A Family of Their Own(72)

“But who’ll tell me so I know it’s right?” Peyton’s eyes searched hers.

Kelsey grasped her wavering common sense. She pulled up a stool and grabbed a cookie. Anything to delay her response. Her mind worked overtime until she’d organized her thoughts. “Would you like me to explain some things to you, Peyton?”

She nodded, a grateful look spread across her face.

“Mom, what about me?”

“You’re old enough, too, Lucy.” She drew in a breath. “I’ll explain a few things and then if you have questions I’ll try to answer them.”

She sent up a quick prayer and began. The girls didn’t flinch nor did their eyes waver. They seemed to drink in what she explained, and when her mind had run dry, she paused. “Do you understand?”

They both nodded, but she read Peyton’s expression and knew a question was coming. “And that’s going to happen to me someday.”

“Soon, Peyton. You’re growing up fast so don’t be afraid when it happens. It’s natural.”

Lucy leaned forward. “And then she can have babies, right?”

Babies. Kelley’s lungs drained. “Yes, God had all this happen so when a woman gets married and has a husband to be the father of the baby, her body will have everything she needs.”

A faint frown settled on Lucy’s brow. “I can have babies, too, in another year maybe.”

“Lucy, the Bible tells us to be chaste until we have a husband who can be the father.”

“What’s chaste?”

Her shoulders slumped. Chaste. Another way to phrase it would have been better. She stared at Lucy, her mind tumbling. Get yourself out of this one, Kelsey.





Chapter Sixteen


Ross unwrapped the large box and pulled off the tissue. A photograph of Ruthie at his wedding adorned the cover. His heart surged, and he raised his eyes to Peyton. “You made this?”

She nodded. “Look inside.”

Somehow, Peyton had found photographs from the past. Memories coursed through his mind. Peyton as a baby, a toddler, Ruthie reading her a book, her first birthday. She’d decorated it with hearts and baby rattles stickers. He shook his head, amazed that she’d created something so special. “I’ll bet you had lots of help on this.”

“She didn’t.”

He gazed at Kelsey, a smile bursting from her face.

“No?” He’d guessed Kelsey had done most of it.

“I found the scrapbooking equipment, and she did it all. Lucy helped with the photos.”

“Thank you.” He flipped to another page where she had created a tie-shape design with a photograph of Peyton and him in a suit, standing by his old sedan. “Heading for the Easter service here.” He tapped the photo.

His heart swelled as he turned pages, watching his life flash past—the Christmas tree with gifts beneath and Peyton trying to snoop, a backyard barbecue, and Ruthie just home following a long stay in the hospital. A “Welcome Home” banner hung from an archway with Peyton’s crayoned message.

Another page decorated with flowers took his breath away. Photographs of Lucy and Kelsey scattered across the page, and on the opposite side, he studied the precious shot of Lucy and Peyton skating together at the roller rink, the day things changed. He grinned as he focused on the laughable snapshot of Kelsey and him on roller skates.

The last photograph framed in white and decorated with a cross and a large bridal bouquet decoration showed Kelsey and him standing together in front of the Lexie’s fireplace the day of her wedding to Ethan. It seemed long ago when he and Kelsey stood beside them to witness their wedding. He sensed that the Lord had been at work in his life that day.

They’d struggled a long time to make themselves accept God’s plan for them. So much seemed to be against the rationale that two people with seriously ill children could find love and contentment together. But they had.

“I love this, Peyton.” He rose and wrapped her in his arms as he kissed her forehead. “You did a beautiful job, and Lucy…” He looked over his shoulder so he could see her as she hung over the back of his chair. “Thank you for the photos of you and your mom.”

“And you, too, Kelsey, for providing the album and all the decorations.” He slipped his arm behind her waist and shook his head. “I’m surrounded by women. You two girls are so grown-up. It seems as if every day—”