A Family of Their Own(69)

“I’m glad you came.” Ross’s whisper brushed her cheek. “You belong here with me to share the worry and disappointment.” He eased back and longing filled his eyes. “Let’s sit and you can tell me what happened.”

She shifted to the sofa, his arm still supporting her, and she sank into the cushion. The specialist’s report tumbled from her as she wrestled with her sagging emotions, but Ross’s firm touch, the compassion lighting his face, gave her courage.

“The surgery is bad news, but you still have a lot to pray about. Scar tissue is better than another tumor. At this point, they aren’t sure. So let’s think positive.”

“I’m trying.” His words inched a grin to her lips. “You should have heard Lucy.”

“Did she cry?” He looked confused.

“No, she told the doctor it was nothing, because she’d prayed.”

A whoosh of air escaped his lips. “What a girl. And you know what? She’s right. Children have enough faith to let the Lord move mountains. She knows her body, and she understands her physical symptoms. Lucy could be right.”

The explanation sizzled through Kelsey. She hadn’t thought of that, and the idea renewed her hope. “That’s true. So I need to—”

Peyton’s door flew open, and the girls charged into the room. “Dad, Lucy’s head has to be opened up.”

Kelsey rose, seeing how distraught she was. She hurried to her and pulled Peyton into her arms. “It sounds terrible, Peyton, but Lucy’s been through this before, and she’ll be fine again.”

Peyton’s eyes searched hers, then turned to her dad. “But they shave her head and put a big hole in her skull.”

Kelsey couldn’t talk around that. It was too true. She wished Lucy hadn’t been so graphic. “Her hair grows back, and the hole will be repaired.” It sounded so mechanical. So simplified. She was at a loss for the right words.

Lucy edged closer and wriggled her way into the embrace. “I’ll be fine, Peyton. I promise.”

Peyton drew back and wrapped her arms around Lucy. “I’ll pray for you every day.”

Kelsey shifted toward Ross, witnessing the amazing bonding she and Ross had hoped for. But today it faded in light of the thoughts that had just rushed through her mind. This would be their lives—if not one daughter, then the other. No relationship could survive the constant stress.

Ross’s mouth stood agape as he observed the girls. He pulled his gaze away and looked at her. “Another prayer answered.” He slipped to her side and slid his arm around her back.

Kelsey stood in his embrace, cherishing the moment. With God all things were possible, and she would try to cling to that truth, even though everything felt hopeless.



Kelsey watched through the window and saw Ross standing at the door while Peyton rolled her overnight case up the walk. That was a first. Usually Ross didn’t let Peyton carry a thing. Kelsey stepped from the dining room into the foyer and pulled open the door as Peyton’s case bounced up the low steps to the porch. Ross stood back as she rolled it inside.

“Peyton.” She gave her a one-armed hug. “You can take your luggage into Lucy’s bedroom.”

Peyton turned down the hallway.

When she vanished, Kelsey faced Ross. “If she and Lucy want to share the room, that’s fine, or Lucy is willing to sleep upstairs if Peyton wants a room of her own.”

“She’s never spent the night with any girlfriend. I think she’ll want to have a real pajama party.” He studied her face, but she was unable to control her grin. “If that’s what they still call it.”

“I do, but the girls call it an overnighter.” She chuckled at his lack of knowledge.

He grinned back. “Thanks so much for this. You’re sure you won’t mind? I’m not inconveniencing you?”

“I’m glad to have her here. It’s a good distraction for Lucy. She’s off all her medication that could be a problem during surgery, and now it’s just wait. You know what that means.”

From his expression, he understood. “And she’ll still have labwork.”

She nodded. “Probably a day or two before the surgery.”

“Which is coming up too fast.”

His comment jarred her, yet it was true. “But it will be wonderful to get it over with.”

He gave her a thumbs-up. “And to hear the good news.”