Back to Karynn.
He could enjoy the drive, now that he’d rid himself of the so-called nanny’s constant yapping. When he told her he no longer required her services, she’d turned into a human bomb packed with pure hatred. Vindictive threats spewed from her lips and turned a face that should’ve been more than slightly attractive into an ugly mask. Daniel shuddered to think she’d been alone with Chrissy for days at a time. While he piloted plane loads of people safely to their destinations, he’d trusted that madwoman with the care of his precious daughter.
No more. He wasn’t sure how to handle the time in between the coming transition at work, but he now knew how to respond to a proposition he’d been pitched by airline bigwigs just before he left for Tennessee.
He punched a single number into speed dial on his cell phone, then touched the speaker button and laid the phone on the console.
“Perry Calvert.”
“Perry, it’s Daniel.”
“Daniel, my man! This is a surprise. Did you get my message? We found someone else. Tell me you’re not on your way in.”
“I got the message. This is about…the other thing we discussed before I left.”
A short silence followed, and Daniel almost forgot to breathe. Please, Lord, don’t let them have changed their minds.
“Have you made a decision? Already?”
“I’ll do it. And, Perry, I don’t know what the timeline looks like on your end, but don’t delay on my account. The sooner the better.”
A short bark of laughter filled the car’s interior, and Daniel grinned.
“You got me this time, man. I didn’t expect you to go for it, but I’m glad you did. It’ll be good for the airline—and for you, I think. Just be sure it’s what you want. There’s no going back.”
“I understand. No U-turns.”
“Well, then, welcome to a whole new world. Catch you on the flipside—and I’ll want to know what brought about such a sudden decision.”
The line went dead, and Daniel chuckled. The man never wasted words. They were good friends, as close as brothers. From the time Perry invited Daniel to join his bowling group five years ago, they’d fallen into an unspoken agreement—keep things professional at work, and never discuss the job in private. Maybe that’s why their friendship remained strong.
Having accepted the airline’s surprising offer, he felt the lightening of a load he hadn’t known he carried. Now, if he could only figure out what he’d said during his fireside chat with Karynn that made her draw into herself like a frightened clam. He’d gone over the conversation too many times during the night to count, and hadn’t found an answer. Nor had Lena’s yammering all the way to the airport given him a chance to mull it over while fully awake.
Daniel dragged his mind off Karynn. A couple more phone calls, then he could focus on her to the exclusion of everything else.
He reached a Tulsa locksmith, who agreed—at a hefty fee for emergency service—to change the locks on every entrance at Daniel’s address before Lena’s plane set down at the local airport.
Then he called Tina’s brother—a big, burly, teddy bear of a guy who adored Chrissy. Bert owned a gym and took fitness to heart. The man was built like a linebacker. After a quick rundown on the situation, he promised to be at Daniel’s place in time to accept the new keys from the locksmith. He’d stick around and keep an eye on Lena while she packed. That wouldn’t take long—not with a bulldog-faced, gorilla-sized man watching her every move. Bert would help load everything into her vehicle and watch her drive away. Then he’d make sure everything was locked up tight before taking the new keys home with him.
With everything back home squared away, Daniel’s thoughts homed in on Karynn. Whatever he’d said to put her off, he’d figure it out and fix it. He had to. Losing her, now that he’d found her again, wasn’t an option.
A little help here, Lord? I’ll fight for Karynn to the final breath, but I need to know what she’s running from. What is the enemy I’m battling against? How do I win? And, Lord…I have to win.
His hands cramped, and he loosened their grip on the wheel. A quick glance at the speedometer showed the needle hovering too far to the right. He lifted his foot off the accelerator and told God again, just in case He hadn’t heard the first time.
I have to win.
He pulled in a deep breath, let it out nice and slow, and then took himself back through last night’s fateful conversation. One word, one sentence, one inflection at a time. Again and again.
Fifteen miles outside Hope Creek, the puzzle fell into place.
Daniel swerved off the road, too stunned to drive for several minutes. How had he not put two and two together right off? Given the circumstances, what else could the problem have been?
He laughed aloud, amazed at God’s simple, yet profound ways. Easing back onto the road, he shook his head. “You are amazing, Lord! By the time I found the problem, You’d already delivered the solution.”
****
Alone in the chapel, Karynn slid to her knees, desperate to find peace. Was she really going to let the love of her life, her very heartbeat, walk away again? This time, they had a choice…and Daniel had already made his. She saw it every time he looked at her.
Karynn longed to give him that same reassurance. Why, of all the possible career fields he might have chosen, had he become a pilot? She could never survive the horrible, bone-chilling dread every time he climbed into a metal monster and soared off somewhere too far above solid ground. The thought alone turned her mind to mush.
“God?” She spoke through the tears that clouded her vision and the lump that closed her throat. “I need help, if I ever hope to find happiness with Daniel. Thank You for sending Gabriel with such a beautiful message. Forgive me for trying so hard not to hear it. But You knew I would hear it, didn’t You? You were pointing me toward Daniel, and I know that’s where happiness lies for me. But how do I find the courage to face this choking, drowning fear of losing someone else I love?” A sob tore past her throat, and she dropped her head onto folded arms atop the pew. “Why can’t everyone just keep their feet on the ground?”
I am God, daughter.
Karynn opened her eyes, but dared not raise her head. Something holy washed over her, leaving gooseflesh along the length of her body despite the warm jacket she still wore in the chilly chapel. Her mind filled with words…still, quiet words that were not her own.
Am I not your God?
“You are my God. Always.”
On sea and on land, I am God.
She shook her head. Of course God was God. She’d never doubted that.
“Yes, Father. I know You are God.”
Below the earth, I am God.
“Even there, Lord, I know You are God.”
And in the sky, above the clouds, I am the same God.”
Karynn froze. Her heart thudded hard against her ribs, and she struggled for breath.
Daughter. Can you trust Me only in your familiar world?
She crumpled, broken. Shame kept her head bowed to the pew. “You are God in every world, and in every situation.”
Like the rapid flicker of images at the end of a film reel, familiar verses skipped through her mind—fast, and then faster and faster, a rolling recitation of scriptures she knew well enough to quote from memory.
Yet now, they were brand new. Swift. Sure. Sharp. They cut through every argument and all defenses.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die… Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me… And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus… For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for—
“All right!” Karynn uncovered her face and straightened her spine. “You are God, and I am not. I
trust You, Lord.” She swallowed hard, but continued in a strong, unwavering voice. “In every situation, under every circumstance…even with the lives of those I love.”
Do you love me, daughter?
“I love You, Father, with all my heart.”
Soul shivers rippled along her spine, and spirit touches—like the feathery brush of angel wings—wrapped around her heart and mind. Was this really happening?
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment.
Karynn managed a wry smile. “Fear has turned my entire life into torment.”
The words tumbling through her soul screeched to a stop and then repeated, slowly and with powerful impact.
Perfect love…casteth out fear. Do you love Me perfectly, daughter? Do you love Me…completely?
“I do, Lord. I love You with everything I am.”
He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Karynn paused to talk herself through that one. “So then, if I love You with perfect completeness, my fears cannot survive, because…”
She caught her breath on what she should have known all along.
In that crucial moment of understanding, a ray of sunshine caught one of the stained glass windows and reflected rainbow hues onto the pew against which she leaned. Awed, she stared at the shining white cross that lay in bright splendor where her head had rested only moments before.
“Perfect love casts out fear,” she whispered.
So it does.
Karynn smiled, even as she brushed away her tears. “So it does. Thank You, Father! Thank You!”
She leaped to her feet and rushed toward the door. She ached to find Daniel, to say what she should’ve said already. But he was somewhere overhead, piloting a plane full of passengers to a safe landing. Please, God. A safe landing. But she could wait, now that she’d decided to let God be God…and to take the high road to the future.
Outside, she crossed North Pole Bridge and hurried down the winding path to the inn. She’d been too preoccupied to notice the cold in the chapel, but now it ate at her skin, and gnawed at her bones. How long had she been out here? Savannah and Chrissy had no doubt long since gone into town without her. She passed the gardens at a run, rounded the circle drive and barreled through the glass doors…straight into a broad, warm chest that smelled of woods and spice.
9
Daniel arrived at the inn in time to see Savannah and Chrissy cross the parking lot. He swept his little girl into his arms and rained kisses on her face. His playful greeting drew the most delightful giggles from her, as always…and as always, he drank in the sound of her laughter like nectar from Heaven.
With the kisses over, and Chrissy clinging to his neck, he turned to Savannah. “Where’s—?”
“Karynn?” She broke in, her tone both annoyed and concerned. “Good question. She was supposed to meet us in the lobby half an hour ago. We haven’t seen her, but I’m sure she’s OK. She didn’t plan to leave the grounds.”
Daniel frowned. “The grounds? That’s a pretty big area.”
“Trust me, she didn’t go far alone. Karynn’s the most cautious person in the world. Of course, she’s normally the most considerate, and punctual, as well.” The little crease between her brows deepened. “I’m concerned, Daniel, I admit it. But I promised Chrissy we’d have a look around Hope Creek. If you don’t mind her going, I’d like to keep that promise. We won’t be long. If—no, when Karynn shows up, would you have her call me, please?”
“Of course. She’ll show up, Savannah. You two go on, and have fun.” He hugged Chrissy again. “I’ll get the child seat from my car.”
“Daddy!” She still hadn’t quite reached the weight requirement, and Chrissy hated the “baby chair.” Good thing he’d arrived before she and Savannah went exploring.
“Honey, you know the drill. You wouldn’t want Savannah to get a ticket because of us, would you?”
“No.” She turned her frown upside down in an instant. “We’ll still have fun.”
“Sure we will, Chrissy-cake.” Savannah was already behind the wheel. She gave her backseat passenger a smile and a thumbs-up. “Fun, fun, fun!”
Chrissy returned the thumbs up with both mitten-covered hands. “Let’s go, go, go!” she trilled.
He watched them all the way down Reindeer Road North—the exit side of the split access-and-egress roads leading in and out of Christmas Inn property. Then he strode toward the inn, and pushed through the foyer doors into the lobby. Two long strides inside, he stopped, having no idea which direction to take. If Karynn were here, Savannah would have found her. She wasn’t in the inn. She was outside, in the icy cold.
Daniel stepped to the fireplace to warm up, and to decide on a plan. He pulled off his gloves and held his hands close to the welcome heat. “Where are you, Karynn?” he muttered.
“You must be Daniel.”
He whirled. A dark-haired woman stood behind the reception counter. She smiled, and a pair of dimples danced on her cheeks.
“I’m sorry…should I know you?”
“No, but Karynn told me about you.”
“Really.” He hiked a brow. “That’s odd. Karynn doesn’t usually share her private life with strangers.”
“I’m not a stranger, Daniel. Your Karynn and I, we’ve known each other for a long time.” Mischief sparkled from her dark eyes. “Maybe longer than she’s known you.”
“I see.” Why hadn’t Karynn mentioned knowing someone in Hope Creek? “And you are?”
“Lydia. But that doesn’t matter right now. If I’m not mistaken, you’re looking for my friend.”
“You’re not mistaken.”
“She’s in the chapel.”
“The chapel? Across the creek?”
Lydia nodded. “I left her there…” She glanced at the big glockenspiel clock with the chasing elves that Chrissy loved to watch. “Almost an hour ago. I thought she’d be back by now. The heat isn’t on out there, so…” She grimaced. “I hope she doesn’t stay much longer.”
“Thank you, Lydia.” He pulled his gloves on and headed for the door. “I’m going to the chapel.”
Her soft laughter soothed the fear mounting in Daniel’s mind. “I thought you might.”
He crossed the foyer to the double glass doors and placed a hand on the crossbar handle, his gaze already searching the wintry grounds.
There she was, her head down against the cold as she ran toward the inn. He grinned through a massive wave of relief. Slipping in the snow and breaking an ankle wouldn’t make her less late for her meeting with Savannah and Chrissy, but Karynn being Karynn, her own safety was the last thing on her mind.
He backed away from the door and waited. When she pushed it open, he stepped in front of her and she plowed square into his chest, just as he’d expected. His arms were around her in an instant.
Sweet Lord, she felt wonderful! The damp air combined with the cold temperature had formed a thin layer of ice from head to toe, turning the woman he loved into a real, live ice maiden. Yet holding her in his arms lit a fire in Daniel’s heart that would never be quenched.
“D-D-Daniel!” Despite her chattering teeth, Karynn managed his name. She raised her head, and her beautiful eyes went wide. “You’re h-here.”
“Let’s get you warmed up.” He urged her toward the lobby. “Then we’ll talk.”
Lydia met them at the fireplace, a heavy blanket in her arms. “Daniel, move that big chair closer to the fire. I’ll get her boots off, and her jacket.”
Karynn clung to the jacket with frozen fingers. “No. I’m c-c-cold!”
“And I want to warm you up. Come on—off with it! I have a thick blanket, fluffy as a cloud, for you to snuggle into.” Even as she spoke, she gently pushed Karynn’s hands away so she could unzip the coat, and then eased it off her shoulders. The beanie came off next, and then Lydia wrapped her friend in the soft blanket and led her to the chair. “Sit here. I’ll take your boots off. Why did you
stay out there so long, Karynn?”
“I was t-t-talking to God.”
Daniel blinked, but Lydia didn’t. She smiled, and those dimples turned her face into something beatific. “Ahh. That’s what I was hoping you’d do. OK, now just sit here with this handsome guy.” She lowered her voice to a stage whisper. “I think he likes you.”
“You have good instincts,” Daniel supplied.
“So I’ve been told.” Lydia was already halfway across the room. “I’ll be back with hot cocoa.”
He sat on the hearth, close enough to touch Karynn’s face. The drop in body temperature had paled her skin to porcelain, accentuating big, brown eyes and—despite the faint blue tint around them—lips the color of apple blossoms.
“You’re an ice cube, sweetheart…and still so beautiful I can barely breathe.”
Karynn’s gaze locked on his. A tiny crease appeared between her eyebrows, and she shook her head. “You’re h-here! I thought you were s-s-somewhere in the s-sky.”
“Shh…don’t talk yet.” Hadn’t Savannah told her anything? “I didn’t have to go to work. I just drove Lena to the airport.”
“Was she….very angry?”
He grimaced. “That’s one way of saying it.” He shook his head, hoping to clear it of the look in the woman’s eyes when she slammed the car door and stormed into the airport. “But she’s gone now, and by the time I get home, she’ll be gone from there, as well. I hope none of us ever has to see her again.”
“I feel s-sorry for her.”
Daniel chuckled. “Of course you do. Your heart’s always been three sizes too big for that tiny body of yours.”
“She’s so unhappy. D-Deep, deep down.” Daniel tracked the movement of her hand, beneath the big blanket, to rest on her heart. “We should p-pray for her.”
“We will.” He cleared his throat, moved by her concern for someone who’d shown no sign of pleasantness during their short acquaintance. “You’ll make me a better man yet.”
Lydia showed up carrying a tray loaded with two mugs of hot chocolate, half a dozen cookies that smelled so wonderful they had to be fresh out of the oven, and two small bowls of hot soup.
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