A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,45

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.