“What … I mean, now? At the last minute?” Lisa looked stunned. She was out of breath from disbelief.
“It was the interview.” Chase took the paper and pointed to the second paragraph. “Remember Ben Adams? Turns out his daughter’s a production assistant and she saw the piece on Entertainment Tonight. She called her dad and he connected the dots. All those messages you left, Keith, and now his daughter’s excited about the film.” He laughed and paced a few steps in each direction, clearly giddy with joy and disbelief. “Ben Adams is completely on board—whatever we need, he’ll give us. Look at this,” he pointed to a line near the bottom of the letter.
“Ben Adams ‘would like to be invested in Oak River films at every level, every film. Whatever it takes to see this mission succeed. He’ll be in contact with you later today.’”
Keith reached for Lisa and the two of them hung onto each other, fighting their tears, but losing. “Whatever it takes?”
“At every level?” Lisa’s shock and joy came out as a relieved laugh. “Only God could’ve done this.”
“Exactly.” Chase beamed at them. “That’s how He likes to do things—at the last minute, so we’ll know for sure it wasn’t our brilliance or our great plans or our hard work that brought about the miracle. It’s Him.”
Keith wasn’t surprised, not deep inside. All along he’d believed God could bring them the money to finish the film, if that’s what He wanted. No, the feeling overwhelming him now wasn’t shock as much as it was gratitude. Their great and mighty God was giving the okay for them to move forward in a mission field desperate for truth, crying out for a reason to believe.
As he held onto his wife, he thought about what Chase had said, how maybe God was sparing them from a greater failure. Thank You, Lord … that You’re not finished with us yet. That You’ll still allow a couple of average guys like Chase and me to make a movie like this.
I know the plans I have for you … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
The verse flashed in his mind and Keith knew it was an answer, a direct answer from a God who could oversee the entire world and still have time to show his grace and mercy to a couple of small-time producers.
He held out his arms and clasped hands with Lisa and Chase. “Lord … we are speechless, amazed at Your mighty power and the way that Your will was done here today. We promise You,” he paused, his voice thick with emotion, “as sure as we stand here today that we will make this movie and any other film You let us create, and that we will not compromise the message of truth and faith and redemption. We will bring Your voice to the world as long as You allow us to do so. We thank You, God … we celebrate Your sovereignty and we rejoice that You brought Ben Adams into our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Keith opened his eyes and grinned at his wife and his best friend. “Now, let’s get out there and wrap this movie.”
THE PARTY WAS HELD ON A lawn near the east side of campus, close to where the final scenes were shot, and not far from the place where earlier that day Chase picked up his megaphone and shouted the words he’d been longing to say from the first day he set foot on the set.
“That’s a wrap!”
Now the cast and crew were celebrating with barbecued ribs and an enormous chocolate cake that read, “Congratulations to the amazing cast and crew of The Last Letter.”
Chase was refilling his glass of iced tea when Janetta Drake walked up and gave him a side hug. “You did it.”
“Come on, Janetta.” Nothing could touch the great mood Chase was in. He grinned at his favorite actress. “You know better than that.”
“You’re right.” She stepped back, her face practically glowing. “God did this.” She angled her head as if she were weighing whether she should say the next part. “You were in big trouble a week ago, weren’t you?”
He breathed in sharply and shook his head just once. “You have no idea.”
“When you came up to Keith in the middle of the meeting … it was because God had given you a miracle, right?”
“Were you hiding in the production trailer?” He laughed, because he could. They could all laugh now that they were on this side of that crucial day.
“I was praying, like I told you. Every day. And that morning I woke up with the strongest sense that a very serious battle was taking place over the continuation of our movie. I figured something big was going to happen, and, well … we could all read the direction Keith was headed with his talk.”
“You’re right.” He chuckled. “About everything. And yes, I got word that day about a new investor. He wants to do whatever he can to help us—not just with this movie, but with all of it.”
Janetta’s smile said she wasn’t surprised. She hugged him once more. “We serve a mighty God.”
“Yes, we do.”
Chase would’ve loved for Kelly to be here, but it was Friday, and until yesterday they hadn’t been sure they would wrap today. Now, though, he and Keith would spend one more day making sure everything was torn down and shipped to its proper place, and then they’d fly home. At this point, it made more sense for Kelly and the girls to wait there for him.
Keith and Lisa were talking with the DP, laughing about something and for a long moment Chase looked around the wrap party and soaked in every detail. Janetta had told them that a few of the minor actors had recommitted their lives to God because of what they’d experienced working on The Last Letter. The thought made Chase smile. God was letting lives be changed already.
There was a commotion near the edge of the field where it butted against the parking lot. Andi and Bailey had arrived for the party, the two of them grinning and happy. The girls walked over to Lisa and Keith, and it was easy to see that whatever struggles his friends were having with their daughter, they were working things out.
It was another victory, and Chase could feel God’s presence moving powerfully among them. The dailies had continued to show footage that took their breath away, footage that most certainly when combined and edited would put them in the running for film festivals and awards.
The future was more than Chase could imagine, so here he would simply enjoy the celebration, the finish line they’d reached together. He was drinking his iced tea, leaning against one of the picnic tables brought in for the party, when he heard voices behind him.
He turned and though the sun was setting and darkness was falling around them, he saw two people approaching—one a kind-looking man in his sixties, the other a tall, leggy blonde with an aura of charisma that shone in her eyes and her smile. He hadn’t seen either of them before, and at first he figured they must’ve been locals, residents of Bloomington come to check out the final day of filming. But as they came closer, Keith hurried over and introduced himself to them. Chase couldn’t hear them, but his friend’s body language said they were someone Keith was expecting, someone he was thrilled to be meeting. Chase stood and walked toward them.
“Hey … there he is.” Keith waved him over. “Come meet Ben Adams and his daughter, Kendall.”
Chase tried not to show his surprise as he put the pieces together. This was Kendall Adams, the woman who had seen his feature story on Entertainment Tonight. Kendall reached out and shook his hand. “I loved your interview.”
“Yes.” Her father stepped up and did the same. “You were insightful about your purpose, and direct with your intentions. Very well done, young man.” Ben seemed to realize that formal introductions hadn’t been made. “Forgive me. I’m Ben, and this is my daughter, Kendall.”
“I’m Chase Ryan, sir.” He looked from Ben back to Kendall. “Nice to meet you both.” He sent a half smile in Keith’s direction. “I didn’t realize you were coming.”
Keith chuckled. “I wanted you to be surprised.”
Chase raised his eyebrows. “It worked.”
They all laughed and Keith led them across the grassy field to the table where Lisa was sitting. There were more introductions, and then Kendall looked at t
he group of them, her eyes dancing with what looked like some unspoken bit of news. “I’m glad you’re all sitting.”
Chase liked her already, her determination and the positive attitude that exuded from her.
“You’ll have to get used to Kendall,” her father patted her hand. “She’s a doer. Around her I always say look out and expect the unexpected.” He lowered his voice and leaned across the table toward Keith and Chase. “It’s like she’s got a direct line to God.”
They had Chase’s attention. He reminded himself to inhale as he waited for whatever was coming.
“Okay, so before I left the office, I took a call from a literary agent.” She laughed. “I’m not sure how he heard about my father’s connection with the two of you, but he told me that one of his novelists has a great story that’s been sitting at the top of the New York Times Bestseller List for more than a month. The woman’s had offers from producers interested in making her book into a movie, but she’s turned them all down.”
“Never from the right people, mind you.” Ben smiled proudly at Kendall, his eyes full of anticipation.
“Anyway, the agent tells me his author would love to sign the rights over to the two of you. She saw the special on ET too, and she can’t wait to work with you.”
What? Chase worked to keep his mouth from falling open. Had she just said that? Of course, Chase knew the book, and he had no doubt that a film on the subject would have dramatic life-changing potential. He looked at Keith and all he knew for sure was that his friend was experiencing the same surprise and disbelief. Chase held onto the bench on either side of him so he wouldn’t fall to the ground. “So now … I mean, this is unbelievable because—”
“Wait!” Kendall laughed in delight. “There’s more.” She swapped a conspiratorial look with her father. “You want to tell them?”
“No, honey.” He easily deferred to her. “This was your deal.”
“As soon as I knew we could have the rights to the novel, I called a friend of mine—Brandon Paul.” She hesitated, looking more like a little girl on Christmas morning than a powerful player in the world of show business.
Chase felt his head begin to spin. Brandon Paul? He was twenty-one, a hit Disney sensation, whose face and image were on everything from T-shirts to lunch boxes and key chains. Everything he touched turned to gold, and more than that he had a young generation of kids looking up to him, wanting to be just like him.
“So, here’s the deal.” Kendall kept her voice low, so the people at the table next to them couldn’t hear what she was saying. “I told him about the book and the two of you, and … no, he’s not a Christian, but he likes his image clean. He’s talking to his agent today, but he would love to play the lead.”
Keith looked like he might pass out, and Chase understood how he was feeling. He tried to swallow, but his mouth was too dry. Instead he looked intently at Kendall. “You’re serious? This all happened in the last few days?”
“Yes! Because God is with the two of you, I can feel it.” She held her hands out to her sides, showing an exuberance that clearly couldn’t be contained. “He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, right? This mission you’re on, we have no idea how big it’ll be.”
They talked a little longer, and Ben moved the conversation back to his daughter. “Kendall likes her work as a production assistant,” he stroked his chin, his eyes thoughtful, “but I think she’d be better suited working with the two of you. I mean, I’m invested either way, but I thought I’d mention it.”
“Dad.” She gave him a patient look that said he’d overstepped his bounds just a little. She turned to Chase and Keith. “I wasn’t going to ask you just yet, but I’d like you to think about it. I can get you plenty of funds—not just from my dad, but from other investors I know.” She hesitated and her excitement was like fresh air in a stuffy locker room. “I believe the same way you do about the power of film. I want to be a part of this if you’ll let me.”
Keith took the lead. “I like the idea. Chase and I can discuss it this next week.”
She smiled. “Good enough.”
Their conversation moved from the quality of footage Chase and Keith had gotten while on the Bloomington set, to the possibilities that lay ahead for their next project. Kendall and her father stayed only an hour and then left for the airport, a one-day turn-around trip to tell them the unbelievable news in person.
Gradually, the party wore down and the cast and crew exchanged hugs and phone numbers, photographs and promises to stay in touch. A warm humid weather front had moved into town, and the locals had been talking all weekend about this being their Indian summer, and how even August hadn’t been this hot. Chase loved the change. The warm night air felt wonderful compared with the cold from a week ago. They were walking to the car when Chase stopped and stared at a cropping of bushes at the edge of the field. It couldn’t be, but then … he stared at the sight, and he felt goosebumps on his arms.
“What is it?” Keith followed his gaze. “What’re you looking at?”
“Don’t you see them, flashing their pretty lights near the bushes?” Lisa grinned, snuggling close to Keith. “They’re fireflies. The last of the summer.”
“Right.” Chase was drawn to the sight, unable to look away. “Fireflies.”
They climbed in the car and Chase thought about the little Baxter girl, the ET interview, and the faith of his wife and friends. He was reminded of God’s provision and providence, his miracles and majesty. With what they had faced this past week, and the victories that had unfolded, of course there would be fireflies tonight. He could feel God near him, reminding him of His great and marvelous love.
Because if fireflies were real … then God could get them through anything.
A NOTE FROM KAREN
Dear Friends,
For months now I’ve been getting your letters, smiling when you ask me, “You’re not really going to stop writing about Bailey and Cody, are you?” The answer was as easy for me as it’s been for you. Bailey and Cody live on in my heart, where my imagination is watching them move into their college years, and into the lives God has for them. When a story is that strong in my heart, I have no choice but to write about it.
As much as I love writing every story God gives me, I must say there was a special joy bringing to life this first book in my new series. I had fun knowing that if my new characters needed a doctor, John Baxter wasn’t far away, and that when legal troubles presented themselves, Luke Baxter was the natural attorney for the job. The idea that Ashley and her sisters would pray for my producers made this book special for two reasons—I love the new characters, but I can still check in with the old.
For those of you who don’t know it, the Baxter family was the subject of my Redemption Series, Firstborn Series, and Sunrise Series—in that order. If you haven’t read them, you miss nothing by staying with this new series. On the other hand, you can go back and read their stories and have a little more to smile about when you hear mention of Cole or Maddie, Tommy or Hayley.
Another reason I’m going to love this series is that I’ll have the chance to take a hard look at some of the contemporary issues facing our society today, how it’s easy to become confused and embrace whatever becomes popular with the culture, and how difficult it is to see real truth in anything we view in movies or on TV, anything we read about in the newspapers.
All that, and of course, Bailey and Cody. I love that they’re on a college campus, where so much of our nation’s moral crisis is rooted. This series will give me the chance to show through Bailey’s character how hard it is to stand up for the truth in the face of today’s free-for-all social climate. Mistakes will be made and consequences will take place, but through it all God’s voice will be heard. The way His voice is always heard whether people are willing to listen or not.
In the books ahead, Bailey and Cody, Andi and her parents, Chase and Kelly, and Kendall Adams all will face great temptations and trials, and at the same time brill
iant, tearful triumphs. As always, I’m grateful that you’re starting this new journey with me, and I look forward to hearing your feedback. You can contact me at my website, www.KarenKingsbury.com.
Take a minute and visit my website where you can get to know other readers, and become part of a community that agrees there is life-changing power in something as simple as a story. On my website you can post prayer requests or you can stop by to pray for those in need. You can also send in a photo of your loved one serving our country, or let us know of a fallen soldier. Either way people will be praying for you and your family, grateful for your sacrifice to our country.
My website will also tell you about my ongoing contests including “Shared a Book,” which encourages you to let me know when you’ve shared one of my books with someone in your life. Each time you let me know, you’re entered for the chance to spend a summer weekend with my family. In addition, everyone signed up for my monthly newsletter is automatically entered into an ongoing once-a-month drawing for a free signed copy of my latest novel.
On my website you can find out which women’s events I’ll be speaking at next, and whether you might live close enough so we’d have the chance to meet in person, share a hug, or take a picture together. There are also links that will help you with matters that are important to you—faith and family, adoption, and ways to help others.
Also, you can find out a little more about me and my family, my Facebook and Youtube channel, and my Karen’s Movie Monday—where I release a Youtube clip each Monday dealing with some aspect of my family and faith, and the wonderful world of Life-Changing Fiction™. Finally, if you gave your life over to God during the reading of this book, or if you found your way back to a faith you’d let grow cold, send me a letter at
[email protected] KarenKingsbury.com and write, “New Life” in the subject line. I would encourage you to connect with a Bible-believing church in your area, and get hold of a Bible. If you can’t find one, and can’t afford one—include your address in your email and I’ll send you one.