RAINBOW’S END: FOUR-IN-ONE COLLECTION

by Valerie Comer, Annalisa Daughety, Nicole O’Dell

  “Maybe. Some of the clues have been that simple.” Hadley hurried to the wall and felt along its rugged edges until she felt a loose rock. “I think I have something here.” She pulled the rock out; behind it was a gray metal box. The cache! Her blood pressure rose as her heart beat faster.

  She pulled out the spiral-bound logbook to sign their names. Hadley first, then Brad. Maybe chivalry hadn’t died just yet.

  Within minutes, they were back in the car, and Brad started it up again. “Do you mind if I take the time to use the restroom over there?” He gestured to a Porta Potty beyond the tree line.

  “I don’t know that I’d call it that, but do what you have to do.” Hadley messed with the dial on the radio. Wonder what he’d do if she changed all his presets to country music. She jumped when the car door jerked open and Brad plopped hard onto his seat. “Wow, that was fast!”

  Brad grimaced. “It’s not like I wanted to read a newspaper in there.”

  “True, very true.” Hadley settled back into her seat and closed her eyes. Things grew more and more familiar—natural—every day. Noah sure couldn’t stand Brad, but Noah didn’t have much room to point fingers. Maybe his opinion of Brad was a good thing. Could Brad be the one?

  Noah paced outside the front door of On the Rise Bistro. How could he possibly go in there and accuse Hadley of cheating? It couldn’t be true. There had to be a simple explanation. He would take anything that made sense at this point.

  Deep breath. He entered the restaurant and approached Hadley at a table for two. Why couldn’t she have been alone for this? He’d have waited until later, but he couldn’t let it go on all day if it was true, and if it wasn’t—he had to know.

  Hadley’s companion had her back to Noah, but judging by the dark braid and the cargoes with the GPS unit hooked on her belt, it was a hunter.

  “I was hoping to you’d be here. I saw your bike outside.” Noah couldn’t believe what he had come to say. He wiped his sweaty palms on his khakis and checked out Hadley’s breakfast partner. Madison. How to get her to leave so he could say what he’d come to say?

  Hadley set her coffee cup down and turned a cold stare on Noah. “I was just enjoying breakfast with a friend. Emphasis on was. What did you want to find me for?”

  Madison scooted her chair back. “I’m going to take this as a good time to excuse myself.” She raised her eyebrows at Hadley. “I’ll be right back.”

  Hadley stared at Noah, drumming her fingernails on the tablecloth.

  How could he say this? “Hadley, I can’t believe that I have to ask you this, but have you recorded any caches on the website that you didn’t actually find?” She was the hardest-working hunter, but she’d recorded so many caches. Could she possibly have found that many?

  She reared back as though she’d been slapped. “Excuse me? I’ve worked my tail off to find each and every cache I’ve recorded. Exactly what are you accusing me of?”

  He shouldn’t have said anything. But the logbooks … why hadn’t she signed them all? “I don’t know, Hadley. I’m sure there’s a mistake somewhere. Just make sure you always sign the logbook, okay?”

  “I always do. It’s my favorite part.” Her eyebrows knit together in concern. “Is there a problem?”

  “No. Really. It’s all fine. I think there was a mistake somewhere along the line. I’m sure it was mine.” Noah closed his mouth then opened it again. No. He’d better quit while he was ahead.

  “What were you going to say just then?” Hadley crossed her arms.

  Nothing you want to hear. “Nothing. Really. Just be careful, Hadley.” Noah turned and strode from the restaurant. How had he made such a mess of things?

  Chapter 10

  I think I’m going to quit and come home.”

  “What?” Ava shouted into the phone. “Are you crazy?” “Look, I’m obviously not ready to be unleashed on the real world and should just dive back into my cave where I can’t hurt anyone, including myself. Brad would get over it if I left. I’m sure he has a bevy of women at his beck and call to choose from.”

  “Oh, puhleeze. You know I love you, Had. But it’s time I whop you over the head.” Ava took a deep breath.

  Uh-oh.

  “Had. Get. Over. Yourself.”

  “What?” How could she say that? Hadley had been hurt. She’d had a rough life. She deserved sympathy, not accusations.

  “Listen, girl. Let go. You’re holding so tightly to the past and to what bad people have said or done to you, to losses in your life, that you’re ignoring the words and love of the good people all around you. Hadley, we all have struggles in life. I had alcoholic and abusive parents. I’ve been teased and suffered bigotry for my race and family history. You’ve suffered, I’ve suffered. We’ve all suffered. You’re nothing special for your pain.”

  Hadley crumbled in tears. How could her best friend say something so cruel to her?

  “Let me finish. You’re not special for the pain you’ve suffered; you’re special for what you’ve done to overcome that pain. You’ve shown exactly how strong you are by how you’ve overcome your body image, your fears, and your lack of experience in matters of the heart. I admire you so much for how you’ve changed your life. Stop finding your identity in your pain, and find it in your strength.”

  Hadley sniffed. Was Ava right? Was that what had been going on? Was she missing the mark?

  “It’s time to let go, Had. Actually, way past time. The real you has been revealed. And she’s pretty awesome.”

  “So what do I do now that I’ve messed everything up?” Brad. Noah. People thought she cheated. She should return to the safety of Chicago where things made sense.

  “You stay put. You finish the race you set out to win. You make amends with that cute youth pastor who is obviously still head over heels for you—”

  “Noah?” Hadley laughed. “Oh, come on, Ava. He hates me. I’ve been nothing but mean to him.”

  “Hate is just undercover love, Had.”

  “Brad … you home?” Hadley knocked on the front door. No answer, but the lights were on. Maybe he was around back. She walked through the dewy grass and climbed the steps to his deck. She smelled grilled food but didn’t hear any sounds. They hadn’t made any plans that night, but wouldn’t it be cool if he’d sensed she was coming over?

  It had been a rough day. Hadley had been fighting demons, and she needed someone to talk to—a shoulder—well, not to cry on, but to lean on. Hopefully, Brad was home and would be her friend. She knew he wanted more than that … and they were definitely headed in that direction, but it would take Hadley time to catch up to where Brad wanted things to go. She’d have to share her reasons with him one of these days—maybe tonight if all went according to plan.

  Brad’s deep laugh boomed from the deck of his boat. Probably on his cell phone. He said a few words that Hadley couldn’t hear as she took a few steps out onto the deck.

  “Oooh, Brad. I like it when you touch me like that.”

  Hadley froze where she stood. Her world spun out of her reach, and her ears rang. What was happening? She couldn’t even find clarity in the sounds around her anymore. She shook her head to clear the cacophony. She needed her senses clear because this was going to get ugly—she just knew it.

  “I’ll be right back, Crystal. Don’t you go anywhere. We need more drinks.” Brad bounded onto the deck like a man on a mission.

  “Crystal, huh?”

  Brad stepped into the moonlight and locked eyes with Hadley. He blanched and looked from her face back to the boat, then back to Hadley—still grinning stupidly. He dropped one side of the smile, then the other. He lowered his eyes. “Look, you have to understand, Hadley. Men like me … we—”

  “Have needs? Don’t tell me you were actually going to say that. How cliché. Silly me for thinking we had something special. For thinking you were special. You’re selfish, immature, and a big, fat liar.” Hadley looked him up and down. A disgusting shell of a man stood before her. �
�Look at you. Your clothes are all messed up. You’ve been drinking. You’re a snake, and I’m so glad I came here tonight.”

  “Why couldn’t you just call first?”

  “What, call first and miss all this? Hah. Showing up here to surprise you was the best move I’ve ever made.” Hadley turned on her heel. Head high. Don’t stumble. Don’t trip. Don’t fall. She strode away in the moonlight, tossing her ponytail over her shoulder.

  “Good-bye, Brad.”

  Hadley sailed her bike into the yard and let it fall to the ground. She climbed onto the porch. Numb. Norma’s rocker looked the most inviting, so she sat on the edge. Unmoving.

  A minute later, maybe thirty, Norma poked her head out the screen door. “Come on in, dear. Come to Norma.”

  Hadley rose and followed Norma into the kitchen.

  “I can tell you’ve had a rough day, darlin’. Sit down right here and tell Norma all about it. I made you a mug of hot honey milk. If that doesn’t soothe your soul, nothin’ will.”

  Hadley took one look at the steaming mug and then back at the warm heart that had prepared it. A single tear escaped. She swiped at it, and three took its place. Then more and more appeared until her shoulders were shaking with sobs.

  “Oh, sweet baby. Tell me. What is it?” Norma engulfed Hadley’s body in her arms.

  “It’s just—wh–why—do—I—why—can’t—I …” She sobbed and gulped. The words just wouldn’t come.

  Norma let her cry and rocked her back and forth. “Shh. Shh. It’s okay. It’s going to be okay.”

  “Why can’t they just love me?”

  “Who, baby?”

  “Him … Them … Anyone.” Hadley went limp on Norma’s shoulder. It felt so warm and safe. Like home.

  Norma clucked her tongue. “Sweet girl, I don’t think the problem is that you need love from someone else. I think the problem is that you need to learn to love yourself. Look at ol’ Norma, here. Shoot fire, honey, it’s been decades upon decades since I’ve known the love of a man. But it hasn’t made me think any less of myself. I love myself. You know why?”

  Hadley raised her eyes and looked at the dear old woman.

  “No. Why?”

  “Because I’m home. I’m safe in the arms of my Father, and I know how He feels about me.”

  “But mine is dead.” Tears brimmed Hadley’s eyes.

  “No, sugar. Not that father. I’m talking about that one.” She jabbed a meaty finger at the sky. “And He is very much alive. I sure would love to introduce you to Him. Want to meet my Daddy?”

  Hadley nodded. “Yes. Please.”

  Chapter 11

  A car door slammed, and someone bounded up the steps to the porch. Hadley looked at Norma with a question in her eyes. “Who …?” “I invited my grandbaby boy to come over. He knows Jesus, too. He’ll want to celebrate with us.”

  Ugh. The last thing Hadley wanted to do was meet someone. But Norma looked so excited and proud. Proud of her grandson or proud of Hadley, she didn’t know which. Either way, she’d never disappoint Norma. Not after tonight. “Here he is, the man of my life.” A familiar form filled the doorway. Noah. The tears sprang back to Hadley’s eyes. If only. She shook her head at Noah. Would he ever forgive her for treating him like she had?

  “Hi, Hadley.”

  Norma looked from Noah to Hadley then back again. “You two have met?”

  “A few times, Mamaw.”

  Hadley wiped away her tears and nodded.

  “Oh …” The light dawned on Norma’s face. “You’re …?” She turned from Hadley to Noah. “This is …?”

  Noah nodded.

  “Ah. I remember story after story about a precious young girl named Hadley. Then the stories stopped.” Norma nodded and smiled. “Then Jesus brought you home.” She heaved herself from the dining chair. “I think I’ll leave you two alone for a bit.

  But I’ll be back.”

  “And she won’t go far.” Noah winked. Hadley giggled—then remembered.

  Deep breath. “Noah, I … I’m so, so sorry.” She hung her head. There is no way he could forgive her for being so mean—so unforgiving.

  In one stride he was by her side. “I know. Shh.” He wrapped his long arms around her and held on.

  Hadley waited for accusations. Waited for her berating. But none came. She felt the love of Jesus in those arms. The tension in her back melted as her body relaxed and her soul healed. “There’s so much to say, so much to talk about.”

  Noah put his finger over her lips. “Shh. There’ll be plenty of time to cover everything. But right now …” He pulled away and grabbed her face in his hands. He looked deeply into her eyes. Imploring. “I just want to know if you’re okay. Please, tell me you’re okay.” His hands squeezed.

  There was an intensity to his question. He knew something. He feared something. What could it be? “Yes, Noah. My ego is bruised, and I’m embarrassed by my behavior. But I’m fine. I’m perfect. I’m loved.”

  “That’s all I needed to hear.”

  The song said the sun’ll come out tomorrow. So this is what tomorrow felt like? Noah stretched his long frame in his bed and yawned. The day held so much hope—so much promise. He sat up. But so much work! What was he thinking? It was the end of the hunt. He had to figure out the winner, prepare the announcement, and alert the media.

  He jumped from his bed, knelt beside it for ten minutes giving thanks, spent five more in the shower, grabbed an orange and a banana, then flew to the church. Okay, drove. But he envisioned his car as a Delorian.

  Piles of papers and logbooks spilled across his desk. Okay. He knew what to do. Time to match up the points with the logbooks and the website. He needed a winner, and he needed it to be accurate. There were going to be discrepancies along the way.

  Oh no! He’d forgotten his coffee. He grabbed his cell phone and called Common Grounds. “Any chance one of your guys can run me over a cup of the strongest brew with a ton of sugar?” Oh, thank the Lord. “Thanks man, I owe you, big time!”

  Noah dove in. An hour later, the beginnings of a migraine had set in, and his forehead started to perspire. Something was wrong. According to the website, Hadley was the clear winner—by a long shot. But the logbooks told a different story. According to them, Brad was the winner. Noah shook his head. He’d been watching the activity, and there was no way Brad worked as hard as Hadley. No way. He hadn’t even worked as hard as Chuck, who barely held a candle to Hadley.

  But what could Noah do to prove it? People would want to know why she’d only signed twenty logbooks. Twenty? Everyone knew she’d found way more than that. But why hadn’t she signed in? Noah rubbed his temples. This wasn’t right. He searched the ring binders of the spiral books, but they showed no evidence of pages having been torn out. That had to be what happened, but he couldn’t prove it. No one could.

  “Norma.” Please don’t let her hate me.

  “Hi, sweetums. Come on in and sit a spell. What’s on your mind, darlin?” Norma rocked in her favorite chair, a grin plastered on her face from ear to ear.

  “You mean you’re not mad at me for how I treated Noah?”

  “Oh, child. I’m so glad I didn’t know what was going on and who it was going on with.” Norma fanned herself with a quilt catalog. “The Lord … He had plans. Delicious ones. And I would have meddled and messed them all up. This way, it’s all Him. As it should rightly be.” She sighed like her life was complete.

  “Norma, please tell me about Brad Hopper.” Hadley dropped to her knees beside the rocker.

  The old woman’s face darkened like a shadow cast from the moon descended upon it. She moved her lips, as though in prayer. Praying for permission? “I’ll tell you, child. But only because of what’s happened. Now, you know I don’t believe in gossip.”

  Hadley nodded.

  “That boy—he went to college with my grandbaby boy. That Brad gave Noah such a time of it for his faith. He made Noah stronger—that much I know. But Brad wasn’t satisfie
d. Seemed like every time my boy had a girl he liked, Brad had to prove he could get her.”

  Hadley grimaced. She’d been used as a tool to hurt Noah. Maybe not at first, but as soon as Noah appeared interested. Or did Brad know from the beginning who she was to Noah? She might never know.

  “But that boy didn’t just date ‘em. He chewed ‘em up and then spit ‘em out.”

  Hadley nodded. That could have been her.

  “But the final blow … what shut off any hope Noah had of reaching Brad, came when that Hopper boy took Noah’s sister from her husband and from Noah and from me. She left her husband for good a few months after they lost their baby boy. She chose Brad Hopper over all the good that God had brought into her life. She was hurting, sure. But we all were. That baby … oh, he was so beautiful. Chubby. Giggly. Happy. He drowned in the lake. Off Brad’s dock.”

  Hadley gasped. Brad had used the same location where a baby had died to draw her into his web. The pain that family had endured because of a man she might have loved. How could she have been so blind? “I’m so sorry, Norma.”

  “Oh, sweet child. You didn’t know. You didn’t do this. Noah … he’s an innocent. He loves big, but he hurts hard. He’s been aching over you for years and years, I just know it.” Norma grabbed Hadley’s hands. “Don’t hurt him. Please. I know you wouldn’t on purpose. But please don’t hurt him—even on accident. I can’t lose my boy, too.”

  A car pulled into the driveway, and a door slammed almost immediately. Noah bounded into the kitchen, and both women stared at him in shock. “What’s the matter, boy?” Norma croaked.

  “We have a problem.” Noah’s skin was pale, and his hands were shaking.

  He sat beside Hadley. “I know you worked so hard for this. We have to find a way to prove it’s a lie.”

  “What’s a lie? What are you talking about?”

  Noah whipped open the logbooks, spread the print-outs from the website on the table, and showed her the results, the grief lining his face. “I’ve only looked at the top few so far. I need to compare everyone’s web records with the logbooks to find any other discrepancies that would be caused by missing pages.”