Unlocked: A Love Story

  Andi felt her heart fall to the ground. Cody was suffering from PTSD that badly and he never said anything. “Why?” Tears welled in her eyes and her voice fell to a whisper. “Why didn’t he tell me?”

  Cody’s mother had tears in her eyes, too. She smiled through them. “He didn’t want to burden you.”

  In a single instant the entire situation made sense. Andi hugged the woman once more. “Pray for us. That I get to him as soon as possible.” She drew back and looked into the woman’s eyes. “And that he’ll forgive me for taking so long to figure it out.”

  “I’ll pray.” Mrs. Coleman hugged her again. “Go. Cody’s waiting for you.”

  All the way to the airport Andi thought about what his mother had said. Cody hadn’t wanted to burden her. Of course that was it. Just like Bailey had told her, Cody would lay down his life for someone he loved.

  Especially Andi.

  She knew enough about PTSD to know it would be part of Cody’s life forever. If he took her back, then she had to know that there could always be times when the nightmares would return, when something would trigger his memories of Afghanistan and he’d start looking for snipers in every corner of a room.

  If only he would let her help him through those times, everything would be okay. They would pray for God’s mercy and rely on His strength and they would get through any episode.

  Together.

  • • •

  AFTER A NIGHT at Los Angeles International Airport, Andi flew to Montana and drove to the boys ranch. She arrived just after ten the next morning, and parked in a lot overlooking a football field.

  Immediately she spotted him.

  Cody Coleman, standing in the midst of a group of football players, instructing them on the game. Andi climbed out of her car and watched him. The air around her was cool, much more so than in Louisiana or Los Angeles. Mountains ringed the area where the school was situated, and everywhere she looked the view was breathtaking.

  This was where Cody belonged, here with kids who needed him most. She watched him, his strong muscled arms and the handsome shape of his face. He couldn’t see her, didn’t know she was there.

  Andi slipped back in her car and took her journal from her purse. Then she wrote Cody what might be her last letter ever. Because there was no guarantee he’d forgive her. He may have moved on and decided he needed to be single.

  Or he might have decided he didn’t want her, after all. Since she hadn’t been willing to hear his side of the story. Andi’s heart hurt at the reminder of what she’d done, how she had sent him away. But now there was no time to waste, so she started at the top of the page.

  Dear Cody,

  I’m here in Montana. It doesn’t matter how I found you, just that I did.

  Cody, I’m so sorry for how I treated you. I should’ve listened to your explanation, taken your words to heart. I know now that this is about your PTSD. I’m so sorry about that. Sorry about what you went through in Afghanistan and what you are still going through now.

  My heart hurts for you.

  I’m including the address of my hotel. It’s a few miles away on the edge of a lake. My flight doesn’t leave until tomorrow afternoon. So if you’re willing to forgive me, if you’re willing to tell me everything that happened, I’ll be there. Helping you through your healing would be a privilege, Cody. Never a burden.

  Anyway, I’ll be there. Come find me if you still want to talk. If not, I understand. After how I treated you I would understand if you let me leave tomorrow without coming by. I’m more sorry than you’ll ever know.

  I love you . . . I’ll be waiting.

  Love, Andi

  The campus was sprawled out, so Andi drove to the front and took the letter to the main office. She asked for an envelope and slipped the note inside. Then she sealed it and wrote Cody’s name across it.

  “Could you see that Cody Coleman gets this, please?” She handed it to the office manager. “It’s very important.”

  The woman seemed to recognize that this was something out of the ordinary. She smiled at Andi. “I’ll make sure.”

  Andi drove to her hotel and took Max outside on his leash. The woods were thick around the edge of the water—very different from any lake she’d ever seen. And so very beautiful. Andi sat with Max on a fallen tree not far from her hotel room patio. She took a deep breath and tried not to worry. Whatever happened next, it had to be Cody’s choice.

  Once and for all.

  • • •

  CODY READ THE letter three times before he left the parking lot. Each time he felt his heart flood with a sort of joy he’d never known. She had found him. She’d come back to him! Andi Ellison was only a few miles away!

  He could hardly wait to see her, to hold her in his arms and know that the impossible had happened. Andi was ready to give him another chance.

  The only one they would ever need.

  He wanted to drive straight to her hotel, but he had to do something first. He had to stop off at a different hotel, the one where he was staying until his apartment would be ready next week. He moved as quickly as he could.

  Andi was waiting for him

  At his hotel, Cody ran in. Riley met him at the door and Cody gave him a quick break outside. Once he was back in the hotel room, Cody stopped to pet him. “I’ll be back soon, boy. Wait till you hear what happened!”

  Then he rushed to his suitcase to get something very important. Something he kept with him as a reminder. A reason to pray for Andi and their future. Proof that he meant what he’d told her: He’d wait as long as it took for her to work through her fears.

  Cody slipped the small velvet box into his jeans pocket.

  Ten minutes later he parked his car in the lot behind her hotel. The place was situated on the edge of the lake, just like she’d said. The place was beautiful and the view was even better. Cody was about to get out of his car when he noticed someone sitting on a fallen tree near the water.

  She had a puppy with her.

  Like all his life had led to this moment, Cody stepped out of the car and walked toward her. He had called Andi’s parents on the way here. He had their permission. Like her father told him a few minutes ago, he would always have their permission.

  Cody took in the sight of Andi, the way her hair fell over her shoulders. The lyrical sound of her voice as she talked to her puppy. He didn’t want to rush this, and he definitely didn’t want to frighten her. But as he reached her, she still hadn’t heard him approaching. Cody stopped a few feet away and called her name. Like it was the most beautiful word in all the world.

  “Andi . . .”

  She turned and as soon as their eyes met, she stood. “Cody . . . I’m sorry.”

  “I know.” He came to her and took her in his arms while her puppy frolicked around at their feet. Cody blinked back tears. “I knew you’d come. I’ve prayed every day since I left.”

  “Me, too.” Tears filled her eyes and mixed with her laughter. “I can’t believe you’re here. That you actually . . . you’re not mad at me.”

  “Of course not.” He looked into her blue eyes, all the way to her kind, sincere, brave soul. He felt his smile fade a little. “And Caleb?”

  “He’s not for me.” She shook her head and more tears shone in her eyes. “There will never be anyone for me, but you.”

  Cody figured that much, after reading her letter. But he had to hear it from her. Like this, face to face. He smiled again. “I have so much to tell you.”

  “I’ll listen, Cody. Forever.” She wiped the tears from her cheeks and as she did, he closed the distance between them and kissed her. The puppy was still playing nearby and Andi laughed. “Max, you’re okay, buddy.”

  “Max.” Cody chuckled. “I like it.” Then he hugged her again and kissed her one more time. The puppy moved to a spot at the end of the log, bored with the two of them. Cody had longed for this every day for as long as he could remember. “Andi Ellison . . .” He whispered her name, his cheek against
hers. Then he drew back and slowly—so he’d know he wasn’t dreaming—he dropped to one knee.

  Andi gasped and covered her face with her hands. “What?” She squealed. “Cody . . . I never thought . . .”

  From his jeans pocket he pulled out the ring. Not the same one he’d given her two times before. But a new one. The ring he’d bought before he moved to Montana.

  Just in case she changed her mind.

  “Andi . . .” Cody opened the velvet box and took the ring from inside. He slipped the box back into his pocket and held the diamond solitaire up to her. This time there were no parties, no photographers. Nothing but the two of them. “I meant these words before, but they’re different now. I understand them better. What they mean for the two of us, together.” He paused. “Andi . . . will you marry me?”

  She nodded. “I will. And I’ll stay here with you in Montana. I’ll go wherever you go, Cody. And this time it will be different. I know it will.”

  He stood and wrapped her into his embrace one more time. Then he slid the ring onto her finger. “Look at that.” He grinned at her. “A perfect fit.”

  And so it was.

  “I have an idea.” A plan was unfolding in his heart even as the words came to life. “Here, sit beside me.”

  They sat together and Cody took a deep breath. “What if we . . .”

  It took little time to convince her. They held hands and prayed and made their decision. Surely they could have a wedding party later, but after all they’d been through this seemed the only right thing to do.

  An hour later they stood at the county clerk’s office. Cody glanced at Andi, the love of his life. He squeezed her hand so he’d know this was real, and she was here in front of him. He had never been happier in all his life.

  They filled out paperwork, paid the fee, and there—before a court justice—they promised to take each other as husband and wife, for better or worse, in sickness and health. Now and forever more.

  Until their final breath.

  • • •

  HANNAH JENNIFER PAUL came into the world right at sunset, after eight hours of labor. The doctor and nurse worked together to clean her off, and then they laid her on Bailey’s chest. Both she and Brandon wrapped their arms around her.

  Their little girl’s very first minutes on earth.

  “She’s perfect.” Brandon’s tears slid down his cheeks, the same way Bailey’s did. “She looks just like you.”

  “God is so good.” Bailey lifted her tiny baby and kissed her cheek. “She has your eyes. See . . .” She looked at her husband. “The deepest, most beautiful eyes.”

  Across the room, Bailey’s mother stood smiling and wiping her tears, too. “She does look like you, Bailey. When you were first born.” Her mom’s voice was full of emotion. “I can’t believe I’m a grandma!”

  “Come look, Mom. Hannah’s so pretty.” Bailey was grateful her mother was here. She’d been there all day, she and Brandon helping Bailey through every contraction.

  Her mom came and stood on the other side of the bed. “Hannah, sweetie . . . My little grandgirl. You’re a precious miracle.” Her mother reached out and touched the infant’s small hand. Then she smiled at Bailey and Brandon. “I’ll let you three have some time. Your dad and brothers are down the hall waiting for the news.”

  “Okay.” Bailey locked eyes with her mother. “Thank you, Mom. We’ve always shared everything. And now we have this.”

  Brandon smiled. “Besides, I couldn’t have done this without you.”

  Her mom kissed Bailey’s forehead. “That’s what family is for.” She looked at Bailey again. “I love you, honey. And your precious little family.”

  When she was gone, when it was just the three of them, Bailey leaned back on her pillow. She had never been so happy, so sure that God was right here with them. He had given them their very own baby girl.

  A week late, but none of that mattered anymore. Hannah was here—that’s all Bailey cared about. They were a family, like her mother said. The three of them. Brandon leaned in and kissed her. “See?”

  “See what?” She let herself get lost in his eyes. Her favorite place to be.

  Brandon kissed her again and then he looked at her for the longest time. “We’re still us.”

  It was exactly what Bailey wanted to hear, the greatest gift Brandon could’ve given her. Other than the baby girl in their arms. Yes, life would be different and busier and even crazy at times. There would hopefully be more children in the years to come. But with God at the center of their family, what Bailey had found with Brandon would always be like this.

  Long after their last child left home.

  A chiming sound came from Bailey’s phone, sitting on the table a few feet away. “Probably Connor.” Bailey laughed. “Wondering when they can all pile in here.”

  Brandon smiled. “Maybe give Hannah a few minutes to catch her breath.”

  “Exactly.” Bailey snuggled their little girl. “Because this ‘us’ is important, too.”

  “Right.” Brandon reached for her phone and glanced at the text message that had just come in. He looked at it for a few seconds and then he grinned at Bailey. “It’s from Andi.”

  “Oh . . . she doesn’t know I went into labor!”

  Brandon looked at the phone again and then back at Bailey. “That’s not why she texted.” He paused, and a smile filled his face. “Andi and Cody are married.”

  The happiness in Bailey came out as the easiest laughter. “That’s amazing.” Joyful tears flooded Bailey’s eyes. Here, on the day her first child was born, the most wonderful thing had happened.

  Andi and Cody had finally figured it out.

  “I’m so happy for them.” Bailey reached for Brandon’s hand. Who could have seen this coming? Bailey having her first baby on the day Andi and Cody got married. “It all worked out, didn’t it?”

  “It did, baby.” Brandon kissed her and then he kissed the top of Hannah’s little head. “It definitely did.”

  The long road all of them had walked, the road of friendship and finding their way, had led to this one special day for all of them. Just like they had dreamed and prayed about all those years ago.

  Once upon an adolescence.

  And one day, Bailey couldn’t wait to introduce their little girl to her friends. Cody and Andi. Yes, the two of them had taken a long time to get here. Their love story had not been easy. But they ended up just where they needed to be.

  Together.

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  No book comes together without a great deal of teamwork, passion, and determination. That was definitely true for Love Story!

  First, special thanks to my amazing publisher, Jonathan Merkh, along with Jennifer Smith and the team at Howard Books. Your continued belief in me and your desire to always raise the bar in the marketplace is unmatched. Thank you for believing in me!

  A similar thanks to Carolyn Reidy and the team at Simon & Schuster. I think back to our meeting a year ago in New York and the way your creative brilliance became a game changer. Thank you for lending your influence in so many ways. It’s an honor to work with you!

  This book wouldn’t be so very special if it weren’t for the incredible talents of my editor, Becky Nesbitt. Becky, you have known me since my kids were little. Since the beginning of the Baxters. How many authors actually look forward to the editing process? With you, it is a dream. And always you find ways to make the book better. Over and over and over again. Thank you for that! I am the most blessed author to have the privilege of working with you.

  Also thanks to my design team—Kyle and Kelsey Kupecky—whose talent in the industry is recognized from Los Angeles to New York. Very simply, you are the best in the business! My website, social media, and newsletter, along with so many other aspects of my touring and writing, is what it is because of you two. Thank you for working your own dreams around mine. I love you and I thank God for you every single day.

  A huge thanks to my sisters Trici
a and Susan, along with my mom, who give their whole hearts to helping me love my readers—Tricia as my executive assistant for the past decade, and Susan, for many years, as the head of my Facebook Online Book Club and Team KK. And Mom, thank you for being queen of the readers. Anyone who has ever sent me an email and received a response from you is blessed indeed. All three of you are so special to me. I love you and I thank God for each of you!

  Thanks also to Tyler for your help in writing screenplays and other projects. You are such a gifted writer, Ty. I can’t wait to see your work on the shelves. Maybe one day soon! Love you so much!

  Thank you to my office assistant, Aurora Galvin. You make my life so much easier! Writing as much as I do would not be possible without you.

  I’m also grateful to my Team KK, who covers social media with news of my upcoming releases and hangs out on my Facebook page answering questions from all of my readers! I appreciate you so much. May God bless you for your service to the work of Life-Changing Fiction™.

  There is a final stage in writing a book. The galley pages come to me, and I send them to a team of five of my closest, most special reader friends. My niece Shannon Fairley, Hope Painter, Donna Keene, Renette Steele, and Zac Weikal, you are wonderful! It always amazes me the things you catch at the final hour. Thank you for your love of my work, and thanks for your availability to read my books first and fast.

  My books only happen with the help of my family, especially my amazing husband, Donald. Honey, thank you for your spiritual wisdom and leadership in our home, and thanks for the countless ways you help me when I’m on deadline. I love you, honey!

  And over all this, there is a man who has believed in my career for two decades: my amazing agent, Rick Christian of Alive Literary Agency. From the beginning, Rick, you’ve told me to dream big, set my sights high. Movies, TV series, worldwide reach. You imagined it all, you prayed for it all. You believed. While I write, you work behind the scenes on film projects and my work with Liberty University, along with every book I’ve ever written. You are brilliant and driven, compassionate and dedicated. I used to dream of having you as my agent. Now I’m the only author who does. God is amazing. Thank you, Rick, and thank you for praying for me and my family. That most of all.