A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,59

I could. It seemed safer.”

She understood his feelings. Moments had arisen when she wished she could have stayed away, too, but sisters try to deal with it. “She did apologize.”

He drew back. “Really?” His eyebrows arched. “Tell me.”

Her apology was feeble but she’d given it, and Kelsey was at least content that Audrey realized she’d overstepped her bounds. “Audrey admitted that you were a nice man, but she worried about our situations. She admitted that she had been a bit hasty to make a judgment.”

Ross drew a slash mark in the air with his finger. “One point for Audrey. At least she made an attempt to undo the damage.”

“They left yesterday, and things were amiable. That’s important. Jeff didn’t say much except once when we were alone. He said you seemed like a nice guy.”

He shrugged. “If he only knew.”

She gave him a swat. “You’re wonderful.”

He gave her a wink. “Anyway, I had a talk with Peyton.”

“You did?”

“First, I asked her about Lucy and her skating. She said Lucy said she wanted to skate with her since she was new at it.” He grinned. “I could tell it made Peyton happy.”

Her mouth dry, Kelsey lifted the water glass and took a drink. “They’re getting there.”

“But she wasn’t so happy when I talked about how well she’s doing now, and I mentioned that it was time to trade bedrooms.”

Being zapped by electricity couldn’t have surprised Kelsey more. “You told her that? How did she take it?”

“A bit of drama, but I reminded her that being healthy was far more precious than a bedroom a few feet larger than hers.” He wove his fingers through her hand. “I’ve missed my room and to be honest, I’ve been resentful at times. Not fair to her. It was my choice, but I know it was a mistake. The guest room I’m using is fine for her.”

She lifted their joined hands and kissed his. “I know that was difficult.”

“It’s for the best. I feel it in here.” He pressed his free hand to his chest. “Things will work out with the new medication. I’m confident.”

Confident. Kelsey longed to feel that kind of self-assurance.

Ross eyed his watch. “I suppose I should be going.” He stood and wrapped his arm around her, then lowered his lips to hers.

As always, her heart soared with her delight. “Call me, and we can—”

The telephone rang. She held up a finger and strode to the phone. Karen. A chill ran down her back. “It’s Karen.”

His expression sank to concern, and he moved closer.

She lifted the headset her heart in her throat. “Karen, how is—”

The jolt of her response overtook her. She covered the mouthpiece. “Doug’s gone. He died this morning.”

Chapter Fourteen

When Kelsey hung up, tears rolled from her eyes. It surprised Ross before reality rushed through him. No matter what had happened in the past, Doug had once been her husband, and he was still Lucy’s father.

He drew her into his arms, allowing her tears to flow in silence. Her wet grief soaked into his shirt, but he held her closer, kissing her hair and soothing her back with his palm. Too many things had struck Kelsey at once. The fear of Lucy’s diagnosis the following Monday and now the death of Lucy’s father.

Weight bore down on Ross’s shoulders. Finally he had some positive things happening in his life. Despite the insurance issue, a new medication might allow Peyton a normal life—almost normal—but whichever it might be, the outcome would be better than he feared. God willing, Peyton’s future seemed brighter. She would become a young woman, date, fall in love, marry and have a child of her own. His heart swelled with the abiding sense that the Lord looked down on him with a smile.

But today grief came again to the woman who’d become a part of him.

A final sob lingered against his chest. He waited. A shudder and deep breath touched his own heart, and he swallowed. “Can I do anything?”

“What you’re doing now.” She lifted her red eyes to him. “You know that my love for Doug died long ago, but he’s Lucy’s father, and…”

“Grief is natural, Kelsey. Don’t apologize. You have Lucy to face and memories to handle. It’s difficult.” His wife’s death shook him to the core. Telling Peyton she’d died had been one of the most difficult experiences in his life. Tears had rolled down her face while he held her, unable to release his grief because of her. He stayed strong and, once he