A Family of Their Own(26)

“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 hallway 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 remember 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.