Take Two (37 page)

Laurie seemed to understand that something was happening with Kelly. She put her hand on Kelly’s shoulder. “It’s okay,” she
whispered. “Let God have His way.”

Kelly nodded as the tears ran down her face and into her mouth. Salty and hot.
I’m sorry, Jesus. I don’t want to fight anymore. I surrender. I surrender completely.
She didn’t need more convincing. The picture of Nicole straining for Jesus and being held back was one that would stay with
her forever. A picture of the battle. But the victory would also stay with her. She didn’t need to fight against shame and
guilt and depression. She only needed to stay close to Jesus, where the things that warred against her soul didn’t stand a
chance. Close enough to touch the hem of His garment.

The way she was standing now.

Dear Reader Friends,

More than any other book I’ve written, I was amazed at how life imitated art while I was writing
Take Two
. Midway through the book, and even after I’d written my outline, I had the privilege of attending the Palm Springs Film Festival,
where my movie
Like Dandelion Dust
was one of the featured films.
Like Dandelion Dust
was selected as Best of the Festival and received much praise from local news and even a stunning review in
Variety
. In addition, it won Best Picture at a number of other film festivals.

But that is pretty much where the similarities ended.

The brothers who produced
Like Dandelion Dust
experienced some of the logistical distractions detailed in
Take One
, but here in
Take Two
fiction took over. There was no Kendall Adams or Ben Adams in the lives of the real producers. Even so, I believe the storyline
of the fictional producers represents an important truth. In today’s market, there is a great hunger for Christian films,
for movies with a message and not merely a couple hours of mindless entertainment. That said, the struggle remains. The task
of putting a movie onto the big screen is still daunting. I encourage you to pray for the many real-life producers like Chase
Ryan and Keith Ellison who sacrifice much for the sake of changing the world with the power of film.

Also, I love that this series gives me the chance to follow Bailey and Cody and their group of friends. College life is very
difficult for today’s young people, with many distractions to faith and family and all that is right. It’s important to see
how differently a young Christian girl can meet those challenges and tests. Certainly as Andi goes her own way, the consequences
will become clear. Likewise, as Bailey chooses God’s will, though she may have heart-ache at times, she will find the plans
God has for her.

In the books ahead Tim and 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 brilliant, tearful triumphs. As always, I’m grateful you’re continuing this new journey with
me, and I look forward to hearing your feedback.

Take a minute and visit my website at
www.KarenKingsbury.com, 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 pray for those in need. You can send in a photo of your
loved one serving our country or let us know of a fallen soldier we can honor on our Fallen Heroes page.

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.

Also on my website you can find out which women’s conferences I’ll speak at next and whether you might live close enough so
we’ll have the chance to meet, to share a hug, or take a picture together. In addition there are links that will help you
with matters that are important to you — faith and family, adoption, and ways to help others.

Of course, on my site 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] and write “New Life” in the subject line. I would encourage you to connect with a Bible-believing church in your area, and
to get hold of a Bible. If you can’t afford a Bible — include your address in your e-mail and I’ll send you one.

One more thing: I’ve started a program where I will donate a book to any high school or middle school librarian who makes
a request. Check out my website for details.

Again, thanks for traveling with me through the pages of this book. I can’t wait to see you next time. My next book will be
a stand-alone called
Shades of Blue
. It’s a book I’ve been longing to write for three years. After that, look for
Take Three
!

Until then, keep reaching for the hem of His garment.

In His light and love,
Karen Kingsbury

www.KarenKingsbury.com

Please use the following questions for your book club, small group, or for personal reflection.

1. The editing process was long and tedious for Keith and Chase. What do you think drove them to put in such long hours? What
have you been a part of in the past that required an amazing effort? What drove you in that effort?

2. What led to Kelly’s discouragement and depression? Share about a time when you or someone you know was taken into a dark
time because of a series of events.

3. Kelly struggled with mindless eating. Discuss what you know about this type of problem. What do you think led Kelly to
struggle with this?

4. Thanksgiving Day at Katy and Dayne’s was a chance for the Baxter family to be back together again. Tell about the times
during the year when you and your family get together. What made this time special for the Baxters? What makes these times
special for you and your family?

5. Discuss the importance of being thankful. What were the things Keith and Chase and their wives were thankful for? What
are ten things you are thankful for?

6. What led Andi to be interested in the offer from the student filmmaker — Taz? Why is flattery from worldly sources such
a dangerous thing in our walk with the Lord? Talk about a time when flattery led you to make a decision you regret.

7. Bailey felt a strain in her friendship with Cody through much of this story. What caused this strain? Share about a time
when you experienced a strain with a close friend. What caused the strain, and what brought the friendship back around again?

8. For Keith and Chase, the first part of
Take Two
has them at a time in their professional careers when everything seems to be going right. What did the producers learn during
this time? Have you learned more about your faith in good times, or in difficult times? Explain.

9. Cody wants desperately to help his mom stay on the right path, but still he worries about her. What does Cody do to show
his mother he’s there for her? What have you done to be supportive of someone you love? How has that support made a difference?

10. Explain Andi’s series of compromises where Taz’s movie was concerned. How did Taz convince her that these compromises
were acceptable?

11. Talk about a time when you or someone you know made a series of compromises. How were those compromises justified?

12. Midway through the book, Keith began to experience red flags where the smooth and easy details of movie-making were concerned.
Why is it important to look closer when the details of life seem too easy? Talk about a time when the easy life suddenly became
very difficult.

13. Bailey found much strength in her involvement with Campus Crusade. Why is it important for youth to be involved in a faith
group of some kind? Why is it important for all Christians to belong to some sort of group of believers?

14. In what ways did Kelly make things worse in her relationship with her husband? What about her relationship with God? Talk
about a time when you or someone you know made choices that harmed their relationships.

15. How could Kelly have helped her situation? Talk about how you or someone you know might find help in a troubling situation.

16. Kelly had the chance to attend a women’s conference. Talk about a Christian conference you attended. Did you come away
stronger because of it? Why or why not?

17. In what ways did God soften Kelly’s heart during her day at the women’s conference? Why was she reluctant to allow herself
to be changed? Discuss Kelly’s emotions that day.

18. Discuss how Nicole C. Mullen’s song “One Touch” made a difference for Kelly. Explain how the visual illustration of the
song connected with Kelly.

19. Have you ever imagined a spiritual battle as a literal force holding you back from Jesus? Talk about a time like that.

20. Cody and Taz are very different college guys. Talk about the differences, and what motivates each of these young men.

B
AILEY ARRIVED AT THE
L
AKE
M
ONROE
retreat center lost in thoughts about her roommate. Their recent conversation had been good — for the first time in awhile.
Maybe if they had more time together, Taz wouldn’t be such an obsession in Andi’s life. No matter what Andi thought about
him, he was trouble. Bailey could feel it in her spirit. God didn’t want Andi anywhere near the guy.

Still, convincing her would take a miracle at this point.

Bailey climbed out of her car and was met by a group of her Cru Bible study girls. Tim had had to cancel at the last minute
— a case of strep throat — and Cody was spending the weekend with his mom, because of her birthday. At least that was the
plan. But when she and the girls walked with their sleeping bags and pillows to their cabin, she heard Cody’s voice.

She waited until she had her bed made before finding him with a few other guys near the fire pit. She caught his attention
and he smiled. “I didn’t think you were coming.”

This wasn’t the time for a serious conversation. But she had to know what had changed his mind.

“My mom had other plans.” He grabbed an armful of wood and stacked it near the pit. “I’ll tell you later.”

While they ate, she could feel Cody’s presence the way she could feel the presence of her family when they were in a crowd.
A couple times she looked over her shoulder at him, and once she caught him looking too. He still hadn’t explained what had
happened with his mother, but there would be time for that later. Right now she needed to give her attention to the girls
in her cabin. She’d asked God for closer friendships with them as a result of this retreat.

So far He was answering her prayers beyond anything she could’ve dreamed.

One of the guy cabins had cleanup that night, and Daniel dismissed the rest of the group for an hour of free time. A few of
the girls wanted to make calls home, just to check in. Bailey waited until she was sure none of them were looking to talk
to her, and then she wandered out the door and down the path toward Cody’s cabin. She saw him long before she reached it,
sitting outside on a tree stump, staring at the lake.

She stopped and watched him, the familiar way he held his head, the way the fading sun cast light over his shoulders. What
was he thinking, sitting there like that? Was he worried about his mom, or a new girl in his life? Or maybe he was taking
in God’s beauty. She almost didn’t want to disturb him, but then — as if he could read her mind — he looked her way and smiled.
“Hey.”

The path was smooth, but she watched her step anyway. Just in case some critter crossed in front of her. She was much more
of a hotel girl, more comfortable at the Doubletree with samples of lotion and shampoo, than here in the woods. But she could
appreciate both, and she was glad to be here. Especially now, with Cody a part of the retreat.

She reached him and grinned. “You looked lost in thought. I didn’t want to interrupt.”

For a second she thought he might tell her what he was thinking, but then he set his jaw, his smile guarded. “I’m glad you
did.”

He pointed at a path that led closer to the lake. “Wanna take a walk?”

“Sure.” They set out side by side, and suddenly Bailey laughed out loud. “I just remembered something funny.”

He slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans and laughed a little too. The way he always did around her. “Which thing?
There’s lots to laugh at with you around.”

“Hey.” She pretended to be hurt. “I’m not sure that’s a compliment.”

“It is.” His eyes danced. “Believe me, it is.”

“Okay, well, remember when we were at the beach that time, on the other side of the lake? We took a walk and you challenged
me to a race.”

“Me?” He stopped and pointed to himself. “That was you, missy. You’re the one who wanted to race.”

“Anyway …” She kept walking, undaunted. “I got about ten steps and I twisted my ankle. You had to practically carry me back
to the picnic tables.”

“That was the summer before I shipped out.”

“Yeah, it was.” She allowed her laughter to fade softly, mingling with the early summer breeze. They turned a corner and lost
view of the campsite. The lake spread out before them, but still they walked on. Up ahead was a bench, and when they reached
it, they sat together. Cody seemed careful to allow space between them.