Dedicated to Donald, my Prince Charming. I love you with all my heart. You are my hero, my forever and always. Also, to my children, who were growing up when I began writing about the Baxters, and who will now read these books to their children. And to God Almighty, who continues to give me the most beautiful life with all of them.—Karen
Dedicated to you, the reader. Never stop chasing your dreams. Remember, there is only one you! Also to my family—you are the reason for so many of the stories in these pages, and you inspire me in countless ways. Thank you for the memories, the friendship, and for always making me better. I love you. And finally to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This is because of You and all for You. May You be glorified in all I do.—Tyler
Meet the Baxter Family
Dear Reader,
In the most wonderful way, the Baxter family has become one of the world’s most beloved fictional families. I began writing about Dr. John Baxter; his wife, Elizabeth; and their adult children when my own children were growing up. All told there are dozens of books in the adult Baxter family series. I’m still writing adult books about the Baxters.
But recently I began to think about you. My younger reader. And I wondered what would happen if I journeyed back to the beginning of the Baxter family. Back to when the Baxter children were young. Suddenly my heart was filled with dozens of stories yet untold.
This is one of those.
And here’s the fun part. I’m writing the Baxter Family Children books with Tyler Russell, my oldest son. One of the kids who sat around my dinner table when the Baxters first took root in my heart.
For the purposes of this first Baxter Family Children book, here are the Baxter children:
BROOKE BAXTER, 13—a seventh grader at Kennedy Middle School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is studious and smart. She has her own room.
KARI BAXTER, 11—a fifth grader at Johnson Elementary School. She is beautiful, kind and careful. She shares a room with Ashley.
ASHLEY BAXTER, 10—a fourth grader at Johnson Elementary. She looks like Kari, and she loves sports. But she definitely feels misunderstood.
ERIN BAXTER, 8—a second grader at Johnson Elementary. She is quiet and soft-spoken, and she loves being with their mom. She shares a room with Luke.
LUKE BAXTER, 6—a first grader at Johnson Elementary. He’s good at sports, hyper and happy. He loves God and his family, especially Ashley.
1
Winter
ASHLEY
Fourth grade at Johnson Elementary School was turning out to be Ashley Baxter’s best year ever. This week in Miss Wilson’s class they were studying snowflakes. Beautiful creative snowflakes, of all things!
And it was even supposed to snow today.
Ashley twirled off the school bus and danced on her tiptoes, eyes fixed on the gray sky, her arms stretched wide. This was how a snowflake might feel. Ashley was pretty sure, because a snowflake spent its entire life dancing through space.
Her goal was to twirl all the way to her classroom. But Ashley must have lost track of where she was going, or which way she was turning, because all the sudden she heard a yelling voice.
“Watch out, Baxter!” The words were from a boy and they sounded mean.
Before Ashley could figure out who they were coming from, someone crashed into her.
A strange sound came from her lips, like the air was leaving her lungs all at once.
She couldn’t even get a deep breath before she and the boy fell to the ground. From the corner of her eye, Ashley saw a football roll a few feet from her. That’s when she figured out who had hit her.
It was Eric Powers. Rudest boy in her class.
“Why were you spinning?” Eric made a face at her. Four other kids walked by, headed to class. Every one of them was watching.
Great, Ashley thought.
She stood and crossed her arms. “Um. It’s homework. Just so you know.” She stared at him, her eyes squinty. “And it’s Ashley . . . not Baxter!”
Why did he have to run into her? Of all people?
“Homework? Twirling?” Eric picked up the football and stood right in front of her, the ball under his arm. Suddenly his angry face relaxed. A slow sort of smile came over him. Like they were friends. “What sort of homework?”
“If I have to explain it to you, Eric, then you really just don’t get it.” Ashley huffed. Eric didn’t understand. The bell rang and students all over the school yard rushed inside. Ashley took one last look up at the sky and closed her eyes. Who cares what Eric thinks. She could pretend to be a snowflake. At least for now.
“Ashley! Time to come in.” Miss Wilson peeked out from the classroom door. “It’s freezing out here.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Ashley ran toward the door, out of the cold and into the toasty classroom. She hung up her jacket and took a seat next to her best school friend in all the world. Lydia Christina.
“Why were you dancing out there?” Lydia didn’t look away from the book she was reading. But she raised her eyebrows high above the rim of her glasses.
“I was being a snowflake.” Ashley folded her hands nice and neat on her desk.
“Naturally.” Lydia looked at her and laughed a little. “You’re the silliest girl in fourth grade. That’s why I like you.”
“It wasn’t that silly.” Ashley glanced over at Miss Wilson. The teacher was walking up and down the aisles handing out papers. Which meant Ashley and Lydia could still talk for a few minutes.
“You stepped off the bus and started spinning.” Lydia kept her voice quiet. “You’re the only one I know who would do that.”
Lydia’s words felt like a compliment. Ashley smiled, more relaxed. “Aren’t you going to ask me what it was like?” She leaned back in her chair. “Being a snowflake?”
“Okay. What was it like?” Lydia set her book down and looked at Ashley. “Didn’t seem like it ended very well.”
“It didn’t.” Ashley made a face. “Eric Powers bumped into me and we both crashed to the ground.”
“Well . . .” Lydia angled her head. “That is sort of how it ends for snowflakes. They all pretty much float to the ground.”
Ashley hadn’t thought about that. “True.” She looked over at Eric, who was laughing with the other boys. Probably about her.
“Which means I will probably never play the snowflake game.” Lydia pointed at the dirt on Ashley’s knees. “Not before school, anyway.”
“Snowflake game . . . ?” Ashley brushed her knees clean and then did the same to her elbows. She rolled her eyes. Lydia didn’t understand, either. For everything she had in common with her friend, there were some things where they were complete and total opposites.
Be patient, Ashley reminded herself. Not out loud, but inside her head. Her mom said she should work on patience. So this was her chance to practice. “Lydia.” Ashley used her kindest voice. “It wasn’t a snowflake game. It was homework.”
“Homework?” Lydia scrunched up her face, like she was confused.
“Miss Wilson said, remember? She asked us to think what it might be like being a snowflake.”
“Right. Okay.” Lydia picked up her book and found her page. “You’re a funny one, Ashley Baxter.”
Ashley blinked a few times. Whatever. Lydia thought she was silly, but Ashley didn’t mind. They would always be friends. Forever and ever. “How about we both pretend to be snowflakes at recess?”
Lydia looked up from her book, her eyes sparkly. “It did sort of look fun.”
They were both giggling when Miss Wilson walked to the front of the classroom. “All right. Settle down.” She waited for everyone to sit. Then she smiled at them. “Good news, boys and girls. Next week is a special day. Who know
s what it is?”
Lydia’s hand went up first. “Valentine’s Day. A day where we celebrate St. Valentine and friendship.”
“And get lots of candy,” Eric blurted out from the back of the classroom. A few of the boys around him laughed again.
There he goes. Ashley shook her head. That boy thinks he’s so funny.
Miss Wilson took a step closer. “You are both right. So later today we are going to discuss St. Valentine and the history of Valentine’s Day!” Miss Wilson pointed to the nearest desk. “I just gave you an activity sheet, so we can talk about this holiday together.”
Ashley looked out the window. She wasn’t the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day. She never got the most valentine cards. Everyone was supposed to give one to every boy and girl. But she always felt like the other kids got more. She’d rather study snowflakes.
Then, while she was still looking outside, the most amazing thing happened! The smallest, softest, most delicate snowflakes began to fall to the ground. Just like the ones she was pretending to be when she climbed off the bus.
How would that feel, being a real snowflake? Dancing and twirling and drifting down from heaven? Out of nowhere she felt Lydia give her a jab in her side. “Ouch.” Ashley turned to her friend. “That hurt!”
“Ashley!” Lydia pointed to the front of the class. “Miss Wilson asked you a question.”
In a rush, Ashley looked at their teacher, whose eyes were definitely watching her. Ashley let out a little laugh and smiled. “Sorry.”
“Ashley. Please stay with us.” Miss Wilson put her hands on her hips. “I asked the class to find a reason to use the word effervescent today. Do you know what that means?”
The whole class was watching her. The word was on her spelling list. She tapped her desk. “Bubbly?”
Miss Wilson nodded. “Yes. Bubbly and enthusiastic.” She smiled. “And even though you, yourself, are effervescent, I still need you to focus.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder.” Miss Wilson’s look was serious.
Suddenly Ashley thought of something to explain herself. “Well, the truth is . . .” A quick bunch of words filled Ashley’s head. They were out before she could stop them. “I was so focused on your snowflake teaching from yesterday . . . and then I looked outside and saw the beautiful snow. And I thought, Wouldn’t it be great if we could all learn our spelling words outside?”
“In the snow?” Miss Wilson leaned against her desk. She blew at a piece of her hair and shook her head.
“It hasn’t snowed since last week.” Ashley blinked. “Outside would be perfect. Don’t you guys think so?” She looked around the room. But she was met with absolute silence. Clearly no one was with her on this.
Eric Powers whispered loud enough for Ashley to hear. “Crazy Baxter.”
Their teacher didn’t hear him. She was still standing in front of Ashley. She didn’t look too thrilled.
Lydia shook her head and stared down at her desk.
“I appreciate your creativity, Ashley. But I think everyone else would like to have the lesson inside.” Miss Wilson turned to the blackboard.
Ashley slouched in her chair and tried to pay attention. She’d already been in trouble twice this month for not paying attention. But sometimes she couldn’t help it. All day long the edges of her mind spilled over with extra thoughts.
This wasn’t turning out to be a very good day. Miss Wilson reprimanding her in front of the whole class, and the fact that no one else wanted to go outside.
Recess wasn’t much better. Lydia tried to be a snowflake, but she got dizzy and fell in the snow. Only it was actually not very much snow. More like mud. So Lydia’s hair got streaked with wet dirt.
At the end of the day, when the bell rang, Lydia gave Ashley a look. “I almost forgot!” She stuffed her notebook into her backpack. “Why did you ask to have class outside? Miss Wilson was never going to say yes to that.”
“Are you serious?” Ashley’s mouth hung open for a few seconds. “That was a great idea! Learning in the snow? Can you imagine?”
“No.” Lydia made her eyes wide. “Now Miss Wilson is going to call your mom and you’re going to be in trouble. Because you don’t pay attention.” Lydia shook her head. “And who wants to study in the snow, anyway? Too cold, if you ask me.”
“Lydia.” Ashley stared at her. “You’re my best school friend. And I would do anything for you. But sometimes I don’t get you.” Ashley grabbed her things. If only Lydia wasn’t so sensible.
So they could be snowflakes together—even in the mud.
On the way out of the classroom, Ashley stopped at Miss Wilson’s desk. Then she turned to Lydia. She gripped the straps of her backpack and used her most quiet voice. “I’ll meet you in the hall.”
“Okay.” Lydia looked worried as she hurried out of the classroom.
Alone with Miss Wilson, Ashley rocked back and forth on her toes. “So . . .” She smiled. “Am I in trouble?”
Miss Wilson looked up from her papers. “No, Ashley. You mean well. I see that.” The teacher’s smile looked tired. “And I’m not going to call your mom. But you need to pay attention in class.” She raised her brow. “Do you understand?”
“Yes!” Ashley’s heart felt light as a snowflake. She wasn’t in trouble! “Yes, I understand.” She ran around to the other side of the desk and gave Miss Wilson a quick hug. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!” She could barely contain herself. “I’ll do better, I promise.”
Miss Wilson’s eyes sparkled. “Now. What would you think about being in charge of our Valentine’s Day party?”
“Me?” Ashley couldn’t believe it. Miss Wilson had never asked her to be in charge of anything this important. “Really?”
“Yes.” A quiet laugh came from Miss Wilson. “Out of the whole class, I figured you’d be the one to make our party just right.” Miss Wilson smiled at her. “No one is more . . . effervescent.”
Ashley glowed under that compliment. She gave Miss Wilson another hug. “Can Lydia help?”
Miss Wilson laughed again. “Of course. Let me know what you girls need.” She pointed to the door. “The bus is waiting. See you tomorrow.”
“This is the best news.” Ashley practically danced to the door. “I already have a thousand ideas. You won’t be disappointed . . . I promise.”
Once she was out of the classroom, Ashley bolted down the hall and caught up to Lydia. She shared the whole story with her, and they talked about how they were going to plan the best party ever. “Party planners extraordinaire.” Ashley danced down the hall. Like she was a model on a runway.
“Look out, here we come.” Lydia giggled as she joined in.
“Can you picture it?” Ashley twirled. “Snowflakes and hearts everywhere. And streamers.”
Lydia gave her a look. “Not snowflakes again, Ashley.”
“Fine. I can give up the snowflakes.” Ashley skipped down the steps of the school. “Do you think we need some pink?”
“Definitely!” Lydia got louder now, more excited. “Everything needs to be pink. And red and white!”
“Exactly.” Ashley’s heart beat faster because of pure joy. This was going to be the best party any fourth-grade class ever had.
When they reached the bus, Lydia headed for her mom’s car. “Talk to you tomorrow.”
“Perfect.” Ashley still couldn’t believe it. She was in charge of the Valentine’s Day party! Ashley practically floated down the sidewalk. A quick turn around the brick building and there they were! Her siblings, already getting on the bus.
Kari and Erin, and Luke. Her other best friends. Her very best friends.
She could hardly wait to tell them the news.
2
Best Family Ever
ASHLEY
Ashley ran to the bus, and as she did she could hear her mother’s voice in her memory. The sound of it made her feel loved.
Your very best friends are the ones around the dinner table each
night. Her mom always smiled when she said that. And then she would say, Many years from now, even when everything seems like it has changed, you’ll still have each other.
Every time their mom said that, a warm feeling spread through Ashley’s heart. Because it was true. The Baxter children were the best of friends.
“Hurry, Ash!” Kari stood on the top step of the bus and reached out her hand. “It’s freezing!”
Ashley took her sister’s hand and stepped onto the bus. She was the last to board, so the driver closed the door and they headed off. Like always, Ashley sat next to Kari. The two were kindred spirits. Like Anne and Diana from Anne of Green Gables. Kari was eleven, and Ashley was only a year younger. Like twins, almost. They shared a room, too.
So of course they were the closest.
Brooke was the oldest. She was thirteen and at Kennedy Middle School this year. They wouldn’t see Brooke until they were home. In front of Ashley and Kari sat their youngest two siblings. Erin, who was eight, and Luke, who had just turned six.
Erin and Luke shared a room, too, but Ashley could never understand how that worked out. Erin was the quietest kid in the family and Luke was the loudest. Their mom said it was all about balance.
Whatever that meant.
Even now Erin had a book open before the bus pulled away from the front of the school.
“What are you reading?” Ashley leaned forward, her knees pressed into the seat, so she could see Erin. Her sister had the prettiest light blond hair.
“Charlotte’s Web.” Erin turned around and gave Ashley a thumbs-up. “I’m at the best part. When Wilbur tries to spin like a spider!” Ashley nodded. She hadn’t read it. No time. She would get the summary from Erin later.
Next to Erin, Luke was bouncing in his seat. Without warning he started singing. “Old McDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O . . . and on that farm he had a cow . . .”
Ashley sat back and shared a soft laugh with Kari. Luke was always singing. Especially songs with sounds.
But now Luke was mooing. And everyone on the bus was turning to look at him.
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