A Family of Their Own(79)

Ross applauded. “You’re right.” He moved closer to Kelsey and removed the ring from the velvet. “You’re pretty high up on that stool, but here goes.” He knelt on the kitchen tile, his gaze locked with hers. “Kelsey Rhodes, would you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Ross Salburg?”

She slipped from the stool and knelt beside him. “Absolutely.”

Their lips met as the girls squealed and jumped around them. Peyton’s voice cut through Lucy’s cheers. “Now we’re really sisters.”

Lucy’s squeal subsided. “We are.”

They threw their arms around each other and spun around the room until Kelsey had to call their antics to a halt. “You’ll break your necks.”

“Anyway, I have something else for all of us.” Ross walked to the breakfast table and returned with the box.

The girls dropped their embrace, their gazes flitting from Kelsey to Ross.

Kelsey eyed the logo on the cover from a florist shop. While Ross lifted the lid, she and the girls waited. Her heart swelled with happiness.

Ross reached in and pulled out a Hawaiian lei and draped it over her neck. Then he slipped one over Lucy’s head and another over Peyton’s. They eyed the lovely circle of baby orchids and stared at him. “Dreams Come True has offered to give our daughters a special trip to—”

“Hawaii.” Peyton’s and Lucy’s voices split the air.

“Dad, really?” Peyton tugged on his arm.

Lucy stood looking at him, her mouth gaping. “But what about Mom?”

Ross gazed at Kelsey and closed the distance between them. He slipped his arms around her. “She has to be there. It’s her honeymoon.”

Her mind spun. A honeymoon in Hawaii—and with the girls. “You couldn’t have planned anything better.”

He held up his hand. “But I refused the offer.”

The room silenced.

“I thought the money could go to a child whose parents can’t afford a trip.”

“Really?” Peyton’s sad eyes gazed at him.

Kelsey leaned toward him, her mind snapping. “You really did this?”

He nodded.

“Did you talk with the donor? Do you know who he is?”

“No, I spoke with Ethan. He understands. And why would I know the donor?”

“You’re friends with Ethan. Maybe he knows and just won’t say.”

Ross shook his head. “No one does as far as I know.”

Kelsey acknowledged that he was telling the truth. The elusive donor. Would anyone ever know?

“Dad, then we’re not going?” Peyton’s plaintive voice tugged at Kelsey’s heart.

He chuckled. “Sure we are.” He bent and kissed Kelsey’s hair. “All we need to do is set the date.”

“Now.”

“Soon.”

Kelsey gazed into his eyes. “Very soon.”

The girls ran to them, the four of them surged into one giant embrace and Kelsey reveled in the gift. God, as always, guided their paths. She’d learned the hard way. And she knew that two were much, much better than one. Four, even better.

“I love you, Kelsey.” His whisper feathered her ear.

She brushed his lips with hers. “I love you, too, and I promise this from my heart.”





Dear Reader,

This series has been a challenge to bring you a story that you can enjoy with a happy ending and yet tell the story of parents dealing with seriously ill children. But this is life for many people who face each day with hope and fear. I decided to challenge both Kelsey and Ross with a romance that added another challenge—two children with debilitating diseases. I researched these serious illnesses and hope I have presented them accurately. If not, I apologize. Life often brings problems to each of us—illnesses, death and losses of all kinds in our distressed economy—but we have one constant assurance. We are never alone. The Lord is by our side with love and mercy, carrying our burdens when we ask and offering us life eternal. No matter how difficult our troubles are on earth, we have God at our side. We are forever blessed.





Questions for Discussion



Kelsey and Ross met for the first time and felt an immediate connection. Have you ever met someone and liked that person right away? How can this happen?

Kelsey and Ross seemed destined for each other. He’d shown an interest in MOSK, he knew Ethan and he was the best man at Ethan’s wedding. They questioned if this was God’s doing. If it was, why would the Lord guide two people together like this?