Family For Beginners

Her cheeks were flushed with excitement. “I’ve checked, and there is enough room for four horses at least.”

“Four?” Izzy sauntered into the room after her and rolled her eyes. “If you’re going to have even one horse, I am definitely going to college.”

Molly grabbed Flora’s hands and danced with her round the kitchen, twirling and spinning.

In a snatched moment between breathless laughter Flora met Jack’s gaze and shared a smile of satisfaction.

Molly was dancing again. Not just with her arms, legs and the rest of her body but with her whole heart.

And then Izzy joined them, grabbing Flora so that the three of them danced together.

At some point Jack was pulled into it, and Molly complained as he trod on her toes but then forgave him when he swung her high into the air. When he finally put her down, Molly slid across the kitchen floor, treating it like a skating rink. “What’s for dinner?”

“Ham,” Jack said, and ducked as Molly flung her soft toy at his head. “I thought we could all go out for pizza. There’s a place a short walk from here.”

That suggestion gained everyone’s approval and while the girls hunted down their shoes, Flora stepped back, breathless and dizzy from dancing, and put one hand on the kitchen counter—her kitchen counter—to steady herself.

But she didn’t have time to linger on the joys of finally having her own home because Molly and Izzy were arguing about what dog they should have, even though no one had officially agreed that they were having one.

Flora smiled, slid on her shoes and got ready to referee.

Molly got to her first. “I want a Labrador like Chase.”

“We should get a rescue dog.” Izzy grabbed a sweatshirt and opened the front door.

“Our neighbors have a dog,” Jack said. “Also a daughter, same age as you, Izzy. You two should get together.”

Izzy paused, hand on the door. “Maybe.”

“I know you’ve mostly lost touch with your old friends and I think it would be good if you—”

“Dad.” Izzy was firm. “I said I’ll think about it.”

“I don’t want you to be lonely. Annie is off to college, too, and I thought the two of you could—”

“Jack!” Flora intervened. “Enough.” She knew how much he worried about Izzy, but she also knew that Izzy had to be allowed to find her own way. There would be new friends, she was sure of it, but Izzy had to build her own life now. Their role was to support, not dictate.

“It’s okay, Dad.” Izzy smoothed her hair. “I’m not going to be lonely. And you and Flora are going to come visit.”

He pulled the door shut behind them and Flora stared at the house, a strange feeling in her chest.

She’d never had her own front door before.

Her own home.

Her own family.

Jack and the girls had filled all the empty spaces in her heart.

“I want a Labrador!” Molly raised her voice because no one was listening. “Can we have one, please?”

“I want a spaniel.” Izzy walked, talked and messaged at the same time.

Jack joined in. “How about a Great Dane?”

All three women turned to stare at him. Izzy was the first to speak.

“You want a Great Dane?”