A Family of Their Own(60)

His face reflected the truth, and she couldn’t hide it. “Sort of.” She told him what she’d said. “I tried to block my ears.”

“But you can’t, Kelsey, not if people keep assuming that you and I can’t deal with our problems. I said part of what I wanted to at the roller rink. Two are better than one. The Lord said it, and how can we doubt Him? Yes, we’ll survive alone. We’re strong and we’ve been doing it, but it’s not what I want, and I’d like to think you would like more, too.”

Her hands began to tremble as the emotion of his words burrowed into her heart. “We’ve handled things together for the past months. I’ve come to need you.”

“I’ve come to care about you and Lucy more than I can say.”

She started to tell him she cared, too, but he held up his finger to stop her.

“I’ll admit I’ve made mistakes with Peyton. I overcompensated, and that probably set her back because she leaned on me and expected me to occupy her time. She doesn’t need friends when her dad’s doing everything to make her happy.” His face pinched with emotion. “And I can’t do that. She has to find her own happiness.”

“That’s ri—”

“Did you see what happened today? My chest nearly burst, and I was so proud of Lucy. Here she is facing more tests and who knows what after that, and she was skating around the rink at a snail’s pace for Peyton. They were side by side. Peyton was so unsteady. I don’t think she’d ever been on skates, and Lucy was her support. That’s what she needs from other people. Not just me.” He held up his hand as if to stop her from saying anything. “And I don’t want you to think that’s what makes you important to me. It’s far from that. Yes, I love your help. Peyton would benefit from an adult female in her life, but I wouldn’t ask you on a journey with me unless you meant more than support to me.”

Kelsey’s mind whirled with Ross’s admission. He’d said everything but that he loved her. Words filtered through her mind, words she longed to say but instead they jammed against her heart. She couldn’t make promises now. “Ross, I—”

“Before you say anything, here’s my thought. If our relationship can’t deal with the kinds of problems we have to face, ones that can easily be resolved and a few that will take time and prayer, then maybe we weren’t meant to be more than friends. But I want to try. More than try, I want to succeed, but if you want me out of your life, tell me now. I don’t want to go through this uncertain feeling every day until you decide. I’m up for it. Are you?”

Stunned, she stared at him. He’d never said so much at one time since she’d met him. Even at the MOSK meetings, he told them about the latest good and bad news, but he made his comments succinct. Her hands trembled as she reached up to touch his tense face, his look heartbreaking. She’d done that to him. “Ross, I want to take this journey with you. I know we’ll have difficult times, but you’re right. If we want to make this grow into something deeper and more committed, then we need to trust each other. We need to be open and, just as much, we need to be patient.”

“That’s all I wanted to hear.” His voice quaked with emotion.

Ross rose and took her hand. Kelsey stood, tense with anticipation. He drew her into his arms and held her close, his heart beating against hers, his breathing labored. His hand rose to her cheek, his fingers brushing her skin and floating across her lips. A shiver of anticipation ran through her until he tilted her chin, and his lips met hers. His gentle mouth plied her lips with sweet kisses, his arms drew her closer, and she knew at that moment that God had ordained their meeting. For once, assurance spread through her, a comfort she’d fought but now accepted.

He eased back, his tension vanished. His eyes sought hers. “This has to be right, Kelsey.”

“Completeness.” The single word was all she could utter.

“We’ll be patient and open from now on.”

She gazed at him while her heart lifted a prayer.



Kelsey opened the door, and Ross swept in, his arm sliding around her. “Any news?” The anxious look on his face matched his voice.

“The office called today. We have an appointment on Thursday for the test results.”

“That was fast.”

“I know, but they wouldn’t tell me a thing.” Her stomach knotted. “I’m afraid it’s bad news.”