Page 58 of Forgiving Paris
“Having an affair with one of his students.” Jessie clearly knew the story.
A whisper of familiar shame swept over Ashley. Tim was certainly not the hero in the Baxter family story. But then what he’d done… Ashley had done also. The reality hit her for the first time. “People… they do things they shouldn’t. I think if your dad would’ve lived, he would’ve spent a lifetime regretting that affair.”
Jessie nodded. A breeze played in the trees overhead and a few leaves drifted along the path ahead of them. “So… did you think he was wrong for my mom? You didn’t say.”
The answer was quick and obvious to anyone who had known Kari all her life. But this was Jessie’s birth father they were talking about, and Ashley chose her words with care. “Your mother was in love with Ryan Taylor from the day she met him. It was at a picnic at Ryan’s house a year after we moved to Indiana from Michigan.”
“She says she looked down and her heart was gone.” Jessie grinned. “The way I feel about Gabriel.”
“You know what happened. The misunderstanding between her and Ryan and how your dad came along at just the right time.” Ashley stopped walking and turnedto Jessie. “Your mother loved Tim Jacobs. I can tell you that, Jessie. It was different, but it was deep and real. She married him because she believed she’d have forever with him.”
Jessie was quiet, so Ashley touched the girl’s shoulder. “Things worked out like they were supposed to, Jessie. God gave us you because of Tim Jacobs.”
Ashley’s answer seemed to hit just the right chord for Jessie. She lifted her head some and nodded. “True. I hadn’t thought about that.” She started walking again, her step a little lighter. “Besides, Ryan is the only dad I’ve ever known. And he’s the best, Ashley. He’s such a good daddy.”
They finished the loop and ended back at the picnic table where Landon and Gabriel were still talking. The conversation looked light now, like whatever serious matters Gabe had wanted to discuss, they were behind them now.
Jessie and Gabriel bid Ashley and Landon goodbye and Jessie called out as they walked their separate directions. “We’ll be the first ones there tonight! Can’t wait.”
Ashley felt a wave of exhilaration. In seven hours she’d be at the gallery welcoming guests to her very own Parisian show. It was still hard to believe.
This time the driver took them to a spot between the twelfth and thirteenth arrondissements. The boundary between the two districts was the Seine and here there was another scenic ancient foot bridge. It arched over the river and at the center was a bench with the sweetest view.
“Sometimes, the Seine is this bigger-than-life river.” Landon took her hand and together they walked to the bench. There were no other people on the bridge. This was a residential area, not somewhere tourists frequented.
“You’re right.” Ashley nestled in next to him as they sat down. “It can seem that way.”
“That’s why I brought you here.” He turned to her. “You’re like the Seine, Ashley. Famous with your artwork one minute and meandering across the landscape of my heart the next.”
“Oooh.” She tapped his foot with hers. “Who’s the artist now?”
He laughed, but he didn’t look away. “I’m serious. You’re the most beautiful, complex woman I’ve ever known. I still can’t believe God gave you to me.”
“Mmm. I feel the same. About you.” Ashley looked out at the water. “Landon? Does this have something to do with little boats?”
A chuckle came from his lips. “Smart girl.”
“I wondered.” At this spot, several barges moved along the waterway. Every few seconds another one passed beneath them and continued west into the city. Like Landon said, the pace would pick up miles from here. But for now… in this place the water seemed to take its time.
“Here’s what I want to say.” He sat a little straighter and stared into her eyes. “You do understand that the only reason we’re here is because of Paris. Twenty-three years ago.”
Ashley narrowed her eyes. “What?”
“Think about it. Who knows what would’ve happened if Paris had gone differently? If you hadn’t gotten connected with that evil artist and… if you hadn’t come home pregnant with the very great gift of Cole.”
“Okay…” Ashley still wasn’t sure where this was going.
“I was mad at you, Ash. You didn’t want to talk to me, so I didn’t want to talk to you. I remember how I felt.” He kept his tone light, but the admission was a tough one. “I might never have…”
“Ouch.” Ashley nodded. “I get it. You might have kept your distance even after I got home.”
“But… when I saw you again for the first time, once you came home from France, you had Cole. Which gave us a reason to talk.” He smiled even as tears filled his eyes. “I loved that little boy from the first time I saw him. He was so you, Ashley. His eyes, his heart. His joy for life.”
“He’s all that, isn’t he?” Ashley ran her thumb over Landon’s hand. “Even now… all grown up. My precious Cole.”
“Yes. And then…”
The details were adding up. “Then you were nearly killed in that house fire. You saved the life of that child.”
