A Family of Their Own(12)

“Girl talk.” Lexie gave her a pat and rose. “Help yourself to some coffee. I just made it.”

His gaze slipped to Kelsey. “Did I interrupt something?”

Ignoring his question, Kelsey scooted from the bench. “I came in to ask Lexie about looking at the honeymoon photos.” She strutted to the island and leaned forward, trying to see through the dining-room archway. “The game’s not over, is it?”

He grinned. “It’s just about halftime.” He set his plate on the island counter and wandered over to the coffeepot. “Cups?”

Lexie pulled a few mugs from an overhead cabinet. “Milk? Sugar?”

“Black?” He turned to Kelsey. “Coffee?”

She nodded and ambled his way. “Thanks.”

“Can guys see the photos, too?” He looked over his shoulder and gave a wink.

Lexie chuckled. “They’re in the den. Kelsey knows where they are.”

Kelsey’s pulse tripped.

“Do you mind?” He faced her and offered her the coffee mug he’d filled for her.

“Not at all.” She took the mug, the aroma drifting around her, though she could still catch the scent of Ross’s after-shave.

She led the way but stopped when he paused to pile a few chips on his plate before following her. When he came into the room, he slid the door closed behind him. He grinned and slipped past her.

She swiveled in the desk chair and watched him set his mug and plate on the lamp table before he sank into the love seat. “Are you ready for the photos?”

He put the end of the sub into his mouth and took a bite. “I can eat and do anything.” He grinned again and dug a paper napkin from his pocket to wipe his mouth. “My mother taught me not to talk with my mouth full.”

She couldn’t hold back a chuckle. “I think your mother failed.” She motioned to the monitor. “Can you see?”

He set the sandwich back onto the plate. “If you turn the monitor a little, I can see fine.”

She tilted the screen and rolled her chair back as she hit the button for the slide show. The photographs began—luscious blue skies, golden sand, palm trees and sugarcane plants. So many lovely photos slid past while she longed to be somewhere beneath that glinting sunshine, but not alone. Her mind replaced the faces in the photos. All the pictures of Lexie and Ethan grinning at the camera at dinner, walking the beach, sitting in an aerial tram surrounded by jungle became Ross and her. Kelsey released a shuddered breath and jerked her wayward thoughts back. “What I wouldn’t give for a trip like that.”

Ross rose and moved beside her, closer to the monitor. “It does make me envious.” He motioned to the lovely landscape photo. “Look at that sunlight. Now look out the window.” He crouched beside her, resting his hand on the chair arm and leaning closer to the photos.

Though she knew the view out the window, her gaze was drawn to the snow-covered shrubs and tree limbs in Lexie’s backyard. When she looked back, their eyes met. Blood pounded through her veins, a ridiculous reaction to looking at photos. She struggled to pull her gaze away and sought a new topic. “Are Lexie and Ethan going to stay in this house? I thought Ethan had a nice place, too.”

“He does, but I heard they’re thinking of Cooper. He loves it here, and for now, I think they’re staying with what’s familiar for him.”

“That’s really considerate.” And no surprise. That’s the kind of man Ethan was.

Ross looked thoughtful. “I’d do that, too, I think.”

Her stomach tightened. They both would, so where did that leave them? “We give a lot when our kids are sick.” She clicked off the photographs and leaned back in the chair.

He gazed at her. “And it’s not always easy, is it?” He pushed himself up, hands against his thighs and stretched. “Before we join the others, I wanted to check with you about Peyton’s birthday.” He resettled on the love seat. “Did you talk with Lucy?”

Something about his expression didn’t sit well with her. “She’s fine with it.” She guessed.

Ross’s problem. “What about Peyton? What does she want? It’s her birthday.”

He lowered his head and leaned forward, elbows on his knees, hands folded. “I did have to deal with a little attitude.”

The change of plans she’d anticipated. A blend of relief and disappointment swirled through her.