[Second Chances 02]California Dreams Read Online Free PDF Page A

keep her in California.” Samuel thought it only fair to warn Trent ahead of time; just in case he was expecting his cousin to return in a month.
    “I trust that you’ll be successful. She needs to get on with her life and I don’t see her doing that here. Besides, I can’t think of a better man to welcome to the family. Go slowly and you should be fine.”
    Samuel nodded his head, “I plan to. I’ve already got a list of culinary schools I’m going to show her tonight.”
    “Tonight?” Trent asked, puzzled since they were only going to be arriving in San Diego just before dinner.
    “Jane’s agreed to have dinner with me at my house after we land. I want her first glimpse of the ocean to be with me by her side.” He blushed, knowing he probably sounded like one of those sappy television commercials.
    Trent smiled and told him, “Wow! You’ve got this all planned out.”
    Samuel nodded, glancing over to see Sara and Jane hugging each other, “Yeah. I just want her to be happy.”
    Trent watched Sara envelope his cousin and nodded, “That’s all we want. For our women to be happy.”

Chapter 6
    The plane rides had been uneventful; even the changeover in Denver had gone over without a hitch. Daniella had slept during both legs of their trip and was now full of energy as they headed for the luggage carousels.
    Jane and Grace both held one of her hands, as she skipped and swung herself between them, screeching so loudly that both women threatened to remove their hands unless she remembered to use her “indoor” voice.
    Daniella was having too much fun swinging so she immediately adopted a pseudo-screech, not wanting either woman to make good on their threat.
    Samuel pulled the bags from the carousel, creating a mound of luggage where the women stood patiently waiting. “Let me text Stan and tell him we’re here. I texted him when we left Denver so he should be somewhere close by.”
    Samuel got an immediate reply back and nodded towards the exit doors, “He’s already outside. Grab what you can and I’ll manage the rest.”
    “I want to take one,” Daniella informed the group in general, trying to pull the handle of Jane’s largest suitcase towards her.
    “Hey, sprite, why don’t you take my makeup case for me? But, I need you to promise to be extra careful with it.” Leaning down and whispering in a conspiratorial tone, Jane told her, “If something happened to my makeup it would not be a pretty sight come tomorrow morning.” Jane added a nod and a wink just for Daniella’s benefit.
    “Aunt Jane, I’ll be extra careful.” She gingerly took the handle of the small rolling case before looking at both her mother and Samuel and telling them in a no nonsense voice, “Well, don’t just stand there. I have the most important case. You all bring the rest.”
    Everyone laughed as she turned and headed towards the exit doors, Grace hurrying to catch up to her precocious daughter.
    “She’s something else,” Samuel commented, laughing as he watched her march off, head held high in the air.
    “That she is. I can’t believe I’m in California!” Jane told him excitedly. “I can’t wait to see the ocean.”
    “Tonight. After I drop you all off at Grace’s house I have to go pick up Lucky from my neighbor.”
    “I thought you lived on the beach?” Jane asked.
    “I do. My closest neighbor is about a quarter of a mile away, but since we all share the same private beach front, it’s easier to leave Lucky with her when I have to be out of town.”
    Jane nodded and plastered a smile upon her face. Her? His nearest neighbor was female. I wonder if she’s married.
    Samuel could see the wheels turning in Jane’s head and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “My neighbor, Miss Watkins, is seventy, widowed, and seems to think it’s her job to check up on me.”
    Jane felt a sense of relief and then guilty for having felt jealous of an unseen neighbor. Samuel had an entire life out here that she