Page 14 of The Baxters
“Exactly.” Elizabeth uttered a soft laugh. She moved to Brooke and checked the curling iron. “You ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Brooke waved at Erin as she left the room, and then looked at Elizabeth in the mirror. “I’m right about Tim.” She kept her words quieter this time.
“Please, Brooke. Let it go.” Elizabeth couldn’t bear to think of the truth. That she herself had doubts aboutKari’s choice of husband. “She’s in love with Tim. And Tim is… He’s a very nice man.”
There wasn’t time for more conversation. Ashley walked in then and stopped short a few feet from the setup. “Why do I feel like I interrupted something important?”
“No, not at all.” Elizabeth pointed to the chair next to Brooke. “We were just waiting for you.”
“Sorry.” Ashley set her things down on the table and hugged Elizabeth. “This looks great, Mom. Thanks for helping us.”
Of all the kids, Elizabeth worried most about Ashley. But maybe today would be different. Ashley looked happy and relaxed, her usual defensiveness at bay. Elizabeth put her hand on Ashley’s shoulder. “I’m happy to do it. Glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” Ashley leaned over and hugged Brooke. “You go next. Erin said she’s good to watch Cole for as long as we need.”
“Thanks.” Brooke smiled at her sister. The two of them had a closer bond since Ashley’s return from Paris. Which wasn’t exactly a good thing.
Elizabeth set to work curling Brooke’s hair. “Did Kari tell you girls when the limo will be here? To take us all to the chapel?”
“Yes.” Brooke turned her head as Elizabeth finished a curl. “Three o’clock pickup. So the girls can get photos done before the wedding.”
Ashley faced the two of them and wrinkled herbrow. “Please tell me they’re not having a sermon. Pastor Mark should stick to saying nice things about Kari and Tim, and get straight to the vows.”
“True.” Brooke didn’t hesitate. “No one needs an altar call at a wedding. That’s a little manipulative if you ask me.”
And just like that the tension returned with a vengeance. “Girls.” Elizabeth started a new curl on Brooke’s head. She worked to keep her tone controlled. “I’m almost positive Pastor Mark will talk about Kari and Tim’s faith. Kari wants that and it’s her decision.” She glanced back at the door. “Kari will be down any minute. I’d hate for her to hear any of this.”
Brooke shared a knowing look with Ashley. Then she turned to Elizabeth. “You need to get used to the fact that a few of us just don’t believe the way you do.” She put her hand on Ashley’s shoulder. “It’s normal that through academics or experience, young adults become enlightened to a bigger world, Mom. It’s progressive.”
Times like this Elizabeth wanted to shout at her oldest daughter, tell her to look around at the proof of God in every created thing. Including her little daughter, Maddie. But that wouldn’t convince Brooke to believe again. And it wasn’t Elizabeth’s job to make Brooke and Ashley find their way back to faith.
Only God could do that.
Elizabeth drew a slow breath. “You and Ashley will never be forced to share your family’s beliefs, Brooke.” She finished the last curl and stepped back. Elizabeth’sheart was breaking, but she worked hard to hide it. “Today, however, I’m asking you to respect whatever your sister wants at her wedding. Even if that means listening to the entire Gospel of John.”
Ashley shot a look at Brooke and then turned to Elizabeth. “Brooke wasn’t trying to start a fight, Mom.”
“I know.” Elizabeth exhaled.Peace, God… give me peace. Please.She took her time. “I’m sorry. I just… I don’t want any problems today.”
“There won’t be.” Brooke looked surprised. Like the idea was outlandish. “But we’re allowed to have our opinions.”
What could Elizabeth say to that? She worked her fingers through Brooke’s hair. “How do you like it?”
“Pretty.” Brooke smiled, as if none of the previous conversation had happened. “Now my eyes! I can never do them like you do.”
For the next ten minutes while she worked on Brooke’s eye makeup, Elizabeth fought another wave of heaviness in her heart. These two precious daughters, both rejecting the faith they’d been raised with? How was that even possible? Brooke had nearly died in childbirth with Maddie, but God had spared her. And now her daughter was the picture of health. Didn’t that mean anything?
And Ashley? Home from Paris with Cole and a second chance at life? Welcomed back and loved by the family she left behind? How could the girls not see God at work? What about the countless times they’d seenGod rescue them and lead them and protect them? The million answered prayers over the years?
A crack of thunder shook the house.
Ashley peered out the window. “There’s supposed to be a tornado later.” She raised her eyebrows in Brooke’s direction. “Probably just as they say ‘I do.’?”
Brooke shot her sister a side glance. “Mom thinks Tim is a very nice man.” She sounded borderline mean. “So…”
“Girls!” Elizabeth cast a sharp look at Ashley and then Brooke. “Kari will be down any minute. I won’t have that talk.” She took a shaky breath. “Not another word.”
“Sorry. We aren’t trying to be rude.” Ashley frowned. Sincerity replaced her tone. “I guess it doesn’t matter. Too late to change things now, right?” Ashley hesitated. For a long moment she seemed to take in Elizabeth’s expression, and maybe the hurt in her eyes. Ashley leaned her forearms on the folding table. “I really am sorry. You’re right.” She exhaled. “Kari is choosing him.” She looked at Brooke and back at Elizabeth. “We’ll stay positive.”
