A Family of Their Own(29)

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.

“Where are your parents?”

“My dad retired early and they moved to Tennessee on the Georgia border. They wanted to escape winter.”

“Do you see them much?”

She sensed that he wanted to hear that they shared the same situation. “They come up a couple times a year. I used to go there, but when Lucy got sick, I was afraid to go too far away from home.” She’d spent the last years being anxious about a lot of things. “If she had an episode when I was down there, I’d be stuck. It made sense to stay close to home.”

He looked thoughtful. His mouth twitched as if he wanted to ask a question but he didn’t. She wondered why. The silence felt uneasy after their earlier banter. She checked her watch, surprised that they’d been there for nearly three hours.

He must have noticed and looked at his watch. “It’s almost ten. I’m surprised. The time flew.”

“It did.” She lifted the cup and emptied it. “I suppose I should get home.”

“Why? You have permission to be out until midnight.”

She laughed, recalling Lucy’s curfew. “But my fairy godmother said my carriage would turn into a pumpkin if I didn’t leave before midnight.”

He gave her a nod. “And I’m guessing Peyton is pacing, waiting for me to get home.”

Lucy would be asleep by now, Kelsey guessed.

Ross motioned to the waitress and after he’d settled the bill, they rose and stepped out into the chilly air. Kelsey tilted her head upward. Only a faint glow from the moon’s edge tinged the sky, but the stars seemed to glow more brightly.

Ross slipped his arm around her back and guided her to his minivan. When she settled inside, he closed the door. The evening rolled through her mind, the dark moments first but then a lovely ending. Though apprehension hadn’t left her, hope grew and wishes multiplied. She could learn to enjoy a man’s company again. A taste of it tonight assured her of that.

Ross slipped into the driver’s seat and started the engine, but before he shifted into gear, he slipped his hand over hers. “I hope you enjoyed yourself tonight. I know I did.”

“It’s been really nice. I had a wonderful time.”

“Could we do this again? Just the two of us?”

“I think that could be arranged.” She warmed with his offer. Yes, she wanted to give this friendship, relationship, whatever it was, a try.

Talk of the girls returned as they drove home. Peyton’s attitude and Lucy’s exuberance were problems that could be resolved, she hoped. It wasn’t fair to Lucy, but she was a good girl and would understand. Peyton seemed old enough to know her limitations.

She gazed at Ross’s profile. Classic features fit him, a strong jawline, the hint of a dimple in his cheek, a wellshaped nose and eyes that said more than he did. Dancing, she’d felt the strength of his arms for the first time. His muscles flexed as he maneuvered her across the floor, and his broad back offered her security. He had strength yet a tenderness that embraced her heart.

Pulling herself from her thoughts, Kelsey observed Ross’s silence, too. He had been thoughtful as well, and she hoped his thoughts were as inviting as hers. He slowed the minivan and turned onto her street. An unexpected sense of solitude washed over her. She enjoyed his company. “You did nicely, sir.” She pointed to her watch. “I’m home before midnight.” But spending more time together would have been lovely, too.

“I don’t want to offend your timekeeper.” He chuckled and opened his door.