Page 69 of The Baxters
He turned to his Toyota and climbed behind the wheel. She stood there until he drove down her driveway and turned out of sight. The last thing he saw was her in his rearview mirror. Landon felt the sting of tears again, but he refused them. He had to take his own advice. No need grieving this goodbye or telling himself he’d never see Ashley Baxter again.
Tonight was a win. She was a happier person now than she’d been when he got to her house earlier. And despite the drama of the night, they had found their way back to each other.You can say what you want about the future, Ashley.He smiled to himself.I choose to see the good ahead.
One day Ashley would remember her faith in God and she’d fight to find her way back to her old self. When that happened Ashley wouldn’t only be his girlfriend. She’d be his wife. He kept his eyes on the road ahead. God wasn’t finished with Ashley Baxter. One day they would be together, and this season would be only a distant, painful memory.
Yes, Landon would believe that. Now and next year and as long as he lived.
22
The house was quiet again, Erin and Luke upstairs asleep in their rooms and Ashley and Cole back at their place. Elizabeth was cleaning up in the kitchen, John at her side.
“What a day.” She looked at her husband, the only man she had ever loved. “This morning seems like a week ago.”
“You thought something bad was going to happen.” John raised one eyebrow. “I won’t doubt your feelings again.”
She laughed. It felt good to be on this side of everything that could’ve gone wrong. “In the end I didn’t need to worry. God had us, all along.”
“He always does.” John closed the dishwasher and turned to her. “Let’s make tea.”
Elizabeth opened the wooden box on the counter and pulled out two tea bags. She put the water on to boil, and when it was ready, they each poured a cup and carried them to the living room. They sat in their favorite chairs, side by side. From this spot they had a view of their kids’ framed portraits. All but one of them, anyway.
Elizabeth sank back in her chair. “If you’d asked mefive years ago, I never would’ve imagined life the way it is today. Kari married to Tim, Ashley and Landon broken up. Little Cole.” She shook her head. “But I learned something today.”
“What’s that, my love?” John looked relaxed. He breathed in the steam from his tea, his eyes on her.
“God alone can write their stories.” She stared at the photo of Ashley. “I apologized to her before she left. About inviting Landon. I never… never want to be pushy.”
“Mmmm. I like that.” He nodded, a grin forming at the corners of his lips. “Seems like something we’ve talked about before.”
“We have.” She held her cup in her hand and breathed in the rising steam. “But today was different. God really taught me something. Our family’s story, our kids’ stories… they’re just beginning. I can’t say things aren’t working out just because of how they look today.”
“Ashley and Landon, you mean?” John lowered his cup and looked at the same photograph on the wall in front of them. “How can she not see it?”
“She will.” Elizabeth nodded. “I believe that, John. One day she will. And then she’ll wish she’d never spent a day away from that boy.”
“They’re only twenty-one. Still so young.” He sighed. “And God even forced us into a family meeting.”
“I loved that.” She reached for his hand. “What you said, John. It was perfect. Exactly what we needed to hear. Especially after everything that happened tonight.”
They were quiet for another minute. Elizabeth ran her thumb along the side of his hand. The feel of his fingers intertwined with hers was as familiar as her own heartbeat. He was part of her. He always would be.
But she had a sense something was troubling him, even now. After the happy way the day had ended. She looked at him, his concern as he studied the portraits of their kids. His brow was slightly lowered, and shadows gathered around his eyes.
Elizabeth shifted so she could see him better. “Okay. What is it?”
“Hmm.” John turned to her. He seemed to try to smile, but it never quite took hold. “I need to let it go.” He sighed, and ran his other hand through his hair. “What happened with Cole today, I should’ve known what to do.” His voice was quiet, more thoughtful than upset. Still, there was no denying his frustration. “I’m a doctor, Elizabeth. Do you know how that felt?”
Once or twice since Cole’s choking ordeal, Elizabeth had wondered how her husband was handling it. How he must’ve wanted so badly to save their grandson. “You oversee the ER, John. A dozen doctors report to you.” She leaned closer and looked straight at him. “When’s the last time you gave a baby the Heimlich?”
He shook his head. “Never.” Fear darkened his eyes. “Still… I’m sure I was trained on that in med school.”
“More than twenty years ago?” She paused. “You’re being too hard on yourself. It was a terrifying moment.” The picture of Landon running in and takingover filled her mind again. “God provided. That’s all that matters.”
A sigh rattled his chest. “I guess we’re both in the same boat.” His concern lifted some. “You can’t write their stories, and I can’t fix them. That’s why we need the Lord.”
“Yes.” Elizabeth settled back into her chair. After a while her eyes focused on the framed picture of their youngest son. “You think Luke will be less critical now? Treat Ashley with more respect?”
“I hope so.” John thought for a minute. “Tonight could’ve ended so… differently. The guilt Luke would’ve lived with… the rest of his life.”
