Sunset

by Karen Kingsbury

Her head was spinning, and the ground beneath her feet felt suddenly unstable. She looped her arms around his waist and swallowed hard. “A check?”

  “A very large check.” Landon lowered one hand to his pocket. Then, before Ashley could make sense of where the story was going, he pulled out a set of keys and handed them to her. “The Baxter house is yours. I bought it for you.”

  As Ashley stared at the keys, her heart began to race. This couldn’t be happening. It was a dream. It had to be a dream. She tried to remember how to breathe. “How could . . . ? How did you . . . ?” She leaned into Landon’s free arm so she wouldn’t collapse. “Are you serious?” Her words were muffled against his shoulder. “You bought it?”

  As if they could all hear what she was saying, across the porch every one of her family members began to clap. Kari nodded to Cole, and he flew down the steps with Devin right behind him.

  “We’re home, Mom!” Cole ran to her and hugged her around her waist. Devin did the same with Landon. “Can you believe it?” Cole was bursting with the news. “We get the house and the pond and the basketball court and the stream out back and every single toad and the roses and . . .”

  He was still talking, but Ashley couldn’t hear him, couldn’t think or feel or see anything but Landon, the marvelous man still holding both her and their daughter in his arms. The world would always see Landon and his peers as heroes for the way they rushed into burning buildings when everyone else was rushing out. And there was no doubt his profession made him a hero. But to Ashley, his most heroic efforts would always be the ones he’d made on her behalf.

  And now this. Buying her the Baxter house so they could spend the rest of their days here . . . in the place that would always be her home.

  Ashley thought about the grandfather Landon had lost, and she was certain of one thing. Grandpa Andrew Westra would be very proud of the way Landon had spent his money.

  She drew a breath, filled her lungs with the sweet country air around her. The reality of what he’d done was beginning to sink in, and she drew back, a little steadier than before. “If I’m dreaming—” she kissed Landon on the lips—“don’t wake me.”

  “With you all of life is a dream,” he breathed against her skin, and his warmth, his nearness made her light-headed again.

  The others hurried down the porch steps and headed their way, everyone congratulating them at once. Elaine took Janessa from Landon, and once his arms were free, he wrapped them around Ashley. She didn’t know the details of the sale, but she could hear them later. Cole had already said the only thing that mattered. They were home. Finally and forever.

  “Isn’t this the best news?” Cole was back at her side again, one arm around her and one around Landon. “Me and Devin could barely contain ourselves.”

  “I bet.” Ashley kissed the top of Cole’s head and then smiled at Devin. “And, yes, this is amazing news.” She grinned at Landon. “I can’t believe it.”

  Landon eased back and grinned as they followed the group into the house. “Now you know why we had to come here first. We had to bring Janessa home, right?”

  Ashley was overwhelmed with joy, overcome by the kindness of her husband and the love from her family.

  “Come on.” Kari ushered her toward the house. “You have to see some things.”

  Ashley took hold of Landon’s arm as they crossed the threshold of their new home. She couldn’t imagine what else she needed to see. Already it was surreal, walking through the front door and into a house that now belonged to her and Landon. She blinked back tears. If she let herself give in to her emotions now, there’d be no stopping them.

  Cole led the way. He took them upstairs to Ashley’s painting room. It was still set up the way it had always been—Ashley’s old bed on one side of the room and her easel and paints in the middle of the floor on the other. “Look, Mom. There’s something new.” He pointed to a framed photograph that had been newly hung on one side of the window.

  Ashley took a step closer. The tears came then, streams of them. It was the photo of Irvel and Hank, the one Irvel’s grandson had given to Ashley at Irvel’s funeral. Ashley had tucked it away in a drawer because the wall space in their old house was so limited. She turned to Landon and hugged him. “This . . . is the perfect place for that.”

  “I know.” He kissed the side of her head. “You okay?”

  She sniffed and laughed at the same time. “Never better.”

  “Good . . . there’s more!” Cole tore out of the room and back down the stairs. Most of the group tagged along behind Ashley up to her painting room and now back down the stairs. But none of them could’ve known the significance of the moment as Cole led Ashley into the downstairs playroom.

  There, hanging on the wall, was Ashley’s painting of her mother in heaven, seated in a rocking chair, baby Sarah in her arms, surrounded by a field of vibrant flowers. Ashley brought her hand to her mouth, grateful that Landon was beside her, steadying her. It was exactly as she had pictured it when she created the painting. That it would hang in her children’s playroom one day. But not just any playroom—this one. That had been her dream, even though it had been impossible at the time.

  Landon pointed to another of Ashley’s favorite wall hangings on the adjacent wall. It was a wooden plaque etched simply with this Bible verse: “Nothing is impossible with God.”

  Ashley was overwhelmed. “Landon . . . I don’t know what to say.” She looked at Janessa Belle in Elaine’s arms, and fresh tears filled her eyes. The message was so very true. Nothing was impossible with God—something Ashley might’ve missed out on if it weren’t for Landon’s love and the prayers of her family.

  Her dad stepped into the playroom and motioned out front. “The burgers are ready.” His eyes danced as he looked at Ashley. “And there’s a whole stack of presents in the family room for you to open.”

  “Presents?” The delight she felt spilled over into laughter. “So it is a surprise baby shower.”

  “Right.” Cole beamed at Landon. “Dad’s gift is the house.”

  They all laughed and moved into the dining room. Ashley looked out the window at the gravel path that led to her mother’s rose garden. Her rose garden. She could scarcely take in the magnitude of all Landon had given her.

  Just as they were about to sit down, Maddie raced in through the front door. “Hey, Daddy!” She looked wide-eyed at Peter. “Remember when I said a sunset has a million colors?”

  Peter had Hayley by the hand, but he gave Maddie his complete attention. “When you were coloring that picture at Easter time, right?”

  “Yeah, and guess what?” She ran back toward the front door. “Everyone come quick, because this sunset is just like the one in my picture. A million colors for sure!”

  The kids were the first to dash out the door behind her, but the adults all followed. As they stepped onto the front porch again, they could see that Maddie was right. The sunset was breathtaking.

  Ashley held Landon’s hand. “I love you,” she whispered. She could see the reflection of the vibrant sky in his eyes. “Thank you.”

  “I love you too.” He looked deep to the places in her heart that belonged to him alone. “We’re home . . . and we have each other.” He smiled at her and then at the sky. “Even God is celebrating with us.”

  Ashley turned back to the colorful display, the pink and orange and blue streaks splashed across the sky. Somehow it seemed fitting that on a day like this, God would give them a magnificent sunset. The picture made her think of another painting, and suddenly she could hardly wait to begin it. The Baxter house, bathed in the colors of a sunset. But this time the people sitting in the porch swing wouldn’t be her parents.

  They would be her and Landon.

  Yes, God’s redemption was sure and true. Ashley would always remember that, and when she did, she would return to the place where God first saved her, where her heart would always rejoice in what God had done for all of them. One day there would be that great reunion, bu
t until then, as Dayne’s life proved, no amount of fame would be better than what they had together, right here in Bloomington.

  Here, the hurts of the past were forgiven, and the life they’d found was more than any of them could’ve dreamed. They had family, and even if they didn’t have forever, they would enjoy every day God gave them. Life was like a sunrise, full of newness and hope and opportunity, but in this, the summer of their lives, there was no more reason to long for someday. The hope and life they’d longed for was here. Now. Ashley remembered what Maddie had just told them, and she smiled at her new home, her family, and all the future held.

  Because on a night like this, there really were a million colors in the sunset.

  A Word from Karen Kingsbury

  Dear Friends,

  And so we reach the end of an era, the final pages of a time in my life and yours when we have journeyed alongside the Baxter family. Together we have walked with them through trials and tragedies and triumphs, and we have watched God demonstrate His redemptive love time and time and time again. You are my friends, and I thank you for taking this marvelous adventure with me and with the Baxters.

  First I must tell you that I’m not ready to say good-bye to the Baxter family. Here’s the good news: you’ll find them lurking in the background of my next series, which will involve a new family, but will be set—at least in part—in Bloomington! So make sure you visit my Web site often for details as they come about!

  Maybe one day down the road I’ll write about the Baxters as main characters again. I’d love to tell the story of Elizabeth and John’s early days, and I would treasure the chance to check in with these fictional friends years from now to see how they’re doing. God will make it all clear as time passes.

  I must tell you, the loss of writing the last book in the Baxter family series didn’t really hit me until I wrote about Hayley’s pink bicycle. Most of you know that Hayley experienced a near drowning several years back, and medical experts did not think she would ever see, let alone walk or ride a bike. But in the book Rejoice, God convinced John Baxter to believe in life as long as God granted it. John’s way of affirming Hayley’s life was to buy her a pink bicycle and park it in his garage for the day when Hayley would be able to ride it again, so he could say he was first to believe it was possible.

  As I was writing that scene, watching God’s miraculous healing of Hayley come full circle, the closure overwhelmed me, and I truly wept for the fact that I had to end this saga with the Baxters. I’ve loved everything about writing these books—first the Redemption series, then the Firstborn series, and finally the Sunrise series. I tried to use Sunset to bring about closure for every aspect of the thirteen previous books. In every case, the message was the same.

  God’s redemption.

  I pray that you will continue to go back to these books and share them with your friends and family. God has used these stories to do amazing things in the lives of readers. If you’re one of those, please visit my Web site and drop me an e-mail. I’d love to hear how reading about the Baxter family has made a difference in your life. Definitely sign up for my monthly newsletter so you’ll be the first to know what happens next.

  As I’ve said before, I might start a Baxter update for those who want to know how these characters are doing now that we’ve reached the end of the series. Maybe a blog from Ashley’s point of view or from Katy’s or Dayne’s or John Baxter’s. In the meantime, I’ll release new books, other Life-Changing Fiction titles that are already forming in my head and heart. These stories and my new series are so strong in my mind that I can’t wait to share them with you.

  That brings me to the most important part of this letter. You’ve watched as the Baxter family leaned on God for strength and wisdom, love and support. If you don’t yet know the personal love and forgiveness of Jesus Christ, if this is the first time you’re hearing about God and His powerful salvation, His plans for your life, please visit a Bible-believing church in your area and talk to the pastor about Jesus. You need to spend time in God’s Word—the Bible—in order to know what the Lord wants from you and what He is offering. If you can’t find or afford a Bible, please let me know. I’ll send you one. Simply write Bible in the subject line.

  If this book changed your life or led you into or back into a relationship with Jesus, please write to me and put New Life in the subject line. I’ll be sure to read that letter and pray for you as you journey toward a deeper walk with our Lord.

  Either way, I hope you take a minute and visit my Web site at www.KarenKingsbury.com. There you can see what books are coming up or connect with other readers and book clubs. You can leave prayer requests or take on the responsibility of praying for people. Readers often tell me they haven’t found a purpose or meaning to their faith. Maybe they’re on the go a lot or their circumstances keep them homebound. Remember, prayer is a very important ministry. It was prayer that turned things around for Dayne and Luke and little Hayley and so many other characters in this series. Your prayers—either in the midst of a busy day or as the main focus if you’re homebound—could be crucial in the life of someone else. Visit the prayer link on my Web site and make a commitment to pray for the soldiers and hurting people who have left requests there.

  In addition, I have two new pages on my Web site—one for active military heroes and another for fallen military heroes. If you know someone serving our country and you’d like to honor them, please click the appropriate links on the side of the home page and submit their photo, name, rank, and how people can pray for them. We can include more details if you have someone you’d like to honor on the Fallen Military Heroes page. The importance in our current war is not who is wrong or right, because war is complicated. However, the duty we all share is to honor and respect and admire our troops. They are heroes, and they deserve our utmost support and constant prayers.

  On a personal note, my family is doing well, learning how to live without the constant joyful presence of my dad, who passed away a year ago. Life here at our house is a wonderful adventure of laughter and precious memories. This book releases on Austin’s eleventh birthday, and at the other end of the age spectrum, Kelsey has graduated from high school and is in her first year of college—locally, so our time with her is ongoing for now. Something we’re grateful for. The boys are moving quickly through middle school and on to high school, and Tyler is in his sophomore year at our Christian school. As always, I can feel the days moving too fast, and there’s nothing I can do to slow the ride. But I am enjoying every minute, trying to remember the lessons from the Baxter family. I pray that this leaves you looking for new beginnings in life and believing that God will give you a beautiful sunset to mark your lasts.

  Thanks so much again. I pray for you, my friends, and I am grateful for the time you spend praying for me and my family.

  Until next time, blessings in His amazing light and grace,

  Karen Kingsbury

  www.KarenKingsbury.com

  Discussion Questions

  Use these questions for individual reflection or for discussion with a book club or other small group.

  1. What does a sunset represent to you? Tell about a time when you stayed outdoors and watched a sunset from beginning to end.

  2. What area in your life do you most hope will have a brilliant ending? What steps would you need to take to do what you can to make sure that ending happens someday?

  3. Describe the relationship between Landon’s grandparents Andrew and Effie Westra. What do you think goes into having a long-lasting, beautiful love like theirs?

  4. Landon desired to be like his grandfather. What character traits did Landon have that his grandfather also had?

  5. Time and again with the Baxter family, love is shown to succeed despite trials. How can you love the people in your life better based on the lessons you saw acted out among the Baxters?

  6. Were you surprised at Ashley’s ultrasound results? Tell about a time when you thought you had all the a
nswers, but God gave you a surprise instead.

  7. What do you think God was trying to teach Ashley in Sunset? What has He tried to teach you with the unexpected events of your life?

  8. Describe how Katy and Dayne felt, their Hollywood days behind them, as they set out to serve Bloomington with CKT. What can you do to help kids find uplifting, faith-building activities in your community?

  9. Talk about John Baxter’s feelings when he watched his granddaughter Hayley ride her bike for the first time. Tell about a time when you were deeply touched by God’s faithfulness.

  10. Luke and Reagan have struggled in their marriage for some time, but in Sunset, Luke received advice from John and Ashley that he hadn’t considered before. What was that advice? Talk about the power of asking someone for forgiveness and how that differs from an apology.

  11. Do you need to ask someone for forgiveness? Describe the situation and why asking for forgiveness might be difficult. Or tell about a time when you did ask someone for forgiveness. What was the outcome?

  12. Did you have any idea that the painting Ashley was working on represented her and Elaine? What was the significance of this gift?

  13. Tell about a time when you gave a significant gift, one that fostered friendship. What were the results?

  14. Throughout the Baxter Family Drama books, Landon was always seeking to surprise Ashley. In what ways do you try to incorporate thoughtful gifts and surprises into your relationships—especially your relationship with your spouse and children, your family, or your friends?

  15. What were your thoughts about John and Elaine’s wedding? Has anyone in your family remarried after the death of a spouse? What were the emotions you and the rest of the family went through?

  16. What are your favorite moments from the Baxter Family Drama books?

  17. Who were your favorite characters in this series? Talk about why they were your favorite.

  18. Did you gain a better knowledge of God while reading the Baxter Family Drama books? In what way?