A Family of Their Own(74)

Kelsey tittered behind him, and he could barely contain his laughter.



Ross looked at his watch, his other hand holding Kelsey’s. “How long does the surgery take?”

She gazed at the clock. “He said three to five hours, and he warned us it could be longer. It’s been about three and a half now.”

“Then I can stop worrying.” He glanced at Peyton, her novel lying on the table and her eyes closed. He watched to see if she were sleeping. “Are you okay?”

She nodded.

Kelsey leaned over and patted her leg. “It’s a long day, Peyton. Do you want your dad to take you to the cafeteria?”

She shook her head. “I want to wait in case someone comes.”

Kelsey gave him a half grin and returned to her magazine.

He hadn’t been able to focus on anything. This kind of procedure was new to him. One wrong move and the brain could be damaged. His throat constricted as he imagined Lucy different than she was now. Her buoyant personality had gotten under his skin, and she might as well be his daughter for the fear he felt.

Before her surgery, Lucy looked so small and helpless, but her bravery astounded him. “I’ll be fine. Wait and see.” The words rang in his head. If only he had that kind of confidence. He flipped the newspaper over in his lap. Crossword puzzles never interested him, but he’d tried to concentrate on a few words. His mind blanked at every definition. He tossed the paper onto the table beside Peyton and twiddled his thumbs. When that didn’t work, he rose and stepped into the hallway. Pacing seemed like the answer.

As he trudged up and down the corridor, Ross forced his mind onto other things, and when he looked and spotted a surgeon heading for the waiting room, mask dangling around his neck, Ross slipped back inside. He caught Kelsey’s eye. “I think he’s coming.” Before he could sit, the surgeon called for Kelsey. Peyton jumped from her seat. He slipped his hand into Kelsey’s, and the three of them stepped into the hallway.

“Everything went well, and I know you’ll be glad to hear the problem was scar tissue.”

“Scar tissue.” Kelsey’s hand rose to her chest. “Thank You, Lord.”

The surgeon smiled. “It’s a relief, I know. I’ll want to keep an eye on it, since it had grown a little, but there were no signs of any other problems. She’s in ICU just as a precautionary measure, but when she awakens, a nurse will come to get you.”

Kelsey extended her hand. “Thank you, doctor. I’m so relieved.”

He nodded, aware of her worry, and then smiled at Peyton and Ross. “You can take a break now. Visit the cafeteria. You won’t be called for at least an hour.”

Ross shook the surgeon’s hand. “Thanks so much.”

He slid his arm around Kelsey’s back, and they watched the surgeon retreat, but a sob caught his attention, and he turned to Peyton. Tears rolled down her cheeks. He slipped his arm from Kelsey and drew Peyton into his arms. “Go ahead and cry. I know they’re happy tears.”

Though she didn’t speak, she nodded. Her body quivered with emotion, and his heart filled with gratefulness for her change of heart. He recalled Lucy and Peyton’s first meetings and how unsuccessful they were. Now they’d become like sisters. He sent a silent prayer of thankfulness.

Kelsey moved beside them and kissed Peyton’s hair. “She’ll be as good as new very soon, and we’ll see her in a while once she wakes up.”

Ross shifted back, still keeping one arm around his daughter. “How about some food? Anyone hungry?”

He chuckled when he heard even Peyton give a rousing yes.

Inside the cafeteria, they moved from station to station, salad here, sandwiches there, burgers and fries across the way, and when they’d filled their trays and paid, he located a table near the window where they could see the sun shining. Beds of colorful flowers added to their happy feelings.

His gaze drifted to Peyton. Her new medication had changed her life. The arrhythmia she’d dealt with for so long had subsided. Since the day she pulled her own luggage into Kelsey’s, he gave her no more arguments. If she wanted to do things herself, he allowed it. She needed to learn to live with her damaged heart, and he’d probably coddled her too much, now that he thought about it. Maybe Kelsey wasn’t so wrong after all.

Peyton gave him a questioning look. “Why are you looking at me?”

“Because I’m proud of you.”