A Family of Their Own. Gail Martin Gaymer

number, but then had second thoughts. She’d only met the man today and, the more she thought about it, accepting a dinner date seemed a little premature. Maybe a coffee date would have been better.

      Still, Ross intrigued her. She’d never known a man so open about his emotions. His love for his daughter shone on his face, and yet she saw something else, an expression that aroused her attention. Ross had a story to tell, and she wanted to hear it. His behavior infiltrated her mind. So often she resisted talking about her problems, but with him it had been easy to be open.

      “Kelsey.”

      She jumped upon hearing her name and hurried to the head of the stairs. “I’m here.” “Come up.”

      As she ascended the staircase, Mrs. Carlson came down. A pleasant look filled her face, and it triggered an unexpected joy in Kelsey’s heart. Forgiveness. Understanding. Whatever had happened between Lexie and her mother resulted in happiness for Lexie. At the top of the stairs, she faltered. “Where are you?”

      “In here.”

      The voice came from her bedroom, and Kelsey strode to the doorway and stopped. “Need help?”

      Lexie turned to face her. “No. You’ve given me all the help I need.” She opened her arms and Kelsey walked into her embrace. “Thanks so much for being my matron of honor and for all your support. You’ve become a great friend.”

      “You, too.” The words caught in her throat, thinking of all the dark times they’d shared with their children’s illnesses. “I can’t tell you how happy I am for you.”

      “Ethan’s one in a million.” Lexie motioned for her to sit.

      “He is.” She shifted to the only chair in the room and sank into the cushion. “But I’m not just referring to Ethan. I’m also talking about your mother.”

      “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