Seeking His Love (19 page)

What if she had been unwilling to forgive Kyle? What if she’d decided to hold on to her right to be angry with him for all he’d done to her? That would’ve hindered God’s plan to protect N.C.Y.T. and reunite her and Cam.

Her decision to forgive Kyle had freed them all.

She laid her purse on the kitchen table and pondered the awesome power of forgiveness. What a great lesson this had turned out to be for her and her students. They would be talking about this for a long time, and she would have plenty of opportunities to help them process what happened and see God’s hand in it all.

She closed her eyes and whispered a prayer, thanking God for preparing her heart so she could meet Kyle halfway in the forgiveness process.

Opening her eyes, she glanced across the kitchen table. A shaft of sunlight fell on the letter she had received from her father a few days earlier.

Her heart began to pound. Her father’s sinful choices had caused much greater pain than anything Kyle had ever done. But, like Kyle, he had admitted his mistakes and asked forgiveness. And he’d gone even further—searching for her, humbling himself through his confession and asking for a chance to reconnect after all these years.

Rachel pulled his letter from the envelope and ran a trem
bling finger over the page. Tears blurred her vision as she read his words once more.

How could she withhold forgiveness when she had been forgiven for so much?

But what if he wasn’t the man he appeared to be in this letter? What if he let her down and hurt her again? How could she live through that?

She pulled in a deep breath and blew it out slowly.

God had given her the courage and strength to face those parents today and tell the truth. He had also helped her extend His love and forgiveness to Kyle, surely He would take her hand and lead her each step of the way, if she decided to contact her father and rebuild a relationship with him. God was certainly big enough to handle that job, if only she would trust Him.

She gazed out the window at the fading colors of the sunset. “Should I call him? Is that what You’re saying?”

A strong sense of assurance filled her heart. She pulled her cell phone from her purse and smoothed out the letter on the table. With another whispered prayer on her lips, she typed in his number.

R
achel glanced at her watch. Only five minutes remained until the curtain would rise for the final performance of N.C.Y.T.’s summer musical. “Okay, everyone, this is it. Let’s huddle up.” She clasped hands with Kayla on one side and Haley on the other. All the student actors quickly joined them, making a huge circle in the backstage classroom.

Rachel scanned their faces, and her heart felt like it would burst. They had accomplished so much in the last few weeks. Not only had they all pulled together and done an excellent job on the first four performances, they’d all agreed to give up their Labor Day weekend plans to fit in an extra benefit show to help raise funds toward the purchase of the Arts Center.

Chandra rushed into the room waving a piece of paper. “I have a preliminary count on ticket sales.” Her bright smile announced the good news before she read it aloud. “We sold 332 tickets at $35 each for a total of $11,620. Plus some people gave extra gifts, so that should bring us over our $12,000 goal!”

The students cheered, and some hooted and slapped each other on the back.

Rachel lifted her hand to quiet them. “Okay, everyone,
settle down. We don’t want the audience to think there’s a fire back here.”

“We know the drill,” Ryan announced. “Keep a lid on it!”

Everyone laughed, remembering Rachel’s constant reminders to keep quiet in the hallways. But tonight she didn’t blame them for creating a ruckus. She felt like shouting, too.

Over the last three weeks, she and Cam had grown even closer as he pitched in to finish work on the backdrops and sets, made runs for fast food, and helped out wherever she needed him during the final rehearsals. Then, a little over a week ago, they’d received word that Shannon’s treatments were going so well, she and Eric were coming home September 1. Kayla was flying high from that good news.

Rachel’s throat tightened as she looked at her students. “I am so proud of every one of you. I’m sure this is N.C.Y.T.’s best show ever. Let’s take a minute to thank the Lord.”

She bowed her head, and several students spoke short prayers of thanks. She swallowed hard and added her amen, then squeezed Kayla’s hand. The squeeze traveled around the circle and back to her. “All right, go out there and give it your very best!”

With radiant smiles on their faces, the students scattered to their positions on stage and in the wings.

Chandra hooked arms with Rachel. “I can take over back here. Why don’t you go claim that seat between your two special guests?”

“Okay, thanks.” Rachel gave her friend a quick hug, then headed into the auditorium. As the house lights dimmed, she quickly made her way to her seat.

Cam put his arm around her shoulder. “Everything okay backstage?”

“Yes. They’re all ready.”

Her father leaned toward her. “Looks like you have a packed house.”

Rachel nodded and smiled at him, still amazed that he sat beside her.

She had talked to him several times in the past three weeks. A few days ago he’d surprised her by asking if he could visit over Labor Day weekend. She agreed, and they’d made plans together. Rachel asked Cam to go with her to meet him at the airport. She wanted his moral support, but more important, she wanted her father to meet the man who had such a special place in her heart and life.

When John Harding walked into the baggage claim area, she greeted him with a hug, overflowing tears and laughter. Being in her father’s arms after all these years was a gift she could hardly comprehend.

The opening prelude began to play, and she focused on the burgundy curtain.

Her father leaned closer. “I was going to wait until after the show, but maybe this will help you reach that goal.” He handed her a folded check.

Rachel opened it, squinted at the amount and gasped. “Dad! This is too much.”

“No, I’ve missed a lot of birthdays, Christmases and graduations over the years. I’d like to do this for you.”

She nodded and smiled. “Thank you. That’s very generous.”

“You’re welcome.” He grinned. “Maybe it will buy me a permanent seat at all your future performances.”

“Of course.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “You’ll always have one, right here, front and center.”

He took her hand. “I know a gift like that can’t make up for all I’ve missed, but I want you to know I’d be happy to cover the expenses for a wedding of your dreams.”

“Dad!” She laughed, thankful the dim lights hid her flushed face. What would Cam think?

“Oh, no rush on that. I just want you to know the money’s there should the need arise.” He leaned forward and winked at Cam.

Cam grinned. “Thanks. We’ll keep that in mind.”

An hour and a half later, following the final curtain call, Rachel stood on stage with her cast, holding a beautiful bouquet of coral roses her students had given her. “Thank you for coming tonight. The work of N.C.Y.T. would not be possible without the encouragement and support of our families and friends.” She smiled at the audience, then her gaze settled on Cam.

“I’d also like to thank the members of the Arts Center Cooperative who share space with us here. Cam, would you come up and join me?”

The cast and audience clapped as Cam hustled up the steps and met her at center stage, his blue eyes glowing with warmth and affection.

“We’d like to present you with a check toward the purchase of this building. A very generous donor matched our ticket sales tonight, bringing the total to $24,172.”

The audience and cast burst into applause.

“Thank you all so much for your generous support.” She beamed a smile at her father before turning back to the audience. “We hope this is the first of many productions Northcoast Christian Youth Theater will be able to bring you from this wonderful facility. And now I’d like to invite all the cast members and their families to join us for a celebration in the community room.”

Conversation and laughter filled the air as the cast and their families gathered to visit and share refreshments following the show. In one corner, Ross set up his computer and
was already showing video footage he had shot during that evening’s performance. Several of the kids gathered around, laughing and joking with each other as they watched themselves singing and dancing across the screen.

Rachel gripped Cam’s hand a little tighter as Haley’s parents approached.

“Great job, Ms. Clark.” Gary Mitchell lifted his punch cup toward her, his gray eyes twinkling.

“Thank you. I’m really proud of Haley and all the kids.”

“Well, they couldn’t have done it without you and your staff.”

Gail Mitchell nodded, then she took her husband’s arm and they headed toward the refreshment table.

Cam grinned. “I’d say you’ve definitely won over this crowd.”

“You think so?” Rachel stepped closer, glad she could share this special celebration with Cam.

Kayla wove through the group, still dressed in her wig and costume. “Rachel, These are my parents, Shannon and Eric Norton.” A proud smile lit up her face as she introduced them. “And this is Rachel Clark, our director and Uncle Cam’s upstairs neighbor.”

Shannon reached to shake Rachel’s hand. “It’s great to finally meet you. Cam and Kayla have been talking about you nonstop.”

“Good to meet you, too. I’m so glad you were able to make it back for tonight’s performance. Kayla did a terrific job.”

“She’s quite a little songbird, isn’t she?” Eric put his arm around his daughter, and she smiled up at him. “Being in your program this summer has been a real blessing for Kayla. Thanks for making that possible.”

“My pleasure.”

Kayla leaned to the left and looked across the room. A smile broke over her face. “Come on. There’s someone else
I want you to meet.” She hooked arms with her parents and took them to the circle of friends watching the video. Kayla introduced Ryan to them. He nodded and smiled at Shannon, then shook hands with Eric.

“Good. It’s their watch now,” Cam said.

Rachel chuckled.

He grinned at her and walked toward the side door.

“Where are we going?”

“Outside.”

“But what will the parents say if we disappear?”

He sent her a sly grin. “I don’t think they’ll notice, but if they do, they’ll probably say, ‘Way to go, Cam.’”

She laughed and gave him a playful nudge. “You’re terrible.”

“No, I just want a little time alone with you.”

Her stomach fluttered. “I suppose no one would mind if we step out for a few minutes.”

He pushed open the door, and hand in hand they walked across the newly planted sod toward a pretty wrought-iron bench that Paxton’s Garden Center had donated and installed last week.

Above the last rays of the fading sunset, a few bright stars twinkled overhead. Rachel pulled in a deep breath and let the peaceful surroundings settle her heart.

They sat on the bench. He scooted closer and placed his arm around her shoulder. “I’ve been thinking about us a lot lately.” All the teasing had disappeared from his voice. “And praying, too.”

Her heartbeat sped up. “Get any answers?”

“A few.” He turned to her and touched her cheek, his blue-eyed gaze intense. “I love you, Rachel, more than I ever thought possible.”

Her heart lifted, and a smile bloomed on her lips. “I love you, too. I have for a long time.”

That last statement seemed to catch him by surprise. “I never expected to love anyone again. Not because the love Marie and I shared was so great, but more because I felt like a failure at loving her.”

She laid her hand over his heart. “I’m sure she didn’t think that, Cam.”

“Maybe not, but I’ve learned some important things since then.”

She looked up, thrilled he was sharing on such a deep level.

“I know now how important it is to treasure the one you love, to protect her and cherish her…and that’s what I intend to do.” He pulled her closer, into the circle of his arms. She laid her head on his chest and listened to the sound of his heart beating strong and sure. Then he lowered his lips to meet hers.

They shared a lingering kiss full of tender hope and sweet promises.

Finally he leaned back, but he was still just a whisper away.

Rachel smiled. “All my life I’ve been looking for a man I could trust and love, someone I could give my whole heart to.”

“So do you think you finally found him?” The teasing glint returned to his eyes.

She nodded and smiled, then kissed him again to make sure he knew her answer.

Dear Reader,

Thanks for traveling with me to Fairhaven, Washington, and spending time with Cam, Rachel, Ross, Chandra, Kayla and all the other characters in
Seeking His Love.
I hope you enjoyed the journey! Fairhaven is a real town, a section of Bellingham, Washington, and many of the locations and businesses I mentioned in the story can be found there. If you ever travel through northwestern Washington, I hope you will stop in and pay our friends in Fairhaven a visit.

The themes of forgiveness, honesty and families being reunited are all dear to my heart, and I hope as Rachel and Cam wrestled with them, you were prompted to think about those issues in your own life, as well.

I believe God placed the desire to seek love in everyone’s heart. He does this to draw us to Himself and to motivate us to build relationships with others. God longs to provide that love to you. His arms are always open. He is waiting for you to come to Him, pour out your sorrows and failures and receive His forgiveness and love. Jesus makes that all possible for us. What a wonderful Savior!

I would love to hear from you. You may e-mail me at [email protected] or visit my Web site, www.carrieturansky.com.

Until next time,

Carrie Turansky