Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(7)

“Elise.” He jogged to her. “Wait up.” She turned and smiled at him. She wore jeans and low-heeled boots. A flannel shirt the same color as her eyes. Plain navy backpack. Not a lot of makeup. Definitely more country than most of the girls he knew. It didn’t matter. Elise didn’t need eye shadow. Her beauty was real and raw, the kind that stood on its own.

“That Mr. Hansen.” Her eyes danced into a light laugh. “Best teacher around.”

Cole was a little winded. Not because of the jog but because of Elise. The way she took over his senses. “Why?” He searched her eyes. The afternoon sun shone down on the two of them, taking the chill off the January day. “You . . . didn’t have to do that.”

“I know.” She stopped and stared at him, straight through him. “You seemed like you could use a little help.”

“But . . . you barely know me.”

She started walking again and he tried to keep up with her. She shot a look at him over her shoulder. “Composition notebooks.” Another stop and this time she grinned and did the cutest shrug. “My mama always said one good turn deserves another.”

“Yeah, well . . .” He was about to explain that he never would’ve asked her to lie for him, but that could wait. No reason to shift the mood. “Your car in the front lot?” His was, so he figured that’s where she was headed.

Another quiet laugh. “I don’t have a car.” She adjusted her backpack. “I’m walking.”

It was the one day Cole didn’t have practice after school. This time he stayed even with her. “I’ll give you a ride.”

She slowed a bit and watched him. Like she was seeing him for the first time. “It’s not far. Just a half a mile or so.”

“I wanna hear more about you. What brought you here.”

For a few seconds she seemed like she might turn him down. But then she raised one shoulder, the way she had earlier in science class. Her smile reached her eyes. “Okay. It is freezing here. Not like home.” She shaded her eyes toward the sun. “Even with the pretty blue sky.”

Because of you, Cole wanted to say. It’s only pretty because of you. But he stopped himself. What was he thinking? No girl had made him feel like this. He kept a steady pace, one hand in his pocket. Play it cool, Cole. Come on. “I have an idea.” He could feel a goofy grin coming over him. There wasn’t a thing he could do about it. “How about coffee? You know, to celebrate. First day of the semester.”

They reached his Ford Explorer and he opened the passenger door. She gave a slight shake of her head. “Not today. I have homework.” Cole held the door open for her and she climbed inside.

“We won’t be long. Maybe half an hour.” Cole hurried around to the driver’s side, slid in behind the wheel and faced her. “I think you should say yes.”

“Why?” Her eyes sparkled. “Like you said, I don’t even know you.”

“You know Mr. Hansen is the best teacher on campus. We both agree on that.” He grinned. “Also . . . I think it just might be the best decision of your life.” He winced. So much for playing it cool. A light chuckle came from him. “Too much?”

“Definitely.” She laughed. “But coffee sounds fun. If we’re quick.”

They went to Java on Main, one of the shops owned by his family’s friends—Brandon and Bailey Paul. Sofas and rocking chairs made up the lobby. Framed Bible verses hung on the walls. Cole set his backpack on the nearest sofa and they found the back of a short line. Five minutes later they were sitting side by side, angled so they could see each other.

She sipped a steaming mint tea and he drank a hot chocolate. The longer he spent around her the dizzier he felt. He could already write her story. Good girl. Good family. Probably attended church every Sunday. He leaned his shoulder into the back of the sofa and searched her eyes. “So why here? Why Bloomington?”

Her hesitation didn’t last long. “Better science department.” The shine in her eyes gave her away.

“Right.” Now that he was here, alone with her, Cole was willing to take his time. “That’s supposed to be my answer.”

“Yours?” She tilted her chin, clearly playing with him. “You mean you really do think Mr. Hansen is the best teacher on the planet?”

“Maybe.” Cole took a deep breath. “I’m going to Liberty University in the fall. Premed. I need all A’s in science and math.”

She angled her head. “You’re serious?”

“Yeah.” It felt better every time he talked about it. He was going to be a doctor. No doubts at all. “And you? A lawyer? Those negotiating skills you impressed the class with earlier?”

Her laughter was as easy as her company. “Hardly.” She paused, locking eyes with him. As if this next part might be especially important. “I’m going to NYU in August to study art.” She hesitated. “At least I want to.” Her expression grew deeper than before. “I mean, I know I’m only eighteen, but eventually I want to open my own studio in Manhattan. They’ll be lined up around the block to get my paintings.”

An artist? Just like his mom. A dawning came over Cole. “That’s it.” Again his voice was a little too loud. He lowered it a few notches. “I knew there was something familiar about you.”