A Family of Their Own(18)

“To groups like this.”

Lexie’s voice surprised her.

“Sorry, I’m late.” She pulled her shoulder from the doorframe and stepped into the room. “I’ve thought about this lately, too. Originally I was against it, but my feelings have changed since I met the man Kelsey’s talking about. And I’m sure he’s not the only one. We’re all parents. We love our kids whether we’re fathers or mothers. We all need support.”

“Thanks, Lexie.” Kelsey’s heart surged with her friend’s encouragement. “I’m not asking you to vote today. But I’m asking you to think about it during the week. Put yourself in a father’s position, and we’ll vote on it next week. Decide with your heart what’s best for all of us dealing with seriously ill children.”

Her hands trembled as she lowered them to her sides. “Now, let’s hear about the fundraiser idea.” She slipped into a chair, waiting for the tension to fade. Nothing would please her more than to tell Ross the group had opened the door to him and other men who loved their sick kids and needed support. Lord, please, give us an answer. If it’s not our door, open another one. Help us to show compassion.



Ross stood outside Ethan’s office door, grasping for courage to open it and talk. He liked Kelsey more than he wanted to admit, but his brain told him he was heading for trouble. But how could he explain it to Ethan and make sense? Ethan’s situation was different. Lexie’s boy had been fighting leukemia. Ethan supported her and Cooper without shortchanging his own child, since he had none. No conflict of interest there.

Ethan’s telephone receiver clicked as he hung up, and Ross stepped forward. Ethan’s back was to the door, but when he heard Ross’s steps, he swiveled around. “Hey, how’s it going?”

“Fine.” Not fine, but no one expected a truthful answer. “Am I interrupting?”

He brushed his hand in the air. “No. I have to make changes to some plans. The family can’t afford everything they want.” He shrugged. “We’ll do it in stages, I guess.”

Ross understood that problem. “Do you mind if I sit?”

Ethan’s eyebrows raised. “Not at all.” He tilted back in his chair. “Something wrong?”

Ross flicked his head, looking for words.

“Job or personal life?”

“Personal?”

The word caused Ethan to lean forward, placing his folded hands on his desk. “I hope you and Kelsey haven’t—”

“Nothing quite like that. We get along great.” He pressed his dry lips together. “It’s…”

“Have you seen her?”

“Yes.” The memory sank to the pit of his stomach.

“I mean on a date?”

“Sort of. We went out for Peyton’s birthday. Lucy and Kelsey. Dinner and we went to the Cranbrook Institute of Science. They have all kinds of hands-on things for kids, plus a laser show.”

Ethan studied his face. “It didn’t go well? I mean with the girls?”

“Not as well as I’d hoped. Peyton wasn’t receptive. Things were tense.” Things were horrible.

“Peyton’s relationships have been limited, Ross. You can’t expect wonders. At least not that fast.”

“I know. I hoped. But I’m thinking and…” Ethan’s serious expression motivated him to spit out his concern. “I really like Kelsey. A lot. But my life belongs to Peyton, and I—”

“Ethan, your life doesn’t belong to Peyton. It’s yours. You give her your full attention because you love her. But you’re good at multitasking. You have to be as a contractor. Find ways to split your time, and you’ll be better for it.”

“Better for it? What do you mean?”

“It’s like anything in life. If you keep your eyes aimed at one thing, you miss other important things. When you let your time and interest take in more, you’re a more complete person. You can’t cut off the joy of life and dwell on Peyton’s illness. You’ll be a sad, depressed person and that’s not good for you or her.”

The words cut him. “Is that what I am? Sad and depressed?”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m talking feelings.” He rose from the chair and rounded his desk. “We don’t talk about feelings much, but they drive us. Emotions cause us to react in certain ways and believe certain things. When they’re one-sided, we’re not getting the full picture. I lived my wife’s death over and over, and never opened myself to anything beyond that until Lexie came into my life.”