A Recipe for Family by Lynette Sowell

Author:Lynette Sowell [Sowell, Lynette]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-12-31T16:00:00+00:00

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Finn said nothing more while Heather's parents were present, dropping off the food and clothing and toiletries for Heather. Instead, he finished eating his almost-cold fries. He'd forgotten to grab ketchup on the way out of the restaurant and missed it.

A light snow continued to fall. The forecast was for only two or three inches, enough to make things white and Christmas-y, but not enough to cause too much of a traffic snarl come morning.

Mr. and Mrs. Lambert left, promising to check back in first thing in the morning—at least one of them would. Finn had let his mother know about Jenna earlier, while making a supper run.

Heather looked up from her phone. “Everyone's asking about Jenna. Kim's promised to stop by tomorrow morning, with kolaches.”

“Yum.” He smiled at her and yawned. “I don't mind staying.”

“You don't have to.” Heather went to a small low cabinet beside the bed and pulled out a small pillow and a blanket, shutting the door softly.

“I want to.” Finn's firm tone surprised even him. “I'm her father and I want to be here.” He didn't add that he had a right to be there. It wasn't necessary, although it had been on his mind to say so if Heather's parents brought up the matter.

A man could only pay so much for his shortcomings of his earlier years. So far, Heather had shown him plenty of grace. The old Heather would have screamed at him and sent him packing. Or, maybe he was exaggerating that a bit. He deserved it, though.

Heather sank down onto the love seat, positioning the pillow close by and pulling the blanket over her lap.

“Yes, you have every right to be here, and I know it...it means a lot to Jenna that you are here.”

“Like a family,” came a thin voice from the bed.

“Well, if you're out of the hospital by Saturday, I'll make sure you get to the tree lighting,” Finn said.

“Good.”

Heather pushed her blanket aside and went to the bed. She pulled the blankets up around Jenna. “Are you doing okay? Are you cold?”

“I'm okay. My tummy hurts. I'm thirsty.”

“I'll get you some water.” She reached for the covered plastic cup with a straw. “Here.”

Jenna opened her mouth to accept the straw and sipped. “That's good.”

Like a family, she'd said.

Family came in all shapes and sizes. Even if he and Heather weren't a couple, he'd be a regular presence in Jenna's life from now on. She deserved to know a father who loved her and wasn't some absent being who sent money. He wouldn't let fear of what people thought or any possible confrontation or taking the lazy route keep him away again.

Once Jenna dozed off again, Heather rejoined him on the loveseat.

“There's more food if you're still hungry.” She nodded at the bag her parents brought. “I think my mom brought a mini casserole from the grocery store deli.”

“I might have some in a while.” He gazed out the window, then at the Heather's face, lit by the blue light coming in from outside in the parking lot.

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