[Second Chances 02]California Dreams (12 page)

“I’m afraid your date with Daniella is going to have be postponed,” Grace told Samuel when he brought Jane home just before dinnertime.

“Oh? Is she not feeling well again?”

Grace shook her head, “No. She’s was doing fine until after lunch. I put her down with a movie to rest and she’s still sleeping. That was five hours ago. I just tried to wake her up and she’s still very sleepy. She’s coughing again, too.”

“Did you call the doctor?” Jane asked, having just come back from checking in on the little girl and concerned at the new bruises that were forming on her arms and legs.

“No. We have an appointment Wednesday to do another blood test. I checked her temperature, and she’s not running one. Maybe it’s just a virus like he thought.”

“Could be. Listen, why don’t you go sit down and let Samuel and I finish dinner?”

Grace looked at Jane and smiled, “That sounds wonderful. I picked up some new demo tracks from the art center after ballet, but haven’t had a chance to listen to them.”

“Go,” Jane told her, shooing her out of the kitchen.

Grace headed to her office, putting the first CD in and leaning back to listen. Scrapping that one as being too urban for her tastes, she put the next one in and listened in enjoyment.
These are songs my kids could sing!
Making a note on the CD with a marker, she worked through the remaining four CDs, selecting only one more from the group.

Finished, she headed back into the kitchen only to find Jane standing at the kitchen window with Samuel right behind her, his arms wrapped around her waist and his lips nuzzling her cheek.

“Will you think about it?” she heard him softly ask, as she backed her way out the doorway and headed back to her bedroom.
Think about what? Are they getting that serious already?

She waited a full ten minutes before she headed back into the kitchen, making sure to place her feet solidly against the wood floors to announce her imminent arrival. When she entered the kitchen, Samuel was just finishing tossing a salad, and Jane was nowhere to be seen.

“Where’s Jane?” she asked, wondering if his question had upset her new friend.

“She heard Daniella stir and went to see about getting her up for dinner. Does she like fish?”

“Fish sticks. I don’t think she’s ever tried any other kind.” Grace looked at the food Samuel and Jane had made and her stomach growled. “This looks amazing. Did you help her do this?”

“He most certainly did. He’s almost as good a cook as I am,” Jane informed the room as she walked in carrying Daniella, dressed once again in her princess costume.

“Hey, sweetie,” Grace said, lifting her from Jane’s arms and giving her a kiss on the forehead. “Feeling better?”

“I’m hungry,” Daniella told her with a frown. Daniella scrunched her nose up as she looked at the pieces of salmon upon three of the plates, “What’s that?”

“That my dear, is salmon.”

“Salmon? I don’t think I like pink food, mommy. It smells funny.”

The adults chuckled, “No sweetheart, it smells fishy,” Samuel added, winking at the women as they rolled their eyes at his pun.

“Don’t worry sweetheart, Aunt Jane made you some of her special fish sticks. You like those, remember?”

“Can I have ketchup on them?” Daniella asked

“Of course.” Jane got the beloved bottle of ketchup from the refrigerator, shaking her head as Daniella squeezed a generous portion on her plate and proceeded to drown the crispy pieces of fish in it. “I will never understand why kids love ketchup so much.”

“I can answer that one,” Samuel interjected, “It covers up the taste of icky food.” He winked at Daniella who was happily munching away on her ketchup covered dinner.

“Believe me, if you ever have kids, you’ll understand. Ketchup makes everything taste better, huh Dani?”

“Yep. I likes ketchup on everything. Well…not ice cream. Ketchup on ice cream sounds…”

“Gross! It sounds gross. Finish your dinner and maybe Mr. Samuel will read you another story before bath time.”

“Yeah!” Moments later, Daniella stood up on her chair and announced she was finished. “Can Mr. Samuel come play with me now?”

“Well, I think he might want to finish his dinner first. Why don’t you go pick out the book you want to read tonight and then come sit on the couch quietly until we’re through?”

“Okay,” Daniella jumped from the chair and hurried down the hallway.

Jane watched until she was sure the little girl was out of earshot, “Grace, did you see the new bruises forming on her arms and legs?”

Grace nodded sadly, “I did. I know for a fact that she hasn’t bumped into anything. I don’t know where they’re coming from.”

“Maybe they’re related to the virus the doc thinks she has?”

“Maybe. I’ll ask him next week. So, Samuel, what’s happening with the Quintana brothers? Jane said something about Hector being in the hospital?”

Samuel hadn’t wanted to worry either woman, but since Grace had brought it up, he figured now was as good a time as any, “Hector’s lawyer petitioned the courts so that he could have his kidney transplant. He is in the hospital recovering now.”

He looked at Jane before continuing, “The lawyer also petitioned the court so that Julian could go visit his brother once he’s out of ICU.”

Grace was floored, “Since when do criminals get those kinds of rights? And federal ones at that?”

Samuel shook his head, “I don’t know. Judge Blackburn is pretty lenient. I only hope it doesn’t come back to bite her this time around.”

“You’re worried,” Grace commented.

“Yeah. Stan, I and some of the other off-duty agents have been taking turns watching Hector’s room. What he hasn’t known can’t hurt him.”

“So isn’t that enough?”

“Not when Julian visits it won’t be. The judge agreed to the lawyer’s request that Julian is a civilized man and won’t try to run. There can only be one uniformed officer present during their visitation.”

“I guess I still don’t understand,” Grace told him.
Wasn’t one armed, uniformed officer enough to subdue one criminal and his critically ill brother?

“You don’t know how these cartels work, hon. Over the last three days, Julian has had six different visitors. Three of them are suspected cartel members, but the last one that visited today has me worried.”

“Why? What was special about the last visitor he had today?” Jane asked, not having heard this part of his story.

“The man who visited Julian today doesn’t have any direct ties to the Colombian drug cartels. But he is connected to someone involved in this case. Trevor Ward.”

“What?!” Grace exclaimed, pushing herself up from the table in a panic. ”I thought Trevor was locked up for good.”

“Sit back down, Grace. He is locked up. His arraignment hearing is next week. His lawyer, Mr. Sewell, just happens to also be the Quintana’s lawyer. The man who visited Julian today is a known accomplice of Trevor; another man that we’ve never had enough evidence on to arrest.”

“You think they’re planning something, don’t you?” Grace asked, fear edging her voice.

“Yeah, I do. Until this is over, be extra careful when I’m not with you. Both of you,” he told first Grace and then Jane. “I don’t trust these men at all.”

Sunday dawned bright and clear and Samuel arrived to drive the three ladies to church. The previous week, he and Jane had visited the small community church Grace and Daniella attended. They had felt so welcomed and at home, they had decided to make it their home church for the foreseeable future.

After church, Samuel insisted on taking them out for a quick bite to eat, justifying it by reminding them that Jane was due to arrive at the restaurant’s kitchens by 4 o’clock to begin cooking her interview meal.

Daniella seemed to be her usual cheerful self until that afternoon, when she crashed and became very cranky in a matter of minutes. “I think someone needs a nap. Jane, I know you’re going to do an excellent job. I can’t wait to hear all about it when you get home.” Grace gave her a brief hug and then picked up a very uncooperative Daniella and took her to the master bedroom.

Grace settled Daniella on her bed and popped one of her favorite DVD’s into the machine before settling back with her. She busied herself with plans for the choir’s first rehearsal the next day, and when she looked down at Daniella some ten minutes later, she smiled at the peaceful look on her face.

She turned the DVD off and quietly left the bedroom. She would get a few loads of laundry done and clean up the house while her daughter slept.

*****

Samuel pulled up in front of the restaurant, aptly named
The Inferno
– referring to a place where only the purest and best material survived. “You’re going to do great. Call me when you’re finished and I’ll be here in a matter of minutes.”

He got out and came around to the passenger side, opening the door and helping her out. Between the two of them, they managed to carry in the groceries and flowers she had purchased the day before. As they entered the kitchen, she was surprised to see both Chefs in aprons standing around like they were waiting for her.

“Good afternoon, Chefs,” she said, not sure if she had misunderstood them earlier in the week.

“Ah, Ms. Trowler. We are looking forward to whatever culinary delight you have chosen to cook for us this evening.”

Jane smiled nervously and then thanked Samuel for the ride. As he turned to leave, Chef Perez stopped him, “You are the boyfriend?”

Samuel turned around and walked back to stand beside Jane, “I guess you might say that.” Holding out his hand, he introduced himself to both chefs, “Samuel Drackett, FBI.”

They looked suitably impressed as they shook his hand. “Might I inquire where you were headed, agent?” Chef Marco asked.

“Nowhere in particular. Just passing time while she wows you with her cooking skills.”

“Please, won’t you join us while you wait? I’ve always been fascinated by the FBI. Ms. Trowler, is that okay with you?”

Jane felt so relieved to know that Samuel was going to be nearby, she couldn’t stop the grin that filled her face or the relief in her voice when she answered, “Splendid.”

Chef Marco clapped his hands, “Well then. We shall leave you to it. Please do not hesitate to ask if there is something you require and cannot find. I assure you, if it was made for the kitchen, it is here – someplace.” With a wave of his arms to encompass the kitchen, he smiled at her and led the way from the kitchen to the dining room.

Two hours later, Jane straightened her apron and headed into the dining room to set the table for the dinner service. Knowing that she was not only cooking for a spot in their teaching kitchen, but also for Samuel, had been a game changer. She
knew
her dinner was going to be a culinary experience like no other.

“Ms. Trowler, I take it by your presence that dinner is ready?”

“Yes, Chef. If you would allow me a few minutes to set the table, I’ll be ready to serve.”

“No. We would like it if you would serve family style this evening and join us at the table. Will that be a problem?”

Jane was pleasantly surprised and shook her head, “No, Chef. No problem at all.”

“Excellent. I will take the others for a small walkabout and we will return in say, fifteen minutes?”

“Fabulous. Thank you.” Jane watched him take Samuel and Chef Perez out of the dining room and hurriedly set up the table decorations she had prepared. She had located various table settings in the kitchen and had chosen a variety of shapes and colors with which to set the table. She topped off the setting with a vase of fresh flowers she had purchased at the farmer’s market the day before and then quickly folded brightly colored napkins into fan shapes and placed them in the center of each place setting.

She brought out the dinner items, setting them on a side table to be served when needed and filled crystal goblets with ice cold water.

She had just brought out the dessert, hidden in a pastry box, when everyone returned.

Chef Perez was the first to comment, “Beautiful. Jane, may I call you Jane?” When Jane nodded, she smiled and continued, “Your ability to skip convention and make bold choices is wonderful. The table looks very inviting, and if the food tastes as good as it smells, we are all going to be very happy diners this evening.”

“Everyone, please take a seat and I’ll serve.”

She watched as both Chefs and Samuel seated themselves, unfolding their napkins and placing them in their laps. “Chefs, would you like me to describe each dish or…”

Chef Marco spoke first, “Grace, why don’t you simply pass the dishes around and then join us. I prefer the element of surprise and will find it challenging trying to decipher what you have used in each dish.”

“I agree, this will be like a culinary pop quiz.”

Jane smiled at the fun-nature the two Chefs were displaying.
I could definitely get used to working for and with these two individuals.

*****

Jane was so excited as they drove away from the restaurant she could barely contain herself. “They loved it!” she yelled out the window.

Samuel laughed, “You were fantastic! How could they not recognize that?”

“I’m so glad you were there. Knowing I was cooking for you made all the difference,” Jane told him, her voice going soft as she ended her statement.

Samuel headed towards the beach, wanting a chance to hold her in his arms for a few moments before he drove her home.

Jane watched as he drove them towards the ocean, “Where are we going?”

“The beach.” Samuel maneuvered his vehicle into a parking spot and then jogged around to open her door. “Come on,” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her laughingly towards the wet sand.

Stopping, he pulled off his shoes and socks and rolled his pant legs up. Jane was wearing a long skirt, but she pulled her sandals off and then grabbed the sides of her skirt and tied it up so it fell just below her knees.

“What are we doing here?” she asked Samuel with a laugh.

“Burning off some energy.”

Jane laughed, “Got it. I’m so hyped up from dinner I don’t think I could sit still if I needed to.”

“See, I had a good idea.”

Jane leaned up and kissed him on the lips, “Yes, you did.” Breaking contact, she took off jogging down the beach with Samuel in hot pursuit. They ignored the curious looks they received from other beachgoers, intent on enjoying life and celebrating her success.