Finding Home Read online

  Ashley crossed her arms. She didn’t want her things here. She wanted them back in Michigan. Where they belonged.

  “It’s finally real!” Brooke took in a deep breath. “Indiana air is the best!”

  Ashley sniffed. The scent was grass and trees and hay. Like the Michigan State Fair. She wrinkled her nose. Home wasn’t supposed to smell like a fair. Ashley turned to their mother. “Are we still painting the back porch?”

  “We are!” Mom grinned. “Or I should say… you kids are.” She moved to go back inside. “Oh… and your dad picked up breakfast sandwiches and paper plates. They’re in the kitchen.” She kissed Ashley and Brooke on the tops of their heads. “Come eat.”

  The other kids were awake and Dad joined them for their first breakfast in the new house. They got to sit on the kitchen counter, which was usually not allowed. Already Luke was talking about the pond out back on their actual property. “It’s perfect for tadpoles!”

  Dad nodded. “The yard is bigger than I thought.” He winked at Luke. “A lot to explore.”

  “Yeah!” Luke had the cutest grin. “I can’t wait.”

  Brooke talked about how her room had the prettiest view for reading and Erin said she wanted to look for wildflowers out back. Kari pointed to the big window in the living room. “I can already imagine our Christmas tree right there.”

  Mom’s voice was hopeful. “I prayed you kids would wake up seeing something good here.”

  Ashley drummed her fingers on her knee and looked around. Something good… hmm. Nothing came to mind.

  Dad turned to her. “What about you, sweetie? So far, what’s the best thing about being here?”

  She thought for a minute. Slowly an idea hit her. “Maybe… painting.” The idea made her feel a little better. “We get to paint the porch today.” She sat a little straighter. “Which is the best activity for an artist.”

  “I like it.” Dad laughed. “I have five brushes and a few buckets of white paint waiting out back.” He clapped his hands together one time. “Who’s with Ashley? Hands in.”

  Ashley and her siblings giggled. They jumped down from the counter and formed a circle. They each put one hand in the middle, all together, like a sports team.

  Dad and Mom added their hands. “One…” Dad smiled at the group. “Two… three…”

  The whole family yelled, “Team!” Then they raised their hands in the air.

  “Everyone out back.” Dad grabbed the last sandwich. Then he turned to their mom. “Elizabeth, I think we’re going to love it here.” He tipped his baseball cap. “All right, Ash. Let’s go!” He squatted low and Ashley hopped on his back. “Porch Paint Express… here we come!” He carried her to the front door. “I need a whistle! Come on!”

  “Tooot Toooot!” Ashley pumped her fist twice in the air. She laughed out loud because something wonderful was finally happening in Bloomington.

  They were having an adventure.

  * * *

  Sweat dripped down Ashley’s face as she rested her paintbrush and looked behind her. They were getting it done. Almost two hours into painting and half the porch was bright white. She wiped her forehead with her sleeve.

  Her siblings were slowing down, and Luke kept talking about the pond. Next to Ashley, Kari was painting about half as fast as before. “It’s hot.” She fanned herself a few times, and tugged at the collar of her shirt, like she would do anything for some fresh air. “I didn’t think it would take so long.”

  Even with the heat, Ashley wasn’t tired. She loved this job. Of course paint wouldn’t make the place a home. But still, this was fun. She had never painted an actual building before. She dragged the brush slow and steady over the soft old wood. Every inch the brush touched turned bright white.

  Like it was brand new.

  Dad told them whoever lived here before had sanded off the old color and probably meant to paint it. But they never did. Maybe the family was too busy cleaning up Susie’s spilled nail polish. Whatever the reason, they left a perfect opportunity for the Baxters.

  A way to actually enjoy their first day in the new house.

  Ashley focused. Dip the brush, wipe it on the inside of the can, spread the paint on the smooth worn wood. She had a system now. She bit her lip. Dip. Wipe. Spread.

  Kari stopped and watched her. “You’re good at this!”

  “Thanks.” Ashley felt her heart light up. “It’s easy. Dip. Wipe. Spread.”

  “Hmm.” Kari nodded and smiled. “I like that.” She put her brush in the can and gave it a go. “Dip. Wipe. Spread. Nice!” She hesitated. “How do you feel today? About the move?”

  “When the painting’s done”—Ashley looked toward the driveway—“I might jump on the truck and head back home with the movers.”

  “You should stay.” Kari sounded concerned. She kept painting.

  Ashley painted another strip. “Maybe.” She stared at the fresh color. “Dip. Wipe. Spread.” The words started to sound like a song. “Dip. Wipe. Spread.”

  Kari began to sing along while she painted. “Dip. Wipe. Spread.”

  Pretty soon Erin and Brooke picked up on the catchy tune. “I said a dip… a wipe… a spready-spread-spread!” Brooke put a little rhythm into it and that made her paint fly through the air like white raindrops.

  Last to catch on was Luke, who actually stood up with his paintbrush and danced around. “Dip. Wipe. Spread!” He did a spin. And that spin spun him right into his can of paint and suddenly…

  “No!” Dad came around the corner just as Luke’s can spilled white liquid across most of the unpainted porch.

  Luke stared at the mess. He lifted his eyes to their dad. “Sorry.”

  “It’s okay. I’ll be back.” Dad was gone in a flash. From inside they heard him shout. “We need paper towels!”

  Brooke and Kari and Erin stood frozen, their hands over their mouths. Kari was the first to speak. “All that paint.” She shook her head. “It’s everywhere!”

  Ashley watched the river of white move and spread over the unpainted porch. And suddenly she knew just what to do. “Hey!” She spread her arms out. “Maybe this is a good thing!”

  Dad rounded the corner with two rolls of paper towels raised over his head. “Quick!” He handed one roll to Brooke. “Everyone grab some.”

  “But, Dad…” Ashley jumped in place, dodging the streams of white coming her way. “We can make beauty out of this.”

  He didn’t hear her. The other kids grabbed strips of paper from the two rolls. Finally Ashley raised her voice. “Hey, family! Wait a minute!”

  “Ash.” Dad shot her a frustrated look. “Help us!”

  If only she had a whistle. Ashley put her hands on her hips. “Someone… please listen!”

  Maybe it was her tone, or maybe the way she was standing, but all at once everyone turned to her. This was her chance. “We’re supposed to paint the porch, and now there’s paint everywhere.” She gave a slight grin. “Let’s forget the paper towels.” She shrugged. “How about we take our brushes and spread it.”

  Her dad blinked twice and then a slow smile moved up his face. “Brilliant.” He laughed. Then he gathered up the sections of paper and put them on the nearby porch swing. “Why didn’t I think of that?”

  Luke let out a big breath. “So… I did a good thing?”

  “I think so.” Dad grinned. “Everyone grab your brush and start moving the paint around. Let’s see what happens!”

  Mom stepped out back and saw what was happening. “This looks like fun!” She grabbed a fresh brush from inside and lowered herself to the spot beside Ashley. Pretty soon the whole family was moving globs of paint down and around the wooden floor.

  Mom laughed. “This might be the fastest anyone’s ever finished a porch.”

  “Yes!” Luke raised his brush over his head. A dozen white drops hit his hair and his blue shirt. “I did do a good thing! I really did!”

  Ashley worked as fast as she could. There was no dip, wipe, spread this ti
me. They had to push the spilled paint over the porch before it dried.

  And the plan worked! The porch was becoming snowy white before their eyes.

  But that wasn’t all that was becoming white.

  Ashley looked up from her section and what she saw made her giggle. “Daddy’s got paint on his nose!” She laughed a little more. “And, Mom and Luke, it’s in your hair!”

  Dad stopped painting and wiped at his nose. But that only made the white drop become a smear—all across his cheek.

  At the same time, Brooke and Kari, Erin and Mom and Luke seemed to notice paint on their knees and arms and faces. Ashley, too. The porch was looking beautiful.

  But the entire family was covered in paint.

  Mom stood and held out her sticky white arms. She had even more paint in her hair and on her forehead. “I’m covered!”

  “I say let’s finish.” Dad grinned at the rest of them. “We can clean up later. This porch is almost done.”

  In hardly any time the porch was finished. Bright white and brand new. Twice as fast as Ashley’s dip-wipe-spread method. She and her family stepped onto the grass and admired their work.

  “Nice thinking, Ashley.” He patted her shoulder. “Only Daddy’s little artist could make something special out of a spill.”

  Happiness spread through Ashley’s heart. Daddy’s little artist. She liked that title.

  Brooke ran and got the paper towels from the porch swing. “We need these more than the porch ever did.”

  Everyone laughed and wiped off whatever paint they could. Mom and Dad were still laughing as they headed toward the house with the dirty paint-soaked towels. “Good job, team.” Mom looked back. “You kids take a break and explore. I’ll make lunch.”

  Dad grabbed one of the half-empty cans of paint. “I’ll finish the edges.” He smiled at them. “You kids go on.”

  Brooke took charge and led the siblings away from the porch.

  “Where are we going?” Ashley scratched the paint drying on her arms and cheek.

  “Those trees.” Brooke pointed to the far end of their property. “I want to see what’s back there.”

  “Maybe there’s treasure.” Erin started skipping. “Or a portal to Wonderland!”

  Luke jumped in the air. “Or maybe a bat cave!”

  Ashley turned around and looked at the freshly painted porch, where her dad was working. She could still see the white streak of paint on his cheek, and a quiet laugh bubbled up from her heart.

  Whatever fun things they did on that porch in the weeks and months and years to come, Ashley would always remember one thing. Her whole family covered in paint and turning a spill into something special. A mistake into a marvelous moment.

  “Ash!” Kari called from the rest of the group. “Come on!”

  “All right!” She turned and ran to catch up. As she did, she realized that something very special had happened. Something she hadn’t expected.

  Ashley Baxter had made her very first Bloomington memory.

  3 The Special Rock

  KARI

  Kari waited for the others to catch up. She pointed back at the house, a thrill in her soul. “The porch is perfect.”

  “I know.” Ashley ran to her. “I was just thinking.” She linked arms with Kari. “We made a memory today.”

  Kari stopped and grinned. “We did! You’re right!”

  Up ahead, Brooke had taken the lead with Erin and Luke right behind her. Kari gave Ashley a gentle push. “See? I told you everything would work out.”

  “It’s one memory.” Ashley raised her eyebrows. “That doesn’t mean I like the place.”

  “Oh, Ashley.” Kari laughed. Her sister would come around. And this adventure would help.

  As they reached the trees, Brooke stopped and looked back. “Whatever lies beyond this point is now our territory. Just us kids.” She lowered her voice. “Whisper. In case any animals are hiding.”

  “Like wild lions?” Luke’s mouth hung open.

  “No, silly.” Brooke laughed. “Like bunny rabbits and deer.”

  Kari watched Brooke pull back a tree branch and step through the small opening. A chill ran down Kari’s arms. This was more like a jungle!

  “Okay…” Ashley followed Brooke. She took a deep breath. “I’m going in.” She climbed through the branches and disappeared into the trees.

  Kari helped Luke, then Erin through the clearing. Finally it was her turn. She grabbed the branch, but the opening disappeared.

  “Ashley? Brooke?” Kari peered through the branches. “A little help?”

  Just then Ashley’s head popped out. “Here.” She held out her hand. “You have to see this!”

  Kari closed her eyes as she made her way through the rough branches, and kept them closed until she got to the other side. And there, in the middle of the trees, was the most wonderful clearing. She gasped. “Wow!”

  A small stream ran down the middle of the open space, and rays of sunlight pierced through the branches overhead. Kari looked at Ashley and then at Brooke. “This is the most beautiful secret place ever.”

  Just then Kari spotted a bunny at the edge of the stream. Next to her, Luke was staring straight up at the biggest tree, and Ashley studied a leaf on the ground. Erin and Brooke dragged branches through the stream.

  Each of them seemed mesmerized by what they’d found.

  “Incredible…” Brooke broke the silence first. She spun slowly in little circles. “This really is Wonderland.”

  “Mmm.” Kari leaned against a tree. “So peaceful.”

  Luke stared at something in the grass. At the same time, the grass rustled.

  “A lizard!” Luke swooped the quick little green guy into his hands and held it out. “I present… Larry the Lizard.

  Kari and her sisters screamed and jumped back.

  A ripple of laughter came from Luke. “Ah, come on! This little thing won’t hurt you.”

  They kept moving and stepped beyond the clearing through a second row of trees. There on the other side was an enormous rock. Bigger than their van.

  “Look at this!” Ashley walked to the rock and ran her hand along the length of it. “It’s not too tall. We can climb up.”

  She was right. Kari helped Erin, and Ashley helped Luke. In no time all five kids were sitting on the flat rock. Here there weren’t as many trees. They could see the pretty stream and the forever blue sky.

  “I love it,” Brooke whispered. “It’s a thinking spot.”

  Kari leaned back on her hands and stared at the clouds. “Thinking and dreaming.” She could come here to talk to God about life and school and new friends.

  Brooke sat criss-cross. “So… how is everyone?” Her tone was kind. “Honestly.” She looked each of them straight in their eyes.

  Kari pulled her knees to her chest. Brooke really cared. It was another reason why these were her best friends. No matter what happened in the new school year, they’d have one another. “I like Bloomington.” She laughed and lifted her paint-splotched arms. “I’m having fun so far.”

  “It’s just one day.” Ashley leaned over her knees and looked around the circle. “Wait till winter. Bloomington gets so much snow people stay locked in their house for days, weeks even.” Her eyes got wider and wider. “Wolves circle the houses! People run out of food, and they all get sick and forget how to laugh!” She paused. “A lot of folks can’t take it.”

  Erin covered her face with her hands. “Wolves? I’m scared.” She looked from Ashley to Brooke and then to Kari. She had a cry in her voice. “I don’t want to run out of food.”

  “She’s teasing!” Kari slid across the rock to the spot next to Erin. “Winters are worse in Michigan. It won’t be like that.” Kari shot a look at Ashley. “Right?”

  Ashley looked like she got the hint. “Okay.” A sigh came from her. “It’s not that bad.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t like it here. It’s a lot of change.”

  Luke smiled and held up his lizard. “I
like it. I have Larry.” He put the lizard close to his face. “I’m gonna get a bucket for him and feed him grass.”

  “Well.” Brooke kept her serious tone. “I won’t lie to you all. A new school will be hard.” She stood and paced along the top of the rock. Then she stopped and looked at each of them again. “But we can do it. We’re Baxters. We can get through anything.” Brooke threw her right hand in the middle of them the way Dad had done earlier. “Who’s with me?” She waited for a response.

  Kari liked Brooke’s enthusiasm. She stood. “I am.” She put her hand in the middle next to her older sister’s.

  Luke joined next. “Me and Larry are in!” He held Larry with one hand and threw his other one on top of Kari’s.

  “As long as the snow isn’t too scary, I’m in.” Erin stood and set her hand on Luke’s.

  Now they just needed Ashley. “Come on, Ash.” Kari’s hand remained near the bottom of the stack. “We need you.” She watched Ashley process her decision. It was never easy for her.

  Finally Ashley stood. “Let me make one thing clear. I don’t agree.” She made her way next to Kari. “All I want is to go home.” She looked around. “But at least I have all of you. And Mom and Dad.” She put her hand on top of Erin’s. “Because of that, I’m in, too!”

  This time Brooke led the cheer. “One… two… three…”

  “Team!” They said it as they raised their hands high in the air.

  Kari felt much better. They were in this together, no matter how bumpy life got. All of a sudden Kari saw a reflection of the rock in the water. Only this time it wasn’t just any old rock.

  It was theirs.

  “I have an idea!” Kari almost yelled. “Wait here.” She ran into the clearing, through to the other side and all the way to the house. Dad was inside now, and the porch looked completely finished. On the grass was an open bucket of paint.

  She grabbed it and ran back to where her siblings were still waiting. Kari set the paint down and tried to catch her breath. “I brought paint!”

  “Okay.” Brooke angled her head. “For what?”

  “The rock…” Kari couldn’t contain her thrill. “This will be our new tree house.”