A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,46
“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.
Chapter Eleven
“Good meeting.” Ross pushed open the Senior Center door for Kelsey. The stress that tightened her face concerned him. “It was nice seeing a couple more men in the mix.” He eyed her again, and she appeared miles away. “Can you sense if the women are accepting the male invasion?”
Instead of grinning or snapping back a witty response, she gave him a serious look. “I think they’re doing fine with it. I don’t see that it’s changed the atmosphere. I’ve even thought the women might be benefiting from a male perspective.”
“Good to hear. I would have felt rotten if my asking to join MOSK ruined the camaraderie. It’s obviously important to everyone there.” He dug into his pocket and searched for his car keys. “Everyone’s dealing with too much stress.”
She nodded, staring at the ground as she walked. “We are.”
“Kelsey, is something wrong?”
Her head jerked up, and she faltered. “Nothing important.”
He questioned her response. “Is Lucy okay?”
“She’s fine.” Her frown deepened.
“If that’s not bothering you, I know something is.” He placed his hand on her arm to slow her. “Can I help?”
She halted and released a stream of breath. “I told you I’m fine.”
Ross slipped his hand to her shoulder. “I don’t think so.” He tilted her chin wanting to look into her eyes. They said so much. “I’ve only known you for a few months, but that doesn’t mean I can’t tell when something’s bothering you. I’ve always noticed when you’re stressed or on edge no matter how you try to hide it, and I feel that now. If it’s something I did, I wish you’d—”
“I’m distracted today, I guess. Lucy’s been a little snippy at home, and it’s upsetting me. My sister called last night. They’ll be here for Lucy’s birthday. Naturally, Audrey’s arriving on a Tuesday of all days, and I’m not sure what I’ll do about the MOSK meeting. Then Lucy’s facing an appointment with her physician about this year’s follow-up tests. Her previous tests were six months ago so he’ll compare the two and…”
“And you’re worried about that.”
“It’s a combination of things.” She shrugged. “I’d wanted to surprise Lucy with something special on her birthday, and now my sister will be here, which means she’ll take charge. She always does.”
She’d made other innuendos about her sister, but he hadn’t caught on until today. “I take it you don’t get along well.”
“No, we do, but she’s one of those people who wants to take over, and you know me—”
“You’re a good leader, but I know you prefer to be a peacemaker.” He’d spotted that the day he met her. “Before she arrives, make plans and tell her what they are.”
She gave a hopeless grin. “She already announced on the phone twice that she wanted to plan something.”
Tension seeped from Ross’s