Page 13 of A Baxter Family Christmas
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
Aclear 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!”
