Rainbow's End (20 page)

“I love you, Keith,” she whispered, her voice choked.

A smile whispered at the corners of his mouth. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes!”

As his smile blossomed into a grin, he slipped the ring over her finger. “What would you think about a Christmas wedding?”

“That's the best present I could ever hope for.”

“Then let's seal this engagement the proper way.”

When he reached for her, Jill went willingly into his arms. And as his lips claimed hers, she gave thanks for the gift of love that had graced her life. For a faith that sustained her through the dark times. And for the clear, bright dawn of a new day.

Keith, too, said a silent prayer of thanks as he pulled her
close. Two years ago, he thought his life had ended. But here, in this place apart, he'd found a new life. A new love. A new family. And he'd found his way back to the Lord. The journey had been long and difficult, the destination often obscured by the fog of doubt and anger and bitterness. But in the end, that fog had been diffused by the warmth of God's love, like mist kissed by the sun. And His wondrous light had shone once again in Keith's heart.

In his old life, Keith had often preached about the presence of everyday miracles. Of how the ordinary could become extraordinary if viewed through the lens of faith.

That was how he viewed the love that had transformed his life. Given in a simple, heartfelt way, the gift of a lovely, lonely woman and an abandoned little boy, it had rescued him from the darkness, illuminating his life with goodness and hope. If he lived to be a hundred, he knew it would always remain the greatest blessing he had ever received.

And as Jill's sweet lips surrendered to his, as he lost himself in the warmth of her embrace, he thought once more of the sign she'd painted with such vibrant colors. Rainbow's End.

How apt. For here, in this place, he'd found the golden light of faith, hope and love.

And that was a far greater treasure than any leprechaun's pot of gold.

Eighteen months later

K
eith adjusted his clerical collar, slipped his arms into the sleeves of his black suit jacket and turned toward Jill, who sat on the bed. “Ready?”

Distracted, she replied without looking up. “Mmm-hmm.”

A tender smile curved his lips, and Keith sat beside her to fold back the edge of the soft pink blanket in her arms. Sarah Elizabeth looked up at him with wide blue eyes, gurgling with pleasure when he extended a finger. She wrapped her tiny hand around it and squeezed, her strong grip always surprising and delighting him.

“She's perfect, isn't she?” Jill stared at her daughter in awe.

“Yes. Just like her mother.”

At last Jill transferred her attention from her daughter to her husband. He was looking at her now, the soft light of love warm and tender in his eyes, his gaze caressing her face, making her feel beautiful despite her scars. As he always did.
She reached out a hand to him, too overcome with emotion to speak, and he took it, pressing a kiss to her palm.

“Hey up there! I think we have a christening to attend, don't we?”

Deb's voice floated up the stairs, and Jill tugged on her hand. When Keith held fast, she gave him a quizzical look.

“We'll pick up here later,” he promised, brushing his lips across her forehead before relinquishing her hand with obvious reluctance.

“Hey! Anybody home up there?” Deb tried again.

“We'll be right down,” Jill called. Lowering her voice, she leaned close to Keith. “I'll remember that.”

With a chuckle he rose and lifted his daughter. “Come on, Miss Sarah. It's your day to shine.”

As they descended the steps, Jill looked around at the group assembled for the christening. Deb had come, with her burly, raven-haired husband Tony, in tow, a big teddy bear of a man who Jill had loved as a brother since the day Deb brought him home. Bob Michaels was there, too. And a number of friends would join them for a celebration afterward, including Madeleine and Cindy.

“Where are Dominic and Kyle?” Jill asked.

“Who knows? They were here a minute ago. It's impossible to keep track of their comings and goings,” Deb replied, rolling her eyes.

“I'll round them up,” Tony offered.

“Now isn't that a pretty sight,” Bob Michaels said, reaching out to stroke a finger down Sarah's cheek as Keith handed her back to Jill.

“I have to agree. But then, I'm partial,” Jill admitted with a smile.

“To be honest, I was talking about the baby
and
the mother,” Keith's father responded.

Grinning, Jill turned to her husband. “Flattery must run in the family.”

“Not at all. The Michaels men are just an honest bunch,” Keith replied with a wink.

“Hey, Mom, can I hold Sarah?” Kyle skidded to a stop directly in front of Jill, Dominic close on his heels.

“We need to leave now. But you can hold her when we get to church,” Keith promised.

“Okay. Can I ride with Dominic, Dad?”

“If Aunt Deb says it's okay.”

“Sure. The more the merrier,” Jill's sister replied with a grin.

“Good. I wasn't finished telling Dominic about the garden Dad and I are planting.”

“Don't you two ever run out of things to talk about?” Deb teased.

The two boys looked at her as if she'd sprouted two heads.

“How could we run out of stuff to talk about?” Kyle asked. “I haven't even told Dominic about the whale I saw last week, or about the baby hawk Mom and I found that had a broken wing, or about the field trip I took at school to see the English Camp on San Juan Island, or about the solo I sang with the school choir at the final assembly or…”

“Okay, okay, I get the picture!” Deb held up her hands, laughing. “Sorry I asked.” She grinned at Jill. “And you were worried about the language thing.”

That was true. But it was also history. Once Kyle had started to talk, there had been no stopping him. It was as if he was trying to say all the words he'd stored up for so long.
Which was perfectly normal, according to Marni. And perfectly fine with Keith and her.

“I think we'd better hit the road,” Keith reminded everyone.

A few minutes later, while Keith's father climbed into the back of Jill's car—keeping one protective hand on his new granddaughter's car seat—the other foursome headed toward Tony's rental car. By the time Keith and his father double-checked all the latches securing their precious cargo, the other car had begun to ease down the gravel driveway, disappearing from sight with a merry toot.

When Keith stood at last and closed the door, he turned to find Jill watching him, the May breeze caressing her soft, lustrous hair.

“You look very handsome, Reverend,” she said, a serene smile lifting the corners of her lips. “The collar suits you.

“It still feels a bit odd to wear it again. But good. And right.”

That was another way he'd been blessed, Keith reflected. Reverend Campbell's retirement had paved the way for him to ease back into the ministry. The congregation hadn't really needed a full-time minister, and the members had been amenable to their former pastor's suggestion that following his retirement, Keith take over his duties on a part-time basis. Splitting his time between carpentry and ministry had given Keith's life a perfect balance.

“It shows. You seem very content.”

“So do you, Mrs. Michaels.”

In truth, she was. Surrounded, sheltered and uplifted by Keith's love; adored by her son; entrusted with the gift of a new life to nuture…how could she not be? And as icing on the cake, her work was receiving critical acclaim. Plus, her
commissions were mushrooming as a result of her show in Seattle and another, a few months later, in Portland.

“Hey, you two, I think this little lady has a date at church.”

Bob Michaels's voice pulled them both back to the moment, and they looked down to find the older man watching them through the open window with a twinkle in his eye.

“If we don't get a move on, it will take a miracle to get us there on time,” he added.

Keith and Jill exchanged a look, and the luminous smile on his wife's face confirmed that they were thinking exactly the same thing.

They'd make it to the church on time. Because they believed in miracles.

After all, they were living one every day.

Dear Reader,

Many times I'm asked where I get the ideas for my novels. Often I can point to a particular incident or a snippet of conversation that planted the seed of a story by triggering that all-important question: What if?

This book was a little bit different. For some reason, the San Juan Islands kept popping into my mind. Always attracted by off-the-beaten-path places, I felt a strong urge to explore them. And as that urge intensified, so did the questioning process. What might bring a woman to those isolated shores to live a reclusive life? What might bring an eligible man to her doorstep—and make him stay? And so this book was born.

When I visited the islands to research the setting, they were exactly as I'd pictured them—and the story I'd envisioned came to life. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed the journey that led to it!

I invite you to visit my Web site at www.irenehannon.com to learn more about this book and others I've written.

May many special journeys be in store for you during the year ahead!

1. In
   Rainbow's End,
   all three of the main characters— Jill, Keith and Kyle—are scarred. Some of their scars are visible, some are not. Discuss how each character deals with his or her particular scars. What behavior do they have in common at the beginning of the story?
   
2. Discuss the importance of the setting in this book. How does the location enhance the story?
   
3. Jill's disfigurement makes it difficult for many to see past her damaged face to the whole person beneath. Why are people who are disabled, disfigured or merely different sometimes avoided or shunned? How did Jesus treat outcasts? Why is it important to respect and appreciate the uniqueness of every individual?
   
4. When Keith's life is turned upside down, he feels betrayed and his heart is consumed with anger and bitterness. In the end he realizes that in order to reconnect with God—and with love—he must learn to forgive. What does the Lord teach us about forgiveness? Why is it often so hard to pardon those who have wronged us?
   
5. Keith's father and Jill's sister provide moral support for their respective relatives in the story. How do their caring and encouragement help Jill and Keith survive their traumas? Discuss the value of a strong, loving support system. Can you think of some examples in your own life when a friend or loved one helped you through a difficult time? How did their support make a difference?
   
6. Although Jill's faith wavers after the accident, it eventually steadies and strengthens. When Keith asks about her faith journey, she explains that she finally stopped asking “why?” and learned to accept without understanding. Have you had experiences in your own life that were difficult to understand? How did you make peace with them? What impact did that resolution have on your life?
   
7. Keith's marriage was not all he had hoped it would be. His wife suffered from psychological problems, including depression. What kind of strains do these types of problems put on a relationship? Why is it difficult to sustain love under these circumstances? Can you think of any advice for someone in a situation like this?
   
8. Why does Keith fall in love with Jill, and she with him? Discuss the qualities in them that appeal to each other, and cite specific instances where those qualities were displayed through behavior. Why would these qualities be important in any relationship? What other qualities would enhance a relationship or marriage?
   
9. Why does Kyle feel comfortable around Jill's nephew, Dominic, but not around adults? How does Jill ultimately win his trust? What behavior does Keith learn from his dad that helps him become a father figure to Kyle?
   
10. When Kyle needs a foster parent, Jill volunteers—even though she knows it will require her to venture back into society. What does that decision say about her character? Can you think of a situation in your life when you were able to put your own fears aside in order to help someone else? How did you find the courage to do that?