Family For Beginners

“I approve,” Mrs. Mason said. “He has strong shoulders. Good arms. I like a man with good arms. What about you?”

Julia pondered. “I like a man with—”

“Will there be anything else, Mrs. Mason?” Flora dived in before Julia could say something that might lose her a precious customer.

“No dear. Don’t worry about me.” Mrs. Mason waved her away in the most indiscreet way possible and then Jack approached and smiled at her.

Flora thought Mrs. Mason might be about to collapse at his feet.

“I’m Serena Mason. I’ve been coming here for years. I wouldn’t allow anyone else to do my flowers. Flora is so talented, as well as being one of my favorite people.”

Jack laughed. “She’s one of my favorite people, too.” He turned to Flora. “Are you free for lunch?”

“I am if she isn’t,” Julia said cheerfully and Flora ignored her.

She checked the time. “Ten minutes?”

“Ten minutes works for me. I’ll be in the coffee shop next door. Join me when you’re ready.” He walked away and Mrs. Mason sighed.

“What a dreamy man. Who will do the flowers at your wedding? You can’t possibly do your own flowers.”

“I’m not getting married so that’s not a problem that needs solving.” Flora bundled Mrs. Mason out of the door with her bouquet of flowers and hoped Jack hadn’t overheard.

“She’s not wrong. That man is dreamy.” Julia cleared up her mess. “It’s a shame he has baggage.”

“A child is never baggage!” Flora gripped the edge of the counter. Her heart was racing and she felt a little breathless. How could that one word produce such an intense response? “His girls are adorable, and an important part of his life.” She wouldn’t, couldn’t, think of them as baggage.

“Sorry.” Julia put her hand on Flora’s arm. “I hit a nerve.”

Flora opened her mouth to change the subject, but in the end all that left her mouth was the truth.

“I was baggage. I heard my aunt say it once. ‘My sister left me her baggage.’”

“Oh Flora—” Julia’s eyes were warm with sympathy. “You weren’t baggage. You were a gift, but your aunt was too blind to see it.”

“An unwanted gift. Believe me, there is no worse feeling for a child than knowing you’re unwanted.” And it was different, of course, because Molly and Izzy had Jack, but Flora didn’t want to cause them a moment of insecurity. That was more important to her even than her feelings for Jack.

And what were her feelings for Jack?

Was it love? Maybe. Or maybe she was simply enjoying the novelty of being with someone who seemed to be genuinely interested in her.

Flora walked, or rather limped, the twenty paces to the coffee shop. Every step was agony, her muscles screaming in protest as she moved.

If Izzy suggested running again tomorrow, she’d be in trouble.

Jack was sitting at a table by the window, and there was a coffee and her favorite chicken salad waiting.

“Do you want something stronger than coffee and water?”

“This is great, thank you.” She sat down and took a sip. “So why the surprise visit?”

“I wanted to spend time with you.”

“I’m living in your house.”

“I’m not sure if that makes our relationship more, or less, frustrating. We haven’t exactly had much alone time.” He moved his chair closer to hers and leaned forward. “I’ve been thinking about the summer. You can’t stay on your own in the house.”

Her heart plunged like an express elevator. “I understand.” She was going to have to find somewhere new to rent, and she’d have to do it quickly. “I’ve already started looking for somewhere to live.”