Page 36 of Two Weeks
“H-how am I supposed to do that?” Tears fell onto her cheeks. “I want to go to NYU. To study art.”
Gently, his mother reached out and took Elise’s hand in hers. “There’s only one way to make a decision like that. You talk to God about it.”
“It’s been... a long time.” Elise sounded ashamed. “Prayer works, though. I believe that.” She looked at both of them. “Cole prayed for a patient of mine. That her family would show up before she died.” Elise paused. “And they did. It was a miracle. I just found that out.”
“They did?” Cole felt a surge of hope. “They showed up?”
“Yes.” Elise turned to him. “It’s just... why would God listen to me now?”
Cole’s response was instant. “Because He loves you.” Like it was the most natural thing, Cole covered her hands with his own. “Come on. We could pray now.”
Elise hesitated. Fresh tears gathered in her eyes like all of this was a battle too great for her to fight alone. Then finally she squeezed her eyes shut and hung her head.
His mom nodded to him. “Go ahead.”
“Okay.” Cole hesitated. This was easily the most important prayer he’d ever spoken.Give me the words, God. Please.He sat up straighter and closed his eyes. “Lord, we come to you with so many emotions. And so much at stake.” He paused. “Elise is going to have a baby. You know that, of course. But Elise doesn’t know what to do next.”
He was still for a moment. God’s presence was here. Cole was sure. “Please, will You give Elise clear direction? If she is supposed to raise this child, then put that on her heart. And if she’s supposed to find another home for the baby, please make that clear, too. Because right now, You’re the only One who can. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
When they stood, Elise hugged his mom. She wasn’t exactly crying, but tears kept sliding down her cheeks. Even so, it seemed the fear and uncertainty from earlier were gone. “I have a lot to think about.”
“You do.” His mother hugged her again. “I’ll be praying for you. And believing. That God will lead you where He wants you to go.”
On the ride home, Cole’s conversation with Elise was limited. She reached for his hand halfway there and that was enough. What could either of them say? Elise had the decision of a lifetime ahead of her. The silence was more important than words.
When he arrived at her house, Cole hurried around and opened her door. The way he always did. Something he had learned from his dad. He was about to hug her the way he had at the clinic, but she kept her distance, her words a little too quick. “Thank you, Cole. See ya later.”
Cole wasn’t sure what she meant. He should be thanking her. She had followed through on her promise and gone to see his mom. Something that was obviously not easy. He took her hands in his. It was mid-February, and the temperature was below freezing. Snow still covered the ground and Cole could see his breath. He searched her eyes. “For what?”
“For making me talk to her.” She smiled. Her cheeks were still red, but her eyes were dry now. “Your mother is amazing.”
Peace washed over him. “You two are a lot alike. I think that’s why God brought you into my life.”
Elise hesitated, then she looked down. A slight nod and she pulled her hands away. “I have to go.”
Cole watched her leave and on the drive back home he realized something. She hadn’t exactly said she wouldn’t have an abortion. But she wouldn’t, right? Not after listening to his mother. Elise had definitely looked touched by his mother’s story, by her encouragement. Her silence on the drive, her gratitude for the talk. She couldn’t possibly go through with it now.
Or could she?
As Cole turned into his driveway, he pictured Elise sitting beside him earlier, crying, trying to figure out what to do. His heart had gone out to her the entire time. Then he imagined her website full of paintings and the song in her voice when she talked about her dreams. He saw her pretty face and waves of hair, and how she looked like a Disney princess in need of a prince.
A rescue.
That could be him, right? He had thought about it before, only now the idea was more real. His dad had stepped in and saved the day for his mother. He parked his SUV and leaned back in his seat. Look how that had turned out. Yes, it was something he could definitely do. After graduation he would get a job and take college classes online. He and Elise could get married and he would be the father her tiny baby needed. She could take art courses at the community rec center. That was possible, right?
All so her baby could live.
Suddenly all of it was clear in Cole’s mind, and it didn’t scare him. The idea made him smile. And that was when another thought hit him. A thought that took his breath. He not only liked Elise Walker.
He loved her.
11
Brooke Baxter West was headed down the hallway to Bloomington Hospital’s pediatric unit when a man in a sharp gray suit rounded the corner and nearly ran her down. He stopped and looked straight at her. Then Brooke placed him. The father of one of her very sick patients.
Abigail Green. She had gone home from the hospital yesterday.
“Mr. Green.” Brooke stopped and crossed her arms. Was the little girl sick again? “How’s Abigail?”
