Summer

by Karen Kingsbury

  What Readers Are Saying about Karen Kingsbury’s Books

  “If you had an official fan club I’d love to be the president! . . . I am so hooked on your books. My goal is to collect them all and share them with my friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers!”

  —Peggy

  “I can’t find the words to describe the emotions I went through reading the entire Redemption series. God bless you, Karen, for letting Him use your pen and hand and of course your heart to put words of such magnitude on paper to bless us all so much!”

  —Darlene

  “You are the best writer ever. I get so excited when I walk into a Christian bookstore and see one of your new books sitting there.”

  —Jessica

  “Thank you for your beautifully written books. They make me laugh, they make me cry, and they fill my heart with a love that can only be God once again touching my heart and my soul.”

  —Natalie

  “Okay, where’s the next one? I know it’s sitting in a warehouse somewhere and you are making us wait! (Just kidding!) Karen, there isn’t a person I know who doesn’t read your books and hold you and your family in their prayers!”

  —Rachel

  “Life-changing books! I haven’t been much of a reader until now! I have fallen in love with all of the Baxters. Thank you for letting me grieve my mother’s death in a whole new light. . . . I have recommended the series to everyone I come across.”

  —Peggy

  “I have fallen away from the almighty God many times. But always reading one of your books reminds me as to why I desperately need Him in my life. Thank you!”

  —Nichole

  “I loved the Redemption series and have shared it with various women in my church. Everyone has the same answer: ‘I loved it!’ We ALL laughed and cried. Your writing is an inspiration to all!”

  —Rachel

  “Let Me Hold You Longer is breathtaking! My friend read this story to me—the first night we both left our new babies overnight. And by the end, the two of us were bawling. She bought me my own copy for Mother’s Day, and I read it to everyone . . . and each person cries as I read the words. I now buy it for every baby shower I go to. I think every parent should own or read this book. I read it as often as I can.”

  —Shannon

  “My husband is equally hooked on your books. It is a family affair for us now! Can’t wait for the next one.”

  —Angie

  “The words God gives you in your stories have such power to reach my emotions. No other author has been able to do that!”

  —Diane

  “Every time our school buys your next new book, everybody goes crazy trying to read it first!”

  —Roxanne

  “Recently I made an effort to find GOOD Christian writers, and I’ve hit the jackpot with Karen Kingsbury!”

  —Linda

  Visit Tyndale’s exciting Web site at www.tyndale.com.

  Visit Karen Kingsbury’s Web site and learn more about her Life-Changing Fiction at

  www.KarenKingsbury.com.

  TYNDALE and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House

  Publishers, Inc.

  BAXTER FAMILY DRAMA is a trademark of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

  Summer

  Copyright © 2007 by Karen Kingsbury. All rights reserved.

  Logo illustration copyright © 2003 by David Henderson. All rights reserved.

  Cover photograph copyright © 2007 by Jupiter Images. All rights reserved.

  Designed by Jennifer Ghionzoli

  Edited by Lorie Popp

  Published in association with the literary agency of Alive Communications, Inc., 7680 Goddard Street, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80920.

  Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

  This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or publisher.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Kingsbury, Karen.

  Summer / Karen Kingsbury.

  p. cm.

  ISBN 978-0-8423-8748-4 (sc : alk. paper)

  I. Title.

  PS3561.I4873S859 2007

  813’.54—dc22 2007015522

  Contents

  Acknowledgments

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  A Word from Karen Kingsbury

  Discussion Questions

  Chapter One

  Donald, my prince charming

  Sometimes I think of all we’ve been through together, the brief and brilliant seasons. You and I sitting at a picnic table outside our garage apartment, you playing praise songs on the guitar, and both of us believing that we needed nothing more than God and each other. And the baby days, strollers and high chairs, when whispered conversations over a sleeping baby were magical. I remember you and me walking through the grocery store with a kindergartner trying to keep up and a toddler sitting in the cart. Older couples—couples in their forties—would look at us and smile, and there was something wistful in their eyes. Now we’re those people, smiling through the slight pain in the heart as we see young couples with kids. The years fly, but I’ve learned something lately. As our children grow and become, and a little ways down the road as they leave home, even so I see the subtle pinks of a new day, a new sunrise. A time when you and I might sit outside our bigger home with just a picnic table and a guitar, singing praise songs and knowing there is nothing else in all of life we could ever need. I love you more each day.

  Kelsey, my precious daughter

  You are very nearly eighteen, a young woman all grown up. Gone are the pigtails and braces, the middle school moments and high school heartaches. College life beckons, just as we always dreamed it would, and I’m breathless from the ride, from the speed of it. But I’ve learned this, my precious daughter: When I look at you, I see more than the beautiful, godly, grown-up girl you’ve become, more than the one-in-a-million girl we always knew you to be. I see the four-year-old blonde, blue-eyed pixie who almost never left her baby brother’s side. There you were, standing atop a step stool after your bath, Bible in your hands, giving your brother an impromptu sermon. You couldn’t read, but you knew the truth then as much as you do now. I see too the kindergartner all girly with pink ribbons and puffy bangs and the eight-year-old with tears on her cheeks asking Jesus to forgive her for lying and making a promise to love Him forever and always. I see you and your daddy in the waters of baptism, your eyes shining with that unearthly light, the light that still shines from them. I love your friendship with your
brothers, especially Tyler. You and that younger brother still rarely leave each other’s side. I’ve loved every minute of your childhood, Kelsey, and I love this time on the bridge, as you figure out what’s next and prepare to make your way. Oh, and congratulations on your Triple Threat award, sweetheart. I’m proud of you even more because you weren’t expecting it. Keep taking the stage for Jesus, and if you ever get lost, check back with the little girl inside, the one who has believed in the truth from the beginning. I’m cheering for you, honey. I love you so much!

  Tyler, my beautiful song

  Somewhere along the way we switched places. Once upon a yesterday you could run to me and jump into my arms. Now you are a six-foot-two teenager, and when we watch a family movie, I can rest my head on your shoulder. Just thinking about that makes me smile through teary eyes, because I love this—I absolutely do. I love the confident young man of God you’re becoming, Ty. And I love that somewhere inside that grown-up-looking body is the heartbeat of a wide-eyed, happy kid, a boy who still bursts into song as he walks through the house. One of so many things I love best about you is that you’re so kind and loving, that you care about the Lord and others. And of course I love how you are with Kelsey. Could a brother and sister be better friends? When I thank God for all He’s given me, that special laughter and like-mindedness you share with Kelsey is high on my list. The sound of you two dancing and singing in Pocahontas will stay with me forever. Keep using your gifts to glorify Jesus, Ty. I love you, precious oldest son. Always.

  Sean, my wonder boy

  At the end of a day of writing or when life has sometimes thrown me something I wasn’t expecting, I can always count on your hug to lift my cares. Years from now when I look back at our short season of raising children, the picture of you will always be one of your arms outstretched, a smile across your face as you come to me for one of our hugs. God knew you belonged in our family, and I will be grateful forever. It’s that way on the soccer field, too—you leading the way in kindness and team unity. “Strange,” one parent said at our team party. “This group of kids has been more closely bonded than any my son has been with.” I wanted to wave my hands and say that I knew why. It’s because of that special something you bring to the group. It’s the same something special you bring to our family. Your enthusiasm is contagious even on a rainy Monday morning. Keep Jesus first, Sean, and you’ll always find your way. I love you so, dear child.

  Josh, my tender tough guy

  I’ve watched you shoot up this past year, and I smile at the glimpse of tomorrow you’re giving me. I love your easy smile, the way you are by nature a leader and a peacemaker and the picture of quiet confidence all at the same time. And your sense of humor, the way you jump out from the shadows to make Kelsey scream or your teasing way with your brothers when you’re always getting a kick out of saying, “I’m just joshing you.” At twelve years old, you think your name stands for Chief Jokester. But when I peek ahead at the things God may have for your future both in sports and in academics, I’m convinced you’ll need not only humor but humility and a dependence on Christ above all things. I’m so grateful God brought you to us and that He knew which little boys from that Haitian orphanage belonged here with us. I love you, and I cherish the way our relationship is growing closer as the seasons pass. The hugs and smiles and back rubs, the connection between us is one that will take us into the next chapter of your life and the next after that. I’m so proud of you, Josh. I love you always!

  EJ, my chosen one

  What amazing changes in you these past months! Dad asks me which of our sons I think might’ve aced his math test, and the answer—more often lately—is you! You who struggled with learning when you arrived in our home now excel at it! Not only that, but you’re the class cutup without meaning to be. You still mix up your words, but more often now I think it’s so you’ll get a laugh from your dad and your brothers. “Why is your shirt inside out, EJ?” Dad asked the other day. And you shrugged. “I don’t know. I looked for the flag, but I couldn’t see it.” You make us smile, and you give us something fun to talk about at the end of the day. But beyond your academic successes, I’m grateful for your kind servant heart, EJ. You offer to help on a daily basis, and often you’re the one handling a task before Dad or I know that it needs doing. You have a quiet way of showing that heart for God you’ve been given, and I’m so glad. I also love your way with our dogs, how you’ll be missing and we’ll find you outside sitting between Mandy and Reggie, singing to them in your own silly way. I thank God for you, EJ, for leading us to you at the very beginning of our adoption journey. You are my child through and through, no question. I love you forever.

  Austin, my miracle boy

  Last year when you celebrated that ninth birthday, I rested assured that I still had another year, another set of seasons before I needed to say good-bye to single digits. But here we are on the brink of your tenth birthday, and I feel dizzy at the thought. Dizzy and grateful in a way that cannot be defined by mere words. I remember how it felt when Daddy and I held you in that small curtained-off area at Children’s Hospital, how it felt to have just a few minutes to say good-bye—maybe forever this side of heaven. I remember placing you into the arms of the heart surgeon and seeing that he too had tears on his face. Five hours later God gave you to us a second time, and I’ve been mindful of that fact ever since. We were given a miracle that day, and with each month and year that passes, I smile to see the zest for life that makes up that special heart of yours. You try hard at all you do, and I can see the gift of learning you’ve been given. Somewhere down the road I’ll know more about the reasons God saved you that long-ago day. But for now I cherish every moment, knowing that none of them would’ve happened if not for the grace of our Savior. They had to sew your IV into your wrist in the days after your infant heart surgery, and even now the scar remains—a scar on the inside of your wrist in the shape of a cross. Never forget what it stands for, Austin. I love you always.

  And to God Almighty, the Author of life,

  who has—for now—blessed me with these.

  Acknowledgments

  This book couldn’t have come together without the help of many people. First, a special thanks to my friends at Tyndale, who have believed in the Baxter family books and worked with me to get this next piece of the story to my readers in time for summer! Thank you!

  Also thanks to my amazing agent, Rick Christian, president of Alive Communications. I am amazed more every day at your great integrity, your brilliant talent, and your commitment to the Lord and to getting my Life-Changing Fiction out to readers all over the world. You are a strong man of God, Rick. You care for my career as if you were personally responsible for the souls God touches through these books. Thank you for looking out for my personal time—the hours I have with my husband and kids—most of all. I couldn’t do this without you.

  As always, this book wouldn’t be possible without the help of my husband and kids, who will eat just about anything when I’m on deadline and who understand and love me anyway. I thank God that I’m still able to spend more time with you than with my pretend people, as Austin calls them. Thanks for understanding the sometimes crazy life I lead and for always being my greatest support.

  Thanks to my mother and assistant, Anne Kingsbury, for her great sensitivity and love for my readers. You are a reflection of my own heart, Mom, or maybe I’m a reflection of yours. Either way we are a great team, and I appreciate you more than you know. I’m grateful also for my dad, Ted Kingsbury, who is and always has been my greatest encourager. I remember when I was a little girl, Dad, and you would say, “One day, honey, everyone will read your books and know what a wonderful writer you are.” Thank you for believing in me long before anyone else ever did.

  Thanks also to my executive assistant, Tricia Kingsbury, who stepped in and took over this job with little notice. Tricia, keep dreaming big and reaching for your goals! And until God opens that door, thank you for using your talents to
help me reach mine. Also thanks to my sister Susan, who helps me manage reader letters and who lends a great deal of spiritual and relational wisdom to the job. I appreciate you!

  And to Olga Kalachik, whose hard work helping me prepare for events allows me to operate a significant part of my business from home. The personal touch you bring to my ministry is precious to me, priceless to me. . . . Thank you with all my heart.

  And thanks to my friends and family who continue to surround me with love and prayer and support. I could list you by name, but you know who you are. Thank you for believing in me and for seeing who I really am. A true friend is loyal above all things, stands by through the changing seasons of life, and cheers you on not for your successes but for staying true to what matters most. You are the ones who know me that way, and I’m grateful for every one of you.

  Of course, the greatest thanks go to God Almighty, the most wonderful Author of all—the Author of life. The gift is Yours. I pray I might have the incredible opportunity and responsibility to use it for You all the days of my life.

  Forever in Fiction

  A special thanks to Marla Selby-Stone, who won the Forever in Fiction item at the Kings Way Christian school auction. Marla chose to honor her daughter, Tatum Renee Selby, by having a character in this book named after her.

  Tatum is eight years old and is proud to have Jesus in her heart. She cherishes her friendships, enjoys trying new foods and places, and loves a happy ending. Tatum is involved in gymnastics, and she also enjoys singing and dancing. She is a good friend to many and is known for her compassion and discernment. She is the oldest of three siblings and is part of a very close extended family. She and her mother and siblings live next door to her maternal grandparents. Tatum’s favorite vacation spot is Hawaii—maybe the only place where she couldn’t take her precious poodle, Princess. Tatum has long blonde hair and blue eyes and makes frequent visits to Bulgaria, her mother’s homeland.