A Family of Their Own - By Gail Gaymer Martin Page 0,75
one he’d taken under his wing. “Meet you outside.”
She adored his compassionate way of listening and now his ability to share his real feelings. So many men had found their way to the meeting and were learning to reveal their emotions.
“Thanks for all your hard work.”
She turned from the hallway. “Thanks, Ava.” Ava had run for moderator, but had been outvoted. One of the newer ladies was now the moderator. “I hope you’re okay with the vote.”
“The vote. I’m thrilled. After I agreed to run, I knew I’d made a mistake.”
“Really.” Kelsey found that hard to believe. Ava had always been their question lady. Nothing slipped past her without a multitude of questions that dug so deep into the topic that everyone longed to go home. But she’d been faithful to the group and a likeable woman otherwise.
“I don’t want to be in charge. I’d prefer to look at things from a different viewpoint and dig into it. I’d have to be unbiased as moderator. That’s hard for me to do.”
Amazed at her self-awareness, Kelsey gave her a hug. “Questions have always been your forte. We all know that.”
She chuckled. “Although I drive you all crazy sometimes.” She shook her finger. “Don’t think I don’t know.”
Her smile assured Kelsey that she had no hard feelings. “See you next week.”
She gave a wave and left.
Kelsey drew in a deep breath, relaxed her shoulders and turned off the light. The summer sun had reappeared from behind the morning clouds, and she longed to be outside. Home was more like it. They’d left the two girls at her house alone.
Ross gave her a wave when she stepped outside. He shook hands with the other father and strode her way. “Don’t tell me. You’re worried about the girls.”
She chuckled. “Not worried exactly. Just anxious to get home.”
Since they’d met, Ross could somehow read her mind. Maybe it was her face. But he seemed to know what she was thinking. She wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.
He opened the car door for her and she slipped in. Their talk had grown easy in the past month, since she’d shaken the fear that had paralyzed her. Ross’s words often filled her mind. A cord of three strands is not easily broken. Both girls were doing great. Lucy had healed well from her surgery, and her hair had already begun to grow back. It was all more than she could have wished for, and she rejoiced with Ross that Peyton had made great strides, as well.
“I should never have listened to people’s fears about us.” She gazed into his beguiling eyes. “And my own irrational fears.”
“Huh?” He gave her a questioning look. “Where did that come from today?”
“I was thinking how well the girls are doing now. And they’re friends. Better friends than we had ever hoped.” He smiled, and her heart soared.
Ross squeezed her hand. “I’m going to drop you off at the house and then run a quick errand.”
“Errand? I’m going to make lunch. Aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’ll be back in a few minutes. I know you’re anxious to get home.”
She eyed him, her curiosity piqued. “Don’t do that. I can spare a—”
He swung down her street. “No, it’s fine. I’ll drop you off.”
She slipped from the minivan, wishing she had the knack he did for mind reading. Something was fishy. She waited as he drove down the street, stymied as to what his secret mission was all about.
The house sounded empty. “Lucy?”
Nothing.
She dropped her purse on the sofa and strode into the kitchen. No mess. That was odd. She snapped her fingers, walked to the breakfast nook and pushed back the curtains. She relaxed. The girls were sitting on the new glider Ross had bought for the backyard after Lucy complained that she had nowhere to sit and read. Kelsey wondered what was wrong with a lawn chair, but Ross coddled her. Coddled. She shook her head and chuckled.
Lunch consisted of tuna and egg salad, bread, lettuce and homemade cookies for dessert. She didn’t plan to fuss. As she pulled the items from the refrigerator and grabbed plates from the cabinet, she heard Ross come through the door. He slipped to her side, drawing her into his arms.
Before she could speak, his lips met hers, and she indulged in his amazing kiss. His arms held her close, his mouth moved on hers as soft as a summer breeze.
He eased back and grinned. “How would you like to be greeted like that