Erin had determined that she would say nothing to Quaid about what he had said just before they had landed after her brush with death. But now she said, “Quaid, when we were falling, you told me you loved me.”
He looked at her and squeezed her hand. “Yes, I did.”
“Did you mean it?”
“I never meant anything more in my life, but—”
Erin waited for him to finish, but instead he reached forward, put his arm around her, and pulled her close. She knew he was going to kiss her, and when he did she surrendered to him completely. As the moment lengthened she felt her heart pounding. When he raised his head, she whispered, “I love you, Quaid.”
“I love you, too, but I’ve got to leave for a while.”
“How long?” she cried, almost in anguish.
“I can’t tell you. Until I get something straight between me and God.” Quaid moved away from Erin, reached down, and started the engine. The car took off, and Erin sat back against the seat. She was stricken but knew that his mind was made up.
When they got to the hotel, he parked the car and helped her out. He said, “I’d like to use the new plane for a while if it’s all right.” Since losing their best plane in the accident, Erin had purchased a brand-new one and had hardly had a chance to fly it herself yet.
But they did have a backup, so she said, “Of course. Take it as long as you want.”
“I’ll say good-bye here, Erin. I’ve got to pack a few things and go.”
Erin could not speak for a moment, and then she nodded. Her throat was tight as she said, “I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you, too.”
Erin turned and walked away, and she felt, for that one moment, as if she were losing something very precious.
****
During the days that followed, Erin Winslow spent much time with Helen Frazier in the hospital. She had grown to love the children there more each time she visited, and it took her mind off of Quaid Merritt.
When she was not at the hospital, she pushed her aching body on long walks and spent hours at the ocean just sitting and listening to the breakers crash in and watching the dolphins and the gulls.
Once during this time Helen asked her, “What are you going to do, Erin?”
Erin said, “I don’t know. I’m a little confused, Helen, but I’m glad things are going well for you.”
Things were going very well for Derek and Helen. It was a joy to watch them together. They were making wedding plans now, and the fan magazines were having a field day.
But more and more as the days passed, Erin found herself thinking of her home in Kenya. As she walked along the beach or sat in the quietness of her room, when she could get away from reporters, the scenes seemed to flash in her mind—the veldt, the animals, the smells, the sights and sounds of the bush—and this developed into a longing to see her homeland and her parents again.
During this time offers kept coming in from producers. She had told Harold Goldfine that there would be no picture with Quaid; she was at least sure of this much.
Businesses and firms and representatives of all sorts sought her out. One man offered her a large sum to have her advertise his piston rings.
“What do I know about piston rings?” she had demanded.
“Doesn’t matter. If we can get your picture, that’ll do it.”
Erin had steadfastly refused, and more and more she withdrew into herself.
It was on a Friday night when she was alone in her room reading from the Psalms when the phone rang abruptly and caused her to start. She picked it up and said, “Hello.”
“This is your grandmother.”
“What is it, Grandmother?”
“It’s your grandfather. He’s very low. If you can, I wish you’d come home.”
Even with the grief that came, Erin felt the impact of that word—home. “I’ll leave as soon as I can.”
Erin immediately called Rev and said, “I’ve got to go. My grandfather’s very ill. Is the plane ready to fly?”
“I’ll meet you at the airfield,” Rev said. “I’ll see that it’s gassed up. Can you navigate by yourself, or do you want me to go with you?”
“Could you do that, Rev? I . . . I’d like for you to.”
“You bet!”
Erin hung up the phone and stood for one moment. She wished that Quaid were here so he could go with her, but she was glad she would not be alone—not only because she was not a good navigator, but also because she needed Rev’s steadfast faith at this time. She drew her shoulders back and prayed, Lord, let him stay with us until I get there, and then she started to pack.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
The Real Adventure
Erin glanced down and spotted the landing strip. She banked the plane and glanced back at Rev, who gave her a thumbs-up signal and a broad grin. “We made it!” he shouted.
Erin nodded and smiled faintly, then turned to bring the plane in for a landing.
The trip from California had been uneventful. It had taken three days, but there had been no engine trouble, and the weather had been beautiful. During most of the flight Erin’s mind had been occupied with thoughts of Quaid and of his sudden disappearance. She knew his absence had made a greater impact on her than she had thought it would, and somewhere on the long flight she had made a peace with God about him. It had been a simple surrender as they were flying over the flat fields of Kansas. She had been worried and confused, and finally, shaking her head almost fiercely, she cried out, “God, do what you will with Quaid and me. Thy will be done. . . .”
She brought the plane in for a perfect landing and slowed to a stop. Rev climbed out first. He held up his hands, and she took them and leaped lightly to the ground, enjoying the sensation of the cool early-November air. “A good flight, Erin.”
“Yes, it was an easy trip.”
“I expect you’ll want to be getting to your grandparents’ house.”
“Yes, as quick as we can. Let’s make arrangements for leaving the plane.”
They walked toward Robert Jennings’s ramshackle office, but before they stepped inside the manager came out. He greeted Erin with a smile and shook her hand. “Well, we have a celebrity here.”
“Not much of one, Mr. Jennings.” Erin returned his smile and the pressure of his hand.
“Not like it was the first time I saw you. You were begging for any kind of a job. Now I guess the jobs are begging for you.”
Erin nodded and then said directly, “We’d like to leave the plane here.”
“Sure. You can put it right over by your other one.”
“By our other one?”
Jennings nodded to his right. “Yeah. There it is right over there.”
Both Rev and Erin turned to see the shiny new plane they had purchased in California. Erin quickly exchanged glances with Rev and then asked, “Mr. Jennings, has Quaid been here?”
“Why, sure! I thought you knew that. He’s taken your father for a couple of flights. Speaking engagements, they said.”
“My father!” Erin said, puzzled. “What do you mean?”
Jennings grinned and pulled off his cap. He ran his hand through his thinning blond hair and said, “It’s funny for me to know more about your business than you do. Your folks are here in the States, staying with your grandparents. Quaid’s staying there, too.”
“Oh my, I hadn’t heard! When did they get here? I’d better get there quickly!”
“I’ll take care of that plane for you. Just leave it there.”
“Thanks a lot, Mr. Jennings. Come along, Rev. We’ll get a cab.”
Rev pulled their small bags out of the plane, and ten minutes later they were in a cab headed north. The two made the ride without speaking, both engaged in their own thoughts. When the cab pulled up in front of the Winslow house, Erin got out and paid the driver while Rev got the bags. The cab pulled away, and they started for the house. When they reached the first step, Erin looked up to see her parents emerging,
both of them smiling.
“Mom—Dad!” Erin exclaimed. She ran forward, hugged both of them, and then demanded, “Why didn’t you tell me you’d be here?”
“We did, but I guess the letter got misplaced somewhere. Maybe the ship we were on traveled faster than the one that carried the letter.” Barney smiled faintly.
Erin introduced Rev, and Rev at once said, “I usually ask folks if they’re saved when I first meet ’em, but I’ve heard enough about you to know better.”
“That’s a good way to meet people, Revelation. I like that name.”
Erin asked quickly, “How’s Grandfather?”
She saw her answer before her parents spoke. “He’s not doing well,” Katie said.
“I’m afraid it’s time for him to go home,” Barney said soberly. “He’s been waiting for you. He wants to see you.”
“Come along,” Katie said. “I’ll take you to him. Barney, will you show Mr. Brown to a room?”
Erin turned and accompanied her mother as they went up the stairs to the master bedroom. As they entered, Erin saw her grandmother seated beside her grandfather, and she went to her grandmother at once. Lola rose, and the two exchanged embraces.
Lola said quietly, “He’s been anxious to see you, Erin. I’m glad you were able to get here.”
Erin took the seat Lola had been sitting in and reached over and put her hand on her grandfather’s shoulder. “I’m here, Grandfather,” she whispered as Lola and Katie quietly slipped from the room.
Mark Winslow was pale, and his cheeks were hollow. A pang came to Erin, for she had always remembered him as a strong, vibrant man filled with health and ready to tackle any task. Now the years had caught up with him. When he opened his eyes, however, she saw that they were clear, and his voice was surprisingly strong as he took her hand and said, “I’m glad you’re here, Erin. I wanted to see you before I went home.”
The simple sentence brought a thickness to Erin’s throat, and she had to close her eyes, for the tears welled up. She held on to one of his hands with both of hers and leaned forward. “I’m glad I could get here.”
“You flew?”
“Yes. I brought Rev with me.”
Mark Winslow lay quietly studying the face of the young woman. Erin could see the irregular beating of his heart in one of the veins of his throat. She waited, not knowing what to say, and finally Mark sighed and gave her a smile. “How are you, Erin?”
“Why, I’m fine, Grandfather.”
“Tell me what you’ve been doing. Quaid’s been telling me some of the things, but I want to hear it from you.”
“You’ve been talking with Quaid?”
“Yes. He’s a fine man, Granddaughter. Now—tell me.”
Erin spoke of how she had spent her time, for the old man seemed interested. He listened intently and said, “What are you going to do with your life?”
Erin lifted her head, for she understood well what her grandfather meant. She knew that he and Lola and her own parents were concerned about her connection with Hollywood and making movies. And now she said quickly and forcefully, “I’m not ever going to be in a movie again! It’s not for me. It’s not the kind of life I think God wants me to live.”
When she said this, Mark’s hand tightened on hers. He gave her a beautiful smile. “I’ve been praying that I would hear that before I left. I’m so proud of you, Erin.”
Lola peeked her head in the door and asked if Mark needed anything, and he said, “See if you can find Quaid, sweetheart.”
Lola nodded and went out at once. Mark let his hand remain in both of Erin’s and said, “I’ve been praying a great deal lately for my children and grandchildren. I’m very concerned about Amelia. I want you to pray for her and help her all you can.”
“What’s she doing now?”
“She has a job and her own apartment. She was here yesterday, but I see a restless spirit in her.” Mark Winslow squeezed Erin’s hand and said, “You’re going to have to stand by her. She’s going to have a hard time.”
The door opened, and Erin turned to see her grandmother come back into the room, followed by Quaid. Their eyes met, and he smiled and came over and stood beside the bed. He put his hand on her shoulder, and when Mark Winslow reached out his other hand, he knelt and reached out and took it.
“Lola and I saw something in you, Erin, when you were very small. God wants to do something very special with you.” Mark’s eyes went to Quaid, and he said, “Watch over her, my son. God has something very special for you, too.”
Quaid’s voice was thick as he whispered, “I’ll do it, Mr. Winslow.”
Mark seemed to be exhausted with this effort. He closed his eyes, and his grip relaxed. The two waited, and Erin was conscious of Quaid’s left hand on her shoulder. They stayed there for some time, and finally Erin rose and said, “I think he needs rest.” She left the room, followed by Quaid, and walked down the hall. She found Barney waiting for them, and he asked instantly, “Is he sinking?”
“I . . . I’m afraid he is, Dad.”
Barney Winslow straightened his shoulders, but Erin could see he was grieving. “I’ve always loved him. I’ve always known he was there for me if I needed him.”
Erin suddenly reached out blindly for her father. He took her in his arms and held her, and his eyes met those of Quaid, who was watching. Something passed between the two men, and finally when Erin straightened up and groped for a handkerchief and failed to find one, Quaid handed her one from his pocket.
The three walked slowly down the hall, and Barney said, “The family’s gathering. I’ve canceled all my engagements.” He turned to Erin and said, “Did you know Quaid has flown me to a couple of my speaking engagements? I always said I hated airplanes, but he’s almost made me like them.”
Erin could not speak, but at that moment she felt Quaid come and take her arm. “Come and sit down. You must be tired after your flight. Would you like to rest?”
“I think I’d like to lie down.”
Actually she was not tired, but she needed to be alone. She turned and left the two men, saying, “I’ll just rest a little, then I’ll come back. Call me if—”
When she broke off, Barney said, “I’ll call you.”
Erin went to her old room and sat down on the bed. She had not wanted to break down in front of the men, but now she wept, for she knew that a great loss lay before her.
****
Mark Winslow only lingered for two days after Erin arrived. Erin talked to him twice more, but when he passed from this life to the next, only Lola was with him, and she would not reveal her final good-byes with the man she loved so deeply.
The funeral was large, but Erin could remember little of it. She did know that Quaid stayed close to her, and when she began to weep silently during the service, he put his arm around her and held her. She had turned to him, and he had whispered words of consolation.
The next day the world seemed lonely to her. She spent the day alone, and the week passed slowly. Quaid flew Barney to a speaking engagement and brought him back the next day.
Erin prayed much and spent a great deal of time with her mother and her grandmother. The three women grew even closer together, and Lola demonstrated a peace that was difficult for Erin to understand. When she mentioned this to her mother, Katie said, “It’s the peace that passeth understanding. God gives it to His children when they need it.”
Rev spoke with Erin often, and the two became much closer. He spoke of the Scriptures and of the love of God and the power of Jesus in such a way that it filled Erin’s spirit. He was a man who knew how to give comfort, and he gave it freely. Not one time did he ask what Erin was going to do, and this was a blessing, for Erin had no idea.
She rose early one morning, and after breakfast she and her mother tarried over coffee alone when the others left. They sat quietly for some time, and finally Katie said, “Do you mind if I ask you something, Erin?”
“Of course not.”
“Do y
ou love Quaid?”
Erin answered at once. “Yes, I do, Mother, but things are so complicated.”
Katie put her hand on her daughter’s and smiled. “Life is always complicated. It always will be.”
“Do you like him, Mother?”
“Yes. Your father and I think he’s a wonderful man.”
“I’m glad.” The two women sat there in silence, and somehow Erin felt a special bond with her mother and a peaceful spirit.
****
Erin had been in her room reading the Scriptures for a time but had grown restless. She had just put her Bible down when a knock came at her door. “Come in,” she said. When the door opened and Quaid walked in, she jumped to her feet. “Quaid, you’re back!”
“I’m back,” he said. There was strength in his voice as he asked, “Are you all right?”
Erin nodded. She looked up at him and saw some excitement in his eyes. “What is it? Has something happened?”
“When I left California I told you that I had to settle something. I’ve been talking to Rev a lot about what’s been on my heart. I didn’t know whether it was just me or whether it was God.”
“What is it, Quaid? Can you tell me now?”
“Yes, I can. I would have told you earlier, but I wasn’t sure. These days that I’ve been spending with your dad have been good for me, and I’ve decided to believe God.” He reached out and took her hands and held them for a while, squeezing them and just smiling at her. “I don’t know when it started, but somehow God began to tell me that I was going to use my skills as a pilot not to entertain people but for His glory.”
Instantly something touched Erin’s heart, and it was like the last piece of a puzzle coming together. “Is that what you’ve been talking to my father about?”
“Yes. When he goes back to Africa, we’re going to take a plane. I’m going to use it for the missionary work there. Oh, Erin, there’s so much to do! Your father has told me about it, and I know that you already know what it’s like there. But there are times when supplies need to be flown in. When missionaries need to be taken inland. And there are times when doctors and medicines have to be moved and moved quickly. I can do this, Erin. It’s what my heart tells me that God has chosen me for.”
The Golden Angel Page 29