the pound?â
âWhat about the geese and ducks that like to wander into our yard?â
âWe can get a small dog that stays in the house. When it needs to go out, Iâll walk it on a leash.â
Ianâs gaze swept to Alexa for a long moment, his doubt that a pet would be a good fit for Jana and him in his expression. When he peered at his daughter, he said, âA dog will cause probââ His words sputtered to a stop. âIf you want a dog from the pound, youâll have to go and pick it out. A petâs a very personal decision, not one Iâll do for you.â
âI can get an animal.â Excitement filled Janaâs voice, and a smile encompassed her whole face for half a minute until she paused, her forehead wrinkled. Her mouth scrunched up into a frown. âWeâd go together?â
âOf course.â
âIâll think about it.â Jana dived into the rest of herlunch, silent, staring at the place mat as though mulling over her dilemma.
At the end of the meal Ian stood and gathered up the trash. âJana, I have an appointment this afternoon at two. Iâll be back by three-thirty. Okay?â
His daughter locked gazes with him and nodded, then picked up the three empty glasses and took them to the sink. âIâm gonna get the box.â
When they were alone, Ian paused near Alexa, throwing a glance toward the doorway Jana left through. âI imagine you have questions. Is it possible for you to stay this evening for dinner and then you and I can talk afterward?â
âWhat are you going to have?â
âFor dinner?â
âYes.â
âWhat if I said I donât know?â A twinkle gleamed in his eyes, his dimple winking at her.
âI wouldnât believe you. Youâre the type who has his meals all planned for the week, possibly even the whole month.â
âI was spontaneous today with lunch, and look what happened.â
âAnd everything is okay now.â
âSpaghetti. And I only plan one week at a time.â
âI thought you didnât cook much.â
âFrom a jar,â he said sheepishly.
âIâll stay on one condition. I cook dinner with Janaâs help.â
âShe doesnât cook, either.â
âShe needs to learn. Everyone needs to fend for themselves.â
He splayed his hand over his heart. âOuch.â
âDonât get me wrong. Iâve cut corners in cooking a meal, too. We all do. But I can use this to teach Jana. Although I know my spaghetti recipe by heart, Iâll write itdown and show her how to follow it. Not to mention sheâll have to do different measurements. I can make enough so you two have leftovers. That means doubling the amounts. You said math isnât her strong area. Thisâll be a fun way to do some.â
âI donât have the ingredients.â
âI wish she would go with me to the grocery, but I know we arenât there yet. How about you get what I need on the way home from your appointment? Or I can go after you get back.â
âIâll let you get the supplies. Madge does most of my grocery shopping. Thatâs why I plan my meals for the week.â A defensive tone entered his voice.
âThereâs nothing wrong with planning what youâre gonna eat. Even I do that.â
âYou do? I got the impression you didnât plan a thing.â
âItâs hard not to do some. I just try not to get tied down by it.â She glanced toward Jana reentering the kitchen. âYou and I are fixing dinner tonight.â
The childâs eyes grew round. âWhy?â
âBecause your dad invited me to eat with you two, and I donât do spaghetti out of a jar.â
Jana looked from Alexa to her father then burst out laughing. âFinally, someone who feels like I do.â
Â
âWhere did you learn to cook so well?â Ian asked as he stepped out onto