gently guiding her back to her seat, he asked, “So what do you think we should do? Does Caleb know that we know?”

  “No. Amber’s not going to tell him that she talked to me.”

  “Okay, that’s probably for the best. He’d just blow up at her. His fuse has been pretty short lately.”

  Michelle nodded. “I think that might have something to do with this search of his. I’m sure he’s feeling pretty torn, wanting to find his birth father but not wanting to upset us in the process.”

  “Yeah. I wonder if Maddie knows anything about this?” Steve commented.

  “Maybe. I don’t see any reason we can’t ask her. She’s bound to find out when he gets home, anyway, whether she already knows or not.”

  Nodding, Steve said, “I’m glad we have a few days to think about this before he comes back.”

  “Me, too,” she agreed.

  Steve stood to begin clearing the table, but Michelle stopped him. “I’ll take care of the dishes,” she said. “Do you think we could maybe pray about this right now?”

  Steve smiled. “Sure.” He sat down and took her hand, bowing his head as he began. “Lord, we’re not sure how to handle this new situation with Caleb. But I know it’s not coming as any surprise to You. Would You please give us wisdom? And help us be sensitive to Caleb’s needs, while guarding him from unnecessary pain or problems. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

  “Amen,” Michelle echoed.

  Madison and Luke sat side by side on the sofa in Ben’s church office. Spread out on the coffee table before them were brochures and photographs from the orphanage the church helped to support in China. Eager faces of young children smiled up at Madison as she perused the documents.

  “They’re cute, aren’t they?” Ben asked as he watched her.

  For a moment, Madison flashed back in her mind to the short-term mission trip she’d taken to another orphanage with Lu
ke before college. Much of it was a blur now. That had been such a pivotal time for her. It was when she and Luke had finally admitted their feelings for each other. Most of her memories revolved around their relationship as well as their time with the kids. Forcing herself back to the moment, she replied, “Yes. I can hardly wait to meet them.”

  “Me, too,” Luke added, giving her hand a squeeze.

  “And you’ll have plenty of interactions with them,” Ben continued. “But, Luke, your main role will be as a supervisor of their caregivers and the correspondence manager of all the incoming emails and calls. Madison will be assisting in the infirmary.”

  Luke looked at her and smiled. “You’ll be great in that role.”

  Ben nodded in agreement. “And you’ll both be instrumental in assisting the director with coordinating short term mission teams, like the one you were both on a few years ago. Now you’ll be on the other side, helping those teams connect with the kids and staff.”

  Madison tried to imagine what all of it would be like. Life in a different country. Married. Working side-by-side with Luke as they managed such an important ministry. It was exciting but also a bit terrifying. Turning to Luke, she asked, “So, do you think we’re up for this?”

  “I am if you are,” he replied with a grin.

  “You two talk all of this over,” Ben interjected. “And we’ll go into more detail next time we meet.”

  “Sounds good,” Luke replied, giving Madison’s hand a reassuring squeeze.

  The three of them stood up. “Let’s pray before you leave,” Ben said, stretching his hands out to take theirs. As they stood in a circle of three, he asked Luke to lead their prayer.

  Madison felt her heart swell as she listened to her fiancé commit their future and their orphanage into God’s hands. His calm voice and steady hand slowed her racing heart. Thank you, Lord, she prayed silently in gratitude.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  “When’s Caleb’s flight arriving?” Madison asked her mother the next morning.

  “Tonight at eight. Your dad’s working late and going straight to the airport to pick him up,” Michelle replied.

  “Oh,” Madison replied, thinking of the reason for her brother’s trip. She couldn’t help feeling a little worried about what would unfold in the coming weeks.

  “So, I had an interesting phone conversation with Amber,” her mother added.

  “Really?” Maddie could feel herself tense up.

  “Yeah. Apparently Caleb is on a quest,” Michelle replied.

  Madison glanced out the window, feeling her mother’s eyes on her. What should she say? Should she tell her everything she knew or wait to see what Amber had said.

  Michelle took care of Maddie’s dilemma by asking point blank, “Did you know he was looking for his birth father?”

  Madison turned and looked her mother in the eye. “Yeah, I did. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you, but he swore me to secrecy.”

  Michelle nodded. “I figured that was the case. So how serious do you think he is about all this?”

  “Pretty serious,” Maddie replied. “He’d been searching the internet for a couple of weeks before he left.”

  “I’m really surprised he didn’t say anything to us. Surely he knew we’d find out eventually.”

  “Yeah. I guess he just wanted to be sure he could actually find the guy before he told you,” Madison explained. “He really doesn’t want to hurt you and Dad,” she added, “and I think he wasn’t sure how to explain that this was really important to him.”

  “It actually kind of hurts me more that he hid it from us,” Michelle replied. “I understand his curiosity, but I’m concerned about your father. He and Caleb have had a strained relationship lately.”

  Madison nodded. “He thinks Dad doesn’t support him and his choices.”

  “Really?” Michelle looked surprised. “I know they’ve had a few exchanges about Caleb’s not wanting to work full-time this summer. Is that what you mean?”

  Madison paused. “That’s only part of it, Mom. He also feels like Dad is already riding him about his career and college. Like he wants Caleb to follow in his footsteps and be an attorney, which doesn’t interest Caleb at all. Right now he just wants to relax and enjoy being a teenager and not think about careers.”

  Michelle tipped her head to the side and studied Madison. “What do you think? Does your father come across that way to you?”

  She sighed. “Kind of. With Caleb, at least. It’s like he’s got some vested interest in his son following in his footsteps or something.”

  “Wow. I mean, I knew he’d mentioned the law firm to Caleb and that he’d welcome him in as a junior partner if he decided to take that career path, but I never thought Caleb was feeling pressured on it.”

  “Well, you might want to tell Dad to back off a little. ‘Cause that’s how Caleb sees it right now, whether or not Dad is meaning to come off that way.” Madison opened the refrigerator door and searched the contents. Changing the subject, she asked, “Want me to make you a salad for lunch? I think I’m gonna have one.”

  Her mother looked distracted as she gazed out the window. But she murmured a reply. “Sure, honey. That sounds good.”

  Caleb was itching to get home and press on with his search. Now that he had a last name and an old address, he felt certain he’d soon find his real father. Walking through the airport with his carry-on bag at his heels, he searched the faces. He spotted Steve before his dad saw him. Heading in his direction, Caleb waved to catch his eye.

  “Hey there,” Steve said as they met. “Your flight was a little late.”

  “Yeah. Some problem with the plane. We had to sit there on the tarmac for thirty minutes before we were cleared for take off,” Caleb explained.

  “Let’s go. You must be starved. We can pick up dinner on the way back.”

  “Cool. All they gave us was pretzels and a drink.”

  Soon they were driving out of the airport. Steve spotted a burger drive-through and Caleb got a double cheeseburger, fries, and a shake. “Wish I could still eat like that and be as fit as you,” his dad remarked.

  Caleb laughed. “Sorry, pops.” Pulling back the wrapper on the burger, he dove into his dinner.

  “So what’s new with Amber?” Steve asked.

  “Not much. She’s sticking with the idea of college and getting a credential. Will and I hung out at the shop a lot,” Caleb replied between bites.

  “They seem happy? I mean as a couple.”

  “Yeah. They’re good.” Caleb licked some ketchup off his finger. “Want some fries?” he asked, holding out the overflowing box.

  “You eat what you want, and I’ll finish off the rest,” his father replied.

  They rode in silence for a while as Caleb finished his meal, passing a handful of fries to Steve at the end. “So, Amber said they’re coming out a few days early for the wedding. I guess they’re making it a little vacation, too.”

  Steve nodded. “Your mom said something about that.”

  “Really? I thought they just decided while I was there.”

  His father kept his eyes on the road as he replied, “Maybe. Your mom talked to Amber a few days ago.”

  Uh oh. Hopefully Amber didn’t say anything about Adam, Caleb thought. “I didn’t know that. Amber never mentioned it,” he said. “Must have been when I was at the shop one day.”

  “Probably.”

  Caleb could see the muscles in his father’s jaws clenching. Not good. “Is everything okay?” he asked.

  Steve glanced over. “I don’t know. Is it?”

  “What’s that supposed to mean?” Caleb asked.

  “I mean, is everything okay with you? Why don’t you tell me what’s been going on and why you were so eager to visit Amber?”

  Caleb looked away and began fiddling with the armrest on his door. “Sounds like you already know,” he replied.

  Steve took a deep breath and let it out. “I wish you would have come to us, Cale. Yo
ur mom and I were caught off guard. We had no idea you were even thinking about something like this.”

  Caleb noticed his dad couldn’t even say the words. A combination of guilt and anger battled within him. He could tell his dad was hurt, and he’d never intended that. But he was really ticked with Amber. Why did she have to say anything? He figured he’d better say something to reassure his father. “I know it’s probably hard for you to understand,” he began, “and I’m sorry I didn’t tell you guys. It’s just that I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to find him—Adam, I mean—and I didn’t see any point in freaking you and Mom out.”

  Steve nodded, his eyes on the road.

  “Are you mad?”

  His dad paused before answering. “What exactly is it you’re hoping to find in this search?”

  “Adam.”

  “I get that part. But what does that mean for you?”

  “I’m just curious, you know? I’d like to meet my real dad.” As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he wished he could take them back.

  Before he could say anything else, his father said, “So that’s who Adam represents to you? A real father?”

  Caleb could hear the edge in Steve’s voice. Grappling for words, he replied, “I know he bailed on Amber when she got pregnant with me. And I’m really thankful you and Mom adopted me. But there’s someone out there who is part of me. I can’t really explain it, Dad. But I need to find him.”

  “And what do you hope to accomplish when you do?”

  Caleb slumped back in his seat and thought for a moment. “I’m not sure. I guess I’ll figure all that out when the time comes.”

  “I see.” After a pause, Steve added, “I don’t suppose I could persuade you to hold off on all of this until after your sister’s wedding?”

  Caleb shook his head in frustration. “Why would I do that?”

  “Because you’re putting her before yourself. After the wedding, and she and Luke are settled, we can talk about this again. And maybe your mother and I can help you think this through more carefully.”

  “Right. And convince me to back off,” Caleb said angrily.