Unlocked: A Love Story Read online

  WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT KAREN KINGSBURY’S BOOKS

  “The stories are fiction; their impact is real.”

  —Debbie L. R.

  “Karen Kingsbury is changing the world—one reader at a time.”

  —Lauren W.

  “I have read many of Karen’s books, and I cry with every one. I feel like I actually know the people in the story, and my heart goes out to all of them when something happens!”

  —Kathy N.

  “Whenever I pick up a new KK book, two things are consistent: tissues and finishing the whole book in one day.”

  —Nel L.

  “The best author in the country.”

  —Mary H.

  “Karen’s books remind me that God is real. I need that reminder.”

  —Carrie F.

  “Every time I read one of Karen’s books I think, ‘It’s the best one yet.’ Then the next one comes out and I think, ‘No, this is the best one.’ ”

  —April B. M.

  “Novels are mini-vacations, and Karen’s are my favorite destination.”

  —Rachel S.

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  To Donald:

  Well . . . we are nearing the end of a whole year as empty nesters. I never liked that term. And I can tell you now with all my heart that there’s been nothing empty about the last year. It’s been full of beautiful walks and meaningful talks, nights when we randomly jumped into the car and spent an evening with Kelsey and Kyle and little Hudson. We played tennis and Ping-Pong and hung out with friends. And yes, we miss having our family all together every day. But when they come home the celebrating never ends. What I mean is, I’ve loved raising our kids with you, and now I love this season, too. God has brought us through so many pages in our story. The Baxter family came to life while we were raising our kids. When they told stories around the family dinner table, we were doing the same. And when their kids auditioned for Christian theater, our kids were singing the same songs. Our family is—and always will be—inexorably linked with the Baxter family. So thank you for creating a world where our love and life and family and faith were so beautiful I could do nothing but write about it. So that some far-off day when we’re old and the voices of our many grandchildren fill the house, we can pull out books like this one and remember. Every single beautiful moment. I love you.

  To Kyle:

  You will always be the young man we prayed for, the one we believed God for when it came to our precious only daughter. You love Kelsey so well, Kyle. And you are such a great daddy to Hudson. Thank you for bringing us joy every day. We pray that all the world will one day be changed for the better because of your music, your love and your life.

  To Kelsey:

  What an amazing season this has been, watching as you became the best mommy ever through all the early firsts of Hudson’s life. Little Hudson is such a happy baby, such a miracle boy. His laughter rings in my heart always. What a beautiful time for all of us! Hudson is strong and kind and joyful, with a depth that tells all of us that some way, somehow, God is going to use him. I believe God will continue to use you, also, Kelsey. You and Kyle and Hudson—and whatever other kids God might bring your way. Your family is a very bright light . . . and I know that one day all the world will look to you as an example of how to love well. Love you with all my heart, honey.

  To Tyler:

  Watching you take wing this past year has been another of life’s great joys. Long ago when I imagined you graduating from college and moving out on your own, I thought it would be with tears and sadness. The quiet in the front room where once the sound of you playing the piano filled our nights. The empty space where you once made your bedroom. But this year caught me by surprise. I was simply too happy for you to find time to be sad. You are shining so brightly for Jesus—your songwriting, your singing, your screenwriting. God has great things ahead, and as always I am most thankful for this front-row seat. Oh, and the occasional night when you stop by for dinner and finish the night playing the piano. You are a very great blessing, Ty. Love you always.

  To Sean:

  I’m so glad you’re back at Liberty University, working on your degree and growing in your faith and strength as a man. You have grown so much, Sean. And your dad and I are so proud of you! From the first day we held you, we knew your spirit was bright. You love God and people with a passion and joy that defied your first five years. Yet we agreed with you that it was time to take your faith to another level. I am convinced God has amazing plans ahead for you, Son. I love you forever.

  To Josh:

  This was a year of discovery for you, and for that I’m so grateful. You are walking into a future where being a spokesperson for Jesus can look a lot of different ways. He has gifted you with special skills that will cause you to be in demand in this world. People will always need your help, and along the way, I pray that you always give them more than they expect. Because people will always need a kind word, a gentle smile, a prayer and an invitation to church more than they will need any skills we can offer. I’m so glad you’re my son, Josh. Love you so much!

  To EJ:

  What a tremendous time this is for you, EJ. You are doing so well at Liberty University, so excited about the career in filmmaking you have chosen. Isn’t it something how God knew—even all those years ago when you first entered our family—that you would need to be with people who loved God and loved each other . . . but also people who loved the power of storytelling. I’m so excited about the future, and the ways God will use your gifts to intersect with the gifts of so many others in our family. Maybe we should start our own studio—making movies that will change the world for God. I love it! And I love you—always.

  To Austin:

  A very long time ago I scribbled out the years to come. 2001, 2002, 2003, etc. Under each year, I wrote the ages and grades our kids would be in—so I would get a quick glance at how fast the time would go. I remember writing out the number 2016. Because that was the year you—our youngest—would graduate from high school and move away to college. And now . . . here we are. I’m so grateful I can see you when I travel to Liberty University to teach. We will have many happy times together as you follow the path God has for you. Many breaks and special family times. But I miss you in the everydayness, Austin. You have been such a light in our home, our miracle boy. Our overcomer. You are my youngest, and no question the hardest one to let go. The quiet here is so . . . quiet. Even with your dad’s jokes and little Hudson’s visits. So . . . while you’re at Liberty, on quiet nights when you lie awake in your dorm, just know that we have cherished every moment of raising you. And we are still here. We always will be. Love you forever, Aus.

  And to God Almighty, the Author of Life,

  who has—for now—blessed me with these.

  THE BAXTER FAMILY: YESTERDAY AND TODAY

  For some of you, this is your first time with the Baxter family. Yes, you could go back and read more than twenty books on these most-loved characters. The list of Baxter titles—in order—is at the beginning of this book. But you don’t have to read those to read this one. In fact, there will be other Baxter books coming in the next few years. If you wish, you can begin right here.

  Whether you’ve known the Baxters for years or are jus
t meeting them now, here’s a quick summary of the family, their kids and their ages. Also, because these characters are fictional, I’ve taken some liberty with their ages. Let’s just assume this is how old everyone is today.

  Now, let me introduce you to—or remind you of—the Baxter family.

  • • •

  THE BAXTERS BEGAN in Bloomington, Indiana, and most of the family still lives there today.

  The Baxter house is on ten acres outside of town, with a winding creek that runs through the backyard. It has a wraparound porch and a pretty view and the memories of a lifetime. The house was built by John and Elizabeth Baxter. They raised their children here. Today it is owned by one of their daughters—Ashley—and her husband, Landon Blake. It is still the place where the extended Baxter family gathers for special celebrations.

  John Baxter: John is the patriarch of the Baxter family. Formerly an emergency room doctor and professor of medicine at Indiana University, he’s now retired. John’s first wife, Elizabeth, died ten years ago from a recurrence of cancer. Years later, John married Elaine, and the two live in Bloomington.

  Dayne Matthews, 42: Dayne is the oldest son of John and Elizabeth. Dayne was born out of wedlock and given up for adoption at birth. His adoptive parents died in a small plane crash when he was 18. Years later, Dayne became a very visible and popular movie star. At age 30, he hired an attorney to find his birth parents—John and Elizabeth Baxter. He had a moment with Elizabeth in the hospital before she died, and years later he connected with the rest of his biological family. Dayne is married to Katy, 40. The couple has three children: Sophie, 7; Egan, 5; and Blaise, 3. They are very much part of the Baxter family, and they split time between Los Angeles and Bloomington.

  Brooke Baxter West, 40: Brooke is a pediatrician in Bloomington, married to Peter West, 40, also a doctor. The couple has two daughters: Maddie, 19, and Hayley, 16. The family experienced a tragedy when Hayley suffered a drowning accident at age 3. She recovered miraculously, but still has disabilities caused by the incident.

  Kari Baxter Taylor, 38: Kari is a designer, married to Ryan Taylor, 40, football coach at Clear Creek High School. The couple has three children: Jessie, 16; RJ, 10; and Annie, 7. Kari had a crush on Ryan when the two were in middle school. They dated through college, and then broke up over a misunderstanding. Kari married a man she met in college, Tim Jacobs, but some years into their marriage he had an affair. The infidelity resulted in his murder at the hands of a stalker. The tragedy devastated Kari, who was pregnant at the time with their first child (Jessie). Ryan came back into her life around the same time, and years later he and Kari married. They live in Bloomington.

  Ashley Baxter Blake, 36: Ashley is the former black sheep of the Baxter family, married to Landon Blake, 36, who works for the Bloomington Fire Department. The couple has four children: Cole, 16; Amy, 11; Devin, 9; and Janessa, 5. As a young single mom, Ashley was jaded against God and her family, when she reconnected with her firefighter friend Landon, who had secretly always loved her. Eventually Ashley and Landon married and Landon adopted Cole. Together, the couple had two children—Devin and Janessa. Between those children, they lost a baby girl, Sarah Marie, at birth to anencephaly. Amy, Ashley’s niece, came to live with them a few years ago after Amy’s parents, Erin Baxter Hogan and Sam Hogan, and Amy’s three sisters were killed in a horrific car accident. Amy was the only survivor. Ashley and Landon and their family live in Bloomington, in the old Baxter house, where Ashley and her siblings were raised. Ashley still paints and is successful in selling her work in local boutiques.

  Luke Baxter, 34: Luke is a lawyer, married to Reagan Baxter, 34, a blogger. The couple has three children: Tommy, 14; Malin, 9; and Johnny, 5. Luke met Reagan in college. They experienced a major separation early on, after having Tommy out of wedlock. Eventually the two married, though they could not have more children. Malin and Johnny are both adopted.

  • • •

  IN ADDITION TO the Baxters, this book will revisit the Flanigan family. The Flanigans have been friends with the Baxters for many years. So much so that I previously wrote five books about their oldest daughter—Bailey Flanigan. For the purposes of this book and those that might follow, here are the names and ages of the Flanigans:

  Jim and Jenny Flanigan, both 45. Jim is a football coach for the Indianapolis Colts, and Jenny is a freelance writer who works from home. Bailey, 23, is married to Brandon Paul, 26. Bailey and Brandon were once actors in Hollywood—Brandon, very well known. Today they run the Christian Kids Theater in downtown Bloomington. Bailey’s brothers are Connor, 20—a student at Liberty University; Shawn and Justin—both age 17 and juniors at Clear Creek High; BJ, 16, a sophomore; and Ricky, 14, an eighth grader.

  Dearest John,

  I can’t believe this is happening.

  Every morning, every day all I think about is you. Where you are and what you’re doing a million miles away from me. I remember what it felt like having your hand in mine, your embrace keeping me safe.

  But now . . . now I wonder if I’ll ever see you again. I have to believe this will get to you. When I take a breath, I breathe you in. I go to sleep and there you are, in my dreams. I’m here for you. Waiting.

  I love you always.

  Elizabeth

  My Dearest Elizabeth,

  I’ve heard nothing from you. No phone call or letter. Nothing to tell me where you are, or how you are, or whether you’re surviving this terrible situation. I’m sick about it. I miss you more with every sunrise, every sunset.

  I know you. You’re still thinking about us. I have to believe that or I wouldn’t find the strength to keep breathing. Please know that I’m trying. I want to find my way to you, and somehow I will. No matter how much time passes, I’m coming for you, Elizabeth.

  I love you more than life.

  John

  1

  Cody Coleman took the football field alone, the way he did most things these days. The Southern California sunshine landed on his shoulders and worked its way through the winter in his heart. It was the first day of spring training for his Oaks Christian High School team and Cody was ready.

  Ready for something new.

  Even if it was only another season on the gridiron.

  He adjusted his baseball cap, slung the bag of footballs over his shoulder, and walked to the coaches’ bench. Along the way he lifted his face to the sun. What’s next for me, God? Is this really where You want me?

  Cody waited. Sometimes when he talked to God, he heard an answer. Or felt one. Words would appear on the screen of his soul and he would know deeply, intimately, that he had received an actual response from God.

  Not this time.

  Cody sighed and dropped the bag to the ground. He grabbed a stack of orange cones and walked toward the twenty-yard line. His football coaching days had been extraordinarily successful. God had blessed his professional endeavors at every turn. His time at Lyle High School, an hour outside of Indianapolis, had seen him take a losing team and turn it into a winning program.

  Sports Illustrated had even covered the story and for a short time everyone knew Cody Coleman. They called him America’s favorite high school football coach. But then he felt God calling him away from Lyle. He took the job here at Oaks Christian for a lot of reasons. But the one that was most compelling was a blue-eyed girl with long blond hair and a laugh that stayed with him still.

  Andi Ellison.

  He pictured her, months ago, standing in front of him saying goodbye. He could hear her voice and feel the way he had been lost in her eyes. Cody straightened and drew a slow breath. He couldn’t think about her here. Not Andi.

  Not today.

  Four cones along the twenty-yard line, four more at the thirty. Cody made his way up the field. His assistant coaches would be here in an hour. The players, an hour after that. Spring training lasted just five weeks—right up till the end of the school year. He had to take every minute seriously. Otherwise the team would pay come fall. Af
ter spring training, they’d take a month off and in July they’d start summer two-a-days. Just like last year and the year before.

  The difference between Lyle and Oaks Christian was something Cody had figured out this past weekend. The thing that set them apart was purpose. The Lyle High football team had needed him. Before he showed up no one wanted to work with those kids. And Cody had seen a little of himself in the Lyle players.

  A potential that took some work to find.

  Whatever the reason, Cody felt like he was walking in the center of God’s will at Lyle High. Here, though, he was starting to have a sense that the Oaks Christian football team didn’t really need him. They were a powerhouse in the Santa Clarita Valley before he took the job, and they would remain a powerhouse long after he left.

  Which might be soon.

  He finished placing the cones, returned to the bench and opened the gear bag. His clipboard was at the bottom of the bag of footballs. He grabbed it, sat down and studied the list of names. Blake Miller, Hawk Austin, Sam Knell, John Vaught. The seniors had come a long way playing for him, no doubt.

  Ten of the players met every Monday night for Bible study with Cody, a time where the focus was on faith in God and friendship off the field. That had been his prayer from the beginning. He smiled. Okay, so maybe he had made a difference. Even still, most of the students wanted for nothing. If he moved on, someone else would fill his shoes. A coach or a parent. Oaks Christian had dozens of mentors.

  Cody peered across the field. Yes, he definitely needed a change of pace. Another state, another school. A different challenge.

  Or maybe he was only missing Andi.

  He never imagined living in Southern California without her. But two broken engagements were too much. For both of them. Somehow like every other relationship Cody had been a part of, his love story with Andi had fallen apart. Crashed and burned. And some days his broken heart felt like it would never mend. Not ever.