A Family of Their Own(78)

“I should never have listened to people’s fears about us.” She gazed into his beguiling eyes. “And my own irrational fears.”

“Huh?” He gave her a questioning look. “Where did that come from today?”

“I was thinking how well the girls are doing now. And they’re friends. Better friends than we had ever hoped.” He smiled, and her heart soared.

Ross squeezed her hand. “I’m going to drop you off at the house and then run a quick errand.”

“Errand? I’m going to make lunch. Aren’t you going to eat?”

“I’ll be back in a few minutes. I know you’re anxious to get home.”

She eyed him, her curiosity piqued. “Don’t do that. I can spare a—”

He swung down her street. “No, it’s fine. I’ll drop you off.”

She slipped from the minivan, wishing she had the knack he did for mind reading. Something was fishy. She waited as he drove down the street, stymied as to what his secret mission was all about.

The house sounded empty. “Lucy?”

Nothing.

She dropped her purse on the sofa and strode into the kitchen. No mess. That was odd. She snapped her fingers, walked to the breakfast nook and pushed back the curtains. She relaxed. The girls were sitting on the new glider Ross had bought for the backyard after Lucy complained that she had nowhere to sit and read. Kelsey wondered what was wrong with a lawn chair, but Ross coddled her. Coddled. She shook her head and chuckled.

Lunch consisted of tuna and egg salad, bread, lettuce and homemade cookies for dessert. She didn’t plan to fuss. As she pulled the items from the refrigerator and grabbed plates from the cabinet, she heard Ross come through the door. He slipped to her side, drawing her into his arms.

Before she could speak, his lips met hers, and she indulged in his amazing kiss. His arms held her close, his mouth moved on hers as soft as a summer breeze.

He eased back and grinned. “How would you like to be greeted like that every day?”

“By you?”

He ruffled her hair. “Who else?”

She chuckled. “I’d love it.”

“Good.”

She paused, trying to dig into his thoughts, but failed. “Call the girls.” He stepped toward the bedrooms. “They’re in the back, languishing on the glider.”

He grinned and did what she asked.

The clomping footsteps told her the girls had come inside.

“Mom, this is the best book.” Lucy waved her novel in the air. “It’s about this girl who wins a contest and gets to have her dream-come-true vacation.”

“I’ll go for that.” Peyton waved her hand in the air. “When do we leave?”

“Not for a while yet,” Ross said.

All eyes turned to him. Kelsey’s heart felt ready to burst. “What does that mean?”

“Sit.” He waved to the island where she’d set out the food. “I want to show you something.” He walked into the living room.

The girls each jumped up on a stool, and Kelsey passed around the plates. As the girls began to build their sandwiches, Ross came in carrying a white box and set it on the breakfast table.

Kelsey craned her neck. “What’s that?”

“That’s second. This is first.” He dug into his pocket and pulled out a smaller box.

Her heart skipped, and she pressed her hand to her chest. “Don’t tell me…”

“I won’t have to if you open it.” He handed it to her.

The girls lost interest in their sandwiches. They both slid off the stools and drew closer, their eyes shifting from Ross to the box.

“Open it, Mom.”

Kelsey’s fingers shook as she lifted the lid, knowing what she would see. She held her breath and gazed inside at the small, velvet, blue ring box.

“What is it?” Peyton shifted to look over her shoulder. “I think it’s jewelry.”

Lucy clapped her hands. “It’s a ring, isn’t it?”

Kelsey grinned at Ross, his face beaming.

He arched his brows. “She’d know if she’d open the lid.”

She did and gazed at the magnificent diamond, the gold band adorned with diamond baguettes. “Ross, it’s beautiful.”

The girls’ eyes were as large as the saucers beneath their sandwiches. “It’s an engagement ring.” Their voices blended as one.