Page 42 of Someone Like You
“We wanted to tell you.” Peter still had his arm around Brooke. “So the family can pray. And so you can know the truth.” He paused, clearly fighting his emotions. “The way everyone should’ve known from the beginning.”
Another silence followed.
Remind them of my Word, my son. They need certainty.
There it was again. The voice of God, John was so familiar with. He steadied himself and looked right at Peter. They needed their heavenly Father’s unchanging truth. “There will be healing through all this. We will pray for that and believe it will happen.” He saw Ashley nodding.
Then he turned his eyes to Brooke and Peter. “Nothing is impossible with God. All things work to the good for those who love Him. God is faithful and true and He will not let this destroy your family.” John felt his strength gather. “That’s what the Bible says and that’s what we believe.”
“Yes. We’ve always come back to that.” Luke took Reagan’s hand. “It’s all we have.”
They shared awhile longer. Kari used her phone to read aloud a few Bible verses on God’s healing power. Then Reagan talked about impossible situations in her life where God had worked a miracle. Before the discussion ended, John looked at his kids and their spouses. “Let’s pray. Where two or more are gathered in His name, there He is, also.” He paused. “So … He is here. He sees us.”
Then, as John had been doing since he felt the prodding yesterday afternoon—as he’d done all his life—he prayed for his family. For Brooke and Peter and Maddie and Hayley. That God would shower each of them withlove and mercy and certainty in the days ahead, and that He alone would have the final say about Maddie’s future.
About her very identity.
After the prayer, Brooke and Peter thanked everyone. “We gave you no warning.”
“You needed us.” John looked around, proud of the people in the room. They had dropped whatever plans they’d had to be here. “That’s how love responds.”
When they were finished and when Elaine and the others were out back with the kids, John went to Brooke and Peter and wrapped his arms around them. “We’ll get through this.” His tone was gentle. “Christian counseling might be a good idea. For all four of you.”
“We’ve thought about that.” Peter looked slightly more encouraged. “When she comes home we’ll suggest it.”
“The thing is …” Brooke rested her head on John’s shoulder. “I never wanted to tell her she wasn’t a Baxter.” She closed her eyes for a moment. “Being part of this family means so much to her.”
“Listen.” John took a deep breath. “She will always be part of this family. As long as she lives. This information cannot possibly change that.”
Brooke nodded. “I want to believe that.”
“Thank you.” Peter put his hand on John’s arm. “We needed this.” His eyes welled up again. “It feels good to be honest. Finally.”
Later that night when they were back home and Elaine was asleep, John found his favorite spot in the front room again. He had been praying constantly for Maddie, that she wouldn’t run away from her family, but toward them. Now more than ever.
I’m here, Lord.He looked to the night sky overBloomington.How can I help my granddaughter? Where is she right now?A part of him wanted to get in his car and search the city for her. Make sure she was okay. Brooke and Peter had heard from her. A brief text indicating she was okay, but she wasn’t ready to come home.
Not for a long time.
Those had been her words. So they didn’t have to call the police or file a missing person’s report. But still they wanted to find her, and John thought maybe he could help. Take a drive to the schools and parks and parking lots. Wherever she might be.
But then he stopped himself. That wouldn’t help. Maddie needed to work through her feelings with God. He was the only one who could assure her of who she was. Whose she was.Still, Lord, I’m willing. Send me to her if that would help.
My Son, you will be needed in this. Be ready. Keep praying.
Be ready.Was that really the voice of God telling him that? Would the Lord use him to help make things right with Maddie? John would keep listening. Keep watching and waiting for a time when he could help. Until then he would pray that Maddie never forget she belonged in this family. She was Brooke and Peter’s daughter, and she was Hayley’s sister. She was a West.
And most definitely she was a Baxter.
15
The missed call had come from Indiana sometime during his flight home, which gave Dawson Gage just the slightest slim thread of hope. Maybe Maddie had changed her mind. Maybe she wanted to talk to him.
By now she almost certainly knew the truth.
Dawson felt terrible about how things had played out at the zoo. How could she not have known about her past? Had her adoptive parents actually not told her? Or had she just been too afraid to give him any information?
Whatever it was, Maddie had wanted nothing to do with him.
