Lara gently handed the baby to Aiden. “Meet your son.”
Trixie stood back and watched the interaction. She didn’t know what the future held for the teens who were now joined together forever through their son, but as she watched them, she knew they’d be okay.
“What’s his name?” Mr. Nell stood by his wife with an arm around her waist.
Lara glanced to Aiden then at everyone. “Holden Robert Richfield.”
“That’s a fine name.” Mr. Nell blinked. “May I hold him?”
Aiden carefully transferred Holden to Mr. Nell’s arms.
Trixie excused herself, giving the family privacy. It had been a long, emotional day, and she looked forward to going home and crashing in her bed. First she had to drive home, which suddenly felt like a feat comparable to climbing Mt. Everest.
She stopped in the restroom, then at the vending machine for a cup of instant coffee. As tired as she was, it wouldn’t affect her ability to sleep tonight but maybe the caffeine would give her the energy to drive home.
On the way out, she passed the waiting room, surprised to see Elijah.
He jumped up and came to her. “How’s the baby?”
“Precious. I decided to leave and give them time alone.” She angled her head. “What are you doing here?”
“After your parents both came home, your dad drove me here and dropped me off. I wanted to be here for the kids.” He stuck his hands in his pockets. “Plus, I thought you might be tired and appreciate a ride home.”
His thoughtfulness overwhelmed her, not hard to do in her emotionally heightened state. She reached out for him, and he opened his arms to her.
Falling into him, leaning against his chest, hearing his heart beat, the words she’d told Lara came alive for herself. She was not alone.
Chapter Thirteen
“Everybody on the bus, now.” Elijah stood by the open door and directed the youth group up the steps and into seats. Once everyone sat down, he walked the aisle and did a headcount, checking off each student on his roster as an extra precaution.
Landon, doubling as a chaperone and the bus driver, turned from the front seat. “Are we ready?”
“I think so.” Elijah found a seat in the middle of the bus, near enough to Trixie to converse with her, but not close enough to draw attention to them.
He had a strong suspicion her sister and brother-in-law suspected a romance between him and Trixie and were watching them with hawk eyes.As if there’s anything to see. He wanted there to be, but fate seemed to go against them at every turn.
After last week, he’d thought the tides had changed. She’d come to him, and they’d shared a moment in the hospital. He’d almost kissed her again, but refused to take advantage of her in an obviously fragile emotional state. Although that day had restored their friendship, they’d come no closer to moving beyond.
Maybe it was for the better.
If he thought for a minute she’d leave her family, he’d consider asking her, but would that be fair? After all she’d experienced, he couldn’t put her in a position to choose between them. Granted, she’d made no indication she even cared for him to that extent. He’d leaped way ahead of himself.
They’d been on the road for thirty minutes when Jessa moved and sat next to him. “Thanks for inviting Landon and me along. We’ve wanted to get involved in a ministry and this gave us the perfect opportunity.”
“It worked out well, especially since Landon can drive the bus.” He winked. “Had I known adding the passenger certification would be so easy, I would have recruited him a long time ago.”
Jessa laughed. “He wouldn’t have minded. Any time you need someone, ask. If it fits into our schedules, we’d be happy to help out.”
“You don’t know what you're volunteering yourself for.”
“I have an idea.” She grinned and waved her hand in a circular motion around the bus. “I was one of these youths a long time ago. I know the craziness that ensues.”
“Chaos. It’s chaos.”
“And you love every minute of it.” She stood up and grinned with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “I’m moving back up front to keep Landon sane—I mean company.”
“Good luck.” He laughed to himself.
