Ashley wasn’t finished. “And if someone adopts her baby, what’s next? For the two of you?”
A sadness fell over Cole. This was all very real to him. Clearly he loved Elise. He sighed. “She still wants to go to NYU. And I’d probably go to Liberty, the way I planned.” He stopped and a slight smile lifted his lips. “And as soon as we possibly could, we’d find a way to be together.” He sat a little straighter. “Because one day I’m going to marry her, Mom. She’s the one.”
Questions lined up in Ashley’s mind, too many to count. How could he be so sure, and what was it that drew Cole to her? How was her faith? And what had happened back in Louisiana to make her rebel? But the gentle nudge of God told her not to say a word. This wasn’t the time.
They finished the project with no more talk about Elise.
Ashley didn’t want this to be a stressful conversation. This was a special moment for the two of them. “You realize, this is your last prom.”
“I know.” His smile softened. “I remember that poem Grandma Elizabeth wrote. About the lasts.” He reached out and patted Ashley’s hand. “The ones you always talk about.” He looked at the bowl of rose petals and then back to her. “This is one of them. My last time to ask a girl to go to a high school dance with me. Last time to ask your help with it all.”
“True.” Ashley tried not to think about it. Every year it had been an adventure. Asking a girl with a message on a coffee cup or holding up a giant poster at the first baseball game last season. The girls were all just friends, and Cole always made them feel special.
They were near the end of the pile of roses when Cole shook the basket. “This should be enough.” He took another rose, but his fingers moved more slowly. “Remember when I was little . . . and you asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up?”
“More than once.” Ashley smiled. “You had something new every day.”
“But there was one thing I said just about every time.” Cole kept his eyes on her.
Ashley remembered. How could she forget? “You said you might not be a firefighter, but whatever job you did, you wanted to be just like your daddy.”
“Right.” Cole nodded. He paused and looked straight at her. “I still feel that way. I want to be like him.”
The thought gave Ashley a peace she desperately needed. Cole wasn’t going to do anything crazy. He just wanted to be like Landon. So Landon could talk to him and explain that if he’d been eighteen, even he wouldn’t have given up on his dreams of being a firefighter to support Ashley and Cole.
These things happened over years. Not weeks.
The conversation shifted to his classes, tests coming up, papers he had to write. Before he left to pick up Elise, Cole gathered the rose petals and scattered them on the porch. When he was gone, Ashley moved out onto the porch to put the finishing touches on a landscape painting for a client in Indianapolis.
Not long after, she saw Cole and Elise pull into the driveway. As they got closer, she could tell they were laughing about something. The rest of the family was still at the lake, so Ashley gathered her things and slipped inside. That way Cole wouldn’t know they had an audience.
From a discreet spot near the window, Ashley watched her son lead Elise to the front porch, a handkerchief tied around her eyes. She still looked young and waiflike, her stomach flat. Not at all like she was carrying a baby. She practically floated across the walkway, her hand in Cole’s.
When they reached the steps, Cole took off her blindfold. From inside the house Ashley could hear the girl’s gasp. Elise skipped up the steps and saw the message, the rose petals spelling out the one question Cole had for her. She squealed and put her hands over her mouth and then she turned and fell into Cole’s arms.
Ashley observed as they hugged for a long time and as they turned to leave, Cole looked straight at her window. As if he’d known she’d be watching them. He smiled and waved at her. Then he put his arm around Elise and they were off.
As he walked away she could see him at eight years old again, telling her for the thousandth time that he wanted to be like his daddy when he grew up. Ashley smiled. Cole didn’t need to wait until then to be like Landon.
He already was.
• • •
THEY WERE RIDING their bikes around the trail next to Clear Creek High, the wind in their hair and faces, sunshine on their shoulders. The whole afternoon Elise couldn’t stop thinking one thing.
She was falling hard for Cole Blake and there was nothing she could do to stop herself.
“I’m flying,” she yelled ahead to Cole.
“Me, too! I love it.” His short blond hair and tan arms made him look like a California boy—even now, more than halfway through March.
She caught up to him and grinned in his direction. This was Cole’s brother’s bike, and it was the perfect size for her. “Three straight wins this week in baseball and now this!”
“Yeah.” Cole had on sunglasses. They both did. He turned to her and laughed. “After all that snow we finally got to play. And this might even be better than that!”
Elise had sat in the stands and cheered him on for every game. The whole school thought they were a couple now, and Elise didn’t mind. They went everywhere together, did everything together. She would stay in the library and do homework during his baseball practice, and every afternoon he would drive her home.
They talked about everything, and last week his aunt Brooke connected her with an obstetrician who also volunteered with the crisis pregnancy center. The man offered to deliver Elise’s baby at no cost.
She lifted her face to the sun. The most wonderful thing was she still didn’t show. Her stomach was flat like always. Her new doctor said she probably wouldn’t look pregnant till her sixth month. Because she was so young and small.
Which meant she could enjoy this time with Cole without thinking about what was ahead. She’d already made the most important decision. The one she easily came to after talking to Cole’s mother. Her baby deserved life, of course. What happened once the baby was born, she wasn’t as sure. She had time to decide.
For now she didn’t want to think about any of it. These days with Cole were a chance to be free again. Maybe for the last time. Elise would pretend she’d never gotten mixed up with Randy in the first place and that Cole was her first love. Her only love. She would tell herself that this time around she would do things right. The way her mama had taught her.
No sex till she was married. Because that was God’s way and because His rules were for the good of His people. That’s what her mother always said, and her mama had been right. About everything.
Which made Elise’s heart drop a little. She still hadn’t told her mother about the baby. Every day that passed the weight of it pressed on Elise and made the truth harder to face. Cole told her all the time that she had to come clean with her mom.
Elise agreed. She would tell her mama at some point. Just not now.
They rode around the track another lap and then stopped at the bleachers. The sun was full on them, warming the metal seats. Cole parked his bike and she did the same. She followed him up six rows and they sat with their faces to the sun. For a long time they were quiet, just the sound of the wind through the trees at the far side of the football field.
“I’m going to miss this place.” Cole leaned back and laced his fingers behind his head. “I can’t believe how fast the semester’s going.”
“Me, too.” Elise rested her elbows on the bench be hind her and looked at Cole. “What’s on your heart?”
“Really?” He took a quick breath and turned to her. A jet flew by, low and loud. He waited till it passed. “I wish you’d go to church with me. We haven’t talked a lot about God. You know?”
Six months ago Cole’s statement would’ve shut her down. She probably would’ve gotten up and walked away. But these days, God seemed possible again. Like maybe He loved her enough to have brought her here to Bloomington, Indiana. All so she could fall in lo
ve with Cole Blake.
“Thoughts?” Cole wasn’t in a hurry. Patience seemed to be at the core of his being.
“I’d like that.” She smiled at him.
“Really?” Cole sat up straight and looked at her. “You’ll go to church with me? With my family?”
“I will.” She sat up, too, and faced him. “You see God differently than I did. Back when I used to think I knew Him.”
“Hmmm. Is that a good thing?”
“Yes.” She laughed, and the sound mixed with the early springtime breeze. “I saw Him as a judge, standing over me, ready to bring the hammer down if I did something wrong.” She leaned back again. “When my mom didn’t want me to be an artist, I felt like that was the last straw. I couldn’t be what she wanted me to be—a lawyer or a doctor.” She raised her eyebrows at him. “Like you want to be.”
“Yeah.” He smiled, but she could tell he didn’t think it was funny. “Wait . . . So, that’s why you got involved with the guy?”
“Right.” Elise didn’t use his name, she knew Cole wouldn’t want to hear it. “If I couldn’t make my mom happy, I wasn’t about to make God happy. That . . . ‘guy.’ He was the only one who seemed okay with me. At least in the beginning.”
Cole looked straight ahead, like he was thinking hard about something. “You know how I told you I’d be there for you?” He turned to her. “No matter what you decide to do? About the baby?”
Elise felt her smile fade. There was something so jarring about any mention of the baby. If only she could go back and paint the picture of her life differently. The canvas would be this moment, the two of them sitting in the bleachers, young and in love with all their lives ahead of them. And Elise never would’ve talked to Randy at that party. And she wouldn’t be pregnant.
A sigh slipped from her lips. The baby changed everything, of course. “Yes.” She looked down at her tennis shoes. “You tell me all the time.”
“That’s why it matters that you come to church with me.” He took her hand in his. He worked his fingers gently between hers. “I can’t do that if we don’t have God. The two of us. First in our friendship. And later . . . in a relationship. If this goes the way I hope it does.”
A dozen feelings fought for her attention. She still wasn’t sure about God, not really. And she didn’t want to be forced. But the way Cole said it she felt peace come over her. Like if he was going to lean on God, then she could certainly lean on Cole. “I understand.” She nodded and felt a chill run down her arms. “I like that.”
Cole studied her for a minute. “Good.” He smiled and looked away. “Because if you want to raise this baby, I’m staying with you. I’ll get a job and take classes online.” For a few seconds neither of them said anything. They took off their sunglasses so they could look into each other’s eyes. Then Cole stood and pulled her close. The hug lasted longer than usual and when he eased back he put his hands along either side of her face. “I love you, Elise.”
She didn’t hesitate. “I love you, too.”
The moment grew more intense, the feelings between them clearly stronger than before. Cole moved in closer, and Elise thought for sure he was going to kiss her. But then he took a quick breath and stepped back.
He exhaled hard and walked a few steps away. When he looked at her, she could see the alarm in his face. “I’m sorry. I . . . That’s not what I want to do.”
Elise wanted nothing more than to kiss him. But she knew what he meant. “It’s okay.”
“I mean . . .” He came closer again, his eyes full of apology. “I respect you more than that other guy, Elise. I care more.” He paused. “I want to be different. God wants me to love you like a sister. At least for now.”
“A sister?” Hurt and confusion added to the emotions already swirling inside her. Her voice raised a little. “I don’t want to be your sister, Cole. Is that what you think?” She turned away and started back down the bleachers. She had made it to their bikes when he caught up with her.
“Hey, wait.” He put his hand on her shoulder. “No. That’s not what I mean.” The passion and heat in his eyes went way beyond friendship. He breathed hard. “I’m saying, God wants me to treat you with respect. Later . . . when we get married . . .” Passion layered his expression. “I don’t want to be your brother . . . or your friend, Elise.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I want nothing more than to kiss you.” He crossed his arms, like he was making a serious effort to keep control.
She felt like she was soaring, back on her bike, wind in her hair. “So you mean . . .”
“I mean we need to wait. Because you matter more to me than that, Elise.” He exhaled. “And that’s how I’m going to treat you. Whatever happens for us in the future.”
Somehow his words actually made her feel special. He hugged her again, but this time he didn’t linger. They rode their bikes to Foster’s Ice Cream and then back to Cole’s house. For an hour they talked about school and studying and summer vacations. The subject of the baby and marriage and forever didn’t come up again, but Elise could see it. There in Cole’s eyes.
That night long after Cole had taken her home, after she’d talked with Aunt Carol and Uncle Ken about school and college and the things they liked to chat about, Elise turned in early. She wasn’t ready to tell her aunt and uncle about the baby. Her poor mom didn’t even know.
Instead she wanted to replay everything about the day with Cole. The more she thought about it, the more she could picture keeping the baby. Not that she was ready to be a mom, but with Cole at her side anything was possible. They were young, but Cole would marry her. That’s what he’d said, right?
So they would get married and Cole would work and take classes online and together they would raise this baby. Elise smiled as she lay in her bed in the dark. She could paint from home, the way Cole’s mother did, and everything would turn out like a dream. Cole was the perfect gentleman. And even if they weren’t official he was the best boyfriend.
So maybe she should welcome this baby. Because as wonderful as Cole was now, Elise could only imagine him in the future.
He would be the greatest daddy any child ever had.
14
Ashley heard the familiar pounding of Cole’s feet running down the stairs, the way he’d done every night and day for most of his life. Not many more months of this sound, she told herself. She loved the way it filled her heart and reminded her that he was still here. Still living under their roof.
For now.
But this time when Ashley turned around what she saw made her heart skip a beat. Dressed in a black tux with a fitted jacket, white button-down shirt, and a pale blue bow tie, Cole looked like he’d stepped out of a bridal magazine. Don’t go there, she told herself. Relax. This wasn’t his wedding. Not yet. Not anytime soon if God answered her prayers.
This was Cole’s prom. His very last one. She stood and met him near the base of the stairs. “Honey.” She held out her hand and gently squeezed his. “You look incredible.”
“The bow tie matches Elise’s dress.” He paused as if he could read her mind. “And no, she doesn’t look pregnant. I’ve seen pictures of her dress. She still looks just like Belle.”
“I’m sure she’s stunning.” Ashley smiled at him. “I’ll get the corsage and boutonniere.”
Ashley ignored Cole’s statement about Belle. She had heard him make the comparison more than once. How Elise looked like the Disney princess. It was true, Elise was beautiful. And yes, she favored the sweet girl who befriends a beast.
But it wasn’t healthy for Cole to think this was some fantasy playing out around him. Elise had stepped into his life not from a fairy tale, but from Louisiana. And her struggles were very different than those of a fictional princess.
Never mind. Tonight was a celebration. His last high school dance. “When will you pick her up?” she called back to the living room.
“Ten minutes.”
Like before so many other dances, Ashley snapped a few p
ictures of Cole by himself near the stairs before he left. Less than half an hour later her son brought Elise by the house for more photos. By then Landon was home and he stood with Ashley while she captured the perfect few shots. Elise pinning on his boutonniere and Cole giving her a wrist corsage.
Amy and Devin and Janessa came in from outside and watched, too. “Wow.” Devin had the basketball under his arm. His eyes were wide as he took in his brother and Elise. “You two look like movie stars.”
Ashley took another picture. “It’s true.” She smiled. It was easy to pretend this was any other dance, and Elise was any other girl Cole might’ve asked to the prom. “You’re beautiful together.”
“You seem like a princess.” Amy’s eyes shone as she took in the sight of Elise. “You’ll be the prettiest girl there.”
“Thank you.” Elise looked from Amy to Ashley and then to Cole. “Have I mentioned how much I love your family?”
Even Landon laughed this time. “I don’t think I was dressed this nice when I married your mom,” he told Cole. “Hey, have a good time, you two.”
Before they left, Cole hugged Ashley and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Mom. For understanding.” He smiled at her. “You’re amazing.”
Amazing. She slipped her arm around Landon’s waist and nodded. “Thanks, Cole. You, too.”
Elise hugged Ashley, and then in a blur of goodbyes, they were gone.
When the other kids were upstairs getting ready for dinner, Ashley turned to Landon. “Please pray.”
He kissed her forehead. “I already know what you’re going to say. And I’ve been praying the whole time.”
“That they won’t get married?”
“Right.” He pulled her into his arms, slow and tender. “Our son will make a wonderful husband and father one day. But not before he’s twenty.”
Ashley exhaled. She and Landon had talked about Elise and the hold she had on Cole’s heart. But they hadn’t specifically talked about this. Ashley didn’t want to bring it up. As if by doing so she might somehow make it happen.
Two Weeks: A Novel (The Baxter Family) Page 14