A Family of Their Own (6 page)

“A trial period?” Ross’s voice rose in pitch. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy but—”

“I know. I feel the same way.”

“Thanks, Kelsey. I know that wasn’t an easy vote for the ladies. I hope I haven’t created a mess for you.”

“Don’t worry. They’ll get used to the idea.” She grasped at anything to lighten the mood. “It’ll add a little adventure to their lives.”

He chuckled. “Speaking of adventure, what about that date?”

Her spirit lifted. “What do you have in mind?”

“This Saturday about 6:30. Dinner at Clawson Steak House, and they have a dance band. We can talk and enjoy the music.”

“That sounds nice, Ross. I’ll get a sitter, or maybe Lucy can stay with Lexie. I’ll check. It works for me.”

“Great, and thanks for letting me know about the vote. I’ll give you a couple of weeks to adjust and send a warning through you when I’m coming. Maybe I’ll pass the test.”

She squirmed at the comment. “You’ve already passed it in my eyes.”

They said goodbye, and the conversation flashed through her mind. A test. It sounded uncaring. They created the option as a practical compromise, the same way she’d viewed much of her life. But Ross had offered her an alternative. Take a chance. A smile grew on her face. Dinner and music, and time to talk. The idea slipped through her like satin.

From now on, she would work toward being more open, to look at the less practical side of things, because then she might actually see into someone else’s heart.

Ross knotted his tie, looked in the mirror and tugged it off. He studied himself again. A sports shirt and jacket might look better. He shrugged off his dress shirt and suit pants and tossed them on the bed. A first date. How long had it been? Forever, it seemed. He strode to his closet and dug through it. Dark pants? Beige? The temperature had registered only thirty-five degrees. Winter hung over them like an ice pack. He pulled black trousers from a hanger and slipped them on, found a belt and threaded it.

He sank onto the edge of the bed, feeling juvenile. Finally, he pushed himself up and studied his shirts. He settled for a black-and-gray plaid, then tugged a gray pullover from the shelf. He drew it over his head and fixed his collar with shaking fingers. Ross rolled his eyes. He’d enjoyed Kelsey’s company on two previous outings. Yes, the girls had been there, but so what? He and Kelsey chatted. They laughed. They got serious, but he enjoyed their time together.

Tonight they’d be alone. That was the only difference.
Alone. That apparently was his problem. He eyed the mirror, giving a nod of approval. Neat but casual. Alone was a bonus. No interruptions. He could learn more about her, and she, about him. Did he even want that? His boring life wouldn’t be much to talk about.

He gazed around the small bedroom, picturing Peyton pouting in his master bedroom. Although the decision had been his choice, so often he wished he hadn’t given it to her. Kelsey had mentioned spoiling the girls. She called it overindulgent. He wanted to deny it, but now he asked himself the same question. Peyton had a serious heart condition, but the guestroom would have been plenty of space with a twin bed. A chair and desk would fit on the side wall. The feature that had triggered his decision caught his eye—the double door leading to the porch. The last vestiges of light spilled onto the carpet unhampered by the now leafless trees.

Ross opened his door and strode into the hallway and through the great room. He checked his watch. Mrs. Withers would arrive any minute. When he reached Peyton’s door, he paused, then tapped. “Can I come in?”

No response, but the door opened seconds later, and he was greeted by Peyton’s unhappy expression. “Why can’t I go with you?”

His chest knotted. “You’re with me most of the time, except when you’re in school.”

“Why can’t I go with you tonight?”

He wanted to sit with her and talk, but she wasn’t budging from the doorway. The room taunted him with his unwise decision. The large space had made her too comfortable with her own easy chair, a TV and a CD player. He’d even set up a desk for her to do schoolwork.

“Sometimes adults need time for adult talk.”

“I’m an adult, Dad. You keep forgetting.”

“You’ll be a teenager soon, Peyton, but I’m going to take time for me tonight.” Kelsey and me. His pulse skipped.
Trembling. Charging pulse. He shook his head and licked his dry lips. “Don’t make me feel guilty for wanting a little time for myself. I give you—” Don’t say it. “I love you so much. That will never change.”

“You’d rather be with her.”

Air flew from his lungs. “I’m with you all the time, Peyton. You’re not alone. Lucy has a sitter, too.” And he couldn’t imagine Lucy whining about it.

The doorbell saved him from Peyton’s unhappiness. He bent and kissed her cheek. “Mrs. Withers will order pizza for you. She said she’d make a salad, too.”

“Lucky me.” The door banged.

Irritation slammed against him. He turned from the door and headed for the foyer, determined to have a pleasant evening despite Peyton’s dispirited attitude.

Yet, the door’s thud rang in his head.

W
hen Kelsey pulled open the door, Ross gave her a long look while his pulse skipped up his arm.

She stepped back. “Come in a minute.”

“You look amazing.” Gorgeous. Her wine-colored dress wrapped around her and draped over her hips in a soft swirl. She’d done something to her hair, and tonight it fell in soft waves to her shoulders. Earrings dangled from her earlobes, and he couldn’t take his eyes off them and her beautiful eyes.

Kelsey gazed down at her dress, then searched his eyes. “Thanks.” A grin crept to her face, and she ran her fingers over the lapel of his sport coat. “You don’t look bad yourself.”

He stepped into the foyer, and she closed the door. Her comment echoed in his mind, and he gave a nervous chuckle. “Thanks.” When she looked away, he cringed at his ridiculous jitters.

Kelsey motioned toward the living room, and he followed her, seeing an elderly woman in the kitchen doorway.

“Ross, this is Marge Butler. She’s my wonderful sitter who only lives down the street.”

He crossed to her side and shook her hand.

When he looked back, Kelsey was heading into the hall
way as her voice sailed back into the room. “Lucy. Ross is here.”

In seconds, Lucy came to the living room door and waved. “Hi, Ross. Have fun, and bring Mom home before midnight.” She giggled, gave her mom a kiss on the cheek, then beckoned to the sitter. “Let’s make hot chocolate.” She darted past him toward the kitchen.

Marge chuckled. “I’m sure she has more up her sleeve.” With a grin, she followed Lucy, her head wagging like a bobble-head doll.

Ross smiled at the lighthearted spirit in Kelsey’s home. She’d been through so much, yet she faced it as if she’d been born to the task. He envied that ability. And Lucy. Her spirit made him smile but ache at the same time.

Kelsey called a goodnight and stepped into the foyer where he held her coat as she shrugged it on.

Outside, Ross backed out of the driveway and headed toward Rochester Road, his thoughts on the past few minutes. “That was easy.”

Kelsey glanced his way. “What?”

“No complaints from Lucy. Not one.”

“From Lucy?” She chuckled. “She loves having Marge sit with her. They’ll play games until her eyelids droop.”

A sigh escaped him before he could stop it. He felt her eyes on him.

“Peyton wasn’t too happy?”

He wished it had been that easy. “Not happy at all.” He told her the story, wishing he hadn’t introduced the topic. They’d left her house with plans for a fun evening and he’d put a damper on it with his dilemma.

“Don’t feel guilty, Ross. You need time for yourself, too.”

“I tried to explain that to her, but—”

“What’s sad is Peyton hasn’t connected with her school friends.” Kelsey’s tone had darkened. “I understand why. Lucy missed school, too, and that made it difficult. I still re
member those horrible days—panic, doctor visits, hospitals, bandages, and so much fear. It seemed eternal.”

His own panic rose. “Listen Kelsey, I’m sorry I—”

She erased his words. “Kids can be alone part of the time. I think it’s good for them, but they need stimulation, too. They need to socialize with their peers, not their parents.”

“I know, but you’ve seen her. It’s hard for Peyton.”

“I know it is.”

Dismay rang in her voice, and Ross wished he’d stayed away from the subject. He’d already taken the evening into a direction he hadn’t wanted to go.

Kelsey had leaned back, and he remained silent, probing his mind for things to talk about. Many of their conversations revolved around the kids and their problems. He hoped they had more in common than that, but their silence gave him concern.

When the restaurant came into view, Kelsey straightened her back while Ross’s shoulders sank in defeat. He’d gone blank, and he had so much he wanted to know about her. He’d realized a few days earlier that he had no idea if she worked and if so, what she did for a living. What were her interests other than Lucy? What had happened to her husband? A multitude of questions now whirled through his mind, and he thanked the Lord for filling his empty head.

Ross swung into the parking lot, glad he’d requested a table far from the band. Not that he wouldn’t enjoy the music, but he wanted to spend time with Kelsey. Time without interruption.

The hostess led them to their table and handed them menus, and the next minutes were spent selecting their dinners. When he finished, he set his menu on the table and sipped water a waitress had poured while they were perusing the fare.

Kelsey lifted her eyes from the menu. “Everything looks
good. I can’t decide between the veal in lemon sauce with artichokes or the shrimp scampi.”

“I’ve had the veal. It’s great.”

“That solves my problem. I love artichokes.”

Her voice had lightened, and he hoped it stayed that way. It would if he monitored his depressing comments. He had so few people to talk with about Peyton’s issues, and he looked forward to airing those feelings at the MOSK meetings…that is, if he passed their test. Bitterness charged through him, and he didn’t like the feeling. He’d monitored those emotions, trying to look at their decision in a positive light and to understand why they wanted to test it. Still…

“You’re quiet.”

Kelsey came into focus. He’d been lost in thought. “I haven’t decided between a steak or the steak and shrimp diablo, but I’m leaning toward the filet mignon.” That was true, but not what he’d been thinking.

“Are you ready to order?”

The waitress’s appearance saved him from further discussion on his silence. He gave the woman their choices, ordered coffee and then leaned back. “I realized the other day I have no idea what you do for a living.”

Kelsey’s shoulders relaxed. “I manage real-estate rentals. It’s a great job for me because I can handle so much of it from home. I have office space at South Oakland Realty, but I’m only there occasionally.”

He’d never have suspected. “You mean you take care of the properties.”

“Right. If they need a plumber or a repairman, they contact me, and I handle it for the owners.”

He slipped his hand over hers. “Our jobs have a few things in common.”

“I thought about that. You build residences. I just manage them once people move in.”

Ross hoped they had more in common than that. But his
mood had lightened, and that was what he’d hoped. “What do you like to do for fun?”

She blinked. “Fun?”

He watched her think and winced inside. Asked the same question, he’d offer the same response. Fun had escaped him for so long between Ruthie’s illness and now Peyton’s. The word almost seemed absurd. Yet tonight, even talking about sad things at times, he was having the most fun he’d had in years.

Kelsey finally chuckled. “I guess I have to learn about having fun again. I enjoy shopping, as most women do, but I don’t do it often, and when Lucy was ill, I purchased what I could on the internet.”

Shopping wasn’t a commonality. “Movies? Plays? Concerts?”

“Yes. I enjoy them all. I loved going to plays. When I was younger, I spent numerous nights at Pine Knob—the name changed since then, but the setting’s still the same. I loved sitting on the lawn. Springsteen, Bon Jovi. I saw Journey in the rain, but who cared? I had fun anyway.”

His heart bounced in his chest, seeing her glowing face. “I might have been there the same night. I saw them in the rain. Do you think…?” The warm summer evening returned, rain spattering from the clouds. “‘Don’t Stop Believin’ and ‘Open Arms’—”

“Faithfully.”

Kelsey’s eyes glistened as they laughed and shared a high-five across the table. Ross’s chest constricted with the good feeling that washed over him. “Apparently we like the same music.”

“But it’s been a long time since I’ve seen anyone in concert.”

His knee jerked with the invitation. “Then we need to see who’s in town.”

“That would be great, Ross.” Her eyes searched his. “Really great.”

The waitress arrived with their soup and salads first, and then they settled into the meal. The steak was tender and delicious, served with his favorite, a baked potato, and Kelsey praised the veal dish served with pasta. Though the conversation had lulled, the warmth of their previous talk remained. He’d check the papers to see what artists were in town and pick up some tickets.

When the plates were cleared, the waitress brought over a dessert tray and displayed the great-looking options. Keylime pie. Chocolate peanut-butter mousse pie. Granny Smith apple pie with ice cream.

Kelsey shook her head. “Just coffee, please.”

“I’ll have coffee, too, and—” He’d noticed that she’d eyed the crème brulée. “How about one of these and two spoons.” He raised his eyebrows and ogled Kelsey.

She laughed. “You’re tempting me. Okay, just a bite.”

The waitress left, and Ross shifted to a chair adjacent to Kelsey to get a better view of the dance band. The music began as their dessert arrived, and Ross’s concentration wasn’t on the creamy dessert but on the woman beside him. He longed to hold her in his arms to feel her breath against his cheek.

Years had passed since these sensations had touched him, not even a hint of emotion, but tonight the feelings exploded in his heart. He was walking on a minefield, and each step filled him with anxiety. Was he ready to fall head over heels? Was Kelsey even interested in more than a friendship? And if tragedy struck either one of them, could their relationship survive?

“This is delicious.”

Kelsey’s comment seeped through his thoughts. “It is.” He gave a head toss to the band. “Do you like the music?”

“Nice. I love that song.”

“Need You Now” flooded the room. The female singer approached the microphone, the tender music setting Ross’s senses on edge. “Would you care to dance?”

She set down her coffee cup and gazed at him. Finally, she gave a slight nod. “It’s been years.”

“Another thing we have in common.” He rose and took her hand, leading her through the tables to the dance floor.

Kelsey moved into his arms as the music swelled, his heart pummeled his chest as they swayed to the music. He moved carefully, his mind digging back to his dancing days years earlier. She moved with him, graceful, light as gossamer in his arms. A sweet scent filled the air, her hair kissed his cheek as they moved to the rhythm.

Since they’d arrived, he and Kelsey had established things in common without talking about the girls or illness or sadness. Music, dancing, concerts, even crème brulée. He longed to be reassured that things in common could be the beginning of something special.

The song ended, but before Ross led her off the dance floor, another slow song began. Her heart stirred when she heard the song, “I Want to Know What Love Is.” He drew her closer and they swayed to the music, turning with the rhythm, their hands touching, their arms embracing each other. The lyrics moved her. She needed time to think things over, too. She’d wanted to know what love was. She’d thought once she knew what love was, but it had vanished like smoke. Taking a chance and then losing it again would be more than she could face. She wondered if Ross was listening to the words, too.

She felt his gaze on her, and she looked into his eyes. So many deep thoughts flickered there beneath the chocolate of his eyes. Her fingers glided up his back and brushed the nape of his neck, his hair soft against her hand. A spicy fragrance surrounded him, delicate but stimulating. Being in a
man’s arms again warmed her like a down quilt. She’d been cold for years, but not tonight.

The song ended and they stood close, rocking to the music in their minds, until the band introduced a lively rock-and-roll tune she enjoyed, but not for dancing. Ross’s hand moved down her arm and wove his fingers through hers. As they approached the table, he chuckled. “Cold coffee, I suppose.”

She didn’t care about the coffee. Instead, she wanted to know more about him, his family, his marriage and— Wrong topic. Keep it light and fun. They’d both had their fill of sorrow.

As Ross pulled out her chair, their waitress appeared with the coffeepot and refilled their cups. Kelsey sat wrapped in the moment, the music, the aromas that drifted past—fresh coffee, pasta at the next table—but the sense that etched in her mind was being held again. She’d nearly forgotten that she was a woman.

Ross gazed at her, his mouth pulling into a grin. “I’ll be honest. I wondered if I would remember how to dance. I guess it’s like riding a bicycle. You never forget, but then you’d have to verify that.”

“You danced very well.” Her own concerns rifled through her. “I was afraid I’d be all feet, but we handled it quite well.”

His hand slipped over hers. “We did.”

His gaze captured hers, and she felt glamorous. Hearing him say she looked amazing earlier tickled her. She’d changed her clothes three times, wanting to find the perfect outfit. Normally she tossed clothes on with no thought. Whatever seemed appropriate and practical. But tonight she hadn’t been looking for practical—she wanted to look great. Alluring. Finally, she’d settled on the magenta A-line dress, because she liked the dolman sleeves and it flattered her figure. She could hardly believe that she’d given time to that concern, but she had.

Ross gazed at her in silence. She welcomed the time to
think. The dance made her feel special and she didn’t want to lose that feeling, but she had questions. “Are your parents in Michigan?”

“They’re in Kansas. That’s where I grew up. I met Ruthie in college. I was friends with her brother. She was from Michigan, although her parents moved to Seattle after she died. Her brother lives there. I guess her parents couldn’t bear the loss.”

As if he could. She cringed. “Do you still see her brother?”

He looked away. “We drifted apart after Ruthie died.”

Her stomach knotted. “Then you’re pretty much alone here.”

“Just Peyton and me.”

Peyton and him. An empty feeling settled over her again. She had an older sister, Audrey, who lived in Traverse City. Audrey visited occasionally when she or her husband had business in the area or for a special event, but other than that Kelsey took care of herself, too.