Page 30 of A Baxter Family Christmas
Otherwise how could she explain a day like this?
Not until the show was over did Maddie realize Connor was gone. She got a text from him while she was cleaning up with a crew of parents and older kids.
Sorry! Bailey wasn’t feeling good, so I took her home. I guess we’ll have to talk some other time.
Maddie read the text and felt the disappointment deep within her. Her fingers flew across the phone’s keyboard.No problem. Maybe we can get together after Christmas. I still want to talk.
His next text took a few minutes.Sure. Sounds good. Great job tonight.
She had hoped he would ask her to meet sooner. Tomorrow or the next day. But she understood. After how she’d acted, Maddie could hardly blame him. She typed out her final text.Thanks. You too. Then she slipped her phone into her purse and set about her work.
The trouble with Connor was all her fault. She could’ve at least explained her situation, helped him understand how she felt about Hayley. Now he was probably glad to have a reason to leave early.
A realization hit Maddie as she drove home, as she thought about the amazing performance by the kids and how she’d lost her chance with Connor Flanigan. Something that brought comfort despite her disappointment. God really had given her the Christmas miracle she had prayed for.
His name was Patrick.
And that was enough. Maddie smiled as she pulled into her neighborhood.
No matter how Christmas turned out for her.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The worst snowstorm of the year descended on Indiana late in the afternoon the day before Christmas, making John thankful for three things. First, that they had all gone to the four o’clock Christmas Eve service that afternoon at Clear Creek Community Church. Second, that Kendra Bryant had decided to come early. Already she had texted John to say she was in town, doing some last-minute shopping near the university.
And finally, John was thankful that Luke and Reagan and the kids had decided not to come.
In John’s perfect picture of the day, all of his family would be together to meet Kendra. But with the severity of the storm he could only thank God that Luke and Reagan would be safe at home. Already local news was warning people to cancel plans and stay off the interstate.
Ashley helped Elaine with the cooking, even though Ashley and her family weren’t going to stick around for dinner. They had planned to spend Christmas Eve with Landon’s family several hours away. But the storm changed everything and instead, Landon had made reservations at their favorite nearby steak house.
John found them in the kitchen. He approached Ashley and put his hand on her arm. “You sure about dinner? We could move the party to Brooke’s house so you all could stay here. Brooke’s only a few miles away.”
“Dad, really. We’re fine.” Her eyes held an acceptance that hadn’t been there before. “We told the kids we’ll take them to a movie after dinner. Everyone’s okay with the plan.”
Dinner tonight would be stuffed chicken and roasted vegetables. Ashley was saving the turkey for tomorrow when the entire family would be together. As long as Luke and Reagan could get out from the storm.
When the dinner was ready, Elaine thanked Ashley. “I’ll keep it in the oven till everyone gets here.”
John moved into the kitchen. “I’m sorry again, Ashley.” He took the spot next to Elaine. “We should’ve had it in January.”
“It’s okay.” She hugged him and their eyes held. “Let me know how it goes.”
“I will.”
Ashley went upstairs to get ready. Landon was already up there helping the kids wrap presents.
Christmas music filled the house, but it did nothing to dim the regret in John’s heart. He turned to Elaine. “I’ve been thinking about something.”
She put her hand on the side of his face. “Tell me.”
“The last thing I wanted to do this Christmas was divide everyone.”
“I know.” Her tone was understanding, but it didn’t change the truth.
John stared out the window at the snow-covered garden behind the house. The one he’d planted three decades ago. Wasn’t it yesterday when Erin and her sisters played hide-and-seek in that garden? A sigh slid from John’s heart. “This dinner with Kendra Bryant...” John’s eyes found Elaine’s again. “The first time I heard Erin’s heartbeat she was just seconds old. The doctor laid her in my arms.”
“John.”
