Two Weeks (The Baxter Family #5)(9)

“I love it.” Cole took a deep breath. He waited till his mother looked at him again. “I met a girl today.”

He watched her expression brighten. “A girl, huh? Someone new?”

“Yes. She’s from Louisiana.” Cole tried to keep his expression casual. So this wouldn’t be too big a deal. But he could feel his smile filling his face. “She’s like . . . perfect.”

“Wow.” His mom turned a little more so she was facing him fully. “Perfect?”

“Yeah. I took her to coffee after school.” He still could barely feel his feet beneath him. “She’s an artist. Like you.”

Warmth filled his mother’s eyes. “I’d love to meet her.”

Cole nodded. “You will.” He took a bite of the apple. As he did he heard the sound of voices in the kitchen. The younger kids were home. Cole shot his mom a look. “Don’t tell anyone, okay? I’ll talk to Dad later. Like when the others are in bed.”

“Okay.” His mom closed up her paints and followed Cole into the house. “You can tell us both all about her.”

He waited through dinner until after his siblings turned in. Then he sat down with his parents and tried to explain Elise. What it was about her that had grabbed hold of his heart. But no matter how he tried, he couldn’t put his feelings into words. Just that she was someone special, and that he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

Finally, Cole stood. “I need to get to sleep.” He looked from his dad to his mom. “All I know is Elise is the kind of girl I’m going to marry someday.”

The slightly alarmed looks on their faces made him laugh out loud. “Don’t worry. No time soon.” He waved to them. “College first. But then . . . who knows?”

He left them with that thought, the same thought he took with him to bed that night. Could it happen, love at first sight? Whatever it was with Elise, no girl had affected him the way she had. All in one day.

Cole looked to the sliver of a moon in the cold dark night sky just outside his window. Is she the one, Lord? He heard no answer, no sense of affirmation. The idea was crazy, really. They’d known each other only one day. And they were just eighteen. But that wasn’t too young, right? They were adults, after all. His mind kept spinning, replaying every minute with her. The way her blue eyes felt against his. But even as he fell asleep, one very definite thought stayed with him.

He couldn’t wait till tomorrow.

? ? ?

ASHLEY BAXTER BLAKE watched her oldest son head up to bed, then she turned and stared at her husband. Her heart was beating in her throat. “Landon.” Her voice was more laugh than cry. “What just happened?”

He was sitting across from her in the recliner. “You mean Cole?”

“Of course I mean Cole.” Ashley stood and paced to the other end of the room. She raised her hands. “Our son just met this girl and he’s ready to marry her.”

Landon took a moment. Then he stood and came to her. When they were inches apart he put his hands on either side of her face. “Ashley. It’s okay.”

“Maybe not.” She kept her voice low. The last thing she wanted was for Cole to hear her concern. She eased her arms around Landon’s waist and leaned her forehead on his shoulder. “Cole’s never like this.” She looked into his eyes. “He’s been the most levelheaded kid all through high school.”

“Baby.” Landon stared all the way to her soul. “He still is. This is infatuation. The girl’s an artist. She caught Cole’s attention.” He kissed her cheek. “That’s all.”

Only then did her heart rate slow down. She studied him, the love of her life. He always knew what to say, even now. “You think so?”

“Of course.” He angled his head, kindness brimming in his eyes. “At least he told us. How many kids would do that?”

“True.” Ashley brushed the side of her face against Landon’s and kissed him. “You always have the answers.”

“Not always.” He kissed her this time, and it lasted longer than before.

“Right.” Ashley felt herself relax. She whispered against his skin. “Just whenever I need help.”

“Which is the only time it matters.” Landon took her by the hand. “Come on. Let’s not borrow trouble.”

Right again. Ashley exhaled. Landon was so sensible at times like this. Cole’s excitement was nothing more than first-day thrills over the new girl at school.

Landon was still leading the way to the stairs that led to their room, but he stopped and took her into his arms again. This time his kiss left her breathless. He ran his thumb along her cheek. “I love you, Ashley.” After a few seconds he started walking again. “Let’s get our mind off Cole.” He winked at her.

Ashley giggled and then at the same time she felt herself blush. Not because the kids would know what they were laughing about or even hear them at all. But because Landon had a way of making her feel like a newlywed.

Over and over and over again.





3




In the new house there was no way to avoid the room. In fact if Lucy Williams had been in charge of decorating, they wouldn’t have things set up like this at all. Especially now that they’d sold the old place in Atlanta.