Take One (28 page)

A long habit continued? What did that say about Andi, then? And what would Rachel say if she were here now, or Bailey for
that matter? How could she ever look at her roommate again?

Suddenly she remembered her final question before she passed out the night before. After all she’d done in the past week,
did God still really love her? At first she had no answers for herself, but then she leaned back against her pillow and there
… there was the damp washcloth. She stared at it, and slowly the truth came to light. Yes, God did love her, even if she would
never outlive the shame from what she’d done. God loved her because just when she was at her most desperate moment, He had
sent her Cody Coleman.

What other proof did she need?

Twenty-Five

T
HEY WERE ALMOST OUT OF TIME
, and soon Keith would have to sit down with Chase and come up with an exit plan, a way to address the cast and crew and thank
them for their hard work, but at the same time to tell them that they couldn’t finish the film. The last bit of hope they’d
had—that
Entertainment Tonight
would air the special about their project sometime this weekend—had fallen through. The producer of the piece had left a
message on Friday afternoon telling them that the story was finished, and that it would likely air sometime next month.

The call to
ET
was one more they would have to make in the days to come. If Keith’s calculations were right, they could shoot the film the
first half of Tuesday—in case some miracle came through. Unless that happened sometime between now and then, the dismissal
talk would come during lunch that day.

They’d completed another full week of filming, and though Keith was concerned about Andi and the distance she had seemed to
put between herself and her parents recently, there remained one very strong bit of light. The scenes they were capturing
were still among the best work Keith or Chase or any of the film crew had ever seen. Clearly the cast and crew were passionate
about
The Last Letter
, so if ever there was a way to finish it, they might still find a way to reach the world with the power of a moving picture.

But for now, Keith refused to borrow from the pain that was coming. He and Lisa and Chase were on their way to a Baxter Sunday
dinner, something Dr. Baxter’s daughters had been talking about with Lisa since the prayer meeting. None of the Baxters knew
about the money problems the producers were facing, but Ashley had been back to the set a few times, and she’d asked Lisa
how her family could continue to pray for the project.

If things went well today, Keith hoped to have the entire group of them pray. He reached out and took hold of his wife’s hand,
careful not to bump the vase of flowers she was holding. “I’m glad we’re doing this.”

“I’ve been looking forward to it.” She looked more relaxed than she had all week, her eyes showed none of the stress she’d
been carrying around. “Ashley’s so nice. If we lived here, she and I would be best friends. All her sisters, really. And Katy,
Dayne’s wife. Their family is amazing.”

From the backseat, Chase piped in. “It beats all-day meetings about money we don’t have.”

“Amen to that.” Keith laughed and the feeling felt foreign enough that he chided himself. Today … no matter what Tuesday held,
he would love his wife and his new friends. He would engage in conversation about something other than the movie, and he would
enjoy being part of a big family—even for just one day—and no matter what loomed ahead he would laugh.

He would definitely laugh.

As they pulled into the long driveway, the sun was just setting, casting brilliant light against the wraparound front porch
and the trees that framed the property on either side. Keith had gotten the story from Lisa, that Dr. Baxter not too long
ago had sold the old Baxter house, as they called it, to his daughter Ashley and her husband Landon.

“Wow.” Lisa motioned for Keith to stop for a moment. “Look at this place. It’s like the perfect family house. The porch and
the windows, even from here it feels like the walls have seen a lifetime of love.”

“It’s how I pictured it.” Keith leaned over the steering wheel and took in the place. “I can imagine the kids running across
the big open grass and shooting baskets at the hoop out front.”

“Looks like there’s a creek behind the house. Probably perfect for frogs and snakes.” Chase grinned. “But right now they probably
think we’re lost or something.”

Keith laughed out loud this time. He parked near half a dozen other cars and they were met at the door by Ashley. She had
her baby girl in her arms, her pretty dark hair tucked behind one ear. “Come on in. Everyone’s here.”

“I brought these.” Lisa handed over the vase of wildflowers. “Thanks so much for including us.”

“We’re glad you came.” As they walked through the entryway and down a hall she stopped at a painting on the wall. “This is
mine.” She gave an easy shrug with one shoulder. “It’s what I do when Bailey babysits for me.”

Keith, Lisa, and Chase all stopped and studied the piece of art. Lisa was first to comment. “This is beautiful. Before we
go you have to show me your other paintings. Anything you have here.”

Ashley laughed and continued down the hall. “The best artwork in this house are the faces around the table.”

The thought was reassuring, a reminder to Keith and all of them that the movie wasn’t the greatest thing at stake this week.
People were vastly more important and the comment by Ashley reminded Keith that something was wrong with Andi. Keith and Lisa
had known that since last weekend, but she wouldn’t say more than a few words to them. Even today they’d asked her to come,
but she’d refused. Too much homework. Her excuses were sounding like just that—excuses. Tomorrow he and Lisa were going to
take her out to dinner and get to the bottom of whatever was troubling her. Until then, he would be grateful for the priorities
Ashley had inadvertently helped bring back into focus.

They reached the main part of the house and the scene taking place through the kitchen and dining room was like something
from a movie he’d love to make someday. Ashley got everyone’s attention and introduced the three of them. “Now,” she laughed,
“don’t worry if you don’t remember everyone. There won’t be a test.”

“A test might help!” A blond boy came up and put his arm around her waist. He looked ten or eleven, and clearly he was her
son.

“Thank you, Cole.” Ashley lifted her eyebrows at him. “But we aren’t going to make our new friends take a test.”

“Okay.” He gave a happy look as if to say the test thing was just an idea. Then he put his hand on his chest. “I’m Cole.”

“I’m Maddie,” a spunky little girl came up and stood next to him. The two of them caught each other’s eyes and started giggling.

“Wait a minute!” John Baxter brushed his hands off on his jeans and waved at the group. “Everyone get with your immediate
family. Then we’ll do the introductions right.”

Keith was laughing again. He put his arm around Lisa and didn’t even try to keep a straight face while the Baxter family struggled
for a way to even begin introducing their group.

“Okay … let’s start with Dayne, and move on, oldest to youngest. Everyone in your family.”

Cole leaned close to the girl who must’ve been his cousin. “What’s
intermediate
family?”

She made a face like she was trying to think of a good answer. “I guess the people you’re sort of in the middle of. Like your
mom and dad and stuff.”

“Seriously, everyone.” Ashley sent a somewhat stern look to Cole and his cousin. “Let’s listen to Dayne. It’s his turn.”

Dayne took the lead, introducing himself, his wife, Katy, and their baby girl Sophie. Keith smiled to himself. As if Dayne
Matthews and his family needed introductions.

After Dayne a tall, slender man waved in their direction. “I’m Peter.” He grinned. “I married into this circus.” He waited
for the ripple of laughter and votes of agreement to pass. “I’m married to Brooke, and these are our daughters, Maddie and
Hayley.”

Maddie, the spunky one who’d been talking to Cole, raised her hand and then blurted out. “Just so you know, Hayley just learned
to ride her bike.” She looked to her mother for approval, that this detail was indeed noteworthy. She nodded. “I thought that
was important for our intermediate family.”

“
Immediate
family.” Brooke put her finger to her lips. “Let’s listen to everyone else.”

Again Keith stifled a laugh. These people were great. He already felt the same way Lisa did, that if they moved here this
would be where they’d come for Sunday dinner every week.

Next another young mom with a strong resemblance to Ashley jumped in. “I’m Kari, and this is my husband, Ryan. Our one-year-old
Annie is out in the other room sleeping.”

“We hope.” Ryan brushed his hand across his forehead in a mock show of relief.

“Yes, we hope.” Kari made a funny face. “And this is Jessie and our son, R. J.”

Ashley went next. “You pretty much know me. I’m Ashley and this is Landon. Our kids are Cole, Devin, and little Janessa Faith.”

Keith had the feeling as the introductions went on that each of these young couples had a unique and beautiful story, their
reasons for falling in love and the journey that had brought them to this point. Someday he hoped to learn more about them
than their names.

A quiet man went next. “I’m Sam, and this is my wife, Erin. We just moved back to town from Texas.” He went on to introduce
his four daughters, all of whom seemed sweet and polite, but more shy than their cousins.

Luke went last. “You know me.”

“Yes.” Chase gave a strong nod. “We could be family after how long we spent together battling the union.”

Luke went on, “This is my wife, Reagan, and our children Tommy and Malin.”

Both young children clung to their mother’s leg, but Tommy stepped out from his hiding place long enough to hold up his hands
claw-like and let out a long roar. “I’m not Tommy. I’m Tommy-saurus Rex!”

“Nice to meet you.” Keith bit the inside of his cheek. Nothing could be more insulting to a dinosaur than to not be taken
seriously.

“I’m John, the father of this wonderful group.” He smiled at Keith and then spoke loud enough for the others to hear him.
“Keith and I met over Jake Olson’s stitches, in case everyone missed that part.” He put his arm around a pretty woman with
fashionable blonde-gray hair. “And this is my wife, Elaine.”

“Whew.” Chase pretended to be scribbling down the names on his hand. “I don’t know about that test, Cole. I’ll fail for sure.”

“Yeah, but you got
my
name right!” he hurried over and high-fived Chase. “That’s one-for-one!”

The dinner was something Keith would never forget. Two tables were set up in the dining room, and between them, everyone had
a seat. And though eight different conversations were almost always taking place at once, somehow the feel and tone of each
one seemed to blend perfectly with the adjacent one.

As if the music and rhythm of life for the Baxter family was always and beautifully on key.

Keith and Lisa sat near John and Elaine, and halfway through the meal John asked about Andi. “I thought she was coming.”

“She was.” Keith felt the unfamiliar ache in his heart where his daughter was concerned. “She’s having a hard time right now
… confused between what she’s been taught and what she thinks she is missing out on.”

“We aren’t sure she’s being completely honest with us.” Lisa linked arms with Keith and leaned in closer so John could hear
her. “It’s the first time we’ve gone through anything like this.”

“I’ve been there.” His eyes held a wisdom that was priceless, one that must’ve taken a number of trials to develop. He nodded
at Luke sitting near Chase at the next table. “Luke went wild in college. There was a time when I honestly wasn’t sure we’d
get him back.”

Keith was stunned at the admission. In the time they’d spent with Luke, he’d shown nothing but the strongest Christian character.
In negotiations he’d been kind and patient, honest and forthright. To think of Luke as a rebellious college kid was not only
shocking, it was comforting.

“They come around,” John’s smile brought with it a much-needed hope. “Train a child in the way he should go …” his eyes held
a look forged in pain. “They come around.”

When the meal was over, and the dishes done, after dessert and coffee and after Ashley had shown Lisa several of her paintings,
Keith looked at his watch and announced that the three of them needed to go. “We have a full day ahead of us.”

“As long as we’re all together,” John motioned for the others to come closer. “Let’s pray for our new friends.”

The group was making its way into a circle, lifting kids onto their hips and giving the shush sign to the ones still in the
family room. During the slight chaos, Dayne came up to Keith. “Still no investor?”

“No.” Keith could feel the desperation in his smile. “We’ll be out of money Tuesday. Just enough left to send everyone home.”

Dayne grimaced. “That’s just plain wrong. Someone out there has to be in the position to help.” He thought for a moment and
then shook his head. “We need to really pray. Not just tonight, but the way Cole likes to pray. Until something happens.”

“We will. God’s going to answer us one way or another. The fact that you’re behind us means a lot. I wanted to tell you that.”
Keith gave Dayne a half hug. “And if He lets us keep making movies, I hope you’ll consider coming out of retirement for one
of our films.”

Dayne’s laugh was quick and easy. He shook Keith’s hand and finally gave a slow nod. “I’ll consider it. I can promise you
that.”

Everyone was finally in the circle, and hands were held all around. John led the prayer, his voice clear and strong. “Father,
we come to You asking that You hear the needs of our new friends and the trials they’re facing with their movie project. We
don’t know all the details, but You do, and so we pray that You’ll go before Keith and Chase and let nothing—absolutely nothing—stand
in the way of their decision to make films for You. The world of entertainment is an enormous mission field, Lord … these
two are willing to be workers there. So please … be with them as they finish making their picture. Help them finish strong,
in a way that brings You glory.”

John paused, and in the silence a small voice popped up. “Please, Papa … can I say a prayer?”

Keith opened his eyes and looked at the pixie blonde standing near Brooke and Peter. Keith remembered her because there was
something special about her, an angelic innocence that made her somehow different.

“Yes, Hayley, you can pray.” John smiled and nodded at his granddaughter.

“Dear Jesus,” she paused a long while, maybe shy or maybe struggling for the right words. “Thank You for miracles.”