A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,53
“How’s she taking it?”
“Better than I am, I think.” She motioned for Audrey to come inside. “Lucy focuses on the positive side of things. She’s upset, but she bounces back fast.”
Audrey looked around. “She’s not here?”
“No. School won’t be out for another hour and a half.”
“Good. That gives us time to talk about her birthday.” Audrey grabbed her bag, rolled it into the great room and paused by the stairs. “Which bedroom?”
“Take the biggest one at the top of the stairs.”
She gave her an okay sign and headed toward the guest room. Kelsey drew in a breath and continued to the kitchen. She turned on water for tea—her sister’s favorite—then leaned her back against the cabinet. She ached inside since talking to Ross. She’d hurt him, and it was wrong. Being unkind had never been her way, but she’d done exactly that. Her tone of voice had taken her words to another level. She’d known it the moment they flew from her mouth. Sarcasm had taken over, and her usual peacemaker’s approach had vanished.
How could she have done that to someone who meant so much to her? She realized it now, facing what she’d done. She’d missed him the past few days. They’d always talked nearly every day, even when they didn’t have time to see each other. She laughed at how many times the phone rang in the middle of her workday. But she loved the interruption.
Now she had to put him off again with Audrey’s arrival. Such rotten timing.
Kelsey pulled herself back from the counter edge and lifted out two mugs and dessert plates. She dropped two tea bags in the cups and opened up the plastic container filled with home-baked peanut butter cookies with a chocolate kiss pressed into the center. Also her sister’s favorite. As she turned, Audrey stepped into the kitchen. “Did you find everything? I set out fresh towels for you.”
“Everything’s fine.” She stepped closer. “What’s on the plate?” She eyed the cookies and grinned. “You remembered.”
“How could I forget? Let’s sit over there.” She motioned to the breakfast table and waited for Audrey to go ahead. She set down the cookies and returned to the kitchen counter to prepare the tea. “So what do you have in mind for Lucy’s birthday?”
“Something fun.”
She could tell that Audrey had already bitten into a cookie. “That sounds mysterious.”
Audrey chuckled. “It’s something I loved to do as a kid.”
Kelsey’s mind stretched into her childhood. Audrey liked to do many things and nothing struck her. “What?”
“Roller skating.”
The water for tea spewed from the kettle and Kelsey poured it into the mugs. Roller skating. Lucy had only gone skating a couple of times, although she did okay, but what about Peyton? The question knotted in her throat. “That’s a stra—unusual idea.”
“Why? Kids love to skate. At least they do in Traverse City.”
Kelsey jammed her mouth closed. “Your idea’s different. I can say that.” She lifted a mug in each hand, managed a pleasant expression and walked back to her sister. “Do you still skate?” She couldn’t imagine, but the idea was way outside the box as far as she was concerned. And Peyton was still an issue.
“No, but it’s like riding a bicycle, I would think.” Audrey grasped the mug and took a sip. “What had you planned?”
Kelsey sank into a chair, measuring her words. “Nothing. I was waiting for your idea.”
“It’s not just roller skating. I made reservations to eat at Buca di Beppo. Italian and fun. Have you been there?”
“No, but I’ve heard of it. Lucy loves Italian food.”
“I remembered. And they bring out a birthday cake with all the waiters singing. She’ll be thrilled.” Audrey gazed at her a moment. “So what do you think?”
Kelsey couldn’t disagree. “It’ll be fun.” Peyton’s face edged into her mind, no matter how hard she tried to push it out. Telling her sister about Ross might elicit an enthusiastic response, but if she learned about Peyton, that could be another story. Not inviting them wasn’t the answer. Yet now she faced the roller-skating issue.
She roused her courage. “Audrey, I think the restaurant is great. Lucy will love it, but I have qualms about roller skating.”
Audrey’s eyes widened. “Why?”
Why? Kelsey felt the truth bustle into her mind. She couldn’t lie, but maybe she could mention that Lucy doesn’t really roller skate. “I have a friend that I planned to invite to Lucy’s birthday.”
Audrey arched a brow. “Friend?” She tilted her head. “Female friend or…” A grin hinted on her lips.
“Ross. His