A Family of Their Own(50)
Later. He watched her hurry off to her car as an empty feeling swept over him.
His muddied mind went back to the celebration at his house five days ago. He’d sensed a distance between him and Kelsey at the end of the evening, and today he still noticed something different about her. Only a feeling, but the romance that had grown now seemed to take a back seat, and it worried him. He’d asked the question before. Could two people with seriously ill children find happiness together? He’d taken it on faith that with God all things were possible and he’d sensed that their meeting was God-directed. But maybe he’d been wrong.
Kelsey stood in the kitchen, wrapped in the scent of baked ham and cheesy potatoes. Though she’d struggled with accepting Ross’s invitation, she found herself saying yes and invited them to dinner. Ross’s voice let her know she’d brightened his day. The past couple weeks, she had too much on her mind. Yes, her sister’s visit always set her on edge. She loved Audrey, but they didn’t always agree. Anticipating Lucy’s prognosis from the latest tests preoccupied her until they met with the specialist, but Lucy’s behavior upset her the most.
Peyton’s bedroom began the problem. At first she scolded Lucy about being envious and competitive, but then the bedroom issue took another turn. Ross loved his daughter and worried about her. Having her climb the stairs every day—many times a day—also made sense, but he had a smaller bedroom on the first floor that he used. Why did he give her the master bedroom? She suspected it was Peyton’s whining. Parents tried to make up for other issues by overcompensating in the wrong direction.
This kind of issue plagued her every time. Lucy’s illness was life-threatening. Multiple tumors could mean a life of fighting to survive and not winning the battle. Peyton’s illness had the same possibility, but catering to her wouldn’t sit well with Kelsey. Not one bit. She felt hopeless.
Without warning, the morning’s Easter worship service washed over her. Of all things, the pastor had talked about forgiveness and mercy and God’s ultimate sacrifice of giving His son up to death for sinners. Forgiveness. Forgiving. Being forgiven. She knew all this, but knowing it didn’t make it easy. He said that even though believers struggled and faltered, God answered their prayers, just like a parent who provides for his children’s needs. Ross did the same thing. To him, the bedroom provided what his child needed. But…
The pastor’s words rattled around in her head. As she’d listened, she grasped for that peace and understanding he talked about. God answered prayer, and she too often failed to ask. She clung to bitterness when compassion was the answer. Even now, she harbored concerns about Ross and allowed them to taint their relationship. She shook her head, amazed at how easily she stumbled.
Boiling water spattered from the pot, jolting her from her thoughts. She hurried to the stove, pulled it off and lowered the flame. She lifted the lid to check the vegetables. Nearly done. Kelsey turned off the burner and slipped the dinner rolls into the oven.
Ross’s voice filtered through the doorway. It sounded as if he’d been carrying the brunt of the threesome’s conversation. Though Peyton and Lucy had spoken, Kelsey sensed that her lecture had failed, and she was disappointed seeing Lucy allow envy—or was it pride?—to steal her usual good spirit. She would deal with it later.
She slipped into the dining room with the salad and dressing. The aromas titillated her stomach. No doubt everyone was ready to eat. Remembering her homemade chunky applesauce, she headed back into the kitchen. As she came through the doorway, Ross was standing near the stove.
“There you are.” He rubbed his belly. “Are we almost ready?”
She couldn’t help but grin. “The smell is taunting, isn’t it?”
He gazed toward the ham. “Would you like me to carve?”
One job she wouldn’t have to do. “You don’t have to ask twice.” She pointed to the electric knife she’d already plugged in and the cutting board against the wall. “Here you go.” She slapped two pot holders into his hands, then opened the oven door and stepped back. “Start carving.”
Ross lifted the roaster from the heat, the sweet, spicy fragrance hovering in the air. “Wonderful. What am I smelling?”
“Cloves and ginger ale. My secret ingredients.”
He chuckled, and while he sliced the ham, she carried the potato-cheese casserole and a bowl of mixed vegetables to the table.
“What do you think?” Ross stepped back when she returned and pointed to the pile of ham. “Enough?”