A Family of Their Own(61)
He gave her a squeeze. “Don’t assume that. Nurses and especially receptionists can’t give out information without the physician’s permission. Let’s pray that everything is fine.”
“I have been.” She motioned him inside, and he followed her to the kitchen. “Coffee?”
“No, I have an appointment in…” He gazed at his watch. “In forty minutes so I can’t stay. I was close by so I thought I’d stop.”
“I’m glad you did.”
He bent and kissed her. The sensation rushed to her chest. Since their talk on Friday, she’d been overwhelmed by her emotions. They tilted one way, then the other—from pure joy to pure worry that she would fail. He’d offered her a journey, a trip to assure them both they could do this, and she wanted to with all her heart. Still, the old fear uncoiled from under a rock and sent her running for cover. No more. She’d run enough. They’d both said it. Trust. Patience.
She stood on tiptoes and kissed him back.
His smile warmed her. “Have a seat.” She motioned toward the chair where they’d had their last talk. “How are things with you?”
His smile waned as he pulled out a chair and sat. “I have news.”
Her body straightened. “Good or bad?”
He shook his head. “The insurance wasn’t approved.”
“It wasn’t? Oh, Ross, what will you do?”
“Dr. Timmons said he’d resubmit and give them more information. He reminded me that they often reject the first time but approve the next. I’ll have to wait and see.”
“I assume he knows what he’s talking about.”
A faint smile returned. “We’ll see.”
She chuckled. “Silly.”
Ross gazed around and then lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. “How’s it feel to have a quiet house again?”
“Good. I love my sister, but…you know how it is…sometimes I could wring her neck.”
He nodded. “That’s why I stayed away as much as I could. It seemed safer.”
She understood his feelings. Moments had arisen when she wished she could have stayed away, too, but sisters try to deal with it. “She did apologize.”
He drew back. “Really?” His eyebrows arched. “Tell me.”
Her apology was feeble but she’d given it, and Kelsey was at least content that Audrey realized she’d overstepped her bounds. “Audrey admitted that you were a nice man, but she worried about our situations. She admitted that she had been a bit hasty to make a judgment.”
Ross drew a slash mark in the air with his finger. “One point for Audrey. At least she made an attempt to undo the damage.”
“They left yesterday, and things were amiable. That’s important. Jeff didn’t say much except once when we were alone. He said you seemed like a nice guy.”
He shrugged. “If he only knew.”
She gave him a swat. “You’re wonderful.”
He gave her a wink. “Anyway, I had a talk with Peyton.”
“You did?”
“First, I asked her about Lucy and her skating. She said Lucy said she wanted to skate with her since she was new at it.” He grinned. “I could tell it made Peyton happy.”
Her mouth dry, Kelsey lifted the water glass and took a drink. “They’re getting there.”
“But she wasn’t so happy when I talked about how well she’s doing now, and I mentioned that it was time to trade bedrooms.”
Being zapped by electricity couldn’t have surprised Kelsey more. “You told her that? How did she take it?”
“A bit of drama, but I reminded her that being healthy was far more precious than a bedroom a few feet larger than hers.” He wove his fingers through her hand. “I’ve missed my room and to be honest, I’ve been resentful at times. Not fair to her. It was my choice, but I know it was a mistake. The guest room I’m using is fine for her.”
She lifted their joined hands and kissed his. “I know that was difficult.”
“It’s for the best. I feel it in here.” He pressed his free hand to his chest. “Things will work out with the new medication. I’m confident.”
Confident. Kelsey longed to feel that kind of self-assurance.
Ross eyed his watch. “I suppose I should be going.” He stood and wrapped his arm around her, then lowered his lips to hers.