A Family of Their Own

Chapter Thirteen

Ross stood near the refreshment stand, watching Peyton on the roller rink. He’d been put in a touchy position, but he gave Peyton the choice. She wanted to go, and he sensed a touch of competition. Now that he had met Audrey, he understood Kelsey’s problem. Though a nice woman, Audrey had a way of taking charge, even if her take-charge attitude wasn’t welcome.

When Kelsey called him, he wanted to balk at the roller-skating decision, but she explained her attempt to talk her sister out of the idea with no success. If it hadn’t been Lucy’s birthday, he would have declined.

He eyed the rink floor, spotting Audrey and her husband, Jeff. They flew around the floor like kids. Appropriate, since most of the skaters were teens. Jeff seemed to be a sensible man but a bit intimidating. Ross’s pulse stumbled when he saw Lucy skating beside Peyton. Their pace looked slower than the rest, and he guessed that Lucy was doing it for Peyton. He grinned, touched by Lucy’s thoughtfulness. It more than made up for her grumbling about the bedroom, which had tripped the switch that turned her mother into the sarcastic woman he’d faced a week back.

Watching the skaters, a concern rose in his mind. Some of them wore helmets, along with elbow and knee protectors. Peyton would be safer with protection since she was still taking coumadin. A bruise could cause undue problems while using the blood thinner. Though it was too late now, he wished he’d given skating more thought.

When he spotted Kelsey, she was standing beside the rink floor taking a few more photos. He hoped she caught a couple with the girls skating together. The positive turn of events lifted his spirit. She lowered the camera and scanned the floor before glancing over her shoulder. When she noticed him, his heart danced. She looked gorgeous in her knit top the color of spring grass, and instead of fighting her part, she’d curled her hair and it waved about her shoulders.

She headed his way, a concerned expression on her face. “Are you okay?”

He heard her question despite the music and whoosh of skates nearby and nodded. Every time he gazed at her lips, he spiraled out of control. Their one complete kiss lingered in his mind, the soft touch, the feel of her in his arms. Tonight he longed to run his fingers through her curls. Trying to keep their relationship in perspective had failed. Totally failed. She rocked him on his feet every time he looked at her. They needed to talk. Serious talk about the future. Yet every time they tried, something interrupted them. They were never alone. Tonight was yet another example.

She’d reached his side and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Are you sure?”

The touch rolled down his arm. “I’m fine.” His gaze swept over her. “You look great tonight.”

She gazed down at her jeans and struck a pose. “This old thing?” Then she grinned.

He chuckled at her playfulness. It had been a long time since he’d seen her lighthearted. “You’d look good in a burlap sack. I’ve missed you, Kelsey.”

Her eyes sought his. “It’s been difficult. We’re both going through so much. Now my sister and—”

“And the issues we need to clear up.” He motioned toward the skaters as a futile feeling billowed over him. “But when? How can we find time now?”

Her hand slipped down to his, and she squeezed it. “It’s frustrating, and that’s why sometimes I think what they said was right.”

His stomach constricted. “Right about what?”

She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

He agreed. Ross didn’t want to hear it. He slipped her hand into his. “We can work it out. Two are better than one.” The verse lodged in his head. “What’s the Bible say? Something about if you fall, the other can pick you up, and if someone overpowers you, you have someone to join you in the fight.” The rest of the verse swished over him. And when they lie down together, they will keep warm. That’s what he longed for in a partner, someone to hold close and cherish. His pulse hammered.

“Hey, you two.”

Ross’s head jerked when he heard Audrey’s voice. Kelsey spun around and nearly lost her balance. He reached for her and she steadied.

Audrey grinned. “Don’t tell me you’re giving up? This is fun.”

Ross studied the floor and couldn’t see Peyton or Lucy. His heart constricted until he saw them seated in the chairs near the skating floor. “The kids are taking a break.” He gave a nod toward them.

She glanced over her shoulder and chuckled. “I guess Jeff and I are the only live wires here.”

He didn’t comment, fearing that he’d say something rude. Everyone would prefer to go to dinner, as far as he could tell.

She gazed at Kelsey a moment, her focus slipping to the camera. “Did you get a shot with Ross?”

“No. I’ve taken all the photos.”

She snatched the camera from her. “Okay, get out on that floor and let me take your picture.”

“B-but…” Kelsey checked her watch. “It’s getting late. What time is the dinner reservation?”

“Oh, my.” Audrey eyed her watch. “I guess you’re right. We need to get moving.” She held up her hand. “But let me take one here anyway.”

Audrey backed up as she pointed to their skates. “I want them in the photo.”

Kelsey rolled her eyes, immediately thinking of Lucy. She lifted her foot, and Ross followed with a chuckle. They leaned on each other to balance, and Audrey snapped the photo.

“Okay.” She dropped the camera into Kelsey’s hands and waved to Jeff as she pointed to her watch. “We’re ready.” She swiveled and made her way to her husband.

“Sorry.” Kelsey touched his arm. “Maybe later.”

Her expression appeared as hopeless as he felt. “Maybe.”

Their eyes met and locked. Hopeless. Helpless. He wondered if Kelsey was right. A relationship divided by so many things needed more than two people. That relationship needed the Lord.



Kelsey felt thoroughly confused. Ross had a desperate look, and it troubled her. Though he spoke about keeping their relationship firm, she sensed that on a deeper level he had begun to struggle, just as she had been doing. Sitting beside him felt so right. Their dinner had been a treat, noisy but fun, with delicious food—family style—and a small cake with a raucous happy birthday song sung by some waiters. With all the excitement, the girls had already fallen asleep in the back seat and once they reached her house, she knew their only moments to talk would end. Jeff had brought his luggage in before they left for the skating party.

Lucy loved her gifts. Ross and Peyton surprised Lucy with her first pair of earrings—expensive ones, she could tell. Talk about ecstatic—Lucy was the poster child. He’d even been thoughtful enough to check with her first to make sure she was willing to take Lucy to have her ears pierced. A gift certificate from Audrey and Jeff delighted Lucy, too. She would shop anytime she had a chance. But in the back of Kelsey’s mind she wondered if the shopping would get done before she faced her latest health issue. Faith. She had to cling to it.

Her pleasant thoughts faded as Ross rolled into the driveway behind Jeff. She climbed out and opened the back seat to awaken Lucy, then ran to the entrance to unlock the door. She turned back to the car and saw Lucy weaving her way toward the house, still half asleep, as Ross carried Peyton in his arms. She’d grown since they’d met, and it reminded her of Ross’s wish for a mother for Peyton. The feeling filtered past her negative thoughts and touched her heart.

She stepped away from the door and held it while Ross headed inside. “I’ll put her on the sofa.”

“Good idea, and grab that throw on the chair. You can cover her with that.”

He continued down the hallway, and Lucy trudged in, her eyes half-closed. “Can I go to bed?”

“Certainly.” Kelsey leaned down and kissed her cheek as she meandered down the hall, giving a tired wave into the living room before continuing to her bedroom door.

Kelsey wandered in and joined the others. She found Audrey and Jeff standing beside Ross. Audrey turned to Kelsey and tilted her head. “We’re going to head for bed if you don’t mind. It’s been a long day for us driving here from Traverse City, and Jeff had that meeting right away.”

“That’s fine. Go right ahead.” Relief eased over her. Maybe, she and Ross could have some time together.

“Kelsey.” Audrey beckoned her to follow as she headed her way. “I want to show you something.” Jeff didn’t move, and Kelsey caught on. She wanted to talk, and if she couldn’t do it here, then the talk was about Ross. She winced, anticipating more negative conversation.

In the bedroom, Audrey closed the door and faced her. “Thanks again for letting us stay here.”

A fleeting moment of relief whisked through her. Maybe she was wrong. “You know you and Jeff are welcome anytime.” She hoped she meant that.

“Listen, I hate to bring this up again.” She motioned for Kelsey to sit on the bed.

She glanced toward the mattress but didn’t move. “What’s the problem?”

“Jeff and I watched you and Ross. We think if you can keep this a friendship it might work, but I doubt if you can. He’s crazy about you. I see it in his face every time he looks at you.”

Kelsey’s heartbeat faltered. Crazy about you. He cared. She knew that, but crazy? A frown tugged at her face. “What are you talking about?”

“We’re not blind. I think you have feelings for him, too, and I’m afraid you’re going to be hurt. Both of you have children who need your total attention. Peyton seems to be sicker than you indicated. What kind of heart problem?”

She couldn’t lie, but she wanted to. “Cardiomyopathy.”

She gasped. “No. How horrible. You know what that means?”

“No, not in her case. It was caught early, and she’s improving. Plus they now have a new medication that can make a huge difference for her. She could be like new.”

Audrey looked doubtful. “But then there’s Lucy. Now you’re facing more tests again, and who knows what will happen.”

She opened her arms, but Kelsey couldn’t move. Audrey stepped toward her and held her in an embrace. “I want you to be happy, sis, but I don’t think this is the way. I think you’re asking for trouble. He’s a nice man, but both of you are carrying burdens, and—”

“Audrey.” Kelsey pulled back. “I know what I’m facing. I told you we haven’t taken any steps toward anything. We don’t even have time to talk privately.” She began to seethe. “So don’t create problems that aren’t there. Lucy will have more tests. We can only hope that it’s nothing. Instead of looking for trouble, please pray with me that it is a false reading. Those things happen.”

Audrey looked stricken. “I’m sorry if I upset you, and you know I pray for Lucy. I wasn’t trying to cause—”

“I know you’re not trying to, but don’t you think I’ve had the same thoughts? You’re my sister, and you want the best for me, but the best isn’t reminding me of my difficult life. I’m tired of doing this alone, and so is Ross. Maybe we can struggle together. Remember, the Bible says two are better than one.”

Audrey’s face went blank. “Enough said, I suppose. I’m very tired.”

“Good night, then.” She forced herself to kiss her sister’s cheek. “I hope you rest well, and I’ll see you in the morning.”

She nodded, and Kelsey made her escape. She nearly ran into Jeff in the hallway.

He grinned. “I was going to see what was keeping you girls.”

“Just chatting.” She gave him a hug. “Night, Jeff. Sleep well.”

He slipped into the bedroom, and Kelsey released a long breath and continued back to the living room. Ross wasn’t there, but she heard a sound in the kitchen. When she stepped through the doorway, he had settled at the kitchen table, a glass of water beside him. She poured a glass, too, and joined him at the table.

“So.” He gazed at her, knowingly. “I’m guessing you had words with your sister.”

She shrugged. “She worries about me.”

“Your face says it all. She has reservations about me.”

She stiffened. “She thought you were very nice.”

“But she thinks you’re biting off more than you can chew.”

His face reflected the truth, and she couldn’t hide it. “Sort of.” She told him what she’d said. “I tried to block my ears.”

“But you can’t, Kelsey, not if people keep assuming that you and I can’t deal with our problems. I said part of what I wanted to at the roller rink. Two are better than one. The Lord said it, and how can we doubt Him? Yes, we’ll survive alone. We’re strong and we’ve been doing it, but it’s not what I want, and I’d like to think you would like more, too.”

Her hands began to tremble as the emotion of his words burrowed into her heart. “We’ve handled things together for the past months. I’ve come to need you.”

“I’ve come to care about you and Lucy more than I can say.”

She started to tell him she cared, too, but he held up his finger to stop her.

“I’ll admit I’ve made mistakes with Peyton. I overcompensated, and that probably set her back because she leaned on me and expected me to occupy her time. She doesn’t need friends when her dad’s doing everything to make her happy.” His face pinched with emotion. “And I can’t do that. She has to find her own happiness.”

“That’s ri—”

“Did you see what happened today? My chest nearly burst, and I was so proud of Lucy. Here she is facing more tests and who knows what after that, and she was skating around the rink at a snail’s pace for Peyton. They were side by side. Peyton was so unsteady. I don’t think she’d ever been on skates, and Lucy was her support. That’s what she needs from other people. Not just me.” He held up his hand as if to stop her from saying anything. “And I don’t want you to think that’s what makes you important to me. It’s far from that. Yes, I love your help. Peyton would benefit from an adult female in her life, but I wouldn’t ask you on a journey with me unless you meant more than support to me.”

Kelsey’s mind whirled with Ross’s admission. He’d said everything but that he loved her. Words filtered through her mind, words she longed to say but instead they jammed against her heart. She couldn’t make promises now. “Ross, I—”

“Before you say anything, here’s my thought. If our relationship can’t deal with the kinds of problems we have to face, ones that can easily be resolved and a few that will take time and prayer, then maybe we weren’t meant to be more than friends. But I want to try. More than try, I want to succeed, but if you want me out of your life, tell me now. I don’t want to go through this uncertain feeling every day until you decide. I’m up for it. Are you?”

Stunned, she stared at him. He’d never said so much at one time since she’d met him. Even at the MOSK meetings, he told them about the latest good and bad news, but he made his comments succinct. Her hands trembled as she reached up to touch his tense face, his look heartbreaking. She’d done that to him. “Ross, I want to take this journey with you. I know we’ll have difficult times, but you’re right. If we want to make this grow into something deeper and more committed, then we need to trust each other. We need to be open and, just as much, we need to be patient.”

“That’s all I wanted to hear.” His voice quaked with emotion.

Ross rose and took her hand. Kelsey stood, tense with anticipation. He drew her into his arms and held her close, his heart beating against hers, his breathing labored. His hand rose to her cheek, his fingers brushing her skin and floating across her lips. A shiver of anticipation ran through her until he tilted her chin, and his lips met hers. His gentle mouth plied her lips with sweet kisses, his arms drew her closer, and she knew at that moment that God had ordained their meeting. For once, assurance spread through her, a comfort she’d fought but now accepted.

He eased back, his tension vanished. His eyes sought hers. “This has to be right, Kelsey.”

“Completeness.” The single word was all she could utter.

“We’ll be patient and open from now on.”

She gazed at him while her heart lifted a prayer.



Kelsey opened the door, and Ross swept in, his arm sliding around her. “Any news?” The anxious look on his face matched his voice.

“The office called today. We have an appointment on Thursday for the test results.”

“That was fast.”

“I know, but they wouldn’t tell me a thing.” Her stomach knotted. “I’m afraid it’s bad news.”

He gave her a squeeze. “Don’t assume that. Nurses and especially receptionists can’t give out information without the physician’s permission. Let’s pray that everything is fine.”

“I have been.” She motioned him inside, and he followed her to the kitchen. “Coffee?”

“No, I have an appointment in…” He gazed at his watch. “In forty minutes so I can’t stay. I was close by so I thought I’d stop.”

“I’m glad you did.”

He bent and kissed her. The sensation rushed to her chest. Since their talk on Friday, she’d been overwhelmed by her emotions. They tilted one way, then the other—from pure joy to pure worry that she would fail. He’d offered her a journey, a trip to assure them both they could do this, and she wanted to with all her heart. Still, the old fear uncoiled from under a rock and sent her running for cover. No more. She’d run enough. They’d both said it. Trust. Patience.

She stood on tiptoes and kissed him back.

His smile warmed her. “Have a seat.” She motioned toward the chair where they’d had their last talk. “How are things with you?”

His smile waned as he pulled out a chair and sat. “I have news.”

Her body straightened. “Good or bad?”

He shook his head. “The insurance wasn’t approved.”

“It wasn’t? Oh, Ross, what will you do?”

“Dr. Timmons said he’d resubmit and give them more information. He reminded me that they often reject the first time but approve the next. I’ll have to wait and see.”

“I assume he knows what he’s talking about.”

A faint smile returned. “We’ll see.”

She chuckled. “Silly.”

Ross gazed around and then lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “How’s it feel to have a quiet house again?”

“Good. I love my sister, but…you know how it is…sometimes I could wring her neck.”

He nodded. “That’s why I stayed away as much as I could. It seemed safer.”

She understood his feelings. Moments had arisen when she wished she could have stayed away, too, but sisters try to deal with it. “She did apologize.”

He drew back. “Really?” His eyebrows arched. “Tell me.”

Her apology was feeble but she’d given it, and Kelsey was at least content that Audrey realized she’d overstepped her bounds. “Audrey admitted that you were a nice man, but she worried about our situations. She admitted that she had been a bit hasty to make a judgment.”

Ross drew a slash mark in the air with his finger. “One point for Audrey. At least she made an attempt to undo the damage.”

“They left yesterday, and things were amiable. That’s important. Jeff didn’t say much except once when we were alone. He said you seemed like a nice guy.”

He shrugged. “If he only knew.”

She gave him a swat. “You’re wonderful.”

He gave her a wink. “Anyway, I had a talk with Peyton.”

“You did?”

“First, I asked her about Lucy and her skating. She said Lucy said she wanted to skate with her since she was new at it.” He grinned. “I could tell it made Peyton happy.”

Her mouth dry, Kelsey lifted the water glass and took a drink. “They’re getting there.”

“But she wasn’t so happy when I talked about how well she’s doing now, and I mentioned that it was time to trade bedrooms.”

Being zapped by electricity couldn’t have surprised Kelsey more. “You told her that? How did she take it?”

“A bit of drama, but I reminded her that being healthy was far more precious than a bedroom a few feet larger than hers.” He wove his fingers through her hand. “I’ve missed my room and to be honest, I’ve been resentful at times. Not fair to her. It was my choice, but I know it was a mistake. The guest room I’m using is fine for her.”

She lifted their joined hands and kissed his. “I know that was difficult.”

“It’s for the best. I feel it in here.” He pressed his free hand to his chest. “Things will work out with the new medication. I’m confident.”

Confident. Kelsey longed to feel that kind of self-assurance.

Ross eyed his watch. “I suppose I should be going.” He stood and wrapped his arm around her, then lowered his lips to hers.

As always, her heart soared with her delight. “Call me, and we can—”

The telephone rang. She held up a finger and strode to the phone. Karen. A chill ran down her back. “It’s Karen.”

His expression sank to concern, and he moved closer.

She lifted the headset her heart in her throat. “Karen, how is—”

The jolt of her response overtook her. She covered the mouthpiece. “Doug’s gone. He died this morning.”