Free Forever by Karen Kingsbury Page B

weren’t into all the touchy-feely stuff. At least not here. They held hands before dinner but nothing more. No close hugs or kissing. Bailey liked that. It was obnoxious when two people acted that way in public. Like her mom always said, “If you’re acting that way in front of people, we don’t have to wonder what you’re doing behind closed doors.”
    What was beautiful about watching Katy and Dayne was the way they looked at each other. When Katy’s eyes met his, the rest of the world seemed to fall away. And when Dayne looked at her, his expression held something Bailey had never seen on the big screen. She sighed to herself as she studied them.
    After dinner Ricky went upstairs to watch Finding Nemo with Cole. The rest of the group moved into the living room, where they talked about the wedding. And that made everything about the night even more romantic.
    “So, you’ve found someone who can help keep it a secret?” John Baxter looked happy at the thought.
    59
    “I think so.” Dayne put his arm over the back of Katy’s chair. “We’ll see.”
    “In other words,” Katy said, “we won’t let a photographer or a helicopter ruin the day. That’s for sure.”
    The sound of voices around Bailey faded. How lucky Katy was-being engaged to Dayne, planning a wedding, and knowing everything about her future. All her life Bailey’s parents had reminded her of the Bible verse Jeremiah 29:11: -For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ “
    God had good plans for her; she believed that. But it seemed like forever until she’d actually know what those plans were. One far-off day would she be having this same conversation-talking about wedding plans and honeymoons-with Tanner by her side? Or would it be Tim Reed? Or maybe even Cody Coleman, the guy from down the street? His mom had been arrested a few weeks ago on a drug charge, and now she was in jail, so Bailey’s parents had agreed that later this week Cody could move into the downstairs guest room. At least for his senior year.
    “He can come on one condition,” her parents had told her the night before.
    Bailey knew where the conversation was headed. “Nothing but friendship between the two of us.”
    “Right.” Her mom’s voice had been kind and understanding, but her eyes looked worried. “I know how you feel about that boy. Never mind Tanner or Tim Reed.
    Cody’s always caught your eye, honey.”
    “That’s just it.” She gave them a sad smile. “I think he knows that we’re …
    you know, different. Like from different planets in terms of our backgrounds and stuff.”
    The lines on her dad’s forehead relaxed a little. “Exactly. Cody’s a nice kid, and we want to help him. But that’s as far as it goes.” Bailey smiled to herself now. She’d told her parents the truth.
    60 II

FOREVER
    Cody might still take her breath away, but she wasn’t interested in him. They were way too different. So maybe it would be someone completely new, someone she hadn’t met yet. Maybe she’d go to CKT’s summer camp in August and there’d be a new guy. Someone tall and strong, with a good sense of humor and a voice that would drop her to her knees. Someone like Dayne Matthews.
    But as the evening wound down, as they said good-bye and piled into their SUV
    for the ride home, a shadow fell over Bailey’s heart. None of the guys she knew were anything like Dayne. They were fickle and confusing and sometimes a little too possessive.
    She stared at the starry sky over Bloomington. This wasn’t the time to feel down about love. Even if nothing felt quite right about the guys in her life. Because one day… one day they would grow up. That’s what her dad said. And then she’d find the hope and future that God had planned for her. Someday she would even find forever.
    Just like Katy Hart.
    The house was empty, and John Baxter lay in bed, too much on his