A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,34

truth.”

Ross leaned forward and grasped her hand.

“You know what Doug said when I confronted him?”

“I can’t imagine.”

“He said, ‘I never wanted you to know.’” Despite the painful memory, she chuckled at the absurdity. “How do you respond to that? Naturally, he didn’t want me to know.”

Ross shook his head, amazement on his face. “I’m glad you can laugh about it now.”

“I’ve risen above it. Moved on.” Had she really? “But the phone call dredged up a lot of emotion.”

“Why did she call?”

Gooseflesh rose up her arm. “Doug has pancreatic cancer. He’s in stage three.”

He lowered his head. “Horrible.”

“It is…especially for Lucy.” The thought bolted through her, and she rose on trembling legs. “I have to tell her when she gets home, and I don’t know how she’ll take it.”

“It’s her dad. I suppose she’ll—”

“He’s her father pretty much in name only. He hasn’t been around. An occasional call and, when he remembers, a gift for Christmas or her birthday.”

A frown deepened on his face.

“But to be fair, I didn’t push it. I didn’t want to face them, so their absence was better for me than their presence.” What she’d said to Karen jogged her mind. I was left alone to handle it. No support from Doug or you. It reeked of self-pity.

Ross drew her into his arms. “What you did seems natural to me. Don’t fault yourself. A father of any worth would insist on being with his daughter. You couldn’t stop him if you wanted to.”

Though he was right, Kelsey questioned her reaction, in retrospect. “Maybe a little urging would have gotten some action. Lucy would have known her father better than she does now.”

He pressed his cheek to hers. “It’s so hard to do the right thing when you’re wounded, and you were, Kelsey.”

He kissed her cheek and drew her closer. She felt her heart beating against his chest, his strong arms protecting her.

“I wish I could be there with you when you talk to Lucy, but I know I can’t.” He tilted her chin and looked into her eyes. “I want to be here for you, Kelsey, in any way I can. Just ask.”

Tears bubbled to the surface and rested on her lashes. His kindness overwhelmed her. She’d never experienced that kind of caring, and all her questions about their fated relationship seemed pointless now, and they vanished with his touch. “Thank you. Really. But talking to Lucy is something I have to do alone.”

“I know it is.”

She stood in his arms, dreading the moment that Lucy came home and dreading Ross leaving. When she faced her singleness, she often wondered what the future had in store for her—what God had in store for her—and she’d been taunted by the Bible verse that rang in her head. Two are better than one. She had become a one, but today the words held a different meaning. If one falls down, his friend can help him up. She clung to Ross’s muscular frame, knowing that she wouldn’t fall with him at her side.

Thank You, Lord.

Ross stood in the doorway of the MOSK meeting, gathering courage. Kelsey had been correct. He needed to be here, so he’d pushed away the negative talk in his head and forced himself to attend. When he came through the door, he faced a group of women. No other men were in attendance—he’d hoped that maybe one other brave soul had decided to take advantage of the organization’s new policy…to open the group to male members on a trial basis.

The word trial irked him, but he had to be grateful they were willing to try, and he had to admit, he could have easily passed up the offer himself without Kelsey’s encouragement. She thought he was strong. He wasn’t. His strength came from prayer and common sense. Men were expected to handle things.

Kelsey smiled and patted the seat next to her.

He wandered to her side, curious about her discussion with Lucy. She hadn’t called, and he decided to give her time to deal with the difficult situation that he’d witnessed. He settled into the chair beside her and studied her face before asking. “How’s Lucy?”

“She’s okay. It was hard to tell her. She cried a little. I knew she would. Lucy has a soft, forgiving heart. Lucy talked about her dad’s neglectful ways, but always with words of forgiveness. She offered reasons. He traveled so much and he lived quite a long distance away. I let her talk without comment. I knew not to put