Loving

  A slight chill came over him and suddenly his attempts at humor fell away. “Go on.”

  “I’ll always remember, because that day — I found out later — Cody Coleman was at war in a battle for his life. He should’ve died, but God gave him a miracle.”

  “That same day? When you felt God urging you to pray for your future husband?”

  “Yes.” She frowned a little. “I think that’s why I held on to the idea of him for so long. Because when I found out about the battle and Cody’s rescue, and how it all lined up on that day, I thought God was giving me a message.”

  Brandon didn’t feel threatened by the news. “I get that.”

  “Even when I moved back here, I found this page in my journal and wondered about it. Like maybe I hadn’t heard God right, or maybe I was supposed to pray for Cody just because. Nothing to do with him being my future husband.”

  “That could be it.”

  “No.” She shook her head and the hint of a smile played in her eyes. “That’s not it. This is completely crazy, Brandon. I mean it.” She handed him the journal. “Here. See for yourself.”

  He didn’t try to imagine what was on the page, because there was no telling. But he took the journal and it fell open to the spot where her thumb still marked the entry. She drew her hand back. “Read the date at the top of the page.”

  Brandon’s eyes found the place and then, like a giant wave crashing in around him, the reality hit. No wonder Bailey had acted so strangely … no wonder she’d quietly cried the whole way home. Because the words at the top of her journal page were absolute proof that he’d been right. Someone had been praying for him, and that someone was Bailey Flanigan. She had been praying fervently for her future husband at the very hour of what could’ve been his death. Brandon knew all of this in an instant for one reason.

  The date at the top of the journal page read February 6, 2007.

  Twenty-Seven

  BAILEY HAD NEVER BEEN SO BUSY IN HER LIFE. ON TOP OF THE wedding plans, the deal had closed for her purchase of CKT. There had been time to add Brandon’s name to the transaction, but he didn’t think it was necessary. “It’s your passion … you earned the money to buy it.” He had told her that every time the subject came up. “It’ll feel good to know you did it on your own. Just you and God.”

  He was right. She was able to put half the money down, and with her business plan, the payments on the balance would be very affordable. Yes, if she asked him, Brandon would’ve paid cash for the whole thing. The money he had in savings and investments from his films and endorsements over the last five years was more than they would spend in their lifetime.

  But with God leading, work was supposed to be more than a way to make money. She’d heard their pastor say that Christians should set out to be missionaries whatever their career choice. Missionaries on a bus or in a classroom or at a doctor’s office. Bailey agreed fully. She couldn’t wait to be a missionary with the kids from CKT. The way Katy Hart Matthews had been for Bailey and Connor and their friends so many years ago.

  Between the purchase of the theater and the wedding plans, the holidays flew by and the New Year began with one of the most severe blizzards Indiana had ever seen. Their lake house was clean by then and ready for them to move their things in, but during the storm Brandon lived in the Flanigans’ guest room over the garage. The drive out to the lake was impossible under the mountain of snow.

  During that time and since then she and Brandon met with her parents to work through a Bible study for couples, a study called One-in-a-Million with a section devoted to guys and another for girls, and finally one that presented questions and scenarios every couple should look hard at before getting married.

  The rough spots during the study were nothing that threatened their relationship, but when the conversation turned to his parents, Brandon grew quiet. “I still need to call them. It’s worse now that Bailey made the first move.”

  “I wasn’t trying to make things worse.”

  “I know, baby.” He took her hand in his. “It’s my fault. I need to contact them.”

  Bailey’s dad had finally found a way to reach Brandon. “If your parents died in a car accident tomorrow, would you have regrets?” His voice was kind but firm, and Bailey admired him as she had so often over her lifetime. His direct and loving approach was what made him such a great coach.

  Brandon had let the question settle and after several seconds his eyes filled with tears. “Yes. I’d regret that.”

  “Well, then …” Her dad gave a look that said there were no options here. “Looks like you need to call them.”

  Before the snowstorm let up, Brandon did just that. The conversation between them was brief and hesitant, but they made a plan for his parents to drive in for the weekend. They lived ten hours away, and they preferred the drive over flying. Bailey was with Brandon the day they arrived at the lake house.

  Together they walked out onto the porch and watched his parents’ car pull into the driveway. Protect this moment, please, God. Bailey kept her prayers silent, willing the next few seconds to go well.

  “I can’t believe this,” Brandon muttered. His teeth chattered, and he shivered beside her. “It’s been so long.”

  His father was driving, and he parked not far from the porch. Already both their eyes were on Brandon. They stepped out of the car slowly and for a long time none of them made a move. Not Brandon or his parents, and certainly not Bailey.

  Then, slowly at first, Brandon began to make his way to his mother. She held out her arms, tears streaming down her face. “Brandon …”

  “Mom.” He jogged the last few steps and wrapped her into a full hug, an embrace that lasted long enough to ease years of hurt.

  Even from where she stood, wiping at her eyes, Bailey heard his mother’s next words. She put her hand alongside Brandon’s face and in a voice broken by years of regret she said, “Can you ever forgive me?”

  Brandon was silently crying too hard to speak. His shoulders shook as he nodded and hugged her again.

  By then his father had made his way around to that side of the car. The man’s eyes were dry, but shame colored everything about him – the slow way he walked and the deep lines on his face. “Son.” It was all he seemed to be able to say and then he, too, took Brandon in his arms and held on tight.

  As if he might fall to his death if he let go.

  Thank you, God … Bailey wiped away her tears. The moment, the weekend, all of it was exactly what Brandon and his parents needed to find forgiveness and the first steps toward healing.

  By the end of January the wedding party was decided, and Bailey had found dresses for her bridesmaids. She had called Andi and asked her to be the maid of honor. Andi couldn’t speak for several seconds, and when she did her voice held a mix of laughter and tears. “I can’t believe this. I’m honored, Bailey. Really.”

  Andi and Cody were still dating — more seriously than before. Bailey and Brandon had talked about the fact that if Andi was her maid of honor, most likely Cody would be her date. But at this point they were both fine with that. For the most part, Bailey had been too busy to give the reality much thought.

  The rest of the bridesmaids were four of Bailey’s church friends and Katy Hart Matthews — whose little boy was already almost five months old. Brandon asked Dayne to be his best man and Bailey’s five brothers to be groomsmen. Ashley and Landon’s son Devin would be their ring bearer, and Katy and Dayne’s daughter, Sophie, would be the most adorable flower girl.

  Eventually as things fell into place, the idea of Cody being at the wedding became the center of conversation for one of their premarital counseling studies. The question was one worth discussing. Could couples who had once dated be friends afterwards, and could they be guests at each other’s weddings? Bailey’s parents didn’t have a strong opinion on the issue.

  “Every situation is different. I could share a few guidelines according to the book, and from experience,” Bailey’s mom
started the talk. “First, the former couple shouldn’t talk about the past when they’re together. Whether they were mostly friends or more than friends, the past was a time they shared exclusive to the new guy or girl in the picture. It can feel very divisive to sit around with an old girlfriend or boyfriend, even an old friend, and just reminisce about yesterday.”

  Bailey nodded. “That makes sense.”

  “I guess the issue is whether Cody should be at the wedding. Since invitations should go out in a couple weeks.” Brandon leaned forward, his forearms on his knees, hands linked. His eyes were on Bailey’s dad, whom he had come to trust in these conversations and counseling sessions. “I mean, is that sort of weird?”

  “How do you feel about it?” Her dad’s compassion was evident. “It’s your wedding.” He turned to Bailey. “And what about you, honey? Would it be weird?”

  The question wasn’t an easy one. Bailey felt like a different person from the girl she’d been back when she had feelings for Cody. “It makes sense, especially since he’d be Andi’s date.”

  “Good point.” Bailey’s mom nodded. “That makes a difference.”

  “But what about you?” Her dad turned the conversation back to Brandon, who still hadn’t answered.

  “It really doesn’t bother me.” He straightened and caught Bailey’s eyes. The love she saw there eased any concerns she might have had. He smiled at her parents. “Cody had his chance. He and Bailey weren’t right together. And now he’s happy with Andi. He’d be her date, like Bailey said.”

  “I’m okay with that. Really.” Bailey gave a look that said she could make a case either way — including him or not having him at the wedding at all. “He’s happy for me, that I’m getting married. It’s not like he still texts me all the time or ever tries to come between me and Brandon.” She shrugged one shoulder. “I mean, Cody was the one who told me to call Brandon after I left LA.”

  In the end they decided Cody would be invited. None of them saw any concerns that Cody’s attention would be anywhere but on Andi, the girl he loved. Yes, Cody and Bailey had a past and there was something bittersweet about that. But even more, they had been friends. Family, practically. If everyone could handle the situation, and since he was so serious with Andi, it was fitting that Cody be at the wedding.

  By the middle of February every detail for the big day was in place and Bailey’s wedding dress had come in to the boutique. She and her mom went for a quick fitting, and other than a few adjustments, the gown was ready to go. They had finished arrangements with the florist and the DJ and the last-minute wedding planner, a friend of her mom’s who worked weddings on the side. She’d come in for the final month to call vendors they had contracts with and oversee the execution of the various details.

  Before she knew where the time had gone it was the third Saturday in February and Bailey and her mom were driving back from the airport with Andi and headed to the bridal shower at Ashley Baxter Blake’s house. The party was a more intimate gathering. The Baxter women — Ashley, of course, and her sisters Kari, Brooke, and Erin. Also Luke’s wife, Reagan Baxter, and their step-mother, Elaine. Her bridesmaids would all be there, since Katy had flown in with Dayne a few days ago to direct the donation of furniture from the lake house garage. Brandon’s mother had declined the invitation. Her husband had been sick lately, so she wanted to tend to him. But she called Bailey and said she’d be praying that the day was special. “God willing, we’ll be at the wedding.”

  As they pulled into the driveway of the old Baxter farmhouse, Andi shivered. “I should’ve brought my coat. I forgot how cold Indiana winters are.”

  “You missed the storm.” Bailey looked over her shoulder at the backseat where Andi was sitting. “Snow was halfway up our front door. Seriously.”

  Andi laughed. “I’ll take LA.”

  “So you like it there? Enough to stay?” Bailey’s mom hadn’t caught up with Andi in a while. Bailey already knew her friend’s answer.

  “Yes. I love it, actually. It’s warm every day and there’s tons going on. The movie opportunities are everywhere and I can go to the beach whenever I want.”

  “Wow … you sound like you work for the tourism board.” Bailey laughed. “I wonder if I would’ve felt different about it if it weren’t so … well, you know.”

  “You mean if you weren’t being hounded by paparazzi every minute.” Andi sounded frustrated by the fact. “Uh, yes. You would feel a whole lot differently about it.”

  Bailey wondered. She loved Bloomington and at this moment she was sure she’d choose it with its snow and freezing Februarys, even if no tabloid in Los Angeles ever wanted her picture again.

  They parked and Bailey’s mom turned to Andi before opening her door. “Reagan will be here. She’ll have little Johnny.”

  Andi’s expression didn’t change. “I know. I’ve been talking to Bailey about it, and Reagan and I talked yesterday. She’s glad I’ll have the chance to meet him again.”

  She sensed her friend’s nervousness, so Bailey reached back and put her hand on Andi’s knee. There wasn’t time for a long conversation, but she felt for her friend. This would be the first time she’d seen the baby she gave up since he was born. Even so, Andi had told her yesterday she wasn’t worried about it or overly sad. She wanted to be at the party to celebrate Bailey’s coming wedding. Seeing her birth son would only be God’s way of showing her everything was okay, that she’d done the right thing. Andi had told Bailey she was convinced.

  The other Baxters who would attend today felt the same way, from what Bailey had heard. There was nothing awkward about Andi being there. God would use the situation privately as He intended. Otherwise the day ahead was about Brandon and her, and the miracle of their love.

  Bailey could hardly wait.

  Twenty-Eight

  AS THEY WALKED UP THE FRONT STEPS ASHLEY OPENED THE door. “Bailey! One month! Can you believe it?” She held her arms out and gave each of them big hugs as they walked in. “Help yourself to salad and bread. The food’s on the table.” Ashley walked inside with them. “I think we’re waiting on a couple of your friends, Bailey. Otherwise we’re all here.”

  Bailey hung back a little, chatting with Ashley as they entered the living room. She wanted to watch the moment play out with Reagan and Johnny without turning all the attention on Andi. Something that would make the moment more difficult than any of them wanted.

  Erin and Brooke were in a conversation with Katy and Elaine near the salad table, and Reagan sat with Kari in the adjacent living room. Johnny was in her arms asleep, his long legs dangling off her lap. From here, the child’s resemblance to Andi was even greater than it had been at the picnic. He was two now, sound asleep and looking like an angel.

  Andi put her things down and walked tentatively toward the two women. Reagan spotted her first and smiled, motioning with her head. “Andi … you made it! Come sit with us.”

  She took the seat next to Reagan and stared at the boy. Bailey whispered to her mom. “I’ll be back. I’m going to be with her. In case she needs me.”

  Her mom glanced across the room and then back at Bailey. “Good idea.”

  On her way to the seat beside Andi, Bailey said hello to the ladies by the salad table. Then she took the chair next to her friend and gave her a quick side hug. “Hi, Reagan … Kari.”

  Both of them said hello and congratulated her on the wedding. “A month from today, right?” Kari looked at ease.

  “Yes. March 16. Four weeks.” Bailey felt the thrill in a more real way. “I can’t believe it’s almost here.”

  Andi’s eyes were still on little Johnny. “He’s beautiful.” She lifted her eyes to Reagan’s. “Can I touch him?”

  “Of course.” Reagan also looked relaxed. Their roles were clearly defined, and both of them were on board with that. This was merely a moment they knew would come one day, and probably again several times in the future. “He’s a wonderful little boy. Full of light and adventure.” She laugh
ed. “A perfect match for Tommy.”

  Tommy — Luke and Reagan’s older son — had always been known for his mischief. Bailey smiled as she pictured the two brothers.

  Though Andi seemed to be listening, Bailey could tell that her entire attention was on the boy. As if he might break, Andi softly brushed her fingers along Johnny’s arm. He stirred slightly and she drew back. “Sorry. I don’t want to wake him.”

  “It’s okay. He’ll be hungry soon.”

  Bailey felt suddenly self-conscious. Like maybe she should leave her friend to this moment. She stood and motioned to Andi. “I’m going to get lunch.”

  Her words seemed to lift Andi out of the moment with Johnny and Reagan and back into the party. She grinned and nodded. “I’ll join you.”

  The rest of the shower Andi visited with several of the women and Ashley led everyone through a trivia game to see how well they knew Bailey and Brandon and their love story. No one was surprised when Katy and Bailey’s mom tied for the win.

  Before the shower was over, Reagan took the floor. Johnny was asleep in his portable playpen in the den as she took her Bible from the diaper bag and looked at the faces that filled the room. “When I married Luke, my wonderful future sisters-in-law and Luke’s mother threw me a shower in a New York hotel room.” She smiled at Ashley. “My relationship with Luke didn’t start out the way we hoped. Most of you know we had Tommy before we were married.”

  Bailey knew this, and she was pretty sure Andi did. Reagan’s confession was proof that no one came to the room perfect.

  She ran her hand over the Bible and continued, her eyes soft and full of meaning. “Everyone went around the room and shared a favorite Bible verse, something that would help Luke and me as we headed into marriage.” She turned to Bailey. “That’s what we want to do now, for you, Bailey.”