Take Four

  Her dad finished his part, cleaning out the turkey and positioning it back in the pan. Then he headed out to the garage to find the family’s Christmas lights. Every year they decorated their house the day after Thanksgiving, and since tomorrow afternoon figured to be rainy, he wanted to be ready for an early start.

  Once he was gone, it was up to Bailey and her mom to stuff the bird. All six Flanigan kids had stayed up late the night before working on various parts of the dinner. The boys had shredded six loaves of bread, ripping the slices into small pieces and filling an enormous bowl. The bread had been left out overnight and now it was ready to be turned into stuffing.

  Ricky and BJ had crushed two bags of pretzels for the crust of their family’s famous strawberry and cream cheese gelatin salad, while Bailey and Connor had worked together to make the pineapple lime salad. This time they hadn’t spilled a drop when they poured it into the ringed mold and put it in the refrigerator. Bailey thought the lime Jello salad was always the prettiest item on the table. Shawn and Justin had the job of peeling a ten-pound bag of potatoes—which they loved because each year they raced to see who could peel the most before the bag ran out. Like most years, Justin won, but Shawn was a good sport. He promised to make up for it by beating Justin in a game of Around the World on the basketball court sometime this morning.

  With all the preparation from last night, Bailey and her mother didn’t have much work to get dinner going. Bailey found the celery and onions from the fridge while her mom set the gizzards in a small pan of boiling water. Later they would use a few tablespoons of the water to help season the stuffing.

  Her mom talked about the upcoming football banquet Sunday afternoon and how great a job Cody had done. “I’m glad he’s joining us today.” She gave Bailey a curious look. “Have you talked?”

  “No. Not in weeks.” She had determined not to let that fact bother her. They needed to talk in person in order to work everything out. She minced the celery into fine pieces, careful to remove the stringy parts. In the background her dad had put on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “We’ll talk today.” She smiled at her mom. Everything was too perfect for that not to happen. She would forgive Cody for being distant, and explain she understood how he might’ve been feeling out of sorts—what, with her working with Brandon. She would ask about Cheyenne, but she was sure the girl was not the problem. And now that her movie was finished and school was out, the two of them could find what they’d started last summer. She could hardly wait to see him.

  The boys came down a few at a time, and each of them stopped to admire the work Bailey and her mom were doing. “I can’t wait till it starts cooking.” Ricky made an exaggerated sniff at the air, his face upward. “That’s the best smell ever!”

  Bailey’s mom had set out cinnamon rolls and bacon for breakfast—another family tradition for Thanksgiving morning. Bailey’s brothers watched them add the chopped celery and onions to the dry bread, and as Bailey carefully poured in several cups of chicken broth and a little of the juice from the cooked gizzards. The last ingredient was a cup of melted butter.

  “I could eat it just like that,” Shawn’s eyes were big. He craned his neck over the counter so he could get a whiff of the stuffing. “Cinnamon rolls and stuffing…the perfect combination.”

  The other boys laughed, and after they watched Bailey and their mom stuff the turkey—and baste the outside with more melted butter—they ran to get their dad from outside. He and Connor were in charge of the next part.

  Bailey stood back and admired the turkey. “Best one yet.”

  “Definitely.” Her dad walked in, washed his hands, and together with Connor they eased the stuffed bird into the baking bag and back into the roasting pan. This time Connor put the turkey in the oven without help.

  “Way to go,” Bailey linked arms with Shawn and Justin, watching as Connor shut the oven door. “Wow, Connor, you’re as strong as dad.”

  “Come on,” Ricky raised his eyebrows. As the youngest Flani gan and a football fanatic, he always saw their dad as bigger than life. “Connor’s strong, but no one’s as strong as Dad.”

  The boys followed their dad outside to organize Christmas lights and decorations, and Bailey and her mom washed their hands. Already it was eleven in the morning, and Bailey wasn’t sure what time Cody was supposed to be there. “Did Dad tell him a time?” She ran a soapy wet rag over the granite countertop, cleaning the area for the next round of preparations.

  “We’ll be eating at three, like always.” She brought a bowl of whole sweet potatoes to the sink and grabbed two peelers. “I think your dad told him to be here by two. He invited Cody’s mom too, but I guess she’s busy. That’s what Cody said.”

  As they worked, they talked about the movie and the reshoots that were scheduled for the week after Christmas. They also dreamed about what they’d wear to the premiere for The Last Letter. Bailey wanted to take Cody, and she told her mom as much. Then Brandon could see Cody wasn’t only a figment of her imagination.

  “Be careful, honey.” Her mom’s voice was tender, the way it always was when she had wisdom to impart. “What if something’s changed with Cody? I mean, the boys said he’s different. More distant.” She hesitated. “And remember the text he meant to send to that girl.”

  “It’s nothing. I know it’s not.” She pushed the peeler deeper into a sweet potato, forcing large sections of skin into the sink. “It’s just the movie thing. We’ll be fine after today.”

  Her mom didn’t press the issue. The answers would play out soon enough, so there was no point in either of them guessing about what Cody was thinking or why he’d been so distant. The hours passed slowly, and Shawn made good on his promise to beat Justin at Around the World. As the boys’ game came to a close, Bailey and her mom finished everything they could do in the kitchen, and except for their dad—who was showering—the whole family met up in the living room for a recap of the parade.

  Finally…finally she saw Cody’s car pull up the drive, and her brothers celebrated the fact. Bailey padded through the house to her favorite window, the one in her mom’s office. From there she could watch him park and head up to the door without him seeing her. She felt her heart skid into a dizzy sort of rhythm. He looked taller, his shoulders broader, and she realized just how much she’d missed him.

  Before he reached the front door, she was there to open it. But her brothers arrived at the same time, running and sliding down the hallway in their socks, creating a happy chaotic atmosphere that wasn’t exactly what Bailey was hoping for in this, the first time they’d been together in nearly two months.

  “Wow, we’re like the welcome committee or something,” Ricky laughed out loud and rushed to get the door. “Hey…we’re all here!” he shouted as he welcomed Cody inside.

  Cody was hugged from either side by Ricky and Shawn, and he got a fist pound from Connor all while Justin and BJ peppered him with questions about why he hadn’t been by and how come he didn’t come earlier in the day so he could’ve played Around the World. Before he took even a few steps, he reached one hand in Bailey’s direction and squeezed her fingers. Their eyes met, and Bailey felt her knees grow weak. He still cared about her. He must. Otherwise, he couldn’t speak to her like that, without even saying a word. Bailey stood back, smiling, taking in the way her brothers loved Cody. She would have time with him later, but for now there was satisfaction in knowing he was clearly where he belonged.

  Here with her family.

  From the time he arrived until dinner was served, the group did everything together. They watched football and spent half an hour on the basketball court outside so Justin could take another try beating Shawn at hoops, and the whole time Bailey forced herself to be patient. The Baxters and the Ellisons were coming for dessert—nearly fifty people by her mom’s latest count. So if they didn’t find time alone soon the night could get away from them. It could be nearly midnight before they talked.

  Dinner came together the way it us
ually did on Thanksgiving, in a frenzy of teamwork with every Flanigan doing his or her part to make it happen. The table was set with their prettiest creamy satin tablecloth and a deep brown and gold table runner. The china was the same they used every year, a set their parents picked up in London years ago. Even the pineconed centerpiece was the same, and as Ricky had announced before the meal came together, it wouldn’t be Thanksgiving at the Flanigan’s if the table looked different. Cody pitched in too, filling the crystal goblets with sparkling cider and letting his eyes linger on Bailey’s when their paths crossed.

  Finally the meal was spread out on the kitchen counter, the plates stacked at one end, and it was time to walk through the line and fill their plates. After they did, they took their places at the table and Bailey’s dad prayed—one of the most beautiful Thanksgiving prayers Bailey could remember. “We are grateful this day, Lord…because so many in our country will do without this year. Please know we are thankful for our health, our family, our friends, and our faith, and we ask that You continue to bless us not for our glory, but for Yours.”

  After a round of amens, they continued with the other tradition everyone had come to look forward to. Around the room, each of them would say what they were thankful for. As always, the opportunity started with Ricky. “One of the benefits of being the youngest,” he grinned at the others, his words barely distinguishable because of the mashed potatoes and gravy filling his mouth.

  The answers were similar to other years. The boys were thankful for their family, for football, for their Savior, and—on this night—for the presence of Cody among them. Bailey smiled when her mom said she was thankful Bailey was done filming Unlocked. “Every day was a little crazy back then,” she gave Bailey a weary smile. “A few times we even had the paparazzi camping out at the end of the driveway.”

  Bailey, too, was thankful the filming was finished, but she added she was even more thankful for something else. “I’m ready for life to move on.” She kept her glance discreet, but she couldn’t help look at Cody. “Everything sort of seemed on hold while we were filming.”

  Cody was next, though he was seated across from Bailey because Ricky and BJ had called dibs on sitting beside him. “I’m thankful for God’s guidance.” He gave a slight nod, and he looked at Bailey’s parents. “I’ve felt that pretty strongly lately.”

  His answer set off the first screeching siren of alarm in Bailey’s otherwise quiet heart. God’s guidance? Meaning what? That Cody had undergone a transformation or a change of heart in some way recently? She tried not to think about it, while her Dad explained he was thankful for the spiritual growth in the Flanigan kids. Whatever Cody had meant by that, she would ask him later. As soon as they had a moment.

  Bailey meant for that time to come as soon as dinner was finished, but they were still clearing the dinner plates when the doorbell rang. Cody must’ve seen her expression fall a little because he came up alongside her with a stack of dishes. “Don’t worry.” He set the plates down in the sink and hugged her shoulders. “I’ll stay late. We’ll talk after everyone goes.”

  Bailey could barely hear him, barely focus on the words he was saying because this was the first time he’d touched her in far too long. The feel of his arm around her was like home to her, so right it practically hurt when he moved back to the table for another load of dishes. Whatever he wanted to talk to her about, the news couldn’t be bad, right? Cody was here and he was loved by everyone in her family. Whatever guidance he’d been getting from God it must’ve been the sort of thing she’d been picturing—that they would come to an agreement to put the last few months behind them and move on. As if they’d never taken a break at all. Bailey wanted to know this instant what he was thinking and feeling, his intentions toward her.

  But members of the Luke Baxter family were already streaming through the front door, bringing pumpkin pies into the kitchen and laughing about the warm weather this year and how the kids had helped carve the turkey. So Bailey resigned herself.

  Whatever Cody wanted to tell her, it would have to wait.

  Twenty-Six

  KEITH WAS GLAD ANDI DECIDED TO JOIN THEM for the trip to the Flanigan’s tonight. Thanksgiving had been quiet—just the three of them—and had included a poignant discussion about how Andi was feeling, how the baby would be coming in little more than a month.

  Not once since her time down at the lake that first morning of filming had Andi wavered in her decision to give her baby up. She had met with the adoptive mother and her two kids at an arranged meeting at the agency office. The woman’s husband was apparently in Los Angeles on business. Eventually Andi wanted her parents to meet the family she’d chosen. But that first time she had decided she wanted to be alone with her baby’s new family, so she could watch them interact and imagine her baby growing up a part of them.

  The meeting had gone perfectly, according to Andi. That had been a few weeks ago, and Andi had been busy with school since then, but tonight she wanted to get out, wanted to see Bailey, and meet some of the Baxter family. Keith realized, as they parked out front and he and Lisa walked around back to get the deep dish apple pies, that Andi had never met most of the Baxters. She hadn’t gone to the Baxter Sunday dinner back when Chase and Keith were here filming The Last Letter, and though she’d been on the set, she barely remembered meeting Dayne’s wife and a few of the married Baxter girls.

  “So many cars,” Andi carried the whipped cream. She looked pretty tonight. Her hair was still dark—she’d dyed it again, promising sometime next spring she’d find her way back to blonde once more. She no longer seemed self-conscious about her belly. She hadn’t gained much weight, and from the back it was impossible to tell she was pregnant. She wore a long brown cardigan, brown leggings, and a white longsleeved shirt.

  “The Baxters make for a lot of people.” Lisa laughed as she walked beside Andi. “I’m proud of you, honey. Coming out to night. I think you’ll be glad you did.”

  “Me too.”

  Keith walked a little behind the two women in his life, and he had to agree with Lisa. He was very proud of their daughter, of the way she’d embraced this baby and released it back to God all in the same season of life. But now that they were done shooting the movie, the reality was hitting him a little more every day. His daughter was about to have a baby boy, but it was a baby none of them would ever have the chance to know or love. Maybe tonight the three of them could talk to Luke and Reagan Baxter about the gift of adoption—the way Keith had imagined several months ago. That way they might all be more ready to give up the baby.

  As they walked up the steps, Keith and Lisa both carrying the pies, Keith prayed again silently as he’d prayed many times. Lord, give me peace about Andi’s decision. I was ready to love that little guy…I already had a place in my heart for him…please, Lord…just give me peace.

  He barely finished the prayer as Jenny Flanigan opened the door and welcomed them inside. She hugged Andi for a long time and kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

  “Thank you.” Andi’s eyes glowed the way they had before her freshman year at Indiana university. “Where’s Bailey?”

  “Inside with the rest of the gang.” Bailey’s mother smiled at Lisa. “Mmmm. Apple pies! You can never have too much dessert.”

  “They’re still warm,” Lisa walked in. “Lead the way so we know where to put them.”

  Andi waited, and the three of them walked down the short hallway to the Flanigans’ enormous kitchen. But as Bailey’s mom kept walking, Andi stopped suddenly and put her hand to her head.

  “Honey…what is it?” Keith and Lisa passed their apple pies off to Jenny and Jim Flanigan and immediately gathered around Andi. Keith’s tone must’ve sounded his concern, because a hush fell over the kitchen. People pouring coffee and setting up the desserts turned to look at them. Keith barely noticed any of it, his attention completely on Andi. Her face was pale and her eyes wide. She was staring straight across the kitchen at…


  A gasp sounded from the other side of the room, as Reagan Baxter—Luke’s wife—dropped the fork she was holding, her look as shocked as Andi’s. “What are…” her voice faded and she started coming closer. Luke joined her, looking from Andi to Reagan and back again.

  “What’s going on?” His laugh sounded nervous, like he wanted to make sure everyone was okay before trying to figure out like the rest of them what was going on.

  But at that moment Luke’s five-year-old son, Tommy, spotted Andi and yelled out loud, “Hey! I know you!” He smiled big and ran right up to Andi, who was still holding the whipped cream in her other hand, the one that wasn’t pressed to her forehead. As Tommy reached her, he looked up, his eyes sweet and full of charm. “Can I tell my brother ‘hi’?”

  Andi touched the child’s head, and Keith saw tears fill her eyes. “Yes, Tommy.” She handed the whipped cream to her father, as her voice cracked. “You can say hi to him.”

  Keith’s mind raced and he looked at Lisa, who shook her head as if to say she had no idea what was happening. If Tommy knew Andi, and if he knew the baby she was carrying was his little brother…then…Keith felt tears well up in his eyes too. It wasn’t possible. This…this was the adoptive family Andi had chosen all on her own? Looking through a photolisting book? Luke and Reagan Baxter?

  No one moved. No one seemed even to be breathing. Attention from everyone in the room was fastened on the miracle playing out before them. Tommy didn’t seem to notice. He hugged Andi and then put his hands on both sides of her belly. “Hi there, little brother. You can hurry up and be born, okay? Because me and Malin can’t wait to see you.”

  Andi’s tears streamed down her face and she looked across the room at Reagan. “Your last name…is Baxter?”

  “Yes.” Reagan made her way closer and took Andi in her arms. Tommy was still standing beside her, still rubbing Andi’s belly, still talking to his unborn baby brother.