A Family of Their Own(73)

“But we aren’t old enough to have babies yet.” Lucy’s voice sent his thoughts scattering. “Peyton will have them before me.”

He stared at her, dazed and confused. He sought Kelsey for help.

She looked as startled as he felt.

Peyton slammed her fists into her sides. “Lucy, you weren’t supposed to say that.”

He eyed Peyton. “She wasn’t supposed to say what?”

Kelsey held up her hand. “Girls, why don’t you two go into the kitchen and get the cake ready so we can eat. And snap the button on the coffeemaker. It’s ready to go.” She shooed them away.

Peyton hadn’t moved until Lucy gave her one of her looks. “Let’s go.”

They bustled into the kitchen, and Kelsey sank beside him. “I’m sorry, Ross. I didn’t have time to tell you.”

His face burned with indignation. “You gave Peyton a talk on womanhood and didn’t tell me. Didn’t ask me?”

She drew back as if he’d slapped her. “Listen to me, Ross.” She glanced toward the kitchen doorway and lowered her voice. “How many times have you told me you wished Ruthie were alive to talk with Peyton? I didn’t choose to do this. Lucy asked me a question about Peyton’s maturing figure, and one question led to another. Did you want me to lie or be evasive?”

“No, but—” But what? She was right. He’d dreaded the day he had to explain Peyton’s maturing body and all the things that were beginning to happen to her. “I—I.” He closed his eyes and focused. “I’m just startled. I suppose I wanted time to prepare. What if she asks me questions? I won’t know what you told her or how to answer her.”

Kelsey rose and stood over him. “Tell her the truth. I’m sorry, Ross. It happened. She wanted to know things, and I didn’t want to ignore her or even scare her by not explaining. The girls both accepted it and seemed relieved to understand what they were hearing in school.”

“In school.” He hadn’t thought about that. Some parents were quicker to talk to their kids, and some kids probably learned from street talk. Which would he prefer? “Forgive me.” Embarrassed by his reaction, Ross looked into her eyes, hoping she saw his regret. She’d done him a huge favor. “I’m surprised at my response. I wasn’t prepared for Peyton to open up to you.” Envy. Mortified, he shook his head.

“Please don’t apologize.” She settled beside him again and touched his arm. “I think I understand. You’re her dad, and you missed out on sharing something precious with her. I should have thought about it first, but I was in a spot.”

“You did the right thing. I’m being silly.”

She leaned closer to his ear. “She won’t ask, but you can talk to her about boys.”

His pulse skipped. “What about boys?”

“I think one of the boys at school has a crush on her. Just before school let out, the boy told her she was pretty and he’d miss her during the summer.”

His back straightened. “Peyton? My Peyton? A boy?”

He looked at her and knew she was trying not to laugh. He didn’t think it was funny.

“It wasn’t a proposal, Ross. He gave her a compliment.”

“But she’s only twelve.”

Kelsey burst into laughter, and he fell back, hearing his ridiculous comment. “She’s twelve, becoming a young woman, and one day…”

“One day, when she’s maybe sixteen…?”

He shrugged. “We’ll see.” He released the air strangling in his lungs. “I suppose I can explain about boys if she wants to know.”

“Good. Then my job is done.”

His chest constricted as her eyes locked with his, and he drew her closer. “No, it’s not. You’re just beginning.” He pressed his lips to hers, wrapped in her warmth.

“Dad!”

He jerked back and turned to find Peyton and Lucy staring at him, their eyes like full moons. He withdrew his arms from Kelsey, gave her a desperate look, and approached Peyton. “When you are eighteen, you’ll have a boyfriend, and he might kiss you good-night. That’s what adults do.”

She jammed her fists onto her hips again. “Dad, I know that. I was just surprised. I’m not stupid.” A frown grew on her face. “And what do you mean when I’m eighteen?”

“Right.” Lucy strolled toward them. “Most girls get to go out with boys when they’re sixteen.”