Once Upon a Family by Margaret Daley Read Free Book Online Page A

arm. “I love that movie. I want to do it.”
    “Why don’t you two take turns? He’s a big dog.” Laura’s two youngest were so full of life. They brighten my home, Peter thought.
    “Will we get to ride again?” Alexa pointed to her sneakers and jeans. “I made sure I wore the right clothes for riding.”
    “Sure, if it’s all right with your mom.”
    All three children faced Laura, the boys dancing about as though they couldn’t contain themselves much longer.
    “If we have time later. I still have to go to the grocery store on the way home from here.”
    Alexa took her mother’s hand and tugged her toward the dining room. “Then you all better get busy.”
    The twins dashed ahead. Peter heard Noah and Jacob greet the kids then the back door banged close. When Peter stepped into the room, his friends were laughing.
    “Who were those whirlwinds?” Jacob nodded toward Laura. “Nice to see you again.”
    “Those whirlwinds were my two sons, Joshua and Matthew.” Laura placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “And this is Alexa, who needs to go keep an eye on them.”
    “Right, Mom.” Alexa hurried after her brothers.
    “It’s a beautiful day. Let’s move this planning meeting to the patio.” Noah gathered up his pad and pencil and followed Alexa from the house with Jacob right behind him.
    Peter put a hand on Laura’s arm to stop her. “I haven’t had a chance to ask how Lady’s doing.”
    “Sean has decided he’s going to start teaching her tricks today. The kids adore her. She sleeps with the twins one night and Sean the next. Poor Alexa doesn’t have a chance with Lady because her brothers hog all her awake time.”
    “Maybe we should find a pet for Alexa.” When he said we, it felt right and that bothered him until he reminded himself they were just friends and friends helped each other.
    Peter opened his back door for Laura. “I know how much she liked Molly. She came with the ranch, and I would hate to take her away from here. I don’t have any kittens right now, but I’m sure I’ll get one before long.”
    She laughed. “Let’s take it one pet at a time.”
    Out on the patio Peter slipped into the folding chair next to Laura. Noah and Jacob sat across the glass table of the patio set. Jacob watched the twins playing with the ferret. Noah scribbled something on the pad.
    The sound of the boys’ laughter floated in the air. Alexa’s voice joined her brothers’. Peter leaned back, content to enjoy their merriment like music to his ears.He’d wanted a whole houseful of children and that was never going to happen unless he married a woman with children. Was that why he was attracted to Laura against his better judgment? He knew he wouldn’t be good husband material, and he couldn’t let the fact that she had four children change his mind.
     
    An hour later Jacob scooted his chair back from the glass table. “Okay. So we have a game plan. I like the idea of involving the church youth group with this project to get it started.”
    Noah rose. “I like the idea of using these abandoned animals to heal others.” He looked at Laura. “Peter was always the idea man when we were growing up. He hasn’t lost his touch.”
    Laura shifted her attention from one man to the other, her gaze finally lighting upon Peter. “Do you three go to the same church?”
    “Jacob and I do. We haven’t convinced Noah of the power of the Lord yet.”
    “I think this is my cue to leave.” Noah grinned. “Bring your family by the restaurant one evening. I haven’t found too many kids who don’t like pizza.”
    Jacob pushed in his chair. “I’d better go, too. I have rounds at the hospital this afternoon.”
    The second Noah and Jacob left, Alexa ran up to Laura. “Can we go ride now?”
    Laura scanned the yard. “Where’s Matthew?”
    Her daughter whirled around. “He was throwing the ball for Bosco.”
    Knowing her twins’ gift for getting into trouble,Laura shot to her feet,