"Yes, Dayne. He's good and very expensive."

"I don't care." He worked the muscles in his jaw. This was a new feeling, this determination. Strong and unyielding and bent on getting his way. "Whatever the cost, I've got to find her. I want to know who she is and why she gave me up and if she ever 272.

REUNION.

wishes she hadn't done that. I want to know how my parents wound up with me, and what arrangement my birth mother had with them. I have dozens of questions."

"All while keeping the whole thing out of the press, right?"

His agent sounded doubtful.

"Right."

"All we can do is try." He hesitated. "But in the end, if someone ends up getting hurt over all this, Dayne, don't say I didn't warn you."

Dayne dropped to the closest chair and hooted out loud. "Thanks, friend." He hung up.

Dayne spent the rest of the day cleaning his apartment and packing for his flight back to Hollywood. The excitement bubbling within him was different than any he'd ever felt in his professional life. Better, somehow, than getting an Oscar nomination or a raving review" in People magazine. Better than knowing he could command top dollar for a film.

He was about to find his birth mother. How amazing was that? And how great that his agent had found a Pl who would keep things confidential. That way he could find out her identity, set up a meeting, and get to know her-if she was willing, that is. All without ever having the press find out about it.

No one would get hurt by this strange and unusual search. Dayne was completely convinced.

273.

CHAPTER.

TWENTY-FIVE.

The kids were arriving and no matter how bad she felt, Elizabeth couldn't be sad or sick or tired or anything but happy. This was the reunion she had dreamed about since Erin and Luke moved away. No, they wouldn't go to Sanibel Island to bask in the sun, but at least they'd be together at the Baxter house, the way they hadn't been in nearly two years.

The very thought of it made her feel stronger than she had in a week.

And another good thing-they already knew about her cancer. After telling the kids about her sickness, Elizabeth had at first doubted herself, wondering if she should've waited until she had them in person before explaining the situation. But now that it was behind them, she was relieved.

Now they could locus on having fun together, making memories, and getting ready for Ashley's wedding. Yes, she was sick: she was probably dying. And there were entire days when the sorrow of leaving her family was so suffocating she could barely breathe.

But she wasn't afraid. Not since that day in her bedroom, the 274 day God used a simple Scripture to speak so loudly to her heart. And as much as possible, she wouldn't be sad-not while the kids were around. The tears could come late at night or closer to the end-if this was the end. But for now she wanted to celebrate her family, every wonderful moment they'd ever had together.

Elizabeth was sitting in a chair in the living room, watching out the front window. Ashley was at the airport picking up Luke and Reagan and Tommy. She tilted her wrist and checked her watch. It hung on her bony wrist these days, but she wore it anyway. It was a gift from John, an anniversary present he'd given her seven, maybe eight, years ago. Even cancer couldn't make her take it off.

She looked out the window again and strained to see down the long country road that led to their house. It was two-fifteen, just about the time Luke's plane was to arrive. Ashley should be back with them no later than four o'clock.

Brooke was going to pick up Erin and Sam and Heidi in two hours, and that carload would show up around six.

Elizabeth folded her hands on her lap. They were having the Spanish casserole tonight, the one that had been a Baxter family favorite since Brooke was a little girl. Earlier Elizabeth hadmixed together the filling-tamale sauce, sour cream, black olives, salsa, mushroom soup, and cooked chicken. The mixture was in the refrigerator, and all she had to do now was fill the tortillas, cover them with more sauce and grated cheese, and bake it.

For days, Elizabeth had been praying that she'd have the energy to fix dinner tonight, their first night home. Now, though she was somewhat tired, she was half done and grateful for the chance to cook for them again.

Funny how she was progressing, really. Her body was still recovering from the initial chemo, which meant that in some ways she felt better every day, more able to stand or take a short walk with John. But at the same time, the cancer was gaining ground, taking its toll on her breathing, most of all, and causing her to lose what little weight she still had.

275.

kin gs bu ry s m a lie y A flock of birds drifted from one tree to another, soaring and dipping in unison across the field out front. How wonderful to sit here, looking across her property, waiting for her children to come home. What if she'd gone ahead with the second surgery? Elizabeth shuddered and pressed her arms against her sides, warding off the sudden chill. She would've been lying in bed, drugged to ease the severe pain, suffering through a minute-by- minute existence. The entire visit would've gone by without her ever enjoying a bit of it.

For what? Dr. Steinman was one of the top oncologists in the state-John had known that much. If he was certain a second surgery wouldn't have helped, then there was no question she'd made the right decision.

Elizabeth smiled to herself; it was the only decision, really, since her cancer was progressing so quickly. Of course, she was still praying for a miracle, but Godin all his mercy-had been placing something new on her heart recently.

Miracles didn't always come in the shape of a dramatic healing. Maybe her miracle was having this time to quietly ponder the wonderful life they'd all shared together, the joy of being married to the man of her dreams all these years, the reward of being Mom to each of her kids.

And of course the miracle of this reunion, the chance to be together even if it was the last time.

Elizabeth reached for the portfolio, the one she carried with her whenever she had a chance these days. The letters were almost written, and that was another miracle. That she'd had the time and energy and health to put on paper her thoughts for each of those she'd spent a lifetime loving.

She opened the cover and pulled out the letter for the children; she was working on Erin's part now. John was at the store getting food for the weekend, so she could write for an hour or so. Write and gaze out the window and look forward to seeing Luke and Erin and their families.

Life couldn't he much better than that.

276.

REUNION.

Ashley recognized them even from far away, her handsome brother and his pretty wife. She waited near the front of a crowd of people gathered near the airport security system, her eyes stinging. It hadn't been that long since she'd seen him. Except for Brooke's husband, Peter, they'd all been together last December for Luke and Reagan's wedding.

But so much had changed since then.

No matter that they were getting together to celebrate her own wedding this time; they couldn't kid each other about the bigger situation. Unless God granted them the most extraordinary miracle, their mother wouldn't live through the summer; this would be the last time they'd all be together with her.

Ashley watched her brother draw closer, watched him search for her, and then spot her. He smiled big and Ashley felt a tug in her heart. She would always feel a special connection to Luke, despite their hard years after her time in Paris. He was the kid brother who had spent most of his waking childhood minutes with her.

Luke had one hand on Tommy, who was snuggled in a front pack against Luke's chest, and his other hand around Reagan's waist. She reached Ashley first and gave her a quick hug. "Ashley! You look great!"

It was Luke's turn. Because of the crowd milling past, his hug was rushed also.

"Look at you!" His eyes were shining, telling her how happy he was for her.

"You're going to be a stunning bride, Ash."

They started walking, but Ashley reached for Tommy's finger. "My goodness, he's huge." Her nephew had turned one the month before and he seemed twice as big as last time they were together. She smiled at Reagan. "What are you feeding him?"

'Everything we can get our hands on." Reagan laughed.

a chunker all right."

277.

"Yep." Luke made a silly face at his son. "He'll be a football player like his Uncle Ryan."

"Where are Landon and Cole?" Reagan peered around Luke and the baby.

"They stayed home. Landon was off today; he took Cole looking for a tux for the wedding."

"I always knew he'd make the perfect dad." Luke patted Ashley's back. "It's about time you figured it out too, big sister."

Ashley loved the small talk, the way it felt to simply be together again. But her stomach hurt because she knew what was ahead. They made their way to the luggage area and found a quiet place off to the side. Reagan took Tommy from Luke and rubbed her nose against his blond head. Off for a diaper change." She made a crooked smile. "My favorite part of being a mommy."

They chuckled as she and Tommy headed toward the restroom. When they were alone, Luke turned to her and his smile faded. "Okay, tell me, Ash. How is she?

Really?"

This question had been coming since he stepped off the plane; Ashley could tell that. She had planned to smile and nod and give some sort of reassuring answer.

But this was her Luke, her brother, the one who could look into her eyes and see straight to her soul. Ashley opened her mouth, but no words came. Her eyes found Luke's and held them.

Grief and sorrow and fear came together and shaded his expression. "It's bad, isn't it?"

Without warning, the tears came. They spilled from her eyes down her face, and all she could do was go to Luke, hold him close and tight so her heart wouldn't break in half. Of all the Baxter kids, Luke was the one who understood her best, and now that they were losing their mother, he was the one who would know her pain better than anyone.

"Luke..." She spoke his name against his chest. she looks awful. You... you won't recognize her."

He held her close, stroking her hair and rocking her. "I should've come sooner."

278.

REUNION.

"No." She sniffed and pulled back enough to see him again. "Actually it was worse before, during her chemo." Ashley dropped her gaze for a moment before looking at him once more. "It was awful, Luke. She was so sick."

So ..." His eyebrows raised a bit, hopeful. "She's getting better? That has to be a good thing."

Ashley shook her head. 'She's not getting better. She's recovered from the chemo, but she's wasting away." Her chin quivered.

'You'll see, Luke. It scares me how bad she looks."

he searched her face. 'What are we going to do?"

"I don't know." She hugged him again. "I really don't know."

They were quiet as they found the luggage and met up again with Reagan and Tommy.

"Are you hungry?" Ashley pointed to a snack stand nearby.

"It's a long drive; we can pick up something if you want." "I'm fine." Reagan cradled Tommy in her arms.

"Let's go straight home." Luke's tone was somber as they headed for the parking lot. "Mom's probably got dinner going."

"She does. She's definitely waiting for us." Ashley dried her eyes and uttered a soft laugh. 'Counting the minutes."

"Well, then, let's hurry." He slipped one arm around Reagan, the other around Ashley. "I don't want to waste a single one."

He picked up the luggage and started walking. His steps were purposeful, almost fearful, and Ashley hurt for how he would feel when he saw their mother. But despite all the sorrow and the potential loss ahead of them, she couldn't help but feel a ribbon of excitement weave itself across her heart.

They were all going to be together, just like old times. The kids would laugh and run and play together in the field in front of the old Baxter house. The adults would talk about the past and share long hours of silliness and conversation. And after they'd spent a couple weeks together, the greatest thing of all would happen. The thing that kept her going despite her mother's sickness.

279.

kingsb ry smalley All of heaven would sit back and smile and she, Ashley Baxter, would really and truly marry Landon Blake.

Elizabeth was in the kitchen with John when she heard voices at the front door.

The casserole was in the oven, and she was watching John prepare the salad.

He looked up from the salad. "They're here." He gave her a questioning look. He knew how badly she wanted to seem well tonight. "You ready?"

She frowned and smoothed her hands over her apron. The sound of the grandchildren in the background doubled her energy, but she was still, worried.

Luke hadn't seen her since she'd lost her hair. The navy beret and matching bulky sweater and pants did the best job yet of making her look like her old self. But still her appearance had changed; there was no hiding that fact.

John took a step closer and kissed her on the lips. "You look beautiful, Elizabeth." He took her arm in his. "Let's go say hello."

Elizabeth rounded the corner and stopped short. They looked so happy, so healthy and full of life. Ashley had stopped to get Landon and Cole, and now Cole was jumping up and down trying to make his little cousin laugh. Right behind them were Kari and Ryan and Jessie.

And Tommy... the boy was huge, the exact image of Luke at that age.

Luke noticed her first. "Mom ... hi." His expression went from thrilled to shocked in as much time as it took him to tell her hello. But Ashley had obviously prepared him for the moment. He managed a smile despite the conflict that showed in his eyes. 'I like your hat."

"It's not a hat, Luke." Ashley bopped him on the shoulder. She grinned at Elizabeth. 'It's a beret, right Mom? The French would be appalled."

280.

REUNION.

"Hi, everyone!" John crossed over to Reagan and Tommy and hugged them both at the same time. Then he shook Luke's hand and pulled him into a long embrace.

Whatever John was saying to Luke, Elizabeth couldn't quite make out. She came a few steps closer, trying not to look tired or worn out. "Reagan, you look lovely, dear." She hugged her daughter-in-law and blinked twice to keep her eyes from tearing up. 'Thanks so much for coming."