problem. You have to be happy we spotted it before it turned into something more serious.”
“But will they ever stop?”
Lucy’s plaintive plea rent Kelsey’s heart. She slipped her arm around Lucy’s shoulder. “These tests may show that you’re fine. Let’s just get them over with, okay?”
She gave a slow nod.
“I’ll get the tests scheduled for you, and I’ll give you a call.”
Kelsey nodded as he closed the file and then stood. She beckoned Lucy to rise.
Dr. Bryant gave Lucy a tender look. “We’ll fix whatever needs fixing, Lucy, and hopefully, it’s nothing at all.”
“I don’t have much choice, do I?”
Her soft response sounded pitiful, and Kelsey struggled to keep her wits about her. “Let’s go.” She guided Lucy through the door and down the hallway, longing to call Ross, but she stopped herself. If the relationship ends… Sadness swept over her. If it ended, she’d have to find her solace and support somewhere else. She gazed at Lucy’s stressed face. Today she needed to talk with someone. Images rifled through her mind. Lexie. After they were home, she would call her. Lexie listened well and understood. That’s what she needed.
Chapter Twelve
“We’re anxious to hear what you’ve decided.” Ross kept his hands in his lap, fearing that his apprehension would show.
Dr. Timmons looked over the top of his glasses. “This will be your decision, Mr. Salburg, but I think we have a good chance with this new medication.”
“Really?” The tremors in his hands became more obvious, and he wove his fingers even tighter in his lap. “What does this mean?”
The specialist flipped open a file and studied it a moment. “I consulted with a number of heart specialists who have more experience with the new medication than I have. Two of them were ones who received it first to help identify the successes and failures in using it.” He lifted his gaze to Ross. “And yes, we can have failures, but these aren’t life-threatening. They just don’t do the job we’d hoped.”
That’s what Ross feared—failure—and that meant disappointment. Discouragement always set him back worse than anything else. Hope could too easily be dampened by the reality of another unsuccessful attempt. “But you think this will work for Peyton?”
Timmons nodded. “The condition of her heart is statistically more apt to experience improvement with the medication than not.”
Air drained from Ross’s lungs. “Then that’s good news.”
“Yes. The medication is expensive and new, so it means dealing with your insurance company. We’ll send them an explanation and hope they will approve it.”
Insurance. The only thing Ross cared about was seeing his daughter healthy. “If not, I could pay for it myself.”
The specialist’s head jerked upward. “We’re talking thousands per month. Let’s hope your insurance covers it.”
Thousands. His mind darted from solution to solution. But reality told him that while he made a decent living, thousands would run out in time, and then what?
“Mr. Salburg, please don’t think this is hopeless. We have good statistics, and we’ll contact your insurance company with the request. If they refuse, then we’ll see how we might deal with it.”
Hope with an addendum. He wanted to burst with joy, but that didn’t happen. “How long will it take to get a response?”
“I’ll get the information ready today, and then it’s up to them. I hope within a couple of weeks.” He gave Peyton a hopeful look. “But don’t be disappointed if they refuse. They sometimes do that, and we’ll appeal the case.”
Ross’s shoulders slumped as he rose. “Thank you.” He extended his hand, and Timmons grasped it.
“We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything.”
Ross nodded, wrapped his arm around Peyton’s shoulders and left the room. As they headed outside, he realized how much Peyton had grown in the past few months. Once she’d reached the top of his elbow, and today her head was close to his shoulder. Twelve. A young woman soon. The thought made him cringe. He needed to talk with her, and he dreaded it—the talk her mother should give, not her father. He pressed his lips together, wishing he could find the courage today.
“What do you think, Peyton? You’re quiet.”
“I want to get better, and I keep praying that this will work. Now I have to pray for the insurance to cover it.” She shook her head. “Dad, does anything ever happen in life that is problem-free?”
“Some things do.” He drew her closer to his side. “But count on problems sometimes. They happen to good people.”
“Like us?”
He nodded. “Yes, people like us.” Kelsey’s