Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(25)

Landon was watching both of them now. “Your mother didn’t mean it.” His tone was kind and strong. The voice of reason in the madness. “She really is sorry.”

“I know.” Cole sighed. He hugged Ashley this time and looked into her eyes. “I forgive you. Just, please . . . don’t jump to conclusions. Expect the best of me.” He led Ashley back to the sofa and then returned to the chair. “Let’s start over.”

Yes, that was just what Ashley wanted. “I’m listening.”

Landon put his arm around her and gave her a reassuring side hug. Always patient and kind with her. What would she do without him?

“Anyway.” Cole was finding the words, back to the place where he had first started. “I told her about your crisis pregnancy center. I might take her there tomorrow. For the free test.”

“What makes her think she’s pregnant?” The question came from Landon.

Ashley was glad. She was determined just to listen from here on out. Unless Cole needed a specific answer from her. At this point she’d said enough.

His explanation took the next ten minutes. Cole told them how Elise had gotten connected with a bad guy, someone who took advantage of her. “The two of them drank and partied and stayed out way past curfew.” Cole sounded sorry for her. “She hates all of this now. The guy forced himself on her. It wasn’t how she wanted things to go.”

“Wow.” Landon rubbed the back of his neck. “Poor girl.” He sounded sincere.

Ashley nodded, but inside she was struggling. This was the girl Cole was crazy about? Someone rebellious and wild? A girl who had been with some other guy as recently as November? She was glad Cole couldn’t read her mind.

Cole went on about how Elise had rebelled against her mother, and when it all came crashing down before Christmas, the decision was made to send Elise to her aunt and uncle’s house in Bloomington. Mostly to get away from the guy.

Great, Ashley thought. He’ll probably come after her and take his wrath out on Cole. Of all people. Again she bit her tongue.

“And now she thinks she’s pregnant.” Landon brought the conversation back to the main point.

“Yes. She’s been feeling sick and throwing up.” He turned to Ashley. “Can she get a test tomorrow at the center? If I take her there?”

“Of course.” Ashley felt herself begin to soften. The crisis pregnancy center was something she and her sister Brooke had started several years ago, after Ashley and Landon’s first daughter was born with anencephaly and died just after birth. She’d seen the girls who came through the front doors of the place. Scared and alone. Compassion began to warm the worried places in her heart. She locked eyes with Cole. “Whatever we can do to help her.”

“There.” Cole smiled. “That’s my mom.” The hurt wasn’t completely gone from his face, but he looked better. They were going to be okay. “I told Elise I’d be there for her. As her friend.”

Relief flooded Ashley. It was the first reassuring thing her son had said since he sat down. He wanted to be her friend. Nothing more. She was about to tell him how smart that was, just to be a companion for a girl like Elise. But God Himself must’ve stopped her because she shut her mouth.

Landon ran his fingers along her shoulder. As if he could tell she was practicing restraint. “But that’s not how you felt about her before.” He paused. “Right?” Understanding ran rich in Landon’s words. He was such a wonderful father.

He patted the spot on the sofa beside them. “Come here. This can’t be easy for you.”

“No.” Tears built up in Cole’s eyes. He took the place next to Landon and leaned onto his shoulder. “I thought I was in love with her.” He wiped at his tears and seemed to try to gain composure. “I still think that.”

“What about her?” Landon turned so he could see Cole better. He put his hand on their son’s knee. “What does she think?”

Ashley held her breath.

“She doesn’t like me. Not like that.” He clenched his jaw and shook his head. “She thinks we should just be friends.”

Again, Ashley didn’t say a word.

“Well . . .” Landon moved his hand to Cole’s shoulder. “She’s probably right. It’s just two months since she was in a terrible relationship. And now she might be carrying that boy’s child.” He hesitated, like he was letting his words sink in. “Makes sense, right?”

Exhale, Ashley reminded herself. She breathed out, her eyes fixed on Cole.

He seemed to take Landon’s words to heart. Even the look in his eyes softened. “Yeah. I can see that. She’s pretty upset.” A certainty welled in his expression. “But if she wants me to stand by her, I’ll be there.” He locked eyes with Landon. “The way you were there for Mom.”

Ashley wondered if she might fall to the floor. He couldn’t be serious. Cole wasn’t thinking he needed to date Elise, just because that was something Landon had done with Ashley? He couldn’t possibly be leaning that way. The idea shot panic through her veins and she waited. Come on, Landon. Say something.

“I feel like that was a little different.” Landon’s tone was measured. Unhurried. “I had known your mom in high school, but by the time we reconnected we were in our twenties. Finished with school. And you were a two-year-old.”