A Family of Their Own

“It’s been amazing, hasn’t it?” Tears glinted in her eyes. “I never expected Mom to come around as she’s done, and it shows how good forgiveness can be.”

The comment pierced Kelsey. She could only nod. Forgiveness was something she’d never granted to her ex-husband and to her friend who’d betrayed her.

After shifting her suitcase to the side, Lexie sat on the edge of the bed and gazed at her. The look sent an uneasy feeling through Kelsey. She waited, trying to understand what had happened to their conversation. No doubt Lexie had something to say, and Kelsey couldn’t guess what it might be. The waiting made her raw. “What’s wrong?”

Lexie shook her head and lowered her eyes. “This is really none of my business.”

Kelsey froze. Business? “Did I do something wrong? If I did—”

“No. No. It’s only …” She drew in a lengthy breath. “I’m surprised that you and Ross hit it off so well.”

“Why?” She studied Lexie’s face. “He handled the MOSK rejection pretty well.”

She shrugged. “He seemed to.”

“Then what?”

“When you and Ross were flirting, I thought it was cute … at first, but—”

“Flirting?” She bristled that her response to Ross had been so obvious.

Lexie shook her head again. “Why don’t I shut up? It’s your life.”

“My life?” Her mind raced. Maybe Ross was married, and she didn’t realize it or maybe … Her confusion split the air. “Explain what you’re talking about. You can’t stop now.”

“I’m being silly.” Lexie closed her eyes and tilted her head back, filling her lungs. “I sound like a soap opera.” She lowered her chin. “It’s only that you and Ross both have kids who need so much. Yes, Lucy is doing well now, and we both hope that it’s forever, but from what I know Peyton has a long road ahead of her, and I wonder if you and Ross are wise to get involved. It seemed so obvious to me that—”

“Get involved? Lexie, we only met today. Yes, we were bonded by his name coming up at the MOSK meeting and he happened to be your best man. He’s very nice, and we have something in common, but we aren’t planning …” We’re having dinner. That fact raced through her mind, along with how interesting she found him. “We aren’t planning a life together.”

Lexie rose and approached her as she opened her arms. “But I’ve never seen you so animated with anyone. You’re a down-to-business person, and you’re a peacemaker. I’ve seen many sides of you, but I’d never seen you so alive. Maybe you didn’t sense what I did, but you and Ross … I don’t know. Maybe I’m delusional.”

Kelsey sat in the chair, staring at her open arms, an obvious invitation for a hug, but at the moment, she didn’t want to be hugged. Her chest ached and her head spun. What in the world had happened to stir Lexie’s imagination? It made no sense. Yes, she acknowledged her interest in Ross. Despite second-guessing herself, she’d enjoyed the conversation once she got over the uncomfortable introduction. Why would anyone, especially Lexie, see anything wrong with her friendship with Ross?

Lexie’s arms remained open, expectation on her face.

Forcing herself from the chair, Lexie stepped into her arms. “I will never do anything to hurt Lucy. Don’t ever worry about that. My happiness today was for you, dear friend.” She drew back and took her hands. “Now, go on your honeymoon and have a wonderful time. I’m a big girl, and I’ll use wisdom before jumping into anything.”

A faint smile crept onto Lexie’s face. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m being silly.”

Kelsey agreed, but she let it drop. She always used good judgment when it came to Lucy and sound thinking for her own life.

But today she felt different, almost as if her life had been on hold until now.

Chapter Two

Ross sat in the hospital waiting room while Peyton had a heart echo and an MRI. The clock hands inched around the face while his mind moved at the same pace. He stared at his cell phone, Kelsey’s phone number in his hand. He’d been adventurous enough to ask her to dinner, but today his enthusiasm faded. Her blunt responses and quick honesty challenged him to respond as she did—in an open and direct manner. He couldn’t.

On the other hand, he enjoyed her company and personal enjoyment was something he’d hooked to an anchor and dropped into Lake St. Clair. Boats disappeared in that lake, and their occupants were never located. He thought his anchor would never be found, but it rose to the surface five days ago when he laid eyes on Kelsey.

He glanced at the clock again. Peyton’s tests never took this long. The heel of his shoe tapped against the shining marble floor of the heart unit. He pressed his dry lips together and refocused on the cell phone. He needed a distraction. And good news. Checking the numbers she’d scribbled on the notepaper, he punched them in and waited.

Three rings. Four. Leave a message or not? His question vanished when he heard the connection. “Kelsey, this is Ross.” “Ross.”

He waited, the sound of her surprise ringing in his ears. “I called to set a date for dinner.” Maybe he should have suggested coffee. “Whatever time is best for you.”

Silence. Ross could almost feel the electrical current zinging in her brain.

“I—I’m not sure this is a good time to make plans.”

The muscles in his jaw tightened. “Is Lucy ill?”

“No. But things are hectic here.”

Hectic? He could read her thoughts as he listened to silence.

Kelsey cleared her throat. “Lucy’s decided to get more involved at school, and between my job, running her places and keeping an eye on her health, I—”

“You’re tired.” He knew the routine, and he didn’t want to hear her excuses. She’d done what he suspected and had second thoughts. “I’ve been sitting at the hospital for nearly two hours waiting while Peyton has some tests.”

“I hate waiting. Time drags horribly.” The tension in her tone had eased.

Ross shifted in the chair. “Magazines aren’t great company.”

“So true.”

Silence.

“Ross, I’m sorry we didn’t finish our conversation about Peyton. I don’t even know what kind of illness she has.”

The word stuck in his throat. He sucked in air. “Cardiomyopathy.”

A gasp echoed into the receiver. “I’m so very sorry. How bad is she?”

“I try to be hopeful.” He’d been optimistic during his wife’s illness, too. Ruthie had been so sure she would live to be a mother to her daughter. “These tests will let me know how she’s progressing.” “More waiting.”

The line hummed with silence, and he lifted his shoulders, knowing he needed to say goodbye.

“Let me know what the doctors say, okay?” Her voice breezed from the line, a different spirit than he’d heard earlier.

“Sure.” He’d have Ethan tell her. “I need to—” “Ross.”

His flesh prickled. “Yes.”

“About dinner. I can get a sitter for Friday, I think, if that works for you.”

He stopped breathing. “Friday?” Confusion skittered along his frame, but he gathered his wits. “Works for me. How about if I pick you up at six?”

“Six is good.” She gave him her address.