A Family of Their Own(31)

Inside the parking structure, Ross located his van and opened the door for Peyton. When he headed for his door, he thought about Kelsey again. He’d opened the passenger door on their first real date and walked with her to the porch. I always walk my dates to the door, he’d told her. He’d been raised a gentleman. One day Peyton would have a young man walk her to the door. The image burned in his mind. He wanted to see her healthy and married. He wanted her to be a mother. He would be a grandfather. This time he prayed the Lord would listen.

Shame scuffled through him as he slid into the driver’s seat. He knew better. The Lord didn’t always say yes to prayer. He’d learned that from childhood, but a no, when talking life and death, seemed unloving. God is love. He’d read that in the Bible. So what was loving about taking his wife and maybe his daughter? How could a loving God do that?

“Dad?”

He stared at the windshield and then Peyton. “What?”

“Why are we just sitting here?”

Why? Good question. Ross slipped the key into the ignition and turned it, then backed up and headed for the exit. Before he reached it, his cell phone rang. He raised his hip and pulled it from his pocket. His pulse lurched. Kelsey.

“What’s up?” He hoped he sounded casual.

“You didn’t come to the MOSK meeting today.”

“I’m just leaving the hospital. Peyton had—”

“Peyton? Is something wrong?” Panic filled her voice.

“Just tests her doctor ordered. Typical bloodwork and a heart echo. No results yet. I have to make an appointment with Dr. Timmons once they let me know the reports are in.”

“You scared me.” A stream of air filtered through the line. “I thought you’d come to the meeting today, so I wondered.”

“Next week…unless something else happens.”

“I hope not. The ladies are anticipating your visit. They’re curious, I suppose.”

“I suppose.” He pictured a group of women gaping at him throughout the meeting. How could he relax and open up with that kind of pressure? Though he’d thought being part of the group might be helpful, now he began to question his enthusiasm.

“Ross?”

He yanked his head upward, her concern in her voice. “I’m here.”

“You were quiet.” Now she was. “I noticed Hanson is doing a concert at Joe Louis Arena.”

“Hanson?” The name sounded vaguely familiar but that was it. “What kind of music does he sing?”

“They’re a group. Three brothers, Zac and…” The other names escaped her. “Lucy loves them, and I thought it might be nice to take the girls to see them. It’s next week, and I could pick up some tickets if you think Peyton would enjoy it.”

No wonder the name only rang a small bell. “Let me ask her.” He gave Peyton a look. “Would you like to go to a concert?”

“Concert?” Her eyes widened. “To see who?”

“Hanson.”

A grin stole over her face. “Hanson. I love them, and I’ve never been to a concert.”

“Would you like to? Kelsey wants to pick up four tickets.”

Her mouth formed the word four. “We’d go with Kelsey and Lucy?”

“It might be fun.” He held his breath.

She nodded. “Okay.”

Air slipped from his lungs. “Great. She’d love to go. If you pick them up, I’ll pay.”

“It’ll be my treat.”

Nothing would convince her otherwise. He gave up and slipped the phone back in his pocket. “A concert will be fun, don’t you think?”

Though she said yes, he heard resignation in her voice. The cords in his neck tightened and he stretched them, wishing she sounded more excited. If Kelsey hadn’t come up with the idea, he would never have thought of it. He wanted to explain that to Peyton, but then he feared he would come across as a thoughtless dad. He didn’t have an ounce of female awareness. He needed to concentrate on what women enjoyed. He wanted to please Peyton, but just as much, he wanted to let Kelsey know how much he cared.



Lucy and Peyton twisted in their seats to watch the Detroit scenery flash past as the People Mover stopped at stations along the path until they reached Joe Louis Arena. Ross suggested they eat in Greektown and then use the rails as a mode of travel to the concert. It made sense and shortened their walk to the arena, which is what Peyton needed.