A Baxter Family Christmas

by Karen Kingsbury

  Maddie was so happy she could barely breathe. Watching Connor walk through the door, she knew the two of them having this time together was another gift from God. Because not only did it clear up things with Connor. It had allowed her heart to be free and light and whole again.

  For the first time since she was five.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  It was a Christmas Eve John would remember for the rest of his life. And now it was time for Kendra and Moe to leave. John and Elaine walked them to the foyer, the conversation easy as they made their way. Already Dayne and Katy and Kari and Ryan had taken their children home. Ashley had put Janessa and Amy to bed, and the others were wrapping things up.

  When they reached the front door, Kendra turned to John. “Tonight meant more to me than you’ll ever know.” She linked arms with Moe. “The two of us . . . we talked about it a few minutes ago. We’re going to church tomorrow with Moe’s sister.”

  Moe nodded. “I can’t say I believe in God. Not yet, anyway. But I can take this step.” He looked at Kendra. “We can take it together.”

  And in that moment, Christmas came over John in a way he had never quite felt before. “That’s amazing.” He smiled at the couple. “First steps. I like that.”

  Elaine put her arm around John’s waist. “There’s no time like Christmas to examine your beliefs. It’s one of the main reasons John reached out to you. So we could share our faith.”

  “Not just our faith. But Erin’s faith. Her family’s faith.” John smiled at Elaine and then at Kendra. He paused for a long while. “But I also knew I wanted to be in the same room again with Erin’s beating heart. She was my little girl. The last time I hugged her, I didn’t know . . . I’d never have another chance to hold her again.

  “It’ll be a journey. Just remember that. Believing God truly is just the first step.” John put his hand on Moe’s shoulder. “We’re here for you. If you want to meet again.”

  “Good to know. Oh . . . and also . . . we talked about something else.” Moe smiled at Kendra.

  “Yes.” Kendra turned to John. “After tonight . . . we’d like to have a baby. Being around all your grandkids, Moe and I were both thinking about that.”

  It was another victory, another reason John was sure this was how they were supposed to celebrate Christmas Eve after all. He still couldn’t believe that even Luke and Ashley and their families had joined them tonight. But he was grateful.

  He and Elaine hugged Kendra and Moe again, wishing them a merry Christmas, and thanking them for coming. This had indeed been the right decision. For Kendra, for Amy, for the whole family. And as Kendra and Moe drove away, John smiled. Because after tonight they would no longer be strangers.

  But family.

  They had joined the others for Pictionary, and now everyone was finding coats and saying their goodbyes. Connor didn’t want to leave Maddie yet, but he had a feeling they’d see each other often in the next few days.

  He pulled her aside as their families were making their way to the front door. “This has been the most . . . amazing Christmas Eve.” He stood with her in the doorway to the living room, where they’d spent so much time talking earlier. “I mean . . . it was basically a reunion.”

  “Right.” She laughed. Her eyes looked years lighter than they had before their talk. “Last time we were together here, we probably played hide-and-seek in the garden out back.”

  “Yes.” He nodded, his tone teasing. “I think I remember that. I was four and you were three.”

  “It’s possible.”

  “True.” He took a step closer to her. “After tonight, anything’s possible.” Connor wasn’t sure how things might go from here. But if he had it his way, Maddie would be his girlfriend before Valentine’s Day. It was a possibility he would talk about with his parents, and hers.

  An idea he would pray about.

  Suddenly something overhead caught his eye. He looked up, and sure enough. Mistletoe hung from the doorframe. Everyone else was out front, and Maddie only had a minute before she had to leave.

  She followed his gaze and her cheeks grew a pretty shade of pink. “Mistletoe.”

  “Yep.” Connor took hold of both her hands. He shrugged. “It’s sort of a tradition.”

  “True.” She didn’t blink, didn’t look away.

  Connor leaned in and for the most wonderful, brief moment, he kissed her. Her lips were soft and warm against his and her nearness filled his senses. It was a kiss Connor was sure he’d remember forever. He eased back, a little breathless. “This needs to be our tradition.” He smiled at her, searching her eyes. “Right here. Under the mistletoe. Every Christmas.”

  “Every Christmas?” Her eyes sparkled and her laughter told him she had enjoyed the moment as much as him.

  He grinned. “Every single one.”

  They walked to the front door and he helped her with her coat. As she left he hugged her. “Merry Christmas, Maddie.”

  “Merry Christmas.”

  Connor had a single thought as he watched her walk into the snowy night with her parents and her sister. He didn’t need to wonder what gift he would want that couldn’t be wrapped.

  Her name was Maddie West.

  And because of her, after tonight, he would never be the same again.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  The house was quiet, everyone asleep except Ashley and Landon. She found him near the Christmas tree, hands in his pockets, staring at the ornaments. “I love our tree.”

  “I loved tonight.” She took her spot beside him, and he put his arm around her shoulders. “I can’t imagine if we would’ve missed it.”

  “Kendra was wonderful. She fit in so easily.” Landon looked at Ashley, his eyes soft. “I kept forgetting she wasn’t someone we’d known for years.”

  “Me, too. And what she said about Erin . . . I’ll remember that always.”

  Landon sighed. “We still have some work to do, you and me.”

  Ashley laughed. “True. It is Christmas Eve. The kids will be up bright and early.”

  Their tradition was the same every year. They wrapped presents for the kids and hid them in their closet. Then late on Christmas Eve when everyone else was asleep they set them out in piles—one for each of the children. The final touch was always the kids’ stockings—embroidered with their names.

  “Thank you.” Ashley turned to her husband. “Thanks for putting up with me.”

  “Ash . . . I’ve loved you as far back as I can remember.”

  “I know.” She framed his face with her hands. “But sometimes I’m not the easiest. Like the whole avoidance plan. I was wrong, but you never said so. You let me figure things out on my own.”

  “I understand you. That’s all.” He ran his fingers through her hair. “You feel so much, Ash. I love that about you.”

  “And I feel most for you.” She studied his eyes, his handsome face. “You were praying for me, weren’t you? That I’d change my mind and join the others tonight.”

  “Hmmm.” He grinned. “Maybe.”

  “I knew it.” She laughed and kissed him. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you, too. I always have.” Landon returned the kiss.

  For a long moment they forgot about the Christmas presents and the stockings. But then they heard a sound behind them. Ashley turned around first.

  There, standing in the doorway in her red flannel Christmas nightgown was Amy. She was still wearing her heart locket.

  “Hi.” Her voice was soft.

  “Honey, we thought you were asleep.” Ashley went to her and hugged her shoulders. “Is everything okay?”

  “Yes, sorry.” Amy looked up at her. “It’s just . . . I couldn’t sleep.” She fiddled with the heart locket and stared at the picture inside. Then she lifted her eyes to Ashley again. “I wanted to thank you. For letting me meet Kendra.”

  “Aww, honey . . . of course. As soon as I knew that’s what you wanted, me and Uncle Landon changed our minds right away.”
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  “I know.” Amy smiled. “That’s why I wanted to thank you.” She closed the locket and held her free arm out to Landon. “Can you come here, too?”

  Landon did as she asked. “We’re so glad you got to meet her, sweetie.”

  Amy hugged them both and after several seconds she looked first to Ashley and then to Landon. “I loved meeting Kendra, and I loved hearing my mommy’s heartbeat again. But I wanted you to know something.”

  “Okay, honey. We’re listening.” Ashley felt beyond touched. Whatever Amy was about to say, it clearly was important.

  “Kendra will never be my family. She’s a nice lady and she’s right. Me and her both have a piece of my mommy’s heart. That’ll always be true.” Amy hugged Ashley again and then Landon. “But you two . . . you’re my family. And that’s the greatest Christmas gift of all.”

  Ashley and Landon both knelt down near Amy and held her close. “That’s the most beautiful thing you could say.” Ashley kissed the girl’s cheek. “We feel the same way.”

  “That’s right.” Landon smoothed Amy’s hair and smiled at her. “You’re our family, too. You always will be.”

  After that, Amy seemed more relaxed. She yawned and fiddled with her heart locket again. “It’s probably a good idea if I go to bed now.”

  “Yes.” Ashley stood and Landon did the same. “Goodnight, Amy. We love you.”

  She smiled. “Love you, too. For always.”

  After that, Amy padded up the stairs to bed. As soon as she was out of sight, Landon pulled Ashley into his arms. “Wow. That was amazing.”

  “You’re amazing.” Ashley held on to him. If she could freeze this night she would. Each of their kids healthy and happy and ready to share a Christmas Day together. And Landon—the man who years ago had loved her enough to take Cole as his own, the man who loved Amy enough to do the same thing all over again. “I’m who I am because of you, Landon.” She brushed her face against his. “No one loves like you do.”

  “You make it easy, Ashley.” Landon kissed her, and then he took her by the hand back to their bedroom closet. If this was like other Christmas Eves, they were still an hour from climbing into bed. Enough time to put out the gifts and talk about Christmases gone by. Time to think back on the year past and dream about the one ahead. And time to remember the greatest gift God had given them.

  The one that couldn’t be wrapped.

  The gift of family.

  Dear Reader Friend,

  Being back with the Baxter family has been the greatest Christmas gift I could’ve asked for. Always when people ask me, “How are the Baxters?” I have an answer. I honestly do. I can see them at work and play, holding close conversations, and looking for new horizons. Participating in never-seen-before adventures.

  Yes, it’s a pleasure to be back with the Baxter family.

  And so I’ve decided to write more Baxter books. These stories will give you a window to the grown Baxter kids and their families, their faith walks, career challenges, and the life-changing difference they are making in the world around them.

  You’ve probably heard by now that the Baxter family is coming to TV. The series is expected to become one of the most beloved of all time. I know you’ll be watching. But I also know you’ll be reading.

  Because the Baxter family isn’t just my family. It’s your family.

  And with them at the middle of our lives, we are all family.

  Until next time . . . thanks for being part of the story.

  Love you!

  Karen

  THE QUESTION GAME

  The Baxter family loves to play the Question Game around the dinner table. Especially during the holidays. The Question Game is simple. Someone comes up with a question, then everyone at the table takes a turn answering it. Sometimes great questions are a little difficult to come up with. So here are a few questions the Baxters have used over the years:

  1. What gift that cannot be wrapped would you want most of all?

  2. If you could ask God one question, what would it be?

  3. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?

  4. If you could be a professional athlete in any sport, what would it be?

  5. You can have dinner with one family member who has passed on. Who would it be, and what would you talk about?

  6. You can have dinner with any of the twelve apostles. Who would you choose and what would you ask him?

  7. You can have coffee with any person from American history. Who would you choose and why?

  8. What was your favorite family vacation and why?

  9. What are three of your favorite memories from Christmases gone by?

  10. What was one of the best Christmas presents you ever received?

  11. What was one of the best Christmas presents you ever gave?

  12. What’s your favorite Bible verse and why?

  13. Who is your favorite Bible character and why?

  14. What’s your earliest childhood memory?

  15. If you had a million dollars to spend on something—and you couldn’t give it away—how would you use it?

  16. What’s one country you’d love to visit?

  17. How would you handle fame and what would you be famous for?

  18. What three life lessons have mattered most to you?

  19. What do you want people to remember you for?

  20. If you could do anything for someone else, what would you do and for whom?

  BAXTER FAMILY THANKSGIVING DINNER

  Many of you have asked over the years about the Baxter family Thanksgiving, what dishes they ate, and even how you might get the recipes for those dishes. And so . . . since this is a Christmas book . . . I thought I’d put together a menu for you. This is the Baxter Family Thanksgiving Menu:

  Ashley’s Stuffed Golden Turkey

  Landon’s Mashed Potatoes

  Elizabeth’s Sliced Sweet Potatoes

  Baxter Christmas Salad

  Cole’s Corn Bread and Herb Stuffing

  Organic Gravy

  Baby Buttered Peas

  Kari’s Cheesy Biscuits

  Black Olives

  Dill Pickle Slices

  John’s Baked Apple Crumble and Organic Sweet Cream

  BAXTER FAMILY THANKSGIVING TIMETABLE

  TUESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING

  Go grocery shopping. If buying a fresh turkey, this is the time to do it. If buying a frozen turkey, you’ll want to have that in the refrigerator no later than Monday before Thanksgiving.

  WEDNESDAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING

  Make stuffing, store in gallon-size Ziploc bag in the refrigerator.

  Make Christmas Salad, cover and refrigerate.

  Make Sliced Sweet Potatoes, cover and put in the refrigerator. Do not bake until Thursday.

  Peel and slice apples for Baked Apple Crumble. Cover and refrigerate. Do not bake until Thursday.

  Make Cheesy Biscuits.

  THANKSGIVING THURSDAY

  Figure out what time to start working on the turkey.

  Stuff the turkey. Place leftover stuffing in a baking casserole dish.

  Place Sliced Sweet Potatoes in oven or Crock-Pot depending on oven space.

  Peel potatoes, boil.

  Place peas in a pot of water.

  Make the gravy. Set aside.

  Place cool biscuits on a cooking sheet to heat up after turkey comes out of oven.

  Drain water from potatoes, prepare according to recipe.

  Boil peas. Add butter and salt. Turn off heat and let sit in boiling water.

  After turkey comes out, remove some of the juices and add to the gravy.

  Warm biscuits.

  Place Baked Apple Crumble in oven to bake during dinner.

  Get the rest of the family to help place items in special dishes.

  Pray, thank God . . . and enjoy.

  BAXTER FAMILY THANKSGIVING RECIPES

  Ashley’s Stuffed Golden Turkey

  At the Baxter family Thanksgiving, Ash
ley is in charge of choosing the turkey these days. She goes through the following steps to find just the right turkey to grace the table for the holiday.

  Ashley chooses an organic turkey, free from antibiotics and hormones. Fresh or frozen doesn’t matter. But if the turkey is frozen, Ashley sets a reminder for herself to move it from the freezer to the fridge so it can thaw. Calculate how long it will take to thaw your particular turkey.

  Use a baking bag to cut down on oven time and to keep the turkey tender and juicy.

  Do the math. Ashley likes to eat at 3:00 P.M., like the rest of the Baxter family. Be sure to preheat the oven. So she calculates how long she’ll need to cook a stuffed turkey. Then she allows 30 minutes to prep the turkey before baking and an additional 30 minutes for the turkey to set after removing it from the bag and carving. Ideally, she takes the turkey out of the oven 40 minutes before dinner is served.

  Based on your calculations, choose the exact time to begin working on the turkey on Thanksgiving morning. Then take the turkey out of the fridge, remove the wrapper and set the bird in a clean sink. Next remove the bag of giblets and the neck from the backside and front of the turkey.

  Once both cavities are clear, rinse with fresh, cool water, drain the water from the bird and set it in a pan. Ashley likes the disposable pans with metal handles and metal reinforcements that run on the bottom.

  Next, stuff the turkey with the dressing made the night before. Allow the stuffing to spill out of the bird so that it creates a nice rounded top to the stuffed area.

  Ashley likes to melt a stick of butter and rub it all over the outside of the turkey, including the rounded stuffing. Sprinkle with salt.

  Landon always helps Ashley with this next part. Take the baking bag and sprinkle a tablespoon of flour inside. Shake to cover the inside of the bag. Lift the turkey into the bag and twist the end of the bag. Set back inside the pan. Make a few 1-inch slits in the top of the bag. Place in oven.

  Landon’s Mashed Potatoes