Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(21)

The ground beneath Cole’s feet turned to Jell-O. Elise was the most beautiful girl in the world. Not only did she look like a princess, but her heart was pure gold. What other high school senior was singing “Jesus Loves Me” to a dying woman this afternoon?

After a minute, the patient seemed to nod off. Elise waited awhile, and then gently released the woman’s hand. As Elise turned toward the door she gasped and covered her mouth. “Cole!” The word was half whisper, half cry. A smile came over her and she hurried to him.

When they were out in the hall she led him to a quieter spot near one of the medicine carts. Cole couldn’t wait to talk to her. “Elise. That was beautiful. Like beyond beautiful.”

She looked nervous, like she wasn’t sure he could be here. “That song . . . it was her favorite.” Sadness filled her blue eyes. “Her name is Evelyn. She only has a few hours.” The situation really tore at her, that much was obvious. “Her family isn’t going to make it in time. Unless she gets a miracle.”

“Then let’s pray for that.” Cole took her hands and as he did he felt her stiffen just a little. Felt her pull back. He searched her eyes. “It’s okay. If we pray here.”

“Right.” She nodded, but she looked uneasy. Totally different than just a few minutes ago. “You pray.”

Cole couldn’t figure out her reaction. He hesitated for a second or two and then began. “Lord, we don’t know Evelyn. But You do. Could You please let her live until her family gets here? Whoever is coming to see her? So she doesn’t make the trip from here to heaven by herself?” Cole thought about that. “Of course, we know she isn’t alone, Jesus. She has You and . . . for a while, anyway, she had Elise. Thank You, God, for Elise’s heart for Evelyn and for all people. And thank You that she’s in my life.” He smiled, even with his eyes closed. “In Jesus’ name, amen.”

“Amen.” Elise released his hands immediately. “Cole.”

Something in her tone told him there was a problem. “Are you worried about me being here?” He looked back at the nurses’ station. “They know me. It’s fine.”

“No . . . it’s not that.” She pressed her hand to her stomach. “I don’t feel good.”

What? Cole blinked a few times. She wasn’t making sense. Just a few minutes ago she was standing over Evelyn’s bed singing to her. And now she didn’t feel good? “You mean . . . you came here sick?”

She shook her head. “Not really. I mean, I’m not sure. I thought maybe it was the school salad dressing, but—”

Without saying another word she darted down the hall and ran into a bathroom. Cole wasn’t sure what to do. What could’ve made her get sick with no warning? He looked toward the bathroom door as he leaned against the hospital wall. Salad dressing at school? Wouldn’t she have felt bad before this?

Finally she came out, her face red, eyes watery. She caught his gaze and held it as she approached him. “Cole. I need to leave. I’m not okay.”

“Of course. I’ll tell the nurse.”

She nodded and waited while he did that. Cole’s mind raced. It still didn’t make sense. How could she go from seeming so well to being so sick? In such a short time? He waited while she gathered her things from the bathroom locker and then he walked with her in silence down to the main lobby and out into the parking lot.

He led her to his Explorer and when they were both inside, the doors shut, he turned to her. “Elise. What’s going on?”

“I threw up.” She hung her head. “Something’s wrong.”

He leaned over and felt her cheek, the way his mother had done for him and his siblings over the years. It was cool. “I don’t think you have a fever.”

“No.” She sniffed and leaned against the back of the seat. “We need to talk, Cole. Can we do that?”

“Okay.” His mother was making chicken, looking forward to meeting her. But if they didn’t eat until after six, there was still time. “Let’s go to my house. My mom wants you to stay for dinner.” He paused. “We can take a walk. There’s a stream out back with this big rock. We can talk there.”

She nodded, but on the drive to his house she didn’t say a word. As if the girl he’d seen singing over the dying woman had disappeared in a matter of minutes. And in her place was this sick, sad person who looked like all the world was crashing in around her.

Cole didn’t want Elise to have to meet his mom like this. The rain had stopped and it was just warm enough to sit outside. So he parked in the driveway and walked with her to the rock near the stream. All without going near the house. When they were seated next to each other, she lowered her head again.

Whatever this was, she clearly felt troubled by it. He put his hand on her shoulder. “Elise. I’m here.” He kept his voice soft. “Talk to me.”

For a while she said nothing, just sat there, looking down. Then she drew a slow breath and lifted her face, turned her eyes to him. “I haven’t told you everything, Cole.”

The world around him began to spin. He blinked a few times so he wouldn’t get dizzy, wouldn’t fall off the rock. What was she talking about? She hadn’t told him everything? “Okay.” He exhaled. “I’m listening.”