He didn’t know how to respond. She seemed too positive to step into such a dark thought. Silence smothered conversation.
“Ross.”
His heart kicked.
“Tell me about Peyton.” Interest brightened the mood.
Peyton. Even her name grabbed at his emotions. She’d been through so much. Kelsey would understand, but he wrestled with the ability to speak.
This time Kelsey touched his arm. “Another time, Ross. I didn’t mean to hit you with that question today.”
The reprieve relieved him. Talking about Peyton homed in on so many things that hurt. A wedding celebration didn’t seem like an appropriate place to open up those wounds. But she’d suggested another time, and the idea gave him hope.
“I’d like that.”
A frown settled on her face. “You’d like what?”
“To talk another time.” Making a date with a woman arose like a vague memory. “Maybe dinner sometime?”
An unreadable expression flashed across her face.
“With the girls, if you like.” He caught his error. “But then it would be too difficult to talk.”
Her features softened and a smile lit her eyes. “Dinner would be nice.”
As he was about to set a date, Lexie’s mother darted into the kitchen. He closed his mouth. Before the evening ended, Ross needed to ask for her telephone number, and he hoped by then that she hadn’t rethought his invitation and decided it wasn’t a good idea.
Kelsey stood in Lexie’s kitchen rinsing off the last dishes, her mind on Ross. Lexie had taken her mother upstairs to tell her what she needed to know about Cooper’s medicine. Mr. and Mrs. Carlson had offered to stay with Cooper for a week while Lexie and Ethan enjoyed a honeymoon cruise. Knowing Lexie’s past with her mother, Kelsey marveled at the reestablished relationship. God had shined on them during their time together.
The countertops were cleared and the food stashed away. Kelsey poured another cup of coffee, hoping it was decaf, and she sank onto the breakfast nook bench, not wanting to leave before saying goodbye to Lexie. Ross had suggested dinner, and she’d readily agreed. When he’d asked for her telephone number, she had given him her cell phone number, but then had second thoughts. She’d only met the man today and, the more she thought about it, accepting a dinner date seemed a little premature. Maybe a coffee date would have been better.
Still, Ross intrigued her. She’d never known a man so open about his emotions. His love for his daughter shone on his face, and yet she saw something else, an expression that aroused her attention. Ross had a story to tell, and she wanted to hear it. His behavior infiltrated her mind. So often she resisted talking about her problems, but with him it had been easy to be open.
“Kelsey.”
She jumped upon hearing her name and hurried to the head of the stairs. “I’m here.” “Come up.”
As she ascended the staircase, Mrs. Carlson came down. A pleasant look filled her face, and it triggered an unexpected joy in Kelsey’s heart. Forgiveness. Understanding. Whatever had happened between Lexie and her mother resulted in happiness for Lexie. At the top of the stairs, she faltered. “Where are you?”
“In here.”
The voice came from her bedroom, and Kelsey strode to the doorway and stopped. “Need help?”
Lexie turned to face her. “No. You’ve given me all the help I need.” She opened her arms and Kelsey walked into her embrace. “Thanks so much for being my matron of honor and for all your support. You’ve become a great friend.”
“You, too.” The words caught in her throat, thinking of all the dark times they’d shared with their children’s illnesses. “I can’t tell you how happy I am for you.”
“Ethan’s one in a million.” Lexie motioned for her to sit.
“He is.” She shifted to the only chair in the room and sank into the cushion. “But I’m not just referring to Ethan. I’m also talking about your mother.”
“It’s been amazing, hasn’t it?” Tears glinted in her eyes. “I never expected Mom to come around as she’s done, and it shows how good forgiveness can be.”
The comment pierced Kelsey. She could only nod. Forgiveness was something she’d never granted to her ex-husband and to her friend who’d betrayed her.
After shifting her suitcase to the side, Lexie sat on the edge of the bed and gazed at her. The look sent an uneasy feeling through Kelsey. She waited, trying to understand what had happened to their conversation. No doubt Lexie had something to say, and Kelsey couldn’t guess what it might be. The waiting made her raw. “What’s wrong?”
Lexie shook her head and lowered her eyes. “This is really none of my business.”
Kelsey froze. Business? “Did I do something wrong? If I did—”
“No. No. It’s only …” She drew in a lengthy breath. “I’m surprised that you and Ross hit it off so well.”
“Why?” She studied Lexie’s face. “He handled the MOSK rejection pretty well.”
She shrugged. “He seemed to.”
“Then what?”
“When you and Ross were flirting, I thought it was cute … at first, but—”
“Flirting?” She bristled that her response to Ross had been so obvious.
Lexie shook her head again. “Why don’t I shut up? It’s your life.”
“My life?” Her mind raced. Maybe Ross was married, and she didn’t realize it or maybe … Her confusion split the air. “Explain what you’re talking about. You can’t stop now.”
“I’m being silly.” Lexie closed her eyes and tilted her head back, filling her lungs. “I sound like a soap opera.” She lowered her chin. “It’s only that you and Ross both have kids who need so much. Yes, Lucy is doing well now, and we both hope that it’s forever, but from what I know Peyton has a long road ahead of her, and I wonder if you and Ross are wise to get involved. It seemed so obvious to me that—”
“Get involved? Lexie, we only met today. Yes, we were bonded by his name coming up at the MOSK meeting and he happened to be your best man. He’s very nice, and we have something in common, but we aren’t planning …” We’re having dinner. That fact raced through her mind, along with how interesting she found him. “We aren’t planning a life together.”
Lexie rose and approached her as she opened her arms. “But I’ve never seen you so animated with anyone. You’re a down-to-business person, and you’re a peacemaker. I’ve seen many sides of you, but I’d never seen you so alive. Maybe you didn’t sense what I did, but you and Ross … I don’t know. Maybe I’m delusional.”
Kelsey sat in the chair,
