Page 32 of A Baxter Family Christmas
Reagan was quiet. “This is about your mom, isn’t it?”
For a long beat, Luke stayed by the window, staring into the stormy night. When he turned around, he felt tears in his eyes. “Maybe. Deep down.” He came to Reagan and pulled her into his arms. “She would’ve wanted us all together.”
“True.” Reagan put her hands against his cheeks. “What about Ashley?”
“Could you text her? Just so she knows we’re coming. It’s the right thing to do. For our family, for my dad.” He smiled. “Let’s go tell the kids.”
Luke thought about his decision as the kids celebrated the news. He still couldn’t understand his father wanting Kendra Bryant to be part of their evening. The woman would never be family—even if she did have Erin’s heart. But her presence didn’t change the fact that it was Christmas.
And Christmas was for family.
Twenty minutes later, despite the raging storm outside, Luke and Reagan, Tommy, Malin, and Johnny were piled in the car and headed from Indianapolis to Bloomington. Fifty miles and they’d be where they always were on Christmas Eve—blizzard or not. The home where Luke had been raised. The one his sister and her husband now owned.
The Baxter house.
CHAPTER TWELVE
The text came through while Ashley was upstairs in the bathroom getting ready for dinner in downtown Bloomington. They were about to clear out so the Baxter family Christmas Eve party could happen where it always did. At her house. Landon had just announced that they were five minutes from leaving, and already the kids were gathered in Cole’s room.
Ashley set down her curling iron and picked up her phone. The message was from Reagan.We’re headed to Bloomington. Luke changed his mind. He says maybe your mom would’ve wanted us to all be there.
A sick feeling wrapped itself around Ashley as she rattled off a quick response.Are you serious? So you’re already headed here?
Yes. Luke’s driving. He says it’s Christmas. And the old Baxter house is the only place we want to be.
Ashley texted back.What about the storm?
According to Luke, he’s driven through worse. Pray for us.
A long sigh came from the broken places in Ashley’s heart. How could Luke change his mind at the last minute? Especially when he was so set against the meeting with Kendra. And how could her family be the only ones not here tonight? She leaned against the bathroom wall and closed her eyes.God, what are we supposed to do?
“Honey?” Landon came to her and took hold of her hands. “Everything okay?”
She held up her phone. “Reagan just texted. She and Luke and the kids are headed here. They changed their minds.”
Landon’s expression showed no sign of surprise. His eyes looked deeper than Lake Monroe. “You only get so many Christmases.”
“I know.” Tears stung at her eyes. “Maybe we need to explain things to the kids. See what they think. Ask them their opinion.”
A smile tugged at the corners of Landon’s lips. “I like that idea.”
“You know.” Ashley linked her arms around his neck and hugged him. “I should’ve thought about that sooner.”
“At least you’re thinking about it now.” Landon kissed her lips. “I’ll go get them.”
The meeting took place on Ashley and Landon’s bed. Where they often had talks with their kids. Landon took the lead.
“Your mom and I have something to ask you.”
Ashley watched as Devin raised his hand and began talking. “Is it about why we’re leaving our own house for Christmas Eve?” He sat cross-legged at the center of the bed. “Because that’s what us kids were talking about in Cole’s room. Plus, Pastor said Christmas is for getting along with people.”
“It’s true.” Cole shrugged, his expression guilty. “I mean, none of us really get it.”
“That’s my fault.” Ashley thought about the pastor’s message from earlier that day. Devin was right. Pastor Atteberry talked about giving people grace and making an effort to think of others first. She sighed and knelt on the bench at the end of their bed so she could face the children. “I made a decision about tonight I thought was best.” She paused, looking at each of their precious faces. “But now I’m not sure I was right.”
“It’s about that lady, right?” Amy’s voice was quieter than the boys’, her face marked by sadness.
“It is, Amy. That’s right.” Landon came up alongside Ashley. “A special guest is joining the family for dinner tonight at our house. Her name is Kendra Bryant.”
