Page 63 of To the Moon and Back
Ashley put her arms around Landon’s waist as they surveyed their work. Landon chuckled. “It’s actually pretty amazing.”
“It is.” Ashley grinned. Aslan looked very much like a lion, and sure enough, the seashells made his mane look beyond majestic.
“Of course”—Landon kissed the side of her head—“Cole’s right. It isn’t really fair that we have two artists on our team.”
“True.” She gave him a sheepish look.
Each team took a turn revealing what they had created. In the event it wasn’t obvious—which for some was the case.
Luke and Reagan’s family had made the White House. Though Tommy admitted that he got confused and tried to do the Lincoln Memorial halfway through.
“Our team was definitely a little unclear.” Luke laughed. “But it looks good. Whatever it is.”
Kari and Ryan and their kids had created an all-sand football stadium. “It’s supposed to be Clear Creek High.” Kari took a bow. “We think we nailed it.”
The Kensington Palace replica was done by Brooke and Peter and their girls. “Because it’s supposed to be a castle.” Hayley clapped and high-fived her older sister. “Right, Maddie?”
“Yes, that’s right.” Maddie linked arms with her and waited.
Dayne and Katy’s family had made a theater, complete with rows of seats—each topped with a seashell.
“Very nice.” Cole nodded. “When it comes time to judge, don’t forget the little touches.” He winked at Landon. “The details all matter. Speaking of which . . .” He motioned to Ashley. “Mom . . . tell them about ours.”
Ashley took a quick breath. “Ours is Aslan of Narnia.”
“Are you serious? The eyes look like they’re real.” Brooke put her hands on her hips. “Ash, how can we compete with you?”
“The eyes weren’t mine.” Ashley beamed at her niece. “They were Amy’s.”
“Way to go, Amy.” Tommy clapped for her.
“And don’t forget the seashell mane.” Cole stepped back so everyone could see it. “Papa, it’s your turn.”
Ashley turned to her dad and Elaine. They were down the beach a little bit, and Ashley and the others didn’t see their creation right away. But now that they all walked closer, Ashley knew what it was before her dad said a word.
“It’s the Baxter house.” He put his arm around Elaine’s shoulders. “The place where it all began. The house that will always be home.”
“Talk about details.” Ashley stared at the house. She stooped down and looked more closely. “Seashell shutters. That’s brilliant.”
Somehow her dad and Elaine had even managed to capture the front porch and the basketball hoop in the driveway.
For a long time, the adult kids stood around, staring at the design. Tears filled Ashley’s eyes and when she looked up from the sand house she saw she wasn’t the only one.
“How can you look at that and not see a million memories?” Kari folded her arms. “Dad, Elaine . . . it’s beautiful.”
“It was his idea.” Elaine smiled. “I thought it was a good one. Especially today.”
Elaine was very deep and this was a perfect example. She might never have lived in the house, the one Ashley and Landon called home now. But Ashley’s mother had lived there. And since she had started the Fourth of July picnic tradition, it was only right that her memory carry on.
Even in a sand castle.
“And instead of a moat it has a pond and a stream.” Devin cheered, both arms in the air. “That’s amazing, Papa! Way to go, both of you.”
Cole gave Devin a look. “It’s a competition.” He lifted his hands and let them fall again. “Probably don’t sway the votes to another team.”
Everyone laughed and Cole handed out scoring sheets along with a quick refresher on the intricate voting system. The whole group walked around choosing a first and second place.
“No comparing notes,” Cole directed. “This is serious stuff!” Even he chuckled at his words.
