Oceans Apart

353 Pages·2004·0.68 MB·English

by  Karen Kingsbury

Aforgotten secret.
Ashocking discovery.
Asacrifice of love that will bring Connor Evans to his knees.
Airline Captain Conner Evans has nearly forgotten that stormy
weekend in Hawaii eight years ago when he broke the greatest
promise of all. Now Conner has the perfect life with his wife,
Michele, and their two daughters, and the secret of that long-ago
time is his alone.
But an ocean away,aflight attendant is raising her young son by
herself when the plane she’s working on crashes into the Pacific.
Her will is very clear about one thing—before the child can be
given over to the state, his father must be contacted.
The news rocks Captain Evans’ life, and in the process he is pre-
sented with a choice: Refuse the child and never hear from him
again, or take him for two weeks and decide whether to claim the
boy as his own.
Now,the family is on the brink of destruction. Can Michele and
their daughters ever forgive Conner for what went wrong all those
years ago? Or will the presence of one lonely child destroy every-
thing?
Other Life-Changing Fiction™ by KarenKingsbury
September 11 Series Red Gloves Series
One Tuesday Morning Gideon’s Gift
Beyond Tuesday Morning Maggie’sMiracle
Sarah’sSong
Stand-Alone Titles
Hannah’s Hope
Oceans Apart
Even Now Forever Faithful Series
Ever After Waiting for Morning
Where Yesterday Lives Moment of Weakness
When JoyCame to Stay Halfway to Forever
OnEverySide
WomenofFaith Fiction Series
Divine
ATime to Dance
Cody Gunner Series ATime to Embrace
AThousand Tomorrows
Children’s Titles
Just Beyond the Clouds
Let Me Hold You Longer
Redemption Series Let’sGoon a Mommy Date
Redemption (spring 2008)
Remember
Miracle Collections
Return
Rejoice ATreasury of Christmas Miracles
Reunion ATreasury of Miracles for Women
ATreasury of Miracles for Teens
Firstborn Series ATreasury of Miracles for Friends
Fame ATreasury of Adoption Miracles
Forgiven
Gift Books
Found
Family Stay Close Little Girl
Forever BeSafe Little Boy
Sunrise Series
Sunrise
Summer
Someday (spring 2008)
www.KarenKingsbury.com
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D
EDICATION
Dedicated to Donald, who continues to be my prince, my safe
harbor, my best friend. You give me wings enough to fly, but keep
me grounded in everything that matters. I smile when I think of
our long walks and nighttime talks, the way you make me laugh
after a hardday or your way of putting a layer of sensibility over any
situation. You are an amazing man, Donald, gifted in so many areas,
yet content to serve. I am blessed beyond words to be your wife,
gifted with the joy of your presence in my life. Fifteen years have
flown by in a heartbeat, and I can only pray God blesses us with so
many more. I love you forever and always.
To Kelsey, my love and laughter, my silly-heart and only daugh-
ter. Can it be that you are fourteen? That you are standing on the
brink of high school and cheerleading and driving and dating? You
are gorgeous, sweetheart, inside and out. I cherish our together
times, whether washing our faces at the same mirror or figuring out
amath problem late at night. The glow in your eyes is the same one
that belonged to that pixie-faced four-year-old. The only difference
is this: now we don’t have forever stretched out before us. Being
with you is knowing intrinsically the speed of time, and my help-
lessness at slowing it even for a day. And so I celebrate you, Kelsey,
and all we’ve shared, all we have yet to shareas you dance closer to
the front door. I love you and thank God for you, sweetheart.
ToTyler, my dreamer. How wonderful that God has blessed you
with passion and purpose, a plan so big you can’t help but breathe
it and borrow from it and become it every day of your life. Our time
in New York City was something I’ll remember forever. And I’m
convinced you will always know where your talent came from—
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whether you’re singing on Broadway or playing out a scene in LA,
shine for Jesus, Tyler. Shine for Jesus. And no matter what happens,
if you squint through the lights, you’ll see me and your dad cheer-
ing for you from the first row. I love you, Tyler. I couldn’t be more
proud.
To Sean, my humble leader. Watching you among your peers, I
am struck by the reality of how quickly you’ve worked your way
into my heart. You’ve only been in our family for three years, and
yet every child in class looks up to you. Of course, God had you in
our hearts long before you came to live with us, and His plans for
you continue to play out. Whether you’re flying across a basketball
court or reading devotions in the morning, your enthusiasm for
life and your love for Jesus make you shine like a bright flame.
Keep them, Sean. And know that I love you deeply.
To Josh, my gentle warrior. I’m convinced if I looked up confi-
dencein the dictionary, there would be your smiling face. You have
more determination than a dozen kids combined, and the belief
that no matter what task is set before you, you’ll not only complete
it but redefine it. I’m amazed at your talents, whether in soccer,
basketball, mathematics, or artwork. Don’t ever forget our family
verse, sweetheart. To whom much has been given, much will be
expected. I can’t wait to see how God uses you in the years to come.
Keep Him first, Josh ... the way you did when you joyfully went
to your room and pulled out half your piggy bank savings so people
in Southeast Asia would have Bibles. I love you and I’m so proud
of you, honey.
To EJ, my overcomer. Before this year, you struggled some. Yet
Ialways knew you werethe first chosen one, EJ, the child God first
led us to adopt. And because of that, we knew He had a plan for
bringing you into our family, a plan for seeing that through to
completion. Now you areblossoming, becoming the most beauti-
ful flower in the garden. Your eyes glow with the light of Christ,
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and you sit a little taller each day as the compliments pour in. “EJ,
what great seat work,” “EJ, what great manners,” “EJ, what great
sports skills.” I need only look at you to feel the sting of tears—
and the glory of God’s goodness all around. I thank Him for your
willingness to see the process through, and I love you, honey. Isn’t
God the greatest?
To Austin, my miracle boy (or Brett Favre, as you’re calling
yourself these days). Can it be that you are in kindergarten already?
What other six-year-old would ask for shoulder pads for his birth-
day? Not so you can play on a team, but so you can spend hours in
the yard decked in your Packers jersey—by yourself or with your
brothers—so dedicated to the thrill of sports that no team or game
schedule is needed. I watch you growing and becoming, and I think
back to that day six years ago, the morning when we placed you
into the arms of a surgeon and prayed God would give you back to
us. Yourheartsurgery was a miracle, but the greater miracle is the
life you’ve lived since then. Strong, determined, refusing to settle
for anything but the best. And yet ... with all that testosterone you
got from Daddy, you have a heart full of my tenderness. I can’t slow
the ride, Austie, but I can enjoy every minute. I love you and thank
God that He allowed you to live.
And to God Almighty, the author of life, the greatest author of
all, Who has—for now—blessed me with these.
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A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS
As always, when I write a novel many people play a crucial role
in making it come together. First and foremost I must thank God
for giving me the gift of story. When I write, I feel as though I’m
reading, merely taking notes on the picture God puts in my head.
I simply show up at my computer and download my heart. Not a
minute goes by when I don’t realize that this ability is completely
from God.
Also, thanks to my family, especially my husband, who makes
amazing sacrifices so that I can give God’s best to the ministry of
writing. At the same time, he’s first to remind me when life slips
out of balance. In that light, thanks to my mom, Anne Kingsbury,
who is simply the best assistant I could ever have. You areloyal and
loving and you see my heartfor ministrylike no one ever has. My
father, Ted Kingsbury, and my sisters, Susan and Tricia, have also
been a wonderful support, helping me with research projects and
special assignments. Thank you for everything.
Thanks, also, to my wonderful editor, Karen Ball, who always
takes my work to a higher level; and to the folks at Zondervan who
team up to make a book like this one everything it is today.You are
ahardworking group, and I’m privileged to be working with you.
Anumber of friends have also taken on other roles—prayer sup-
port, kid support, public relations, and general enthusiasm about
my work with life-changing fiction. And so thanks goes to Ann
Hudson, Sylvia Wallgren, Melinda and John Chapman, Bobbi and
Erika Terret, Robin Jones Gunn, Rick and Robin Dillon, Cindy
Weil, Randy and Vicki Graves, Richard Camp and his family,
Kathy Santschi, Joan Westfall, Betty Russell, Phyllis Cummins, the
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