Page 45 of The Baxters
Elizabeth smiled at her beautiful daughters as they approached the front of the church. First Erin, then Brooke. Finally, it was Ashley’s turn.
As much as Elizabeth wanted to watch her middle daughter and nothing else, it was impossible not to be distracted by Landon. Because there it was, the way it had been for so many years. That look of his.
A look that showed how he felt about Ashley. How he would maybe always feel.
Elizabeth studied Ashley, her hair cut to her shoulders, her pretty face high and proud. All her life, Ashley had been strikingly beautiful. Quirky. Funny. Mischievous. Yes, all those things.
But the expression on Ashley’s face was different from those on Elizabeth’s other girls. Despite her pretty features, she looked harder, defensive. Elizabeth knew why. Ashley was probably thinking that everyone was judging her and talking about her and wondering how she could’ve gone off to Paris and gotten pregnant.
A Baxter girl, of all things.
Please, Lord, help her let it go. Just for today. Elizabeth wanted to pause the moment and whisper truth to her middle daughter.No one is judging you, my precious daughter. No one. If you only knew how loved you are.
Elizabeth glanced back a row at baby Cole sitting with Elaine Decker, Elizabeth’s longtime friend from church. Earlier, Elaine had to get up to walk him a bit. But now that the wedding was underway, Cole was quiet. Watching like everyone else.
Little Maddie walked alongside Peter, scattering rose petals along the white linen that lined the aisle. And then the bridal procession began to play and at the back of the church…
“Kari.” Elizabeth uttered her daughter’s name in the softest whisper. “You look absolutely perfect, honey.”
Elizabeth wished she could freeze time. Wished she had three hours or three days to remember every wonderful memory with Kari leading up to this point. From the first time she held her in the hospital, to her first teeth and first steps. Her first day of kindergarten and every milestone and happy time that followed.
Since she couldn’t stop the clock, Elizabeth allowed the brief montage of images to play in her mind as John walked their daughter down the aisle. Kari had always been the easiest of her daughters. She was smart and independent, but she was also a dreamer.
When they couldn’t find Kari, the first place Elizabeth looked was the front or back porch. Almost alwaysthere she would be. Journaling. Staring at the Bloomington sky. Writing down her hopes and prayers and goals for the future… a future with Ryan, no doubt. But all of that was behind her now.
As John and Kari neared the front of the church, Elizabeth glanced over her shoulder at Tim.
And what she saw made her certain Kari was right. Tim was the man she was supposed to marry.
He was standing there, tears streaming down his face even as the biggest smile tugged at his cheeks. The way he watched Kari wasn’t exactly the way Landon looked at Ashley. But there was no denying the ocean of love Tim had for their second daughter.
Pastor Mark Atteberry from Clear Creek Community Church stepped forward. “Who gives this woman to be married?”
John smiled at their daughter. “Her mother and I.” He kissed Kari’s cheek and then placed her hand in Tim’s. With a single nod, John turned and took his spot next to Elizabeth.
He let out a small exhale and grinned at her. A look that told her he had done it. He had given away another of their daughters. Even if it had just about killed him. They turned their attention to the ceremony beginning in front of them.
Their stunning daughter was looking so deep into Tim’s eyes, her expression so full of hope and love for the lifetime ahead. Of course Tim was the right one for her.
Like her daughter, Elizabeth no longer had even the slightest doubt. In fact she was as sure as Kari. Tim Jacobs would stay by Kari’s side, loyal and true, till they were both old and gray.
Forever and always.
14
Throughout the ceremony, the last thing Ashley wanted to do was catch Landon’s eye. Instead she focused on the wedding. The stunning floral arrangements, the beautiful way her family looked. The expression of love on Kari’s face.
But that wasn’t much better.
There was Kari, her sister and best friend, promising her life to a man Ashley still wasn’t certain about. Oh, sure, Tim fit the part today. Teary eyes, beaming smile. His gaze locked on Kari alone. Ashley had even given Kari her vote of support for Tim.
But didn’t every guy seem happy on his wedding day?
What about the arrogant Tim, the one who talked down to Kari far too many times? How was Kari ever supposed to feel smart with a husband who demeaned her? And how come she could feel Landon staring at her?
Ashley breathed out.Focus on Kari and Tim,she told herself. They were saying their vows, promising forever to each other. Something Ashley couldn’t imagine doingfor any man. Not with her past. Especially not Landon Blake.
Without meaning to, Ashley glanced out at the guests in the pews and stared directly where she didn’t want to look.
