“Yeah. That’s what I thought.” She laughed.
Maddie loved how the Baxter cousins were all best friends. She was the oldest, and then Jessie, who was sixteen. Next came Cole and Hayley—both fifteen—and Tommy, who was two years younger. The older cousins loved being together and for the most part they knew everything about each other. Same with the younger group—but they were too little to do more than run around and play together.
Jessie dropped her voice even more. “So tell me about him.”
“He’s just a friend.” Maddie smiled, careful to guard her heart. “But he’s the greatest guy, Jess. He is so kind. And he’s a freshman at Liberty University.”
“Wow.” Jessie’s eyes lit up. “And he loves Jesus?”
“He does. And he’s funny.”
Just then, Hayley walked into the room again. She crossed the kitchen to the spot where Maddie and Jessie were working. “Can I help?”
“Yes, of course.” Maddie found a soft rag and dipped it in the polish. “Just choose a fork or a spoon and rub the cloth over it till it shines.”
“Like the top of the Chrysler Building!” Hayley grinned. She was always quoting lines from the musical Annie. It was her favorite show.
“Yes.” Maddie gave her sister a side hug. No one loved Hayley more than she did. But the reminder of her sister’s limitations stalled the conversation with Jessie. Hayley tried to polish a spoon, and for the most part she got the job done. But Maddie and Jessie each cleaned several in the same time.
That night, long after Maddie and Hayley and their parents had returned to their estate home in Clear Creek, Maddie thought about Connor and how she wasn’t sure she could ever tell him the real story about Hayley. Her mom seemed to notice her quietness.
“You sure you’re okay, honey?” Her mother had stopped by Maddie’s room as she was getting ready to climb into bed.
“I’m fine.” She remembered to smile. “Mom, did you ever pray for a Christmas miracle?”
Her mom was pretty, long and lean with dark hair cut short to her face. She was more serious than Maddie, more left-brained. But she always made an effort to connect with Maddie and Hayley. When they needed clothes, she made a mother-daughter date out of the occasion. Once every few weeks she would take them both for coffee. Creating moments that mattered.
She turned off the bedroom light, walked to Maddie’s bed and sat on the edge. “You mean specifically? Like that God would create something miraculous because it’s Christmastime?”
Maddie thought for a minute. “Sort of. Like some miracle that . . . you know, proved He was real. You know?”
“Honey . . .” The beginning of alarm fell like a shadow over her mom’s face. “You’re doubting that God’s real?”
“No. Nothing like that.” Maddie’s answer was quick. “I mean . . . not really.” She hesitated and some of the thoughts troubling the water of her soul rose to the surface. “But think about it, Mom. Hayley? And Aunt Erin and Uncle Sam, their whole family? Only little Amy lives through the accident?” Tears welled in her eyes. “Wouldn’t it be nice to just know for sure that God is here . . . and He loves us?”
“Yes.” Her mom exhaled and nodded. Slowly. “God’s done that hundreds of times for us over the years.”
“For you, maybe. But not for me. Like . . . I’m getting older and, I mean . . . it would just be nice.”
“Mmm.” Her mother brushed back a few strands of hair from Maddie’s face. “Yes. I suppose it would be.” She bent down and kissed Maddie’s forehead. “I’ll pray for that, too. Okay?”
“Thanks.” A sense of peace and order settled over Maddie. “I figure it can’t hurt to ask.”
“True.” Her mom glanced at Maddie’s phone, charging on her bedside table. “Have you heard from the boy you met at the theater?”
“Earlier.” She smiled. “He was busy with his family tonight. They live in Clear Creek. Near the golf course.”
“Well . . . maybe you can invite him over.”
The reality of the situation knocked some of the joy from her heart. “He’s going back to college on Sunday.”
“And back home again soon, right?”
“Yes.” She hadn’t thought about that. Connor would be home in time for the three weeks of rehearsals at CKT. Through most of December they’d be seeing each other every night at practice. “We’ll see.”
Her mom stood. “Well, goodnight, honey. Keep Jesus close.” It was the same thing she said every night. To Maddie and to Hayley, who slept in the next room.
“As close as my heart. Love you.”
“Love you, too.” Her mom paused near the bedroom door. “Thanks for telling me about the boy. Connor, right?”
“Yes.” Maddie felt butterflies in her stomach at the mention of his name.
“And about the Christmas miracle.”
“You’re welcome.” Maddie smiled through the darkness of the room.
Her mom shut the door behind her, and for a long time Maddie stared out the window. On some nights—like this one—she could see the stars over Clear Creek. The way God had set them in the sky. “I know you’re there, God,” she whispered. “No one else could hang the stars in the sky.”
She was quiet, waiting in case God wanted to say something back.
“Anyway. So I’m praying again for a Christmas miracle. Not really for me, but for Hayley. That she’ll get a little better. Even between now and Christmas.” Maddie waited again. “I know you love Hayley, God. And you love me and my parents. But if You could just give me a sign. Some proof that You’re working things out. Thank You, God. Really.”
After the prayer, Maddie rolled onto her back. Sometimes she wondered if she should trust her mom with her guilt over her sister. But then Maddie was afraid her mom would blame herself.
No, she couldn’t tell her mom how she felt about Hayley. Better to keep her shame to herself. And as for Connor Flanigan, nothing would come from it. She wouldn’t allow it. If Hayley could never be well enough to find love, then she would stay single, too. Anyway, eventually she would have to tell Connor about Hayley, and when she did, he wouldn’t want to date her.
He wouldn’t want anything to do with her.
CHAPTER FIVE
A clear blue sky and temperatures in the high sixties made John Baxter certain that this Thanksgiving Day would be one of the best ever. John and Elaine were the first to arrive at Ashley and Landon’s house, just after noon. Elaine brought two pecan pies and John had a few containers of heavy cream—something he whipped up each year.
“Dad!” Ashley met him at the door. “Elaine! Happy Thanksgiving!”
Landon was right behind her, and from the kitchen came the voices of their kids—Cole, Amy, Devin, and Janessa. “Papa!” Amy ran up and wrapped her arms around John’s waist. “It’s going to be the best Thanksgiving ever!”
“I was just thinking that.” John returned her embrace and hugged the others.
“They’re my best pies ever.” Elaine stooped down and hugged four-year-old Janessa. “Is that a new headband?”
“It is.” Janessa twirled. “Mommy’s been teaching me how to walk like a lady.”
John put his arm around Elaine’s shoulders. “That’s really something, sweetie. You’re going to make a wonderful young lady. Just like Amy!”
They made their way into the kitchen, and as he set the cream down, John took a minute to appreciate the moment. Ashley had come so far in her faith and her ability to love well.
After her mother died, Ashley had expected her father would be single forever.
John had thought the same thing. His first wife, his first love, never should’ve lost her battle to cancer. But she had.
None of them had seen Elaine coming into the family, but when it happened, no one had struggled more than Ashley. But over the years that had changed and now there was no sign of tension. Not from any of his adult kids. All of them loved Elaine.
Same with the grandkids. Amy most of all.
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And tonight, Amy was the one person John was concerned about—especially in light of the announcement he needed to make after dinner. Kendra Bryant was coming for Christmas Eve. The decision was final. He only hoped everyone would find a way to get on board. Ashley had adjusted to every other difficult situation in life. Amy, too. John believed they would both come to accept this as well.
Over the next half hour, the others arrived. Dayne and Katy, straight from the airport, and with them their three young children. The kids were tired from the flight, but in no time they pepped up.
“Wanna come see my dollhouse?” Janessa held her hand out to her little cousin Sophie and the two girls bounded up the stairs.
Dayne had the baby on his hip. “We’ve been looking forward to this all month.” He shared a look with Katy. “And guess what?”
Everyone looked their way. “Another baby?” Cole was ready with a high five.
“No.” Katy laughed as she linked arms with Dayne. “Not yet, anyway.”
“We’re staying here through the end of January!” Dayne looked beyond relieved. “We need more time at home. Less in Los Angeles.” He high-fived Cole. “Which means we’ll be over a lot more!”
“Great!” Cole nodded to the backyard. “I’ll get things ready for the football game.”
John smiled. He loved how his family enjoyed being together, how they got everything they could out of their holiday gatherings. The doorbell rang and this time it was Luke and Reagan and their family. By the time Elaine had set the little boys up with a bucket of building blocks, Kari and Ryan poured through the front door with their kids.
“The girls are upstairs playing with Janessa’s dollhouse.” Ashley pointed her sister’s younger daughter toward the stairs.
And with that Annie ran after her cousins. The three girls were best friends, all of them blond, blue-eyed little princesses, with vivid imaginations and a love for singing and dancing. John was so thankful Dayne and Katy would be around more often. Sophie loved nothing more than to be here with her cousins.
Brooke and Peter arrived last with their girls. “I burned the first batch of peas.” Brooke was carrying a large dish as she moved from the front door to the kitchen. “Had to start all over again! Sorry we’re late.”
“I told her to set a timer.” Peter chuckled. “You know Brooke. She doesn’t need any help.”
“It’s true.” Brooke shrugged as she set the casserole down. “It’s Thanksgiving! Can you believe it?”
The teenage cousins gathered in the front room near the piano. A few of them had been taking lessons, and now that added to the fullness of the moment as Luke’s Tommy played “Away in a Manger.”
“That’s beautiful, buddy!” Reagan raised her brow at Luke and John and then the others. “He’s getting really good!”
“I remember when he got his head stuck between the spindles on your staircase.” John grinned as the others laughed. “He’s definitely grown up.”
“Thankfully.” Luke made his way around the room, hugging the others. When he reached John he stopped. “Dad . . . you always said you liked Thanksgiving Day almost as much as Christmas.” He paused, his eyes shining. “I can see why now. There’s nothing better than being together.”
For a while everyone worked on the meal. Then at one o’clock—while the turkey was still cooking—they filed into the backyard for the Baxter family’s annual Thanksgiving Day touch football game. This year Cole was in charge.
“Okay, if I read off your name, you’re on Team A.” He began listing names, including his—which he called last.
“A for Awesome!” RJ raised his fist in the air. “We’ve got this, team. Come on.”
“Everyone else is on Team B.” Cole looked around. “Everyone get with your team. Then I’ll go over the rules.”
Tommy headed for the B team. “B for Best. It’s our year, guys. Let’s do this.”
John and Elaine were on Team A, and as Cole went over the rules, the two of them shared a brief kiss. Elaine whispered near his ear, “Nothing like the Baxter family.”
“My favorite people in all the world.” John directed his attention to Cole. The rules were simple—much like real football, only tackling wasn’t allowed.
The game got under way and after an hour of close competition, the A team won. Tommy shook his head in mock discouragement. “One more series and we coulda pulled it off.” He pointed at Cole. “Next year, cousin!”
“We’ll be ready for you.” Cole laughed. “Unless we’re on the same team.”
Both boys laughed as the group headed back inside the house and washed up. Everyone found their places at the two long tables set up in the dining room. John’s heart was full to overflowing as he watched his kids and grandkids take their seats. For a single moment, he let his eyes linger on the empty chair. The place they always set to remind them of those no longer in their midst. Their mother and grandmother—Elizabeth Baxter. Erin and Sam and their three girls—Clarissa, Chloe, and Heidi Jo. And Ashley and Landon’s baby, Sarah.
This year Ashley had set a separate table for the food. The turkey sat at the middle, where Landon was carving it. On either side were the mashed potatoes and the deep-dish sliced sweet potatoes. There was Cole’s famous corn bread stuffing and the Baxter Christmas salad. Brooke’s peas and Kari’s cheesy biscuits. Reagan and Luke’s homemade gravy, and Dayne and Katy’s special cranberry sauce. And half a dozen other new salads and dishes that weren’t part of their previous Thanksgiving spreads.
When they were all seated, Ashley turned to John. “Dad . . . would you say the blessing?”
This was their tradition, and each year John tried to customize the prayer to the circumstances. Some years had held great grief and tragedy. Others involved new life and hope. This year . . . well, this year they would find out after dinner about Kendra Bryant and her involvement in their Christmas Eve.
But not yet. John smiled at his family. “Let’s pray.” All around the table the Baxter kids and their spouses and children held hands, closed their eyes and bowed their heads.
“Lord, we come to You on this Thanksgiving Day with hearts overflowing with gratitude. Thank You, Father, that we can all be together today, here in Your presence. Thank You for our health and the way You are using us in our communities. This has been a year of great blessings, and for that we humbly thank You.”
John paused, taking his time. “For all the ways You have blessed us and helped us in our schools and homes and places of employment, we are mindful that the greatest blessing of all is this—the joy of being together. The gift of each other. Thank You for today. Help us hold on to the precious moments it contains. Including this one. Thank You for our food, and for the hands that prepared it. We love You. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Around him, from both tables, came a chorus of amens.
During dinner they went around the room and each person said what they were thankful for. John loved this part the most, hearing from even the youngest in the Baxter family, and getting glimpses of their hearts.
Not until dinner was over did John ask the older girls—Maddie and Jessie—to take the kids to the upstairs bonus room. When he saw the concern on their faces, John smiled. “Everything’s okay. We just need to talk.”
When all the kids were out of the room, John gathered his adult children and their spouses in the living room. “What a beautiful Thanksgiving.” He smiled at them, thankful again for each one. As everyone settled in, John braced himself. “Most of you have an idea what this is about. Kendra Bryant—the woman who received Erin’s heart.”
Luke shifted in his seat. “You still want us to meet her . . . on Christmas Eve?”
“Yes.” John felt the beginnings of tears at the corners of his eyes. “I invited her. And she has decided to join us.”
There. The facts were on the table.
John surveyed the others, and the different ways they reacted. Katy and Dayne leaned into each other, their eyes still on John, stil
l open to whatever came next. Ashley hung her head and so did Kari and Ryan. Brooke reached for Peter’s hand and the two of them nodded. Like they were in favor of the plan.
John caught a quick breath. “I know not all of you agree with this. And it’s true, we don’t know this woman.” Beside him, John felt Elaine press in closer.
“Isn’t there a better time?” Luke sounded on edge. He sat up straighter, looking around the room. “Christmas is for family. This woman . . . she’s a stranger.”
“She is.” John remained calm. He understood Luke’s feelings. “The thing is, Kendra Bryant doesn’t believe in God. She doesn’t believe in Christmas.” He looked around. “What better way for her to understand the truth than here? With all of us?”
Ashley rubbed the back of her neck and then lifted her eyes to John. “I can’t do it, Dad. It would be too much for Amy.”
“I understand.” John nodded, his heart breaking. This was harder than he had expected. “I guess I keep asking myself . . . what would Erin want? And I know with every heartbeat that Erin would want to see Kendra Bryant come to know Jesus. She would want us to embrace her. Especially on Christmas Eve.”
“I’ll be here.” Brooke sounded sympathetic, but certain. “To see firsthand at Christmastime the fact that Erin’s heart saved the life of someone else? It’ll be hard, but I want to be a part of that.”
Peter agreed with her, and so did Dayne and Katy, Kari and Ryan. As they spoke up, Ashley sighed and stared at the floor. Landon put his arm around her.
Across the room, Luke released a frustrated sigh. “I can’t do it, either.” He looked at Kari and then Brooke and Dayne. “I’m not mad at any of you for agreeing to this. But I guess this year we’ll have Christmas Eve in separate places.”
“You can use our house.” Ashley’s slight smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Landon and I will take the kids to his parents’ house. It’s only a four-hour drive.”
John felt the weight of his decision squarely on his shoulders. “I’m sorry. I never wanted this to divide us.”
“It won’t.” Luke nodded at his father. “It’ll just be different this year.”