A Family of Their Own(54)

Kelsey closed her eyes and pondered what Lexie said. “I am, but within it all, there is some truth.”

“Truth is sometimes in the eyes of the beholder.”

“I thought that was beauty.” She tried to grin, but it didn’t happen.

“It’s the same thing, isn’t it? Truth. Beauty. It’s our perspective. Ross did what he felt he needed to do for his daughter. It was a kind thing. We criticize people for being cruel and unloving to their children. Ross treats his daughter the way Jesus said. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

The sting of Lexie’s comment hit home. “You’re right.”

“And it’s something he can undo.”

“In time.”

Kelsey heart skipped. “What’s his good news?” She listened as Lexie told her about the new medication that could make a huge difference in Peyton’s life. As the words sank in, her spirit lifted with hope for Ross’s daughter. The girl needed something good in her life. Losing a mother and being stricken with the same disease that took her assailed Kelsey with full force. A child bearing the weight of so much difficulty. But now she had hope. She could win the battle. “I’m glad you told me. Even if he’s upset with me, I want him to know how happy I am.”

“That’s the right thing to do.”

It was. She reached up and snapped off the meeting-room light. “I’ll call him when I get home. My sister’s due any minute, and I hate to keep her waiting.”

“No, you don’t want to do that.” She chuckled.

Lexie had heard Kelsey’s complaints about her sister a few times, and that’s another thing Kelsey sometimes felt sad about. She should try to lighten up.

She waved to Lexie as she slipped into her car, reviewing what she should say to Ross and wondering when she could talk to him if her sister was already there.

Relief washed through her when she pulled down her street and saw her driveway empty. Hopefully, she would have a few minutes before Audrey arrived. She glanced at her watch, pleased that it wasn’t as late as she thought. The conversation with Lexie must have been shorter than it seemed.

She headed inside and dropped her purse and notebook on the kitchen counter, grabbed a glass of water and headed for the phone, but it rang before she could dial. Her pulse skipped, envisioning that the caller was Ross. Instead, she recognized the doctor’s office and answered.

“Mrs. Rhodes, Lucy’s tests are set for Monday, May 30. The fMRI will be first and then the PET scan is scheduled. You should be at the hospital by nine. I hope this works for you.”

“That’s fine. We’ll be there.” She hung up the phone, struck by the reality of the call. Lucy facing more serious tests. She’d never wanted to go through this again. Tears sprang into her eyes, tears she’d kept buried. But not today.

She crossed the room and reached for a napkin to wipe away the moisture. When her vision cleared, she looked at the clock. She barely had time to call. Audrey could arrive any second, but she didn’t want to wait any longer. As she approached the telephone, it rang again, and eyeing the number, her heart constricted. Ross. He’d called despite her unpleasant comments. Her fingers shook as she gripped the headset. “Ross.”

“Kelsey, no matter how angry you are at me, you should have called me.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I…” She choked back a sob. “I’m sorry and…” No words expressed the dismal feelings smothering her. “I’d planned to call you when I got in. My sister’s due any minute, but I heard about Peyton’s medicine. I’m so happy. I thank God.”

“I’m glad.” His voice had softened, and within it, she heard hesitation. “Tell me about Lucy.”

Her throat compressed as she told him. He’d been her source of security, her support, these past few months, and she missed that. She missed him.

“This tears me up. How could this happen? She’s been doing so well. A year. More than a year.”

“I know, and it’s the uncertainty that puts me on edge.” She sank into a chair. “Remember when you told me about the medicine? You were afraid that the doctor wouldn’t feel it was right for Peyton, and you feared it might be, because you still faced the indefinite results.” She closed her eyes. “I guess that’s how I feel. I pray it’s nothing. A misreading. A fluke in the image.” She dragged in a breath. “Not another tumor. I don’t think I could bear it.”