Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(23)

His world began to spin again, and for a few seconds he wished for one thing. That he could wake up and everything about this conversation with Elise would be nothing more than a bad dream. She was good and golden and she sang to dying people. Her smile could light a room.

How could she be telling him she might be pregnant?

God, what am ILove one another. As supposed to say to her? How can I help? The prayer breezed through his soul before he could respond. And at the same time came a verse from his devotion earlier today. Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Yes, love. That was the answer.

He was still holding her hand, but now he released it and put his arm around her. He pulled her close and just held her while she cried. “It’s okay, Elise. God’s here. Whatever’s going on, He knows.”

“I’ve made such a mess of my life.” She turned and hugged him, held on to him. “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me, Cole. Your friendship.”

His friendship. Cole took a breath and steadied himself. In the time it had taken her to tell him about her past, she had also made something very clear. She wasn’t looking for a relationship. Of course not.

She wanted to be his friend. Nothing more. And given the circumstances, Cole completely understood. He would care for her, be the friend she needed. He would love as Jesus loved—whatever it took to help her.

“My mom’s been through pregnancy alone.” Cole whispered the words of comfort near her face. After another minute, she let go of him and pulled her knees up to her chest again. Her eyes on his.

“My mama, too.” She closed her eyes for a second. “I wonder if they felt as scared as I do.”

Cole let that sit for a moment. He couldn’t speak for Elise’s mother. But he knew some of his mom’s struggle. “There’s a crisis pregnancy center in town. My aunt Brooke and my mom volunteer there. Maybe they can get you a test.” He still couldn’t believe they were talking about this. An hour ago he was ready to admit his love to this girl. Now he was trying to help her find a pregnancy test. His heart broke for her. “I’ll stay by you, Elise. Whatever happens.”

“I . . . I can’t ask that of you.” She shook her head and covered her face. “It’s your senior year. Oh, Cole . . . I don’t know what to do.”

“I told you.” He felt his resolve grow. “There’s nothing more important than being your friend. Helping you through this. Whatever’s going on.”

Suddenly Cole imagined a scenario he had never dreamed possible. He took her hand again. What if she was pregnant and what if she had nowhere to turn? Maybe God was calling him to step in the way his dad had stepped in all those years ago. His mother had been a broken, lonely single mother when Landon Blake came back into her life.

He rescued her and he rescued Cole, and in the process he became Cole’s father. The only one he’d ever known.

Now here was this beautiful, wounded girl, possibly facing the same thing. An artist, no less. And in that moment—before praying about it or talking to his parents or even giving it a second thought, Cole knew this. If God was calling him to take responsibility for Elise and her child, he didn’t need to think about it. He would do it. He would step up like his dad had stepped up. If she would let him, he would love her with all his heart, the rest of his days.

Even if the whole world thought he was crazy.





7




Ashley stood at the back patio window, her face pressed against the glass. If Cole thought she couldn’t see him, he was wrong. She had watched him pull into the driveway and then lead Elise to the creek that ran behind their house.

So why hadn’t he brought her inside?

The feelings rushing through Ashley’s heart were all new. She sighed and returned to the stove. She was making an Alfredo sauce for the chicken. That and broccoli along with cauliflower rice. Already she’d called Landon and asked him to get off work early if possible. Cole had dozens of friends, people who came over in groups all the time.

But this was the first time he’d brought home a girl.

Even Carolyn, his school friend for years, had never come to the house by herself. Not unless it was a big dance or if other kids were here, too.

Ashley stirred the melted butter and added the cream. Why would Cole take the girl out back first? Were they having some serious conversation? Was he about to ask her to be his girlfriend? The thought was ridiculous. Surely not. The two just met.

Cole talked to her and Landon about everything. He wouldn’t ask Elise out unless he’d discussed it with them, right? Fear took the spot beside her and breathed against her neck. Studied her. “No.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “Stop, Ashley. You’re losing it.”

What was there to fear? Cole had only just met this girl. But what kind of girl wouldn’t want to come inside and meet a boy’s mother? Before taking a walk to the stream. The order of events gave Ashley a nervous stomach.

An hour later her phone buzzed. She grabbed it and immediately saw the text from Cole.

Mom, so sorry. Elise isn’t feeling well. I’m taking her home, okay? I’ll be right back.

Ashley stared at his words. What was she supposed to say to that? If the girl was sick why had she come here in the first place? And what was the long conversation? She had to respond. She began moving her fingers across the phone.