A Family of Their Own Read online

  But today wasn’t the day to deal with that issue. Maybe no day was right. He had questions for Kelsey, but they were more personal. How was her daughter’s health now? Ethan had told him once that her daughter had a brain tumor, but what kind of tumor? Where was Kelsey’s husband? Gone, yes. She’d mentioned being alone, but had he died or walked out on her? Had the tension of their daughter’s illness caused the rift?

  He sounded like a detective, and it unsettled him. Instead of brooding, Ross forced his mind to focus on the ensuing conversation about the upcoming Super Bowl. As he listened and tossed in a comment here and there, Kelsey’s presence invaded his space. Her sweet fragrance filtered past before being covered by the yeasty dinner rolls and succulent pork roast.

  “Excuse me, please.”

  Kelsey’s voice swept past him, and he gazed at her.

  “I need to check on Lucy.” She pushed back her chair.

  Concerned, Ross shifted and rose. “Is she okay?” He drew her chair aside so she could rise.

  Kelsey stood, her body close to his. “She’s fine. My sitter isn’t the usual one I hire, so I’m always cautious.” She slipped past him, and he watched her slide a door aside behind them and enter a room.

  He stood a moment, wondering if he should stand until she returned or settle back in his chair again. The time stretched, and his concern rose. Not comfortable nosing into her business, yet not at ease ignoring her absence, he strode toward the door, but as he approached, it slid open and Kelsey stepped out. A questioning look spread across her face.

  His mind slowed down, and he could only mumble. “I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  A grin replaced her uncertainty. “You’re as bad as I am.”

  He shrugged. “Not bad really. Alert.”

  “So you’re a worrier, too.” She tilted her head toward the kitchen. “Should we help clear the dishes?”

  “That’s a plan.” He followed her around the table, removing the soiled china and silverware. Though Mrs. Carlson offered to help, Kelsey suggested that she enjoy the company while they took care of the dishes.

  Ross rinsed while Kelsey loaded the dishwasher, and as they worked, he caught her eyeing him on occasion as if she were weighing her feelings about him. When he was about to be blunt and ask, she closed the dishwasher door and rested her hip against the countertop. “Are you always this nice?”

  The question caught him off guard. “You mean am I always helpful?”

  “Nice. Helpful. I suppose they go hand in hand.”

  He grinned, still wondering what had brought on that question. “I try to be. How about you?”

  Her eyes widened as if surprised at his directness. “I try to calm storms, but sometimes I create new waves. I think being a peacemaker is a good attribute, but I don’t know other people’s take on me.”

  He’d expected a playful response. Instead he’d gotten a truthful answer. Earlier when they talked, he’d witnessed her penchant for making peace when she’d offered to bring his name up before the MOSK organization again. “I suppose we never know what people think.” He turned off the tap water and rested against the countertop beside her. “I’d like to hear about Lucy.” Seeing her expression, he’d surprised her again.

  “We’ve been very blessed. Lucy’s been in remission now for nearly a year, and I’m hopeful the last surgery was the end.”

  “Last surgery?”

  “Yes, over the past few years, she had multiple surgeries for brain tumors and—”

  “Multiple tumors? I didn’t know.” His chest tightened. “Are they—”

  “Benign.”

  The constriction in his chest eased, and he inhaled. “That’s a relief.”

  She nodded, but no joy brightened her face. “The problem is the damage each surgery can cause. I fear that a tumor will infiltrate a major part of the brain that will make…” She closed her eyes.

  Ross drew closer and rested his hand on her arm. “You’ve gone through a lot, Kelsey. Any type of tumor is awful.”

  When she opened her eyes, his tenderness greeted her. “Thanks. We’re so blessed to have things go this way. I wish it could happen to every sick child.”

  So did he.

  He hadn’t meant for the conversation to take a dark turn. “You know Ethan’s involved with the Dreams Come True Foundation,” he noted.

  Her eyes met his. “Yes.” She chuckled. “That’s where Lexie met Ethan. He did a presentation at our MOSK meeting.”

  “I suppose I’d heard that.” Naturally she knew. He shrugged. “Since Lucy is doing so well, have you ever thought of letting her have a dream come true?”

  Her smile faded and she flicked a shoulder. “I suppose I’m silly, but it seems like tempting fate.”

  “Tempting fate?”

  “Like taking her health for granted. I’ve always felt having her well is dream enough.”

  He didn’t know how to respond. She seemed too positive to step into such a dark thought. Silence smothered conversation.

  “Ross.”

  His heart kicked.

  “Tell me about Peyton.” Interest brightened the mood.

  Peyton. Even her name grabbed at his emotions. She’d been through so much. Kelsey would understand, but he wrestled with the ability to speak.

  This time Kelsey touched his arm. “Another time, Ross. I didn’t mean to hit you with that question today.”

  The reprieve relieved him. Talking about Peyton homed in on so many things that hurt. A wedding celebration didn’t seem like an appropriate place to open up those wounds. But she’d suggested another time, and the idea gave him hope. “I’d like that.”

  A frown settled on her face. “You’d like what?”

  “To talk another time.” Making a date with a woman arose like a vague memory. “Maybe dinner sometime?”

  An unreadable expression flashed across her face.

  “With the girls, if you like.” He caught his error. “But then it would be too difficult to talk.”

  Her features softened and a smile lit her eyes. “Dinner would be nice.”

  As he was about to set a date, Lexie’s mother darted into the kitchen. He closed his mouth. Before the evening ended, Ross needed to ask for her telephone number, and he hoped by then that she hadn’t rethought his invitation and decided it wasn’t a good idea.

  Kelsey stood in Lexie’s kitchen rinsing off the last dishes, her mind on Ross. Lexie had taken her mother upstairs to tell her what she needed to know about Cooper’s medicine. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson had offered to stay with Cooper for a week while Lexie and Ethan enjoyed a honeymoon cruise. Knowing Lexie’s past with her mother, Kelsey marveled at the reestablished relationship. God had shined on them during their time together.

  The countertops were cleared and the food stashed away. Kelsey poured another cup of coffee, hoping it was decaf, and she sank onto the breakfast nook bench, not wanting to leave before saying goodbye to Lexie. Ross had suggested dinner, and she’d readily agreed. When he’d asked for her telephone number, she had given him her cell phone number, but then had second thoughts. She’d only met the man today and, the more she thought about it, accepting a dinner date seemed a little premature. Maybe a coffee date would have been better.

  Still, Ross intrigued her. She’d never known a man so open about his emotions. His love for his daughter shone on his face, and yet she saw something else, an expression that aroused her attention. Ross had a story to tell, and she wanted to hear it. His behavior infiltrated her mind. So often she resisted talking about her problems, but with him it had been easy to be open.

  “Kelsey.”

  She jumped upon hearing her name and hurried to the head of the stairs. “I’m here.”

  “Come up.”

  As she ascended the staircase, Mrs. Carlson came down. A pleasant look filled her face, and it triggered an unexpected joy in Kelsey’s heart. Forgiveness. Understanding. Whatever had happened between Lexie and her mother resulted in happiness for
Lexie. At the top of the stairs, she faltered. “Where are you?”

  “In here.”

  The voice came from her bedroom, and Kelsey strode to the doorway and stopped. “Need help?”

  Lexie turned to face her. “No. You’ve given me all the help I need.” She opened her arms and Kelsey walked into her embrace. “Thanks so much for being my matron of honor and for all your support. You’ve become a great friend.”

  “You, too.” The words caught in her throat, thinking of all the dark times they’d shared with their children’s illnesses. “I can’t tell you how happy I am for you.”

  “Ethan’s one in a million.” Lexie motioned for her to sit.

  “He is.” She shifted to the only chair in the room and sank into the cushion. “But I’m not just referring to Ethan. I’m also talking about your mother.”

  “It’s been amazing, hasn’t it?” Tears glinted in her eyes. “I never expected Mom to come around as she’s done, and it shows how good forgiveness can be.”

  The comment pierced Kelsey. She could only nod. Forgiveness was something she’d never granted to her ex-husband and to her friend who’d betrayed her.

  After shifting her suitcase to the side, Lexie sat on the edge of the bed and gazed at her. The look sent an uneasy feeling through Kelsey. She waited, trying to understand what had happened to their conversation. No doubt Lexie had something to say, and Kelsey couldn’t guess what it might be. The waiting made her raw. “What’s wrong?”

  Lexie shook her head and lowered her eyes. “This is really none of my business.”

  Kelsey froze. Business? “Did I do something wrong? If I did—”

  “No. No. It’s only…” She drew in a lengthy breath. “I’m surprised that you and Ross hit it off so well.”

  “Why?” She studied Lexie’s face. “He handled the MOSK rejection pretty well.”

  She shrugged. “He seemed to.”

  “Then what?”

  “When you and Ross were flirting, I thought it was cute…at first, but—”

  “Flirting?” She bristled that her response to Ross had been so obvious.

  Lexie shook her head again. “Why don’t I shut up? It’s your life.”

  “My life?” Her mind raced. Maybe Ross was married, and she didn’t realize it or maybe… Her confusion split the air. “Explain what you’re talking about. You can’t stop now.”

  “I’m being silly.” Lexie closed her eyes and tilted her head back, filling her lungs. “I sound like a soap opera.” She lowered her chin. “It’s only that you and Ross both have kids who need so much. Yes, Lucy is doing well now, and we both hope that it’s forever, but from what I know Peyton has a long road ahead of her, and I wonder if you and Ross are wise to get involved. It seemed so obvious to me that—”

  “Get involved? Lexie, we only met today. Yes, we were bonded by his name coming up at the MOSK meeting and he happened to be your best man. He’s very nice, and we have something in common, but we aren’t planning…” We’re having dinner. That fact raced through her mind, along with how interesting she found him. “We aren’t planning a life together.”

  Lexie rose and approached her as she opened her arms. “But I’ve never seen you so animated with anyone. You’re a down-to-business person, and you’re a peacemaker. I’ve seen many sides of you, but I’d never seen you so alive. Maybe you didn’t sense what I did, but you and Ross…I don’t know. Maybe I’m delusional.”

  Kelsey sat in the chair, staring at her open arms, an obvious invitation for a hug, but at the moment, she didn’t want to be hugged. Her chest ached and her head spun. What in the world had happened to stir Lexie’s imagination? It made no sense. Yes, she acknowledged her interest in Ross. Despite second-guessing herself, she’d enjoyed the conversation once she got over the uncomfortable introduction. Why would anyone, especially Lexie, see anything wrong with her friendship with Ross?

  Lexie’s arms remained open, expectation on her face.

  Forcing herself from the chair, Lexie stepped into her arms. “I will never do anything to hurt Lucy. Don’t ever worry about that. My happiness today was for you, dear friend.” She drew back and took her hands. “Now, go on your honeymoon and have a wonderful time. I’m a big girl, and I’ll use wisdom before jumping into anything.”

  A faint smile crept onto Lexie’s face. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m being silly.”

  Kelsey agreed, but she let it drop. She always used good judgment when it came to Lucy and sound thinking for her own life.

  But today she felt different, almost as if her life had been on hold until now.

  Chapter Two

  Ross sat in the hospital waiting room while Peyton had a heart echo and an MRI. The clock hands inched around the face while his mind moved at the same pace. He stared at his cell phone, Kelsey’s phone number in his hand. He’d been adventurous enough to ask her to dinner, but today his enthusiasm faded. Her blunt responses and quick honesty challenged him to respond as she did—in an open and direct manner. He couldn’t.

  On the other hand, he enjoyed her company and personal enjoyment was something he’d hooked to an anchor and dropped into Lake St. Clair. Boats disappeared in that lake, and their occupants were never located. He thought his anchor would never be found, but it rose to the surface five days ago when he laid eyes on Kelsey.

  He glanced at the clock again. Peyton’s tests never took this long. The heel of his shoe tapped against the shining marble floor of the heart unit. He pressed his dry lips together and refocused on the cell phone. He needed a distraction. And good news. Checking the numbers she’d scribbled on the notepaper, he punched them in and waited.

  Three rings. Four. Leave a message or not? His question vanished when he heard the connection. “Kelsey, this is Ross.”

  “Ross.”

  He waited, the sound of her surprise ringing in his ears. “I called to set a date for dinner.” Maybe he should have suggested coffee. “Whatever time is best for you.”

  Silence. Ross could almost feel the electrical current zinging in her brain.

  “I—I’m not sure this is a good time to make plans.”

  The muscles in his jaw tightened. “Is Lucy ill?”

  “No. But things are hectic here.”

  Hectic? He could read her thoughts as he listened to silence.

  Kelsey cleared her throat. “Lucy’s decided to get more involved at school, and between my job, running her places and keeping an eye on her health, I—”

  “You’re tired.” He knew the routine, and he didn’t want to hear her excuses. She’d done what he suspected and had second thoughts. “I’ve been sitting at the hospital for nearly two hours waiting while Peyton has some tests.”

  “I hate waiting. Time drags horribly.” The tension in her tone had eased.

  Ross shifted in the chair. “Magazines aren’t great company.”

  “So true.”

  Silence.

  “Ross, I’m sorry we didn’t finish our conversation about Peyton. I don’t even know what kind of illness she has.”

  The word stuck in his throat. He sucked in air. “Cardiomyopathy.”

  A gasp echoed into the receiver. “I’m so very sorry. How bad is she?”

  “I try to be hopeful.” He’d been optimistic during his wife’s illness, too. Ruthie had been so sure she would live to be a mother to her daughter. “These tests will let me know how she’s progressing.”

  “More waiting.”

  The line hummed with silence, and he lifted his shoulders, knowing he needed to say goodbye.

  “Let me know what the doctors say, okay?” Her voice breezed from the line, a different spirit than he’d heard earlier.

  “Sure.” He’d have Ethan tell her. “I need to—”

  “Ross.”

  His flesh prickled. “Yes.”

  “About dinner. I can get a sitter for Friday, I think, if that works for you.”

  He stopped breathing. “Friday?” Confusion ski
ttered along his frame, but he gathered his wits. “Works for me. How about if I pick you up at six?”

  “Six is good.” She gave him her address.

  His gaze drifted to the clock. “I’ll see you then.”

  She said goodbye, and he tucked his cell phone into his pocket as he rose. The wait addled him, but not as much as it did Kelsey. He lifted his shoulders and eyed the volunteer at the desk. Maybe she’d have some information on Peyton’s status. As he strode toward her, a nurse called his name from the doorway. When he turned, she beckoned him to follow.

  Though relief washed over him, he also succumbed to dread. He followed the young woman, knowing he could hear good news or bad from the doctor, or maybe today nothing at all. Life seemed like one long delay.

  The nurse paused outside a consultation room. “You can wait in here with Peyton. The doctor will see you soon.”

  He thanked her and stepped inside.

  Peyton sat in a chair, looking so young despite her constant reminders. “I’m almost twelve, Dad. I’m not a baby anymore.”

  To him, she’d always be his baby. But he knew better than to say that to her. “How did it go?”

  “Same thing every time. Don’t move. Hold my breath.” She shrugged. “You know the drill.”

  He nodded and sat in the only other chair in the room. “But you’ve been doing well, right?”

  She shrugged again. “I guess.”

  Attitude grew with age. He realized that. His daughter was on the cusp of her teens and nearly a woman in so many ways.

  “Mr. Salburg.”

  He looked up as Dr. Timmons stepped through the doorway. The doctor closed the door and leaned against it. “We’ll need to read the results more thoroughly, but for now, things look pretty much status quo.”

  Ross’s pulse skipped. Status quo was better than a decline in her health, but he so longed to hear the word improvement. “That means no real changes.”

  “My main concern is Peyton’s recurring arrhythmia. She is taking her blood thinner as directed, right?”