Holly's Heart Collection Two (59 page)

“Oh, Holly, this is so cool.” She hugged the living daylights out of me.

I pulled back, filling her in on the details. “Let’s wait to celebrate until you’re on the plane, okay?”

She turned around and stared out the window overlooking the runways. The plane—our plane—was a DC-10. We watched as the luggage carriers glided along the ground loading the luggage.

“Hey, look.” I pointed. “There’s my suitcase.”

Andie leaned forward. “You’re right.”

The large piece of pink yarn tied to the suitcase handle would make it easy to spot in L.A. I’d gotten the idea from one of Marty Leigh’s mystery books. One of her characters obsessed over identifying her own luggage. She decorated it with brightly colored ribbons and yarn. Every piece, every time.

That’s when I heard the announcement for standby passengers. I felt tense, jittery—tried to picture Andie walking down the long, narrow Jetway to board the plane with me.

I glanced around, checking on the short line of standby passengers filing down the enclosed walkway connecting the terminal to the plane. “Shouldn’t be long now,” I whispered, half to myself, half to Andie.

The names of a Rudy and Jayne Kish were called over the intercom. I watched the young couple hurry to the podium and show their IDs. Promptly, they were given a boarding pass and returned to their seats.

Andie’s eyes filled with worry. “How much longer…before my name is called?”

“And it
will
be, you know,” I assured her.

Uncle Jack strolled to the window, his hands in his pants pockets. I wondered if he was as concerned as I was. Actually, I’d never seen my uncle freak out over anything. He was calm and cool, the way I wished I could be. Especially now.

Soon, another standby passenger was called to the podium.

My pulse raced. I could scarcely breathe. And just when I thought I’d burst, another name was announced. A tall, good-looking man hurried to the check-in counter.

Andie grabbed my arm and clung to it. “Oh, Holly,” she moaned. “I can’t stand the suspense.”

“We’re
both
getting on this flight. I can feel it.” I let Andie hang on to me as the beady-eyed man in uniform offered a boarding pass to the tall man.

About that time, Uncle Jack wandered over to us, checking his watch. “The flight’s scheduled for departure at 12:15. That’s twenty-five minutes from now.”

“So…I’ll know soon if I’m going or not,” Andie said softly.

First-class passengers were invited to board. Then coach passengers, beginning with rows twenty-five to thirty-three. A bunch of people lined up in response to the announcement. Parents with small children, older folk, men in business suits.

Still, I wanted to hold out for a miracle.

“I can’t believe this,” Andie was saying, tears in her eyes. “I guess this is good-bye.”

We were both in tears, and Uncle Jack came over and put his arm around Andie as he leaned over to kiss my cheek. “Don’t let this ruin your time, sweetie,” he said. Then, turning to Andie, he winked at her. “Hey, kiddo, you and me—let’s paint the town, okay?”

Uncle Jack was so cool. He would see to it that Andie had a fabulous day. She’d probably end up having more fun than I’d have the whole two weeks.

“Better get in line now, Holly,” Uncle Jack said. “They won’t hold your plane forever.”

“Bye. Love you.” I hugged my stepdad and then Andie again. “You too!”

“Send me lots of emails, okay?” Andie said.

“I’ll write at least twice a day.”

After showing my boarding pass and ID, I hurried down the walkway. I wiped my cheeks, too upset to look back.

Andie wasn’t coming with me to California. God had said no this time. But why?

Down the long ramp, I headed toward the plane. Maybe God had something else planned for Andie. I could only hope it was something wonderful.

Just as I was about to enter the plane, the tall, handsome man—the last standby passenger called—was being escorted out of the plane by a male flight attendant. Evidently there was a problem. The name on his boarding pass didn’t match the name on his checked lugguge, so he had to get off the plane. His luggage would have to be removed, as well.

“Excuse me,” I said to the flight attendant. “Does this mean there’s room for one more standby passenger on this flight?”

The uniformed attendant nodded. “Only one.” He headed up the ramp with the ousted passenger.

Wow. This was so fabulous. I didn’t know what to do first. But I knew I had to run back up the Jetway and let Andie know this good news.

“Miss,” the flight attendant said as I passed him, “if you haven’t boarded by the time the door is closed on the plane, you will miss your flight.”

So I hurried to the waiting area and looked around. Andie and Uncle Jack were nowhere in sight!

Rushing to the podium, I was out of breath. “Can you please page someone for me?” Quickly, I filled him in about Andie and how she’d already left with my stepdad to head for the terminal. “She thinks the plane is full, but it’s not.”

“One moment, please.” He checked the monitor, then nodded with a smile.

I heard Andie’s name over the entire airport intercom. Darting out into the wide concourse, I searched frantically. People crowded my vision, making it impossible to spot Andie. Or Uncle Jack.

My heart pounded uncontrollably. This was worse than any nightmare I’d
ever
had!

LITTLE WHITE LIES

Chapter 8

The attendant frowned. “Now, young lady, if you don’t go this instant, you will miss your plane.”

I had no choice. Daddy and Saundra would be waiting for me at the L.A. airport. If I didn’t show up they’d be very worried. So, with great reluctance, I obeyed.

The flight attendant brightened when he saw me coming. “Oh, good, you’re back.”

“Uh, they’re paging my friend right now. Is there any way you can hold the plane for her?”

“Is your friend the Queen of England?”

I caught the joke, but it wasn’t funny. I tried to explain my problem, but he couldn’t give me any reason to hope that Andie would catch this plane.

He asked to see my ticket. “You’re in row seventeen, seat C.”

My heart sank as I made my way through first class—all those comfortable, spacious seats were filled. In fact, the entire plane was filled to capacity. Except for one aisle seat five rows into the coach section. I nearly cried as I passed it. It could’ve been Andie’s seat. If only…

I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Even if she and Uncle Jack
had
heard the page, it was unlikely that she could make it in time. Not with the crowded concourses or the way the flight attendant glowered when I asked if they could please hold the plane.

I found my seat. It was also on the aisle, and every few seconds I leaned around the seat in front of me, hoping to spot Andie.

A flight attendant came down the aisle, offering magazines. Who could read at a time like this? Instead, I prayed under my breath, begging God to please change His mind about things.

I remembered how Andie had bowed her head in prayer inside the concourse. It was one of the few times she’d ever done such a thing—closing her eyes like that in public—and I asked God to reward Andie for her courage. For her faith. To give her this trip she longed for.

I said “amen” audibly, not caring what the lady beside me thought. When I opened my eyes, I couldn’t believe it. There was Andie Martinez in the flesh. Trooping down the aisle as though she owned the place.

“Yes,” I said, leaping up. “Andie!”

Her face burst into an enormous grin. She waved triumphantly and sat down just as the second officer’s voice came over the intercom. “Flight attendants, prepare for cross-check.”

I fastened my seat belt, making sure it was tight. What an incredible day.

When the plane leveled off at peak altitude, the seat belt sign was turned off and passengers were allowed to move around. Andie didn’t waste any time getting out of her seat. She stood in the aisle beside my seat, beaming. “Is this incredible or what?”

“I know. I mean, here I was coming to get on the plane, and I find out that tall guy isn’t getting on, after all. So, I make a mad dash back up to find you, and you’re gone!”

Her eyes danced with excitement. “You must’ve been totally freaked.”

“Worse,” I said, remembering the panic.

“Well”—she handed me a note—“read this while I use the rest room.”

“Thanks.” I felt like at least a zillion bucks as I opened her note.

Hey, Holly,

This is just too cool. I’m really going to California with you! Can you believe it?

You were right about trusting God and all. It really looked like He’d said no loud and clear—but this…this is so-o-o totally cool. I think between the two of us, our prayers got answered. Pronto!

You should’ve seen your uncle Jack’s face when we heard my name being paged. Actually, he was the one who made it possible for me to catch this plane. He grabbed a luggage cart, I hopped in, and he pushed me faster than lightning back to gate 11. It was so weird. I’m glad you have such a great stepdad. And, in case you didn’t know it…you’re not so bad yourself!

Love ya, kid,

Andie

I refolded her note, smiling. What a sight they must have been, flying down the concourse like that with Andie in a luggage cart.

When she finally came back down the aisle, I stopped her. “I have a fabulous idea. Let’s write notes.”

“You’re on,” she said, trotting back to her seat.

I pulled a fresh piece of lined paper out of my backpack. I always carried a small six-by-nine-inch tablet with me. Essential equipment for a writer.

Dearest Andie,

You won’t believe this, but while you were racing to catch this plane, I was praying. I asked God to reward you for praying in public. Remember back there when you prayed while we were waiting to find out about this flight?

I know it was probably tough for you, but I was really proud. I’m sure God was, too!

Hey, this is weird. I almost feel like we’re in Mr. Ross’s science class passing notes. Now you owe me one.

Friends forever,

Holly

We passed notes back and forth while the flight attendants served us pretzels and a beverage. But afterward, I started feeling wiped out. Andie, however, was wired up and ready for anything. I had to talk her into letting me catch some
z
s during the remainder of the trip. It wasn’t easy.

“How can you sleep when we’re in the middle of a miracle?” she said when she passed my seat on her way back from returning a magazine.

I yawned. “Ever hear of adrenaline depletion?”

“Oh that.”

“Yeah, that,” I said. “Traveling with you is exhausting.”

She actually gave up and let me rest.

Much later I had the privilege of introducing Andie to Daddy, Saundra, and Tyler at the L.A. airport. They seemed pleased that she had come. Daddy was especially interested in hearing about God’s answer to our prayers. Saundra didn’t seem to care.

Once we arrived at the luxurious beach house, Andie and I began settling in. I showed her down the spiral staircase—I called it the Cinderella stairs—to the guest bedrooms. We had two spacious rooms, each opening to a large, cozy sitting room where bookshelves were filled with classics and poetry. And a complete set of the Marty Leigh mystery series. Along with a desk and chair where quiet thoughts could be recorded, there was a huge flatscreen TV and an entertainment system to boot.

After I gave Andie the tour of the lower level, we made quick work of unpacking. She was anxious to swim in the Pacific Ocean. “Do you realize, Holly Meredith, that I’m nearly fifteen years old and I’ve never been in the ocean?” She was already changing into her bathing suit.

I sat in a leather recliner near the windows, drinking in the spectacular view of the blue Pacific. “The water’s salty,” I told her. “You shouldn’t swallow if you get any in your mouth.”

“Yes, mother.” She came over to have another look.

I glanced at her. She was spunky, all right.

“Whew, it feels good putting a couple of states between me and that lousy Ryan whatever-his-face-is.”