Page 51 of To the Moon and Back
So neither of them would have doubts about what might’ve been.
Ashley parked in the driveway just before the kids were scheduled to get home. She’d had her phone off while she drove but as soon as she turned it on she saw the text from Jenna.
Brady was being moved out of ICU. He was still in a coma, but he had turned a corner.
“Oh, dear God, thank You.” Relief washed over Ashley as she made her way inside.
That night after the kids had finished their homework and headed to bed, she found Landon in the kitchen, doing the dishes. She had told him only that the day had been a success and that she’d give him the details later.
This was the moment.
Ashley came up behind Landon at the sink. “You’re the most amazing man.” She worked her hands around his waist. “Have I told you that lately?”
“Yes.” He turned in her arms and faced her, his hands still wet with sudsy soap. He dried them on his jeans. “Tell me again.”
“You”—she kissed him on the lips—“my Prince Charming, are the most amazing man I know.”
“Mmmm.” He returned her kiss. “You’re my favorite princess. In case I haven’t told you lately.”
She laughed lightly. There was nothing like the love she felt for Landon, the love they shared. “You wanna hear about it?”
“Must be really good.” He took the dish towel and gave her a light smack with it. “Otherwise you wouldn’t have made me wait.”
“Walk with me.” She took his hand. “Outside. It’s a pretty sky.”
This was something they’d done a lot of when they were dating, when they were still figuring out whether they’d find a way to make things work. Tonight was the perfect time to talk under the bright sky. Especially since they were good again, since the fight was behind them.
Once they were outside, they walked to the stream behind their house. Along the way Ashley caught him up on what had happened. “God was ahead of me at every turn. I found Jenna, no problem.” Ashley raised her brow. “Of course, at first I think she thought I was some crazy person. But when I said Brady’s name, her expression changed. From that point on I had her attention, for sure.”
“She’s not married anymore? You’re sure?” Landon looked concerned. Understandably. He and Ashley had agreed this wasn’t something to do if Jenna were still married.
“Her husband left her.” Ashley let that sad detail sit for a moment. “We prayed before I left. And by the time I got home she’d texted me. Brady’s out of ICU.”
For a long time Landon only looked at her in the moonlight. He slid a piece of her dark hair behind her ear. “You realize we’re having a conversation about perfect strangers.” He smiled at her. “As if we know them.”
“Yes.” Ashley made a nervous face. “It’s true. This sort of thing could only happen to me.”
“Absolutely. But I’m glad I stepped out of the way. Because you were right, Ash. God wanted to use you. I believe that.” Landon’s smile dropped off. “Sounds like the accident was serious. Keep me posted on how things turn out.”
“I promised her we’d pray. You and me.”
“Okay, then . . . let’s do it.” Landon pulled her into his arms and prayed out loud. For a couple of people they didn’t know named Jenna and Brady, and that Ashley would always be drawn to help people.
Even total strangers.
15
B rady wasn’t sure if he was in hell or not. His head throbbed and he couldn’t speak. Whatever had happened to him, he couldn’t move his arms or legs. Couldn’t turn his head from side to side.
Still somewhere deep in his subconscious he had the slightest sense that maybe he wasn’t in hell. Heaven, either. Just possibly, he might actually be alive. Not because he felt himself getting better.
But because he kept seeing Jenna in his dreams.
Like a favorite movie on replay, the memory would start at the beginning. The day he and Jenna spent together. Brady couldn’t take a deep breath. Everything was numb, and the pain throughout his body consumed him. Even so, images from years ago were taking shape in his heart once more.
Brady felt his head sink deep into the pillow. Then he did what he’d done every time Jenna filled his mind and heart.
He let the memory come.
