Romance: New Beginnings (Young Adult and Adult Romance, Christian Christmas Fiction book as a Love Story) (Second Chances Trilogy 3) (6 page)

Chapter 10

Castle Peaks, Montana, later that night…

“Sara?” Trent called out as he entered the house by the backdoor. He entered the kitchen and sniffed appreciatively at the pot on the stove. Chili! Yum!

“Sara?” he called again, heading into the large family room and still not seeing her. Her car was in the driveway, so she had to be here somewhere. He’d gotten a message from Becky that Sara had stopped by the sheriff’s office looking for him. She’d looked like she’d been crying, but hadn’t seemed upset.

He looked through the house, but still didn’t see her. “Sara?!” he hollered one more time, and then he heard the crash from the garage. It was used more for storage of things, than cars, and he headed in that direction.

“Sara?” he called out as he opened the door between the mudroom and the garage.

“Over here. Can you come take this box before I drop it?” her voice called out.

Trent glanced to where the voice had come from and then he spotted her. She was standing on a makeshift stool, holding a box aloft with one hand, while she tried to remove the one sitting underneath it. “Sugar, what in the world are you doing? Get down from there.”

“But I need this box out.” Sara spared him a glance and then nodded her head towards the box she was holding up, “If you could just hold this box for a minute, I can pull the other one out.”

Trent reached up and took hold of the indicated box, lifting it above his head and watching her carefully as she extricated the box beneath it. “What’s so important that you needed to risk your neck to get it?”

“My mom’s wedding dress,” Sara informed him triumphantly when the box slid free. She started to step down from her stool, and Trent dropped the box above his head and swooped her up into his arms. Box and all.

“Hey! Put me down,” she giggled.

“You are a menace to my peace of mind.” Trent carried her to the open area and then put her down on her feet, “Why are you looking for your mom’s wedding dress? We’re already married, or do I need to remind you again.”

Sara blushed and shook her head at him, “Oh, you haven’t heard the news! Gracie’s getting married!” Sara bounced up and down in her excitement.

“To the doctor?” Trent asked, following his wife into their home and closing the door to the garage.

“Yes! He asked her today. She called me while she was waiting to pick up Daniella and Emily from school and told me all about it. He…”

“Whoa! Slow down a minute. Who is Emily?” Trent asked, trying to keep up with the conversation, but she was talking a mile a minute.

“Emily is the neighbor’s daughter. She goes to the same school as Daniella, so Grace has been taking them to school and then picking them up.”

“Oh! Alright, then. Continue,” Trent said as he followed her down the hall to their bedroom. He watched as Sara carefully undid the tape on the box and lifted out a plastic wrapped parcel. It was sealed to prevent any air from entering the bag in an effort to preserve the garment contained within.

Sara gingerly lifted out the satin garment with the seed pearls decorating the bodice and laid the beautiful dress out on the bed. Her mother and Grace were about the same size, with Gracie being about an inch shorter. The costumer where Grace worked had offered to oversee the alterations when Grace had mentioned being married in her mother’s old dress.

Sara had thought it a wonderful idea and had promised to locate the dress and send it out right away. Sara smoothed her hand over the dress and tried to envision her mother wearing it. She’d only been a small child when her father had suddenly collapsed from a heart attack. He hadn’t survived, but somehow her mother had managed to raise two little girls by herself.

She’d seen pictures of her father, but she didn’t really have any true memories of the man. She took a breath and then looked up to see Trent watching her. She gave him a smile and then began packing the dress back into the box.

“So, how are you planning on getting the dress out to her?” Trent asked.

“Well, I was thinking I could send it out tomorrow in the mail, but now I’m thinking the box it too big.”

“I agree. That box is too big for the normal mail to handle. Didn’t you say Jackson lives in San Diego?”

Sara looked up and then nodded her head, “That’s perfect. He’s flying out tomorrow. Maybe he could take this as a piece of checked baggage?”

“I’m sure he wouldn’t mind. I tell you what, why don’t we go have some of that delicious chili I saw on the stove and then I’ll drive you back into town with the dress?”

Sara laughed, “You would say anything right now in order to eat, wouldn’t you?”

“You know it.” Trent turned her around and started steering her back to the kitchen, “I didn’t have lunch. Jeb called first thing this morning and I spent the morning helping him unclog his rain gutters. They’d completely frozen over and the water was starting to pool under the roof.”

“Is everything okay?” Sara asked as she served up two bowls of the chili, added cheese and sour cream and then carried them to the table. She smiled at Trent as he removed the corn bread from the oven and then carried the hot dish over to the table with a knife and the butter.

“We won’t know the answer to that question until everything starts to thaw out. We could see where the ice had heaved the seam between two panels on the roof, but whether or not it compromised the integrity of the water seal, we’ll just have to wait and see.”

“I hope everything’s alright. When does the world start to thaw out around here? Bill keeps talking about breaking ground as soon as it thaws out, but we got another foot of snow two days ago.” Sara sounded disgruntled and Trent laughed.

“I promise we do have all four seasons here. Winter just seems to hang around some years. By April, things will look much different.”

“April? It’s not really going to snow until April. Is it?”

Trent thought about teasing her, but then saw the depressed look on her face and chuckled, “Maybe up high in the mountains, but down here we should start warming up soon. Promise,” he told her when she didn’t look as if she believed him.

Sara nodded her head and then went back to eating.
Snow until April? She might as well have moved to Alaska!

*****

“So, you want me to deliver your mother’s wedding dress to your sister, who lives in San Diego?” Jackson asked, just clarifying the late night visit from Sara and her husband.

“That’s right. Her address is written on that piece of paper, as is her phone number. I’ll call her tomorrow and let her know that you’ll be bringing it by in the next day or so.”

Jackson looked at the address and tried to place the part of town Sara’s sister lived in. It was towards the beach, and in a fairly newly developed part of the city. “Okay, I guess I can do that. I take it she’s getting married?”

Sara beamed at his astuteness, “Yes! She just got engaged today! Hey! You need to meet her fiancé. He’s a pediatric oncologist and is getting ready to open up a new kid’s cancer treatment center in San Diego. You two would have a lot in common, I bet.”

“Maybe I’ll get a chance to do that. I had dinner with Bill tonight, and I’m planning on coming back up here around the first week of March. I’ll be driving, so a lot of the timing will depend upon the weather.”

Trent nodded, “Give us a call when you head out. There’s a lot of highway between here and there and a lot of mountains to cross.”

Jackson nodded, “I’m looking forward to it. It’s been a few years since I spent any time in the mountains.”

“Be careful,” Sara cautioned him. “One of these days I’ll tell you about my first time driving in the mountains and the snow.”

Trent smiled at her, “I think you should save that for another time. The man has a 6 a.m. flight and needs to get some rest.”

“Oh! Sorry. Well, I can’t wait until you’re back here. The ladies and I will finish getting the house all squared away while you’re gone.”

Jackson hid a yawn and nodded, “Thank you for everything. Both of you. I finally feel like maybe I’ve found a place where I can put down roots and grow.”

Sara hugged him. A trait she had come to realize was as natural to her as breathing. She hugged everyone. He returned the gesture and then shook hands with Trent.

“Have a safe trip.”

“I will. See you in a couple of weeks.”

Chapter 11

San Diego, California, Valentine’s Day…

“Mommy, I can’t find my rainbow shoes again,” Dani hollered through the house.

“They’re on the back porch,” Grace hollered back, trying to finish her makeup before Michael arrived. It was Valentine’s Day, and she and Michael were double dating with Jane and Samuel. Tori had insisted on keeping the girls for the evening and Grace had reluctantly agreed.

Tori had suffered a minor setback in her recovery by developing a chest cold, but she had started a rigorous course of antibiotics and her fever was gone now, so everyone had agreed that she could probably handle the two little girls for a few hours.

Armed with a bag full of dress-up accessories, Dani presented herself at the bathroom door moments later. “I’s ready to go,” she announced.

Grace looked at her daughter in the mirror and struggled not to laugh at the picture she presented. Daniella marched to her own drum, and for the last several months it had been playing a coronation procession. She was determined to be a Princess and had outdone herself this evening.

Wearing her favorite
Disney Princess
nightgown, over a pair of brightly striped leggings, and her favorite rainbow tennis shoes, she was a burst of color that was almost shocking to the eyes.

She had pulled out all the stops on the
bling
factor and was adorned as any self-respecting Princess should be: tiara, earrings, necklace, multiple bracelets, boa, and her most recent acquisition – sparkle pretend makeup.

Per Grace’s suggestion, Michael and Dani had made a trip to the largest costume store in the San Diego area in search of proper tea party accessories. It had been the first outing where Michael and Dani had gone without her, and he definitely needed to learn to set boundaries with the little girl. Soon.

Not only had she convinced him to purchase every prince and princess costume the store had, but then she had discovered the makeup section of the store and fallen in love. The store clerk had used the word “pretend” when referring to the non-toxic makeup and Michael had willingly bought her the largest kit they offered.

That was several days earlier, and Dani hadn’t left the house since that time without having bright blue or purple sparkle makeup smeared across her eyes. Luckily, the stuff washed off skin with a little soap and water. Grace was only praying it did the same with towels, bed sheets, and the carpet.

“Dani, don’t you think you might have just a little too much makeup on for visiting Tori and Emily?” Grace asked, biting the inside of her lip to keep from laughing.

“Princesses can’t never has too much makeup on. The lady at the costume store had makeup all over her arms and stuff. I’s just put it on my face!”

Grace closed her eyes and groaned. Evidently, Michael had forgotten to mention that the store clerk was heavily tattooed.
Lord, please don’t let her start wanting one of those. She’s only four!

“Well, I’m sure the clerk was much older than you are. Wearing paint on your arms and legs is something reserved for adults.”

“Unhuh,” her daughter informed her. “Billy has paint on his arm. He showed it to me at recess. He said his grandpa gave it to him and he licked the paper and then rubbed it really hard on his arm and the picture showed up. It was a turtle.”

Grace nodded her head, “A turtle, huh? That sounds interesting.” Changing the subject, she turned the light off in the bathroom and headed towards the kitchen, “Grab your things and I’ll walk you over to Tori’s house.”

Grace and Daniella crossed the grass between the two yards, going through the back gate to see Emily playing with the puppies. “Hey Dani, come help me. These guys won’t leave me alone.”

Grace laughed as her daughter dropped her bag and ran to help.
At least she doesn’t have those plastic shoes on tonight!
She watched for a moment as the puppies spied a new playmate and stumbled across each other and the grass towards Daniella.

Hearing laughter, she spied Tori sitting on the back patio, with a blanket draped over her shoulders, “Hey, should you be out here?”

Tori smiled, “I’m fine. Believe it or not, I’m tired of being cooped up inside the house all day. Besides, the air is warm enough and I haven’t had a fever since yesterday. The antibiotics seem to be doing the trick.”

“Good to know.” Grace dropped Dani’s backpack next to the door and then sat down in the only other chair.

“Do I dare ask what Dani has all over her face?” Tori questioned with a grin.

“Michael took her with him to the costume store and they found some ‘fake’ makeup that sparkles. He bought her the biggest package they had and she’s determined to wear all of it before the month’s out.”

Tori laughed, “I remember when Emily went through that stage, except I came home from working a split shift, and the babysitter assured me she was sleeping soundly. The little scamp had snuck out of her bedroom and was happily, albeit very quietly, trying out every shade of lipstick and eye shadow she could get opened.”

Grace giggled, “How old was she?”

“Four - about the same age as Dani. The really bad part was that school pictures were the next day, and no matter how much cold cream or makeup remover I used, I couldn’t get it all off. Luckily, the school offered retakes a few weeks later.” Tori laughed as she remembered the teacher and other parents’ expressions when she dropped Emily off the next day for school. It had not been a pretty sight!

“Well, at least this stuff comes off skin with soap and water. I haven’t tried to get it of the carpet or the towels yet, I’m waiting until this weekend.”

“Good luck with that.” Tori looked up and waved at Michael as he entered the backyard, “Hi, Michael. Come to steal your Valentine away?”

“Don’t you know it!” Michael paused as Dani came running across the yard and threw herself into his arms, “Hey, squirt! I see you’re making good use of the makeup.”

“Mommy doesn’t like it,” Dani pouted, before casting a glance in her mother’s direction.

“Now, Dani, that’s not entirely true. I simply suggested maybe we only try out one color at a time. You don’t want to use all of your pretty make up. Do you?”

“Oh, it’s okay, mommy. I’s knows where to buy more.”

The adults all laughed at the seriousness of her expression and the fact that in her mind, running out simply meant you needed to visit the store and pick more up.
Gonna have to work on that!

“Well, I think you look gorgeous. Now, it appears that your adoring fans await you, Princess Dani. We’ll see you after a bit.” Michael kissed the top of her head, avoiding the tiara and the sparkly eye shadow and then set her back down on her feet.

“Ready to go?” he asked Grace, wrapping an arm around her waist.

“Yes. Tori, are you sure you feel up to this?”

“Quit worrying about me and go enjoy yourselves. The girls and I have the latest animated movie to watch, and a pizza on its way.”

“Have fun,” Michael called out to the girls as he led Grace from the backyard. “Quit worrying! They’ll be fine. Tori looks much better, and she is a nurse. If she can’t make a judgment call about her own health, I don’t know who can.”

*****

The symphony concert and dinner at
The Inferno
had been perfect, as had the company. Jane and Samuel were getting married in exactly one month, back in Castle Peaks, and Grace and Michael announced they would be tying the knot on June second. Grace’s last concert of the season was scheduled for May twenty-sixth, and that would provide her with approximately a week to stress over the final wedding details.

“So, is your future mother-in-law in wedding bliss?” Jane asked, having met Michael’s mother on several occasions and figuring her for the type that would find wedding planning paradise.

“Don’t you know it! But I’m really okay with that. She’s handling all of the details in regards to the reception, and the food, and such. Speaking of wedding details, will you stand up with me?”

Jane smiled, “Really?” When Grace nodded, Jane hugged her, “I’d love to. And you just let me know what you need my help with.”

“What are you two girls talking about over there?” Samuel asked as he and Michael returned to their table.

“Jane’s just agreed to be a bridesmaid in our wedding,” Grace told Samuel as Michael leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

“That’s wonderful!” Both men sat down and then Samuel commented, “It’s funny how quickly life can change, isn’t it?”

All the others nodded their heads in agreement.

*****

“Aunt Tori, I can’t find my green tiara,” Dani whined as she pawed through the various costume pieces she’d just dumped onto the floor of the living room.

“I’m sure you just forgot it at home, sweetie. The purple one you’re wearing looks gorgeous.”

“It’s not for me. It’s for you. It matches your eyes. You have to wear the green one!” Dani placed her hands on her hips and nodded her head.

Tori laughed and then assured her, “I think I can live without wearing a tiara tonight. Why don’t we put in and eat some popcorn?”

Dani shook her head, “No! I want to go find the green tiara!”

Tori saw the tantrum beginning to brew in the little girl’s eyes and cringed. She was feeling better, but not quite up to a Dani tantrum. Throwing a beseeching look at her daughter, she asked, “Emily, could you walk Dani home and help her find the green tiara while I get the popcorn ready?”

“Sure, momma. Come on, Dani. Let’s go find your tiara.” Tori watched the girls as they headed out the backdoor and then shook her head. She glanced at the clock on the wall and figured it shouldn’t take them any longer than about five minutes to walk next door, find the missing tiara, and walk back.

Tori put the first bag of popcorn in the microwave and then loaded up the DVD. After cooking the second bag, she looked out the back window, expecting to see the girls by the puppies, but there weren’t any little girls in the backyard.

Growing concerned when she glanced at the clock and fifteen minutes had gone by, she slipped her sandals on and headed through the backyard to go find them. She was having a pretty good day, but knew that she would pay for over-exerting herself tomorrow.

Stopping to catch her breath at the gate, she was surprised to see a sleek orange Mustang sitting in Grace’s driveway.
I wonder whose car that is.
She started across the grass, stopping several times when the world started to spin crazily, praying for enough strength to find the girls and get back home.

After the third pause, she looked up to see the silhouette of a man standing on Grace’s front porch.
So that’s who the car belongs to.
Forcing herself to stand up straight, she slowly made her way across the remaining grass, wondering if the girls had gotten distracted, or if maybe they were hiding inside from the stranger.

As she stepped up onto the porch, he turned and speared her with his dark green eyes. His dark hair fell over his forehead and she had the strangest urge to reach up and put it back into place. There was a large cardboard box standing next to him and she wondered if he was a delivery boy, or something else.

“Hi,” she offered softly. “Can I help you?”

The man smiled, revealing perfectly straight teeth, and that’s when she saw the dimple in his left cheek. He looked kind of familiar, and she tried to figure out where she’d seen him before, but nothing came to mind. “Are you Grace Powers?”

“Afraid not,” Tori said, leaning against the railing of the porch as another wave of dizziness swamped her.

“Hey! Are you okay?” the man asked, narrowing his eyes at her in concern.

Tori waved his concern off, “Sure. Just a little dizzy is all. Grace isn’t home, but I could sign for the delivery if you like.”

“Sign?” he asked in confusion.

Tori was prevented from answering when she spied two little bodies slithering across the grass, “Excuse me for a moment.” She turned and called to the girls, “Emily! Dani! Come here!”

Both little girls popped their heads up and then gave her relieved smiles as they stood to their feet and ran to where she was attempting to stay upright. They both started chattering as soon as they reached her.

“We was sneaking back to avoid the strange man.”

“Why are you talking to the strange man, Aunt Tori? Momma says we’re not supposed to talk to strangers. I was showing Emily hows we snucked out when the bad men tried to take me.”

The chattering continued, and in the midst of it, Tori realized that at some point in the recent past, Grace and Dani had been involved in something abnormal. She made a mental note to ask Grace about that at her next opportunity.

Finally feeling the last of her strength leave her, she held her hand up, effectively silencing both girls. “Emily, the popcorn is all ready for your movie. Why don’t you take Dani and head on back? I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Emily nodded her head and grabbed Dani’s hand, pulling her along. “Come on, Dani. Let’s go find the green earrings.”