Page 25 of Love Story
His dad waited by the oven, potholders on his hands, and looked at Cole. “Mom says you stopped by the cemetery.”
“We did. I needed to think about everything. Like why Grandma isn’t here when Papa loved her so much.”
“I know.” His dad seemed to let that sink in. “I wonder that, too, sometimes.”
“God’s ways are not our ways.” Cole felt the corners of his mouth lift some. “That’s what Grandma used to say.”
“She did. I remember that.” His father checked the bread and then turned to Cole. “Your mom said today was really special.” He smiled. “You’re a good son, Cole. Including her in your project this way.”
“Thanks.” Cole loved times like this, talking to his dad, feeling the connection between them. “I didn’t realize it would make me feel so many things, hearing Papa’s story. Then talking to Mom at the cemetery.”
His dad pulled the bread from the oven. It was golden brown. “Perfect.”
“Yes. Janessa will be thrilled.” Cole laughed again.
Once the bread was safely on the counter they moved to the round table just off the kitchen. When they were facing each other, his dad looked straight into his eyes. “Mom says you talked about Sarah Marie.”
Cole thought back to his little sister’s grave marker. “She had such a short life.”
“In some ways that was the miracle of her time here.” His dad folded his hands and set them on the table. “So many people were praying for us, believing for a miracle. When she died we all were shown the truth. That the miracle was even knowing her at all.” He smiled. “You know?”
“Yeah.” Cole nodded.
“Because all life is precious to God.” His dad was quiet for a moment. “And it should be precious to us. No matter how long a person lives.”
“And now she’s with God... waiting for the rest of us.” Cole leaned back in his chair.
Cole thought about the conversation with his mom earlier. “I like that she’s with Grandma and Aunt Erin and the rest. Mom and I talked about that. It’s nice that God lets them all be together.”
His dad’s smile gave an easy view to his soul. “God loves us more than we can ever understand.”
The door opened and the other kids burst through, all talking at once. Something about Janessa catching the biggest tadpole of the afternoon and how Amy had helped her and how Devin was proud of the girls for not being sissies.
The quiet conversation between them was over, but Cole didn’t mind. He’d had his time, his chance to share the importance of today with his dad.
After dinner he excused himself to his room. He had a few hours of homework still. No time for tadpoles today. Something else that stirred the depths of his heart. His dad used to say there would always be precious lasts along the journey to being a grown-up. The last time that they ran across the lawn... the last time that they looked for tadpoles in the pond.
It was his way of teaching them to appreciate every day.
Which was why before he started his homework he thanked God for today. The time with his papa and his parents. It was a day Cole would remember always. Like the day that was coming sometime soon. When his mom would tell him about the love story between her and his father. That would be a beautiful day for sure.
Because his mom was one of the most loving people he had ever known.
•••
ASHLEY WAITED UNTILthe kids were in bed before she found Landon in theTVroom watching the Indiana Pacers. She sat next to him and rested her head on the back of the sofa. The day had been so much more emotional than she had expected. Sure, she’d known her heart would get involved in hearing the story of her parents’ beginning.
But she hadn’t expected the beautiful time at the cemetery, and she certainly hadn’t expected the bomb Cole dropped on the ride home. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine how she would even begin to tell Cole his story.
“You okay?” Landon took her hand in his. He slid his fingers between hers and ran his thumb over her thumb. The way he always did when they were together.
She opened her eyes and sat up straighter. “After the cemetery today Cole asked me a question. On the way home.”
“A question?” Landon turned down theTVand faced her. “What sort of question?”
Ashley felt sick to her stomach. How would Landon feel hearing this news? She felt a chill run down her spine.Help Landon understand, dear God... this has nothing to do with Cole’s feelings for him.
“Ash?” Landon released her hand and ran his fingers through her hair. “I’m here, baby. What is it? What did he ask?”
