Whispers of a New Dawn (31 page)

“He did not say that.”

“He did say that.”

“How embarrassing. He’s known my parents forever.”

“Why is it embarrassing?”

“He’s exaggerating. You’re all exaggerating. I’m just—”

He put a hand to the side of her face. “You’re already dry. Are you warm enough?”

“I guess.”

“You have no idea what your eyes do to me, do you? The feel of your hair in my fingers. What it’s like to kiss you.” He sat up and took both her hands in his. “God. Creator. Redeemer. Thank you for the gift of this woman. She doesn’t see—so help her see. She doesn’t know—help her know. She doesn’t believe in what you’ve put inside her and what you’ve made out of her—help her believe in what you’ve created and what you have died for and how precious she is to you and to others. I’ve needed freedom—a lot of it. So has Nate. So has Becky. But I think she needs even more so she can be everything you put it in her to be. I ask you, our Father, on this night of a moon of white fire, that you will speak into being Becky’s freedom. Turn back the darkness. Bring in more of your light. Set her loose—your daughter, your child, your angel. Open up the ancient gates and set her free. And may she tonight, this very night, here on the shores of this vast sea, know also this—how much a man can love her. How much a man can be faithful to her. How much a man can be blessed by her. In the name of the strong son of God, Jesus Christ, our Lord.”

He released her hands.

“Lie beside me and hold me. My love.”

He lay down and she curled into him, tucking her head against his chest.

“Becky—”

“Shh. No. You’ve said all that needs to be said. I feel your prayer at work in me. I feel God unbolting doors and cracking open windows. I believe you love me in a way not even Moses could love me. I believe God won’t take you away from me. He’s making something more out of me with the love you have for me. It’s astonishing. Miraculous that you can cherish me like this and it can make such a difference to my heart. This is the most perfect night of my life. Hold me closer. Don’t say anything more. Let’s listen to the sea and gaze at the light of the moon and for now, just for now, let the breeze kiss us, the warm breeze, let it put its lips to our skin, let the Holy Spirit fill us up with all his silver and all his gold, and let the love of God be enough for us. Later I’ll want you to tell me again how much I matter to you. Later I’ll want you to light another fire in my heart. But for now just let God speak, and his ocean speak. That’s all we need to hear.”

In a few minutes, his arms wrapped around her and her head over his heart, her eyes closed and she slept. But it was not in Raven to sleep. He had never felt so alive or so grateful or so full of hope. It seemed as if the blood was singing through his bones and fingers and throat. He had all the air he needed, all the soul he needed, all the faith he needed.

He made an effort to wake her after an hour.

“Hey. Stardust. Hey.”

But her breathing was deep and regular, her features like a child’s, and he didn’t try again.

T
WENTY
-T
HREE

L
yyndaya Whetstone was bringing baked chicken out of the oven, when Becky walked through the door in her flying gear and dropped into a chair.

She leaned her head back. “What a day.”

“A lot of students?”

“A lot of students and I was bone-tired to begin with. Thank goodness I have tomorrow off. I’m going to sleep till noon.”

Lyyndaya cut open one of the chicken pieces with a knife and examined it. “What time did you get in last night?”

“Four.”

Lyyndaya licked her fingers. “You’ll be twenty in March. The old gray mare ain’t what she used to be.”

“It’s Thunderbird. He’s the problem. He has the energy of a seventeen-year-old. I’m having trouble keeping up.”

“Shall I phone him and ask him to come over and carry you up to your bedroom?”

“Don’t. He’d probably fly over in his P-36 and do it.” Becky pushed herself to her feet. “I’m hitting the hay.”

“Don’t you want some of my Caribbean chicken? We’re eating once your father gets home.”

“I don’t think I’ll make it.”

“So I’ll put some aside on a plate in the fridge.” She opened a cupboard. “What do you find to do until four in the morning?”

“If you want to know the truth, Mom, not much more than
reading the Bible and praying. He does a lot of that. And I fell asleep for a couple of hours too.”

“Hm.” Lyyndaya looked up as she placed a breast on a plate along with a few spears of pineapple, and her eyes went to Becky’s neck. “Is that your father’s flying scarf from the Great War?”

Becky started up the staircase. “Yes.”

“Why are you wearing it?”

“I found it lying around. The silk is comfortable. I like the feeling.”

Lyyndaya licked her fingers again. “Lying around?”

Becky kept going up the stairs. “See you.”

Ruth was spreading out a quilt on her bed as Becky entered the room. “There. It’s done.”

Becky stared. “It’s beautiful. But the Amish wouldn’t know what to do with it.”

There were patches of pineapples, banana plants, waves, palm trees, and Diamond Head.

Ruth straightened the quilt. “The Amish don’t matter. It’s for Manuku.”

“Manuku. Who needs a quilt in Hawaii?”

“It’s not a heavy quilt. He likes to sleep with all his windows open. Now and then if the wind is rough the apartment gets cool. So this will help.” She smiled at Becky. “A Christmas present.”

Becky walked closer and stood over it. “The colors are amazing. So are you. My aunt is quite the artist.”

Ruth waved a hand. “It’s a simple thing. But I hope he’ll like it.”

“Of course he’ll like it. He likes you, doesn’t he?” Becky peeled off her leather jacket, tossed it over an armchair, and flopped on her back on her bed. “I wish I had a talent like that. There’s nothing I’ve made I can give Christian for a present.” She locked her hands under her head and looked at Ruth. “How serious are you about Manuku?”

Ruth raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips. “Sure, I like him. I do like him. How serious are you about Christian?”

“After last night? Very.”

“What was so special about last night?”

“He read to me from the Bible. He prayed for me. It was just a very spiritual night.”

“The full moon couldn’t have hurt.”

“Moonlight never hurts. But he was even gentler than the moon was. He was so kind to me and so patient. I fell asleep in his arms and I felt totally safe and protected. Nothing was going to hurt me.” Suddenly she sat up. “Ruth, I love him with all my heart. I thank God for him.”

Ruth sat on the quilt. “I’m not so far along as you. The Lord himself knows I wasn’t even looking. I haven’t been looking for years. But Manuku also has been kind and patient—and persistent. Now I feel so alive. So alive, Rebecca.”

“I’m glad.”

Ruth looked up at the ceiling and began to pull the pins from her hair. She grinned. “Oh, the plane ride, the first one—that was something else. All of them have been good but that first time in the sky—my goodness.”

“Why, Auntie Ruth, how many plane rides have there been?”

“Four. I’m getting much better with the stick.”

“Four!”

“The last few weeks have been like wave after wave coming in on Waikiki. The dancing was also good.”

“Dancing…you danced?”

“At a nice place in Honolulu. Very clean. Everyone dressed modestly.”

“What did you wear?”

“Well, he—Manuku—he bought me a gown. I tried to say no. But he can be very charming. It was not expensive. He showed me the sales slip.”

“Where is it?”

“In my closet.”

Becky got up and opened the closet doors. Hidden behind several plain Amish dresses was a black gown. Becky took the hangar off the rack and ran her fingers over the material.

“This has to be silk, Aunt Ruth. It’s like the scarf I’m wearing. It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, of course it’s silk, but not too expensive. And as plain as a gown can be, I suppose.” She raised her palms in the air. “So I’m shunned, and what does it matter? Lyyndaya has been encouraging me.”

“Silk is one of the most wonderful things a woman can wear in
this climate. I plan to get something white and in silk for the Christmas dance. I’d never tell you not to buy silk. Or to turn down a gift of silk.” Becky unwound the scarf from her neck. “Dad had this during the war. Mom kept it in a paper bag inside a drawer, with cedar chips. It looks brand-new.”

Ruth nodded. “I remember that scarf. He gave it to your mother for a wedding present, I think.”

“He did?”

“Or an engagement present. I can’t recall which.”

“I’m so happy about you and Manuku. I never expected you would…”

Ruth laughed. “That I might fall in love? I’m not saying I have, Rebecca. I’m at an age where we tend to take these things more slowly than you who are young. I take it one day at a time. One prayer at a time. It wasn’t expected; but then many of God’s blessings arrive unexpected. No one has been more surprised than me. But I made up my mind last week to enjoy this. For who knows what may happen another day or another month?” She looked down and began to pick pieces of lint off the quilt. “He is a beautiful man.”

“Yes, he is.”

“Knock, knock.” Nate leaned against the door frame. “Am I interrupting?”

Ruth straightened up and put her hands on her knees. “Not at all. Come in.”

Nate remained leaning. “Just a few things. Dad’s home early so Mom wants to serve supper in ten minutes.”

“I’m not eating.” Becky walked back to the closet to hang up the gown. “I’m going to bed. I can hardly keep my eyes open.”

“Really.” One corner of Nate’s mouth lifted in a smile. “There’s also this.” He extended a small white envelope to Ruth. “I was up with Manuku this afternoon.”

Ruth got up and took the envelope. “Thank you. Excuse me a moment while I read it, please.”

“Why were you up with Manuku?” asked Becky. “He and I had an hour together in the morning.”

“Well, Flapjack took me aside while you were up and said he liked
what he was seeing—and that if I continue to progress he’d think about offering me an instructor’s position in the new year. If I was interested.”

“No!” Becky laughed.

“So he wanted me to go up again and he asked Manuku to take me after lunch.”

Becky got up and hugged him. “Oh, that’s wonderful. You’re coming back to life and everyone is starting to notice what a fine pilot you are.”

Ruth, standing by the window, looked up from her letter. “That’s a blessing, Nate. Did you enjoy your time with Manuku?”

“It was swell.” He put his hands in his pockets. “I’m not out of the woods yet. I still hold back. You know it. Manuku knows it.”

Becky kissed his cheek. “Give yourself more time. There’s plenty of time.”

“Yeah.” He cast his eyes down for a moment and then gave the two of them a crooked smile. “Finish your note yet, Aunt Ruth?”

“Just. You act like you know what’s in it.”

“Manuku told me. As a matter of fact, one of the things I wanted to tell you two was that the phone call was actually from Manuku. He’ll be here in an hour.”

“What phone call?” asked Becky, pulling back from her brother. “I never heard the phone ring.”

Ruth folded up the note and placed it in the Bible on her pillow. “We don’t have a great deal of time, Rebecca. We’ll need to eat and get dressed quickly.”

“Get dressed quickly? Get dressed quickly for what? I’m going to bed. I’m exhausted.”

“You don’t look exhausted,” said Nate.

“I’m just excited for you,” Becky said. “And for Aunt Ruth. Really, I don’t know what’s up with the phone call and note, but this gal needs her beauty sleep.” She plopped herself on her bed.

“You look great, sis. No sleep needed.”

“Ha ha. My noble brother. It won’t work. It won’t work for anyone.” She grabbed her pillow and tossed it at him. “Now go. Have a nice evening, both of you.”

“Hey!” A face popped into the doorway. “You ready, Stardust?”

Beck shot back to her feet. “Christian!”

“Did you get my message?”

“What message? There was only a note for Ruth and a phone call from Manuku.”

“There must have been a mix-up. But this is for you.” Raven walked into the room with a huge bouquet of red roses. “You’re the absolute most.”

“Why—” Becky couldn’t count the roses there were so many. She brought them to her nose and breathed in and they covered her face completely. “Christian—”

“I want you to dance with me, baby. Tonight. Double date with Ruth and Manuku. Skinny is the chauffeur. Billy Skipp’s lent us his brand-new Packard One Eighty LeBaron. A metallic carmine-red Sport Brougham. Can you believe that?”

She smiled up at him with her eyes half-closed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”