A Family of Their Own(46)

“Ross.” She chuckled. “Why are you avoiding my question?”

He gave up trying to surprise her later and offered a quick explanation of what Dr. Timmons had said.

“That’s wonderful. Something new to pray about.” Excitement brightened her voice.

“I keep reminding myself that the decision hasn’t been made yet, but I feel it in my heart that it will be good news.” He closed his eyes a moment, drawing in the reality. Peyton might be able to live a normal life. He fought back tears of joy. “So what about celebrating?”

“I’m at the checkout now.”

He heard the rustle of noise.

“Come to the house and we’ll figure out something.”

Ross pictured her rushing through her shopping and putting groceries away. “Let’s do this. You’ve never been to my house and it’s time you came over. Don’t rush. Come when you’re ready. I don’t live that far from you.”

She chuckled. “You heard my harried voice, didn’t you?” Another rustling sound. “Thanks.”

He gave her his address and when the call ended, he smiled and looked at Peyton. “They’ll come to our house and then decide.”

She gave a nod.

He turned on the ignition and pulled away from the hospital. Why hadn’t he ever invited Kelsey to his home? The only answer he could think of was he’d taken small steps in their relationship. He feared losing the friendship if she suspected he would like more than that. Dumb, now that he thought about it.

“Daddy?”

His pulse skipped hearing Peyton’s voice. His mind had been miles away. “What?”

“Will I get better if I can have the new medication?” Her voice filled with great hope.

He reached over and rested his hand on her arm. “Peyton, we can hope and pray. When the doctor told us about it, I was so excited, and yet I’m scared, too. But I feel right in here…” He shifted his hand to his heart. “That they’ll approve it for you.”

She rested her hand over his. “I love you, Daddy.”

His bursting heart compressed as he fought the tears brimming in his eyes. “I love you, too, Peyton. More than you’ll ever know.” He gave her arm a pat. “Now, let’s think of what we can do tonight.”

She grinned. “Pizza.”

“Okay, pizza it is.”



Kelsey pulled into the driveway and gazed at Ross’s lovely house. She had never pictured where he lived, which surprised her, and what she saw surprised her even more. A long porch graced the front of his home, leaving a recessed wing on each side displaying a window box. She could picture them filled with summer flowers. The porch was adorned with four double columns, reminding her of a plantation house. Two classic arched windows with French panes sat low on each side of the front door, featuring the same glass arch as the frame. She could imagine the wonderful sunlight filtering into the rooms.

She pushed opened the car door, and Lucy flung hers wide. “This is pretty.”

She pointed to the three dormers with the same arched French-pane windows. Charming is the word that struck her. They headed up the brick walk with matching steps leading to the porch.

“I wonder which room is Peyton’s.” She stood back and eyed the dormers.

Kelsey shrugged. “We’ll find out tonight.”

Lucy tittered as she rang the doorbell.

Ross appeared with a smile that wove through Kelsey’s chest. “Welcome.”

She stepped inside the foyer. “This is a lovely place, and look here.” She stopped in the dining-room doorway.

“As you can guess, we mainly eat in the kitchen.” He motioned behind him. “Tonight we’ll use the dining room.”

She spun around. “Don’t tell me you cooked.” She sniffed the air and found no hint of food cooking.

“How does pizza sound?”

Lucy clapped her hands. “Pizza!”

He gave her a quick squeeze. “It should be here soon.”

He’d never hugged Lucy before and Kelsey smiled, realizing how good it seemed.

“Have a seat.” He motioned through the archway. “Peyton’s in her room. I’ll call her.” He hurried past her into the room and vanished down another hallway.

She followed him into the great room, very large with a staircase leading up to the second floor, a fireplace, wet bar and another wide porch she saw through the window. The layout was much like her house but larger. Lucy hurried across the room and pressed her nose against the window, but her greatest interest seemed to be in the direction Ross had gone.