A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,20
and a treat?”
She gave him a playful look. “Ice cream. I’m ready for that.”
“Okay, then. Let’s go.” He rose and beckoned them toward the door.
Kelsey gazed at her daughter, her pride growing. Lucy handled things well. Now if they could only help Peyton learn how to manage just as well. The thought wavered in her mind. Hope, she reminded herself. Hope and prayer.
Chapter Five
Ross focused his eyes on the menu while his attention hung on the girls. They had been courteous to each other but distant. Conversation had been minimal.
“Did you enjoy the movie?”
Kelsey’s voice entered his concentration.
“I figured out the mystery.” Lucy tossed her blond curls. “But then I’m good at puzzles.”
Peyton stared at the menu though her glance didn’t go unnoticed. Ross suspected that she was looking for some kind of comeback, but nothing came. “What looks good, Peyton?” he asked.
She gave a bored shrug before looking up. “A sundae, maybe.”
“With whipped cream?” Lucy ran her tongue over her lips.
A faint look of interest crossed Peyton’s face. “With a cherry on top.”
“Me, too. I love the cherries.”
Ross swung his gaze from Lucy to Peyton. They’d agreed on something. Even a cherry seemed like a victory. “How about sundaes all around?”
Everyone nodded as tension slipped from his shoulders. He eyed the waitress, and she gave a nod before heading their way. “That was easy.” She grinned, collecting the menus. “Four chocolate and vanilla sundaes with hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry on top. Two decafs and two waters.” He turned to the girls. “Are you sure that’s all you want?”
They both nodded, a look on their faces that let him know they were surprised they’d agreed on two things while at the restaurant.
While eating the ice cream, their conversation dwindled. Spoons clinked against the glass goblets and napkins rustled as they wiped their mouths. The hot fudge dripped from Ross’s spoon and he caught the sweet syrup with his tongue, his spirit lifting as he gazed at the three females around the table.
Peyton and Lucy saved their cherries until near the end and, eyeing each other, they lifted them, dangled the red orb by the stem and dropped them into their mouths with a giggle. The sound reverberated like beautiful music. Ross’s hopes soared. Hope and prayer. Kelsey had said it earlier that day, and she’d spoken the truth.
Once the girls had finished and the waitress had refilled their coffee cups, Lucy slipped from her chair, her eyes pleading. “Can I have some money to play arcade games?” she asked her mom.
Kelsey looked at Peyton and then she glanced at Ross, her lips pursed. “What about—”
“Peyton, do you want to play, too?” Ross sensed that he’d saved the day, and Peyton’s grin finalized the situation. He reached in his wallet and dug out a couple of dollars.
Lucy had her money in hand and dashed off, and when Peyton closed her hand around the bills, she darted off, too.
Concern shot through Ross. Lucy embodied energy—a bundle of vigor not easily quelled. But Peyton. He drew in a breath. She needed to be careful. Her energy levels were limited at times. Putting the two together could be like water vapor mixing with low atmospheric pressure creating a hurricane. Disaster. Peyton could never keep up with Lucy.
Kelsey’s attention focused on the girls until she turned toward him. “What do you think?”
A grin stole over his face. “I see promise.”
“So do I.” She reached across and rested her hand on his. “Slow but sure. That’s the best way. Let them move at their own pace. We can’t engineer it.”
Pace. Anxiety skittered across his chest. “Lucy’s a bundle of energy, isn’t she?”
“She was down for so long that now she’s trying to make up for lost time. I’m thrilled seeing her so bubbly and excited about everything.” She shook her head. “I’m afraid I’m a prideful mama. She’s my bright little star.”
“She is.” But that didn’t get to the heart of the matter. “That worries me, though.”
Her hand slipped from his, a scowl replacing her pleasant expression. “What do you mean?”
“Peyton isn’t well yet.” Would she ever be? The sundae churned in his stomach. “She can’t do all the things Lucy can do. What if—”
Kelsey leaned against the seat back. “Don’t look for problems. Kids can be monitored. I can ask Lucy to tone it down, and you can explain to Peyton that she has to be careful. They know their illnesses.”
His eyes closed, taking in her words. Would it be that easy?