A Family of Their Own

Chapter Ten

Kelsey eyed the caller ID and grabbed the headset. “Audrey, what a surprise.” She held her breath, fearing another problem.

“I know it’s been a while.” A hint of guilt edged into her sister’s voice. “How’s Lucy?”

“Pretty good. She’s been tumor-free for over a year. That’s a great victory for us.” Audrey called so rarely, concern settled in her mind. “How are the kids? Mom and Dad? Everyone okay?”

“We’re all well. Mom and Dad are busy, as always.”

“Wonderful.” Kelsey gripped the phone, the obvious question nudging her. “So what’s up?”

“Jeff has business in Detroit near the end of May, and I thought I’d come with him so we could visit.”

She knew she should be happy, but Kelsey had so much going on in her life—work, Lucy and now Ross. Common sense prodded her. “That would be great. Lucy and I would love to see you.”

“Great.” Her voice came to a dead stop.

Kelsey looked for a reason. Then it struck her. “Would you and Dave like to stay here? I have the extra room.”

“That would be wonderful…if you don’t mind.”

Mind. She drew up her shoulders, knowing what she had to say. “It’ll be more convenient for everyone, don’t you think?” She’d walked around her question without lying.

“It would. Thanks. Isn’t Lucy’s birthday around that time?”

Kelsey cringed. “It’s May 20.”

“We should be there then, so we’ll do something special to celebrate. Would Lucy like that?”

“Lucy would, I’m sure.” Her own plans ricocheted. She’d wanted to do something with Ross and Peyton.

“I’ll call you with a firm date, and thanks again. I’m looking forward to seeing you both.”

“That sounds fine, Audrey. We can make better plans when you call.”

The conversation died away, and when she hung up, she sank into a chair. Ross had been tied up with Peyton and his work, and they’d only been talking on the phone recently, except for one day when he dropped by for a minute. Peyton’s doctor’s visits and consultations had cut into their time to the point that their relationship, which had been blossoming into something deeper, seemed to be shriveling like a plant for lack of water and sunshine.

The almost-kiss crept into her mind so often. His lips had brushed hers before jerking away with the porch light’s glare, and though she still had no certainty where their friendship would go, hope lingered in her mind. They were compatible. They had fun and laughed sometimes when they weren’t concerned about the girls. Ross’s gentle nature, his caring heart, had touched her far beyond her dreams. She’d expected to spend her life alone, fearing another romantic encounter that led to deceit, but when Ross appeared in her life—at a wedding no less—her old expectation slipped further back in her mind.

She lowered her head as Doug filtered into her thoughts. Since she’d read his letter, flashes of their marriage came to mind on occasion, a few special moments surprising her. Doug’s joy when Lucy was born. Their first home. A trip to London. She would never love him again. That was impossible, but he wasn’t the monster she’d created in her mind. He’d sinned and had broken his oath to God and to her. But who was she to weigh one sin over another? If the Lord could forgive Doug, why couldn’t she?

She rose, pulled a mug from the cabinet and turned on the burner to heat water for tea. While waiting, she wandered into the living room and pulled open the small antique secretary desk she rarely used. She drew out the letter and held it in her hand, her throat knotting with the memory of Doug’s words. Sinking into a chair, Kelsey unfolded the paper again.


Dear Kelsey,

What can I say to you that will make up for what I’ve done? I betrayed you and hurt you, and I’m ashamed. You need to understand that I love Karen, and I have been faithful to her, but I owed you the same. My cheating had nothing to do with you. You always were a wonderful wife and a tremendous mother. I allowed temptation to win out over good sense. Karen has never forgiven herself, either, and we both wished we’d met years earlier so that the harm we caused would never have happened.

But just as important, I’ve let my guilt turn me into a rotten father who shied away from his precious little daughter, who needed his support. You’ve handled her illness with bravery and strength, which I admire more than I can say. I know forgetting what I did is impossible, but I hope one day you can find it in your heart to forgive my unfaithfulness. I pray the Lord has. He’s heard my pleas.


Tears filled Kelsey’s eyes and dripped onto the paper.


I hope you will accept the check in the spirit in which I wrote it. I want to do something for Lucy and I don’t know how to make up for my lack of presence in her life. Money won’t cover that, but maybe you can find something she’d like, something special that would make her remember me with love.


A sob rent Kelsey’s throat. She dropped the letter into her lap and covered her face with her hands, allowing the hot tears to burn away her hatred.

When the kettle whistled, she wiped the tears from her eyes and returned the letter to the small desk. One day she would toss it away, but not now. The kettle persisted, and she returned to the kitchen. When her tea was ready, she wandered back to the living room, settled into the chair and rested her head against the cushion, thinking of Lucy’s recent visit with Doug.

The evening they’d arrived home from Grand Rapids after Ross left, she read the note and then shared what she could with Lucy. Doug’s words left her flailing with emotions that lashed one way and then another, but in time, she’d calmed and tried to make sense of it all.

Despite Doug’s exit from her life, she’d been blessed. Her good job, her friends and Lucy’s improved health reminded her that life was still good. And now Ross.

She lifted the mug and took a sip. It washed down her throat, warming her, yet an icy thought prevailed. Doug’s letter made his death so real that she trembled.

Things happened without warning. Accidents, death, even falling in love. She took another sip of tea to soothe her emptiness. She missed Ross. Peyton’s illness often came between them, and she understood, but it didn’t alleviate the lonely feeling. And sometimes she wondered if Lexie was right when she said two people with sick children shouldn’t fall in love.

But that’s what she’d been doing.



Ross’s concern rose as he eyed Dr. Timmons’s face, his lips pressed together with a faint frown on his face. He shifted in his chair and studied Peyton’s file.

Trying to contain himself, Ross clasped his hands in his lap, using the pressure to steady them.

“I don’t want you to get excited.” Dr. Timmons looked over the top of his glasses, his gaze shifting from Peyton to Ross.

“What is it?” Panic surged in Ross’s voice.

“Nothing’s wrong.” Timmons rose and slipped two x-rays into the lighted slots. “This was Peyton’s X-ray from six months ago.” He pointed to the electrocardiogram. “You can see the size of her heart here. Now look at this x-ray.”

Rigid with worry, Ross squinted, not sure what to look for. His pulse rose, searching for something different, something that would show more growth or a flaw. Then Dr. Timmons’s words flashed into his mind. I don’t want you to get excited. What did he mean by that? He searched the physician’s face.

“I don’t see any difference.”

“That’s correct. For the past year, Peyton’s heart has remained stable. No enlargement at all. Her heart echo shows that her heart is working the same. Same size. Same shape. That’s excellent.”

Air shot from Ross’s lungs. “Then that means she’s doing well.”

“That part of her heart is. Yes.” He returned to the desk and shuffled through the file. “The greatest problem lies in the electrical system of her heart. Her arrhythmia.” He lifted his gaze to Ross before looking at Peyton. “Peyton, that’s why you take the blood thinner and medication for irregular heart rhythm.”

“I know, and that’s what restricts me.” Her expression showed her unhappiness.

“It does. You have to be careful playing so as not to get cut or bruised badly and the other medication makes you short of breath, tired and feel weak sometimes.”

She nodded. “I hate it.”

Ross flinched at her comment and captured her attention. “Peyton, the medicine keeps you from serious problems. You’ve been able to go to school—yes, with restrictions—but you can go, and when you take naps and rest, you can do lots of things.” He wanted to tell her she was alive, but he couldn’t do that. He felt desperate and looked at Dr. Timmons for help.

“And this is why I told you not to get too excited. Recently, a new medication has been approved that may work better on Peyton. It has been doing a good job of controlling arrhythmia for some patients. Once we can stabilize your heart rhythm, we may be able to take you off coumadin.”

“Really?” Peyton’s eyes widened, and she clutched her hands to her chest. “Can I take that instead of what I do now?”

“I want to study this a little more before we change, and you know…” He leaned closer and looked her in the eyes. “This doesn’t mean you’ll be well right away. It will take time, but we could see an improvement in a few months. That would be my hope.”

“It’s mine, too, doctor.” Ross drew in a breath, excited yet apprehensive about what he heard. He knew from other medications that they sometimes had side effects that might not work with Peyton. It was in God’s hands. “So what do we do now?”

“Follow the same procedures you’ve been following, and I’ll get back to you when I make a decision. I’ll consult with a couple specialists and that will help me weigh the pros and cons for Peyton.”

Ross slipped his arm around Peyton’s shoulders. “What do you think?”

“I guess we have to wait and see.”

Her excitement had died down with the doctor’s hesitation, and Ross hoped that as they talked she would see the big picture. Everything took time, but it could be worth it.

The doctor rose. “I’ll see you at her next appointment, if not before. I’ll give you a call.”

“I’ll be waiting, Dr. Timmons.”

The specialist walked to the door and opened it. “Hopefully I’ll have good news for you, Peyton.”

Ross rose and Peyton followed. They headed to the checkout desk in silence and then strode to the car. His mind reeled with the news. In all the excitement about the medication, he’d forgotten the other wonderful news. Peyton’s heart had shown no changes for months. His feet danced to the minivan.

Once they were settled inside, his mind ticked with an idea. “School’s out now so you don’t have to go back. I’m sure that makes you happy.”

She grinned. “It does, but I’d be happier if I knew I could have the new medication now.”

“Peyton, sometimes in life, we have to wait. But, you know what? Waiting gives you something to look forward to.” He patted her hand. “I believe that God’s going to bless us this time.”

“You mean He’ll help Dr. Timmons say yes?”

“Something like that. But if not, then something better will happen. And don’t forget what he said about your heart.”

“It’s the same as it was.” She shook her head.

He pulled up his shoulders. “I think we should celebrate.”

She gave him a questioning look.

“It’s Friday night, and how about if I call Kelsey and see if they’d like to join us. We can do something fun.” Her expression didn’t flicker, but he knew she was thinking.

“Like what?”

“I don’t know.” His mind emptied. “Let me call Kelsey, and see what she thinks.”

Peyton didn’t respond, but she didn’t say no. That was a major victory.

He hit Kelsey’s number and was disappointed when she didn’t answer. Instead, he checked his contact list and called her cell phone. When she answered, he couldn’t contain himself. “Want to celebrate tonight?”

“Celebrate?” Her voice was a mix of excitement and curiosity.

Along with her voice, he heard a buzz of noise. “Where are you?”

“Grocery shopping. But you haven’t told me what you want to celebrate.”

Her persistence didn’t sway him. “How about going out to dinner? Something with the girls.”

“Ross.” She chuckled. “Why are you avoiding my question?”

He gave up trying to surprise her later and offered a quick explanation of what Dr. Timmons had said.

“That’s wonderful. Something new to pray about.” Excitement brightened her voice.

“I keep reminding myself that the decision hasn’t been made yet, but I feel it in my heart that it will be good news.” He closed his eyes a moment, drawing in the reality. Peyton might be able to live a normal life. He fought back tears of joy. “So what about celebrating?”

“I’m at the checkout now.”

He heard the rustle of noise.

“Come to the house and we’ll figure out something.”

Ross pictured her rushing through her shopping and putting groceries away. “Let’s do this. You’ve never been to my house and it’s time you came over. Don’t rush. Come when you’re ready. I don’t live that far from you.”

She chuckled. “You heard my harried voice, didn’t you?” Another rustling sound. “Thanks.”

He gave her his address and when the call ended, he smiled and looked at Peyton. “They’ll come to our house and then decide.”

She gave a nod.

He turned on the ignition and pulled away from the hospital. Why hadn’t he ever invited Kelsey to his home? The only answer he could think of was he’d taken small steps in their relationship. He feared losing the friendship if she suspected he would like more than that. Dumb, now that he thought about it.

“Daddy?”

His pulse skipped hearing Peyton’s voice. His mind had been miles away. “What?”

“Will I get better if I can have the new medication?” Her voice filled with great hope.

He reached over and rested his hand on her arm. “Peyton, we can hope and pray. When the doctor told us about it, I was so excited, and yet I’m scared, too. But I feel right in here…” He shifted his hand to his heart. “That they’ll approve it for you.”

She rested her hand over his. “I love you, Daddy.”

His bursting heart compressed as he fought the tears brimming in his eyes. “I love you, too, Peyton. More than you’ll ever know.” He gave her arm a pat. “Now, let’s think of what we can do tonight.”

She grinned. “Pizza.”

“Okay, pizza it is.”



Kelsey pulled into the driveway and gazed at Ross’s lovely house. She had never pictured where he lived, which surprised her, and what she saw surprised her even more. A long porch graced the front of his home, leaving a recessed wing on each side displaying a window box. She could picture them filled with summer flowers. The porch was adorned with four double columns, reminding her of a plantation house. Two classic arched windows with French panes sat low on each side of the front door, featuring the same glass arch as the frame. She could imagine the wonderful sunlight filtering into the rooms.

She pushed opened the car door, and Lucy flung hers wide. “This is pretty.”

She pointed to the three dormers with the same arched French-pane windows. Charming is the word that struck her. They headed up the brick walk with matching steps leading to the porch.

“I wonder which room is Peyton’s.” She stood back and eyed the dormers.

Kelsey shrugged. “We’ll find out tonight.”

Lucy tittered as she rang the doorbell.

Ross appeared with a smile that wove through Kelsey’s chest. “Welcome.”

She stepped inside the foyer. “This is a lovely place, and look here.” She stopped in the dining-room doorway.

“As you can guess, we mainly eat in the kitchen.” He motioned behind him. “Tonight we’ll use the dining room.”

She spun around. “Don’t tell me you cooked.” She sniffed the air and found no hint of food cooking.

“How does pizza sound?”

Lucy clapped her hands. “Pizza!”

He gave her a quick squeeze. “It should be here soon.”

He’d never hugged Lucy before and Kelsey smiled, realizing how good it seemed.

“Have a seat.” He motioned through the archway. “Peyton’s in her room. I’ll call her.” He hurried past her into the room and vanished down another hallway.

She followed him into the great room, very large with a staircase leading up to the second floor, a fireplace, wet bar and another wide porch she saw through the window. The layout was much like her house but larger. Lucy hurried across the room and pressed her nose against the window, but her greatest interest seemed to be in the direction Ross had gone.

Kelsey didn’t sit. Instead she wandered through the doorway into an expansive kitchen with a breakfast nook and beyond an even larger keeping room where Ross placed his easy chairs and television. She loved it and nestled into one of the easy chairs, imagining what life would be like if she had such a room.

The doorbell rang, and she rose. As she stepped back into the great room, Ross headed toward her empty-handed. He grinned and beckoned her to follow. Then she remembered.

They settled around the dining-room table with pizza and salad. Conversation dwindled as they ate, but she noticed that Peyton and Lucy had chosen to sit next to each other. When they finished, Kelsey put her thoughts into words. “My sister is coming for a visit at the end of this month. I think she’ll be here for Lucy’s birthday.”

“You’re having a birthday?” Peyton looked at Lucy with interest.

She nodded. “On May 20.”

Peyton looked curious. “Will you have a party?”

Lucy shrugged. “Will I, Mom?”

“I had plans in mind, but now your aunt wants to do something with you on your birthday.”

“Aunt Audrey?” She wrinkled her nose. “Mom, she’s too picky, and—”

Kelsey scowled back. “We’ll talk about this later, okay?”

She gave a huff. “It’s always talk later.”

From the tone of her voice, Kelsey recognized a very iffy acceptance, but it worked. Audrey was opinionated. Lucy was right about that. Steering away from that conversation, she pushed her plate aside. “So what are we going to do now?”

“Peyton said she’d like to stay home and play games.” Ross’s neck swiveled, eyeing them.

Lucy clapped her hands. “I love games.”

Peyton scooted back in her chair and beckoned to Lucy. “Let’s pick out some games.”

Lucy slid from her chair, unfazed by Peyton’s surprise invitation, and followed her out of the room.

As she went through the doorway, Kelsey heard her mention Chinese checkers. Kelsey chuckled. “She’s wanted to play since she brought them home. She even put the game in the car, just in case.”

“Sounds fine with me.” Ross rose and gathered the pizza boxes.

“Peyton should choose. It’s her celebration.” She rose and placed the plates and silverware into a stack. “Let me help you.”

He strode to the kitchen and Kelsey followed, carrying what she could. She set the plates on the counter and turned on the tap to rinse them, but Ross’s arm slid around her and drew her toward him. She looked into his eyes, wondering.

“Can you believe this?”

Believe? “You mean Peyton and Lucy?”

“Yes. They were talking like two friends.”

Kelsey grinned. “It’s about time.”

He chuckled, but his expression changed. “I’ve hoped for this for so long, because it means…”

His eyes captured hers and he didn’t have to continue. Kelsey knew what he was thinking. “It’s nice to see.”

“I…I’ve wondered where our friendship might lead, and I know we have so many issues to deal with, but…”

She nodded, waiting for him to continue. He didn’t. Instead he drew closer, his eyes searching hers until he lowered his mouth to her lips. His touch rolled through her. Her heartbeat quickened as his warm lips sought hers with a tender abandon. When he drew back, she inched open her eyes, thinking she might be dreaming.

Ross grinned, his face flushed. “I’ve wanted to do that forever.”

Heat crept up her neck, realizing she wanted the same things.

Ross brushed his hand across her cheek. “I think you know what I started to say. I want more of our relationship. I’d like to see where this will go for us.”

Yes, part of her wanted a relationship. She wanted to feel whole again—God planned life in twos. She saw it everywhere. Yet admitting it made it too real. One positive incident with the girls didn’t resolve all their issues. She put a clamp on her negativity. “I’d like that too, Ross.”

“Dad?”

They flew apart as the girls rushed into the room. “We’re going to play Lucy’s game.”

He grinned and eased farther away. “Chinese checkers.”

She nodded.

But Lucy seemed less excited, and Kelsey wondered why. “Do you want to go to the car and get the game?”

“I guess.”

“I’ll get my car keys.” She strode through the kitchen doorway with Lucy on her heels, relieved when Ross and Peyton stayed behind. She heard him rinsing dishes as she grabbed her purse and guided Lucy to the door. Before she opened it, she faced Lucy. “What’s wrong?”

“How come she gets the big bedroom?”

Befuddled, Kelsey tried to decipher her question. “This is a bigger house than ours.”

Lucy shook her head. “She has the master bedroom. Her dad gave it to her because she’s sick.” Her expression hardened. “I’m sick, and I don’t have a special bedroom.”

“Lucy, I don’t know why.” She pictured the house from the outside. “Maybe most of the bedrooms are upstairs, and you know that Peyton has a heart condition.”

“I have tumors, Mom. Her dad gave her his room, and she made sure I knew it.”

Tension rammed up Kelsey’s spine. So much for two girls getting along. “Maybe she’s proud that her dad did something special for her.”

Lucy rolled her eyes.

Ross’s kiss lingered on her lips, but hope slithered to her toes. “Lucy, I don’t have all the answers.” She tugged open the front door and handed her the keys. “Go and get the game.”

Lucy gave her a pouty look and huffed off.

The master bedroom. Disappointment wrenched her hopes. Finally, the two had made progress, but one small incident—a bedroom—edged out their camaraderie. She’d never expected Lucy to be competitive over something so petty. Yes, with games, but not this. Not a bedroom.

The progress shriveled as Ross’s hopeful admission fluttered away. I’d like to see where this will go for us. Once again, she could see where it was going. Nowhere.