Dangerous Reunion (Love Inspired Suspense)
Page 20
Her heart soared as he pulled her closer and lowered his lips to hover above hers. “I love you, Kate. I’m afraid you’re stuck with me forever.”
“That’s the best news I’ve heard all day.” She closed her eyes and thrilled to the touch of his kiss.
The bow of the ferry carrying Scott Michaels slid through the harbor opening toward the dock. Twenty-four hours ago Kate and her sisters had found out that their brother was coming to Ocracoke, and now he was here.
From the parking lot Kate scanned the decks as she clutched Brock’s hand. Betsy, Emma and Treasury stood to her left. Their eyes held the same excitement that filled her. Brock turned his head and smiled at her. “It won’t be long now. When Don called before they boarded the ferry, I told him we’d be in the parking lot. He’ll pull in here as soon as they drive onto the island.”
Crew members onboard bustled about as the ship glided into its berth and stopped. Within minutes the ramp had been lowered, and the first cars drove onto the island. With each one Kate stood on tiptoe and strained to see inside. Most of them turned right at the end of the ramp headed into the village instead of left into the parking lot.
After several minutes a black car rolled down the ramp. As the car reached the end of the loading ramp, the left turn signal blinked. Betsy sucked in her breath and turned to smile at Kate. They clasped hands and watched the car pull into the parking lot and come to a stop a few feet away from them.
The driver stepped from the car and waved. “Hey, Gentry. We made it.”
Brock waved back. “Glad you’re here.”
Kate waited, but no one else got out. After a moment, she glanced at Brock. “What do you think is wrong?”
He smiled and released her hand. “Maybe he’s worried about seeing three long lost sisters. Maybe you should go to him.”
Kate nodded. “Come on, girls. Let’s go meet our brother.”
Emma, holding a framed picture in her hand, led the way. Before they reached the car, the door opened, and a man stepped onto the pavement. Kate gasped at her first glimpse of her brother. He stood erect, his muscular shoulders straight and his hands to his sides, just as she’d seen her father so many times in her life. His wheat-colored hair tumbled over his forehead, and he brushed it back. Deep-set blue eyes gazed at them. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he opened his mouth to speak. “I’m Scott. I’m so happy to be here.”
Tears filled Kate’s eyes, and she struggled to speak. “I’m Kate.”
“Kate.” He glanced at Betsy. “Betsy.” Then to Emma. “Emma.” The names rolled on his tongue as if he was savoring the sweet ness of each one.
Emma held out the frame in her hand. “This is for you.”
He took it from her, studied the picture and looked up at them. “Who is this?”
The tears spilled from Kate’s eyes. “That’s our father. We’re speechless because you look just like him.”
Scott’s eyes grew wide, and his trembling hands grasped the frame tighter. “I do, don’t I? I’ve always wondered what my father looked like, and his image was with me all the time.”
Betsy nodded. “We’re glad you’re here. Welcome home, Scott.”
Kate didn’t know who made the first move, but suddenly the four of them were wrapped in each other’s arms. As the tears flowed down Kate’s face, she wished her father had lived to see this moment. She’d promised him they would find the son he lost, and now they had.
Three hours later their happiness hadn’t subsided as she and Brock sat at the table on Treasury’s back porch. In the backyard, Scott, Betsy and Emma sat at a card table in the shade of an oak tree, a game of Chinese checkers in front of them.
The back door of the house opened, and Treasury came out carrying a tray with glasses and a full pitcher of lemonade. She set the tray down on the table where Kate and Brock sat, then sank down into a wicker rocker.
Brock rubbed his stomach. “That was a delicious meal, Treasury.”
Before she could answer, Rascal leaped onto the porch and settled at Treasury’s feet. She glanced down and smiled. “Well, there’s my little darling. I saved you a nice piece of fish for your supper.”
Kate and Brock cast surprised glances at each other before they burst out laughing. “I thought you hated Rascal,” Kate said.
Treasury shook her head. “Not since he helped save my girls. From now on he’s going to be the most pampered cat on this island.”
Rascal looked up at her and meowed before he jumped into Treasury’s lap and lay down. She patted the cat’s head and leaned her head against the back of her chair. Within minutes a soft snore drifted from the chair.
“Hello, everybody!” The greeting echoed in the quiet backyard.
Startled, Kate turned her head to see Grady Teach walking around the side of the house. His hand gripped the handle of a shovel, and the spadelike blade rested on his shoulder. He walked to the back porch, propped one foot on the bottom step and grinned at her and Brock.
Kate smiled. “Where are you going with that shovel?”
Grady pushed his straw hat out of his eyes. “I’m getting ready to go treasure huntin’ tomorrow. Anybody want to come help me look for Blackbeard’s treasure?”
Kate glanced at Brock, then at her sisters and brother, whose laughter filled the backyard, and at Treasury sleeping with one arm around Rascal. Kate had never been surrounded by so much love.
She reached for Brock’s hand, squeezed it and smiled at Grady. “No thanks. I have all the treasure I need right here.”
Dear Reader,
Several years ago my son, granddaughter and I took a trip to Ocracoke Island, a small barrier island off the coast of North Carolina. From the moment we drove off the ferry into Ocracoke Village, I was in love with this thirteen-mile-long speck of land twenty-five miles off the mainland. The beautiful beaches, the salt marshes, the island ponies and the wildlife give Ocracoke a unique allure that draws thousands of visitors a year. I knew right away I had to set a book on this island, where Blackbeard the Pirate lived and where he met his death off its coast in 1718.
I have taken some liberties in writing this book, but not with the kindness and love of their island that I encountered from the people who call this place home. I salute the hearty people of Ocracoke and look forward to the time when I can return.
Sandra Robbins
Questions for Discussion
Kate struggled with her inability to forgive when someone had wronged her. Do you have difficulty forgiving others? What did Jesus say about forgiveness?
Brock’s guilt over an innocent man’s death consumed him. Have you ever dealt with guilt because of your actions? How did you cope with your feelings?
Kate saw God’s presence in the beauty of her island. Do you take time to marvel at the works of God all around you, or do you ignore God’s hand in nature?
Kate sacrificed her own happiness to take care of her family after her mother’s death. Are you willing to put others’ needs before your own needs? How have you done that in the past?
Kate and Brock encountered deceit and evil in people they trusted. Have you ever had a friend betray you? How did you deal with it?
Kate and Betsy knew they would someday be responsible for the aging Treasury. Have you had to take care of an elderly family member? How difficult has it been?
Brock realized his selfish attitude was shaped by the fact that he felt abandoned by his father. Have you had to deal with divorced parents? How has it affected your life?
Grady devoted most of his time to finding Blackbeard’s treasure. Has acquiring money become so important in your life that you neglect other things? What do you have in your life that money could never replace?
When Kate thought she was about to die, she realized how much time she’d wasted by not forgiving Brock. Is there someone you need to forgive?
Brock came to realize that God is real and gave his heart to Him. Have you trusted God and turned your life over to him?
ISBN:
978-1-4592-0867-4
DANGEROUS REUNION
Copyright © 2011 by Sandra Robbins
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the editorial office, Love Inspired Books, 233 Broadway, New York, NY 10279 U.S.A.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
This edition published by arrangement with Love Inspired Books,
® and TM are trademarks of Love Inspired Books, used under license. Trademarks indicated with ® are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade Marks Office and in other countries.
www.LoveInspiredBooks.com