A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,54
name is Ross Salburg.”
She clapped her hands together, brushed the crumbs from her lips and bounced up, planting a kiss on Kelsey’s cheek. “Really? Someone special?”
Play it down. The words popped into her mind. She pushed them back. “Special but nothing serious yet.”
Audrey drew her from the chair for a hug. “Yet. That sounds hopeful.” She eased back and eyed her sister. “Will I meet him?”
Kelsey settled into her chair. “You will, and his daughter Peyton. She’s a year older than Lucy.”
“Hmm? A daughter.” She sank back into the seat, a thoughtful look growing on her face. “Any competition? How do they get along?”
Questions. That’s what she wanted to avoid. She sank back into the chair. “Fine. Peyton’s quieter than Lucy. She’s had some health problems, too.”
The smile faded to concern. “What kind of problems?”
“Her heart, and that’s why I think maybe roller skating might not work.” She studied her sister’s expression and sensed that she wasn’t going to relent easily. “I’d hate to leave her out.”
Audrey’s face became thoughtful. “Rolling around the floor on skates wouldn’t be that hard on her. Let’s just plan it, and hopefully she’ll be able to skate. I’m really looking forward to this.”
Kelsey resigned herself to going along with her sister. Dissing her plans never worked when they were young, and she knew Audrey had only polished her ability to stay firm over the years. She’d talk it over with Ross. Not wanting to stir up dissension, she nodded and let it drop.
Audrey leaned back and grew quiet, leaving Kelsey with an anxious feeling. When Audrey thought, it could mean anything. She watched as her sister pursed her lips together, then lifted her head. Kelsey pressed her back against the chair rungs for support.
“Do you really think it’s wise for you to get involved with a man who has a child with a heart problem?” She leaned closer, her eyes searching Kelsey’s. “Do you know what I mean? Two sick kids. What kind of life is that? Where’s the romance?”
She seemed to draw closer, although she hadn’t stood. Kelsey swallowed every comment that flittered through her mind. This wasn’t new. Her own friend, Lexie, had suggested the same thing, but then apologized. Still she’d always be facing the possibility of a child fighting to stay alive. Her muddied mind lost all concept of communication. What could she say to make her sister happy? She couldn’t deny it, because Audrey was right.
“Men and women can be friends without romance, Audrey.” True but not really the case with Ross. She cared so much, and she sensed that he did, too.
“Those things are hard to control. Sometimes people become a habit. You need them for support and a sort of security, and soon you think it’s love and it’s not. Then what?”
What? Her relationship with Ross didn’t seem like that. Not a habit. Yes, she needed his support. She realized that today, and having him by her side gave her security, but she cared about him. Not what he had to offer. Her pulse quickened, weighing her thoughts. She didn’t feel that way, but maybe Ross did, and what then?
She confined the thoughts raging inside her. Asking Audrey if she’d arrived to put a downer on Kelsey’s life would only stir up trouble. Assuming that her sister was worried about her, she avoided responding to her comment. “You’ll meet him tonight at Lucy’s party, Audrey. Then you can decide for yourself.”
Audrey shrugged and grabbed another peanut-butter cookie. “Fair enough.”
Fair enough. Kelsey wanted to either scream or cry.
Chapter Thirteen
Ross stood near the refreshment stand, watching Peyton on the roller rink. He’d been put in a touchy position, but he gave Peyton the choice. She wanted to go, and he sensed a touch of competition. Now that he had met Audrey, he understood Kelsey’s problem. Though a nice woman, Audrey had a way of taking charge, even if her take-charge attitude wasn’t welcome.
When Kelsey called him, he wanted to balk at the roller-skating decision, but she explained her attempt to talk her sister out of the idea with no success. If it hadn’t been Lucy’s birthday, he would have declined.
He eyed the rink floor, spotting Audrey and her husband, Jeff. They flew around the floor like kids. Appropriate, since most of the skaters were teens. Jeff seemed to be a sensible man but a bit intimidating. Ross’s pulse stumbled when he saw Lucy skating beside Peyton. Their pace looked slower than the rest, and he guessed that Lucy was