Page 44 of To the Moon and Back
His final thought was her.
Jenna.
Was it possible Ashley Baxter Blake had been at the memorial for a reason? Maybe Ashley really would find Jenna. As his heart felt ready to burst inside him, as the weight of the burning roof settled in around him and Brady lost consciousness, he realized the worst part of all. He had lost his only chance, even if Ashley found Jenna.
Because after today, he would never know.
13
T he painting was developing beautifully, better than Ashley had hoped. Landon was at work and the kids were at school, but the hours were flying by. Ashley had set her easel up outside on the front porch. The sky was blue, the air warm.
No better day to paint.
Her pieces were still being sold at the gallery in downtown Bloomington. The shop owner had asked for more of her work. Lately, people from all over the country stopped in asking about Ashley’s art. Her paintings were going for five times the price she’d originally set. Enough to put aside money for the kids’ college tuitions. Since those days were fast approaching.
Ashley stared at the canvas. The Survivor Tree looked lifelike, its branches spread out over the patio. She was using a photo she’d taken at the memorial. Not everyone who saw it would know what it was. But some would. And for those people this image would be everything. To Amy it would.
Especially if she didn’t hear back from Brady about the sapling.
Her heart drifted to Landon. The day after Amy’s play she had told him about her text and Facebook message to Brady.
He had come in from the porch, looking to talk to her. When he walked through the door Ashley met him in the foyer. He looked physically sick. The slow way he walked, his resigned expression, the hurt and discouragement in his eyes.
Without saying a word she had come to him and slipped her arms around his neck. For a long time they stood there, clinging to each other. No words needed.
He leaned back enough to look at her. “I can’t think or work.” He’d searched her eyes. “I’m sorry, Ash.” He paused. “Yesterday . . . I was wrong.”
“I’m sorry, too. I just . . . I didn’t see the problem.” She had known even then that she had crossed the line. “A few days ago . . . I texted him. I didn’t tell you, Landon. I’m so sorry.” A quick breath. “And then . . . last night while you were cleaning out the canoe I private-messaged him on Facebook.” She hadn’t waited for his reaction. “That was wrong. I should’ve talked to you first.”
The news had seemed to hit Landon like a round of pellets. Like hearing it wasn’t comfortable. But he could take it. He swallowed and after a while he nodded. “You can do this, Ash. I won’t stand in your way.”
She had felt her heart melt. “Not if it’s going to come between us.”
“It’s not, Ashley.” He looked almost desperate. “Nothing could come between us.” He placed his hands on the sides of her face and his words had gone easily to the deepest place of her heart. “Nothing. Not ever.”
After that, Landon had listened patiently while she explained what she’d written to Brady and how she hoped he could help get a sapling for Amy.
Then Landon had taken hold of her hands, the two of them still standing just inside the front door. “I may never get this, Ash.” He smiled and shook his head. “But I get you. The girl I married. Wanting to help someone, whatever the cost.”
“Exactly.” Tears had filled her eyes.
He kissed her and his lips lingered for a minute or more. The two of them finding their way back to north. “Help the guy find Jenna.” He crooked his finger and put it gently beneath her chin. “If anyone can do it, you can.”
“Thank you.” She dabbed at a single tear. “I needed to hear that.”
“But . . .” He had run his fingers lightly through her hair. “If this doesn’t work out. If you don’t find her in the next few days . . .” He paused, his eyes locked on hers. “Please, Ash, in that case let it go. Otherwise . . .”
“Otherwise?” Even now Ashley could hear the conversation playing in her mind. “Otherwise what?”
“Well.” He had kissed her cheek and then her lips once more. “You’re a very beautiful woman, Ash. You don’t want to give him the wrong idea.”
Ashley had smiled. “Deal.” Landon was right. The last thing Ashley needed was a young firefighter pen pal.
So the two of them had come up with a reasonable plan. Three days. Then she’d check to see if he’d written back.
Today was the third day.
A car pulled into her driveway and slowed as it came closer. Ashley stood. Her father! She loved afternoons like this when her dad stopped by unannounced. It was one of the joys of his retirement. Or at least his semiretirement. He still taught classes and gave lectures at the hospital.
