Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(24)

Okay. I wish you would’ve come in first. I saw you pull up. Anyway, sorry we missed her. Tell her we hope she feels better.

She read it over and shook her head. This wasn’t how she wanted to sound. Cole hadn’t done anything wrong. Not that she knew about. Besides, he would tell them the whole story when he got back from dropping Elise off. She erased a few lines and read the text again.

Okay. Tell her we hope she feels better. She can come for dinner anytime.

Yes, that was better. She had made the mistake before with her kids, saying things she couldn’t take back, sending text messages she should’ve thought about first. This was even more important because it involved a girl. One Cole clearly liked a lot. Ashley wouldn’t say anything to hurt him in the midst of whatever was happening.

By the time Cole returned, the rest of the family was home and around the table, and Landon was helping her serve dinner. She felt her frustration with Cole creep back in. What had taken so long at Elise’s house? What had they been doing?

Her thoughts created a slippery slope, one she didn’t want to slide down. Help me be kind here, God. He’s my son and I trust him. We’ll talk later. She could feel Landon staring at her, casting her nervous glances. As if he knew what she was thinking and he didn’t want her to say anything she’d regret.

She didn’t. They had a wonderful dinner, and the whole time Amy talked about her eighth-grade culture fair. How she was going to make copies of favorite family photos and write a poem about each of them and let all the school see that her family actually did exist. They just lived in heaven and Amy lived with her aunt and uncle.

Ashley patted her niece’s head. “Your project will be perfect.” Right now she couldn’t get past the situation with Cole. He hadn’t said more than a few words all dinner.

Devin and Janessa joined in, talking about school and Bloomington Little League and how this year the team was going to win State.

Most of the meal was little more than a blur. When the dishes and homework were done, and when the younger kids were in bed, Cole came back downstairs. By then, Ashley and Landon were side by side on the sofa. She’d been catching Landon up on how Cole hadn’t brought Elise inside. And how it had taken so long for him to drive her home. She got about that far into the story when Cole finally joined them.

Ashley had a hundred questions battling for position in her mind. Landon gave her hand a tender squeeze. She understood. Let Cole talk first. It was a parenting motto they had adopted when Cole was in preschool.

“Have a seat, Son.” Landon nodded at the chair across from them. “What’s on your mind?”

“Elise.” He dropped to the chair and clasped his hands. For a long time he kept his eyes fixed on his fingers. When he looked up, he said words Ashley never in all her life expected him to say. “She thinks she might be pregnant.”

Instantly Ashley was on her feet. “Cole!” She felt the blood drain from her face. Her voice was louder than she intended. “Are you serious? You barely know her!”

Landon reached up and helped Ashley back to the sofa cushion. “Honey.” His eyes pleaded with her. “Let him finish.”

Finish? Ashley was about to pass out. They didn’t even know this girl and she was worried she was pregnant? “Cole . . . what in the world? How could you?” The words came out as muttered cries. Before she had even a chance to stop them. Cole had wanted to wait till he was married, honor his future wife and God at the same time. But now . . . now every dream she had believed for Cole was being shattered without warning. I should’ve known something was off when—

“Mom!” Now it was Cole’s turn to be outraged. He stood and raked his hand through his hair. Then he turned his back on them, like he might leave without an explanation. But after a few seconds he whipped around and faced Ashley. “Are you serious? You think I got her pregnant? A girl I met three weeks ago?”

Landon put his head in his hands and sighed. “Dear God . . .”

Ashley blinked. If she could’ve tunneled through the floor to anywhere but here, she would’ve gladly done it. How in the world could she have thought Cole would’ve already slept with this girl?

Raw hurt darkened Cole’s eyes. “You should know my character better than that.” He fiddled with the Giving Key necklace he wore most days. The one custom-engraved with their last name, BLAKE, across the front. A gift for his future wife. “I’m waiting until I’m married. You know that.”

He was right. Ashley did know.

She dragged herself to her feet and somehow crossed the room to where her oldest son stood. “Cole.” She took his hands in hers and stared into his eyes. If only she could erase the pain there, take back her words and her reaction. “I’m so . . . so sorry.” She looked down for a moment. She was the very worst possible mother.

When she looked up, it was through eyes blurred with tears. “Of course I know your character.”

“I’m only telling you because she needs our help.” He was still struggling with what had just happened. Clearly. “Yours and dad’s and mine. All of us.”

Ashley pulled Cole slowly into her arms. Because he was better than her, he came to her. Even now. She hugged him for several seconds and then looked into his eyes again. “Please . . . forgive me.”

The struggle was real for him. That much was obvious. But after half a minute, Cole shook his head and managed a sound that was more frustration than laugh. “Really? I mean, I can’t believe you, Mom.”