Family For Beginners

“Great idea. You could go rock climbing. You’ve never done that.”

A glob of soup dripped from Molly’s spoon onto the table. “Rock climbing might be fun. What else?”

“Horseback riding,” Flora said. “That’s always fun.”

Molly considered. “I’d like that.”

“So—” Izzy leaned across and mopped it up. “Is that a yes? We’re going to Lake Lodge this summer?”

“Let’s live with the idea for a few days and see how we feel. We’ll talk about it again before I reply to Aunt Clare. Family decision, right?” Jack finished his soup. “I have to go into the office for a few hours tomorrow. Will you guys be all right here?”

“I’m not working tomorrow,” Flora said. “I can help.”

“I have it covered.” Izzy stood up and cleared the plates. She shook her head when Flora stood up to help her. “You’re a guest, Flora. Guests don’t clear up.”

“Flora’s going to be living here for a while,” Jack said easily, “so you should let her help you, Izzy. You do so much around the place, it would be good to share the load. Maybe now Flora is here you’ll be able to see more of your friends. You deserve some time off.”

Maybe that was the answer. Lighten Izzy’s load. Pick up some of the household chores so that Izzy had more time to see friends.

Flora was filled with renewed optimism. “I’m happy to help in any way I can. I’d love to spend more time with Molly.” She smiled at the little girl. “We’ll have so much fun.”

“I don’t need time off.” Izzy stacked the dishwasher noisily, plates clashing against each other.

Flora flinched. Now what? Surely Izzy should be pleased about that. Julia’s children couldn’t wait to be excused from chores.

“You won’t be leaving before six thirty will you, Dad?” Izzy dropped cutlery into the basket. “Flora and I are running at five.”

Jack raised an eyebrow in Flora’s direction. “You’re a runner? You never mentioned it.”

And there was a good reason for that.

“It’s something I do now and then.” When she was late for work. When she felt threatened by some guy walking behind her.

Jack looked at her oddly. “Really? That’s…great.”

She had a feeling he didn’t think it was great at all, but she didn’t understand why. It made her realize that despite their growing closeness, there was still plenty he didn’t know about her and plenty she didn’t know about him. Most of what she’d learned about Becca she’d learned from Izzy, not him. It seemed Jack couldn’t bear to talk about her, and she didn’t want to make his pain worse by asking.

“I saw that there is a park near here.” She grabbed a napkin and wiped M

olly’s fingers. “We could take our paints, sit on a bench and paint what we see.”

Molly brightened. “Now?”

Izzy frowned. “We don’t go to the park after we’ve eaten. Molly reads her book and then goes to bed.”

“I’d like to go to the park.” Molly bounced slightly in her chair and glanced at her father for permission. “Can we?”

“Why not?” He smiled. “Sounds like a plan to me.”

Izzy was tense as a bow. “But we never—”

“Sometimes it’s good to do different things, Izz.” Jack was as patient with her as he was with Molly. “We’ll go to the park for half an hour, that’s all. The fresh air will be good for all of us.”

“The park, yes,” Molly said. “But I don’t want to paint. I don’t like to paint anymore.”

“No problem.” Flora stood up. “I might paint, and if you decide to help me, that’s fine. Or I might just do some more drawing and you can help me color it in.”

Izzy slammed the dishwasher closed and Molly looked at her.