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

several minutes.
    “Settle down back there,” Stan growled, making sure Daniella knew he was only teasing.
    “Okay! But I’m sooooo excited about preschool!”
    “I do believe we can all see and hear that,” Samuel commented, drawing a laugh from the other adults.
    Several minutes later, Stan pulled the car up in front of Grace’s house and then started to unload their luggage.
    “I’m home, house,” yelled Daniella as she ran inside the house.
    “I hope she runs out of steam pretty quick. I’m so tired,” complained Grace. Turning back to Jane, she told her, “Let me show you where you’ll be staying.”
    Grace looked at Stan and Samuel, “Did you all want to come in for a minute?”
    Samuel and Stan both shook their heads, “No.”
    “I have a few things to take care of before I return to pick Jane up. Jane, I’ll be here around 6:30 p.m.”
    “That’s fine. I’ll see you then,” she replied softly and somewhat shyly.
    Grace smiled at both of them and then thanked Stan again for picking them from the airport. After the men drove off, she ushered Jane inside her house, gave her a brief tour, and then showed her the magnificent guest bedroom she was to use during her trip.
    The room was very large and had an ensuite bathroom attached. There was a walk-in closet, a large canopy bed, a small settee, a writing desk and even a private balcony, which led to the backyard.
    When Daniella started rubbing her eyes and whining, Grace excused herself to go put the little girl down for her afternoon nap. They were trying to get away from the exercise, but the excitement of travelling had worn the child out and a nap now would save everyone’s sanity later.
    Jane unpacked her suitcases and kept looking outside, anxious to take a walk in the yard. Montana was covered in white this time of year and had been for several months. San Diego was the exact opposite.
    The grass was lush and green and the flowerbeds still brimmed with colorful blooms, some the types of flowers Jane had only seen in florist shops, not being able to withstand the harsh weather changes of Montana.
    Unable to resist the lure of outside, she finished unloading her suitcases, stored the empty ones inside the huge closet and then donned a pair of flip flops Grace had insisted she bring with her. Flip flops in December?! She giggled as she stepped outside and stepped onto the grass. She wiggled her toes and then laughed outright at the feeling. She glanced around and was relieved to see she was all alone.
    She walked around the perimeter of the backyard, stopping to look and smell the various flowers and plants in the bordering beds. When she discovered the fragrant herb garden, she closed her eyes and several recipes flitted through her brain. No more buying herbs at the grocery store! She could just walk out the back door and pick what she needed!
    Grace had made sure Jane knew she was welcome to anything she found in the kitchen or gardens, and was looking forward to learning a few new recipes from her. Jane had secretly looked at several culinary schools in the San Diego area, and right after the New Year, she had arranged to meet with several of them.
    She hadn’t said anything to either Grace or Samuel, especially Samuel, as she didn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up that she might be making her trip to California last longer than a month. But the idea had taken root and she figured she owed it to herself to look at all her options before she jumped back on a plane. She wasn’t going to waste this opportunity!
    “Jane?” came the call from the back of the house.
    Jane stepped carefully from the garden and made her way around the side of the house to see Grace standing on the back deck with a smile upon her face. “I’m here. Grace, this place is amazing!”
    Grace laughed, “You found the garden.”
    Jane nodded and joined her with her own laugh, “Yes. I know you told me about it, but seeing it…I’m wondering why I waited so long