Free [Second Chances 02]California Dreams by Morris Fenris Page B

Jane spent the morning cooking up a storm, making sure to include another batch of sugar cookies per Daniella’s request. The little girl was still feeling the effects of their trip and rather than deleting her afternoon nap, had taken to lengthening it significantly.
    “I don’t know what I’m going to do with her once school starts. She’s in the afternoon class and at this rate will be sleeping through the entire thing,” Grace told Jane as they finished decorating the cookies.
    “She’s young and the last several weeks have been hectic and full of upheaval. She’ll adjust once school starts.”
    “I hope so. She was also coughing a little bit when I put her down, which is unusual for her. She’s always been extremely healthy, even when I caught a cold, she usually managed to fight off my germs without any complications.”
    “Wait until she starts preschool,” Jane offered with a smile, “She’ll be subjected to everyone else’s germs and probably be sick the entire semester with one thing or another.”
    “Thank you for that encouraging word!” Grace told her ruefully.
    Jane laughed, “Just telling you to prepare for the worst and if she happens to be healthy a week or two, count your lucky stars.”
    Grace smiled, “I’ll do that.” Wiping her hands on her apron, she surveyed the plates of finished cookies and other treats they had made to feast upon at Samuel’s house. “We’re all going to need a New Year’s diet after eating all of this!”
    Jane laughed, “That’s what tomorrow is for. Making a new resolution so that is can be broken before February arrives.”
    “That’s the truth. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever managed to keep a New Year’s resolution for more than a week or so. Isn’t that sad?”
    Jane shook her head, “Not really. That’s why I made a resolution five years ago, to never make another New Year’s resolution. I haven’t broken that one yet.”
    Grace laughed, “Oh, that’s good! That’s really good! So good in fact, I’m going to borrow it tonight. Imagine, never having to feel depressed again because I broke one of those stupid resolutions I shouldn’t have made to begin with. Oh, I can feel the stress leaving my body already.”
    Jane laughed with her, “Feels good, doesn’t it?”
    Grace nodded, “Yeah.” Glancing at the clock, she asked, “What time did you tell Samuel we’d be coming over?”
    “Around 3 o’clock? I wanted to give Daniella plenty of time to finish her nap. I told her about Lucky and I figure she’ll wear herself out tossing a stick for her. That dog never seems to get tired of playing fetch.”
    “Daniella loves dogs. I was thinking maybe after she gets settled in at school I should look into getting one, but then I calculated how many hours a day we’re gone, and it just wouldn’t be fair to an animal to leave it alone all day, every day!”
    “That’s probably a wise choice right now. Maybe when she gets a little older and can help care for the animal, you could revisit the idea. I had a dog while I was growing up and knowing that it was my responsibility to make sure he had plenty of water and food each day really taught me responsibility.” Jane thought back to the small terrier her father had brought home one afternoon when she was nine.
    She had named him Klutz because his feet seemed to be a bit too big for his body, and when he ran, he ended up rolling tail over nose more times than not. He was the most awkward dog she had ever seen, but had become her best friend and confidant during her teenage years. She loved that dog and had cried for days when he got sick and had to be put down during her senior year of high school.
    Kenneth had offered to buy her another dog, but she had refused, saying she didn’t want the heartache that came along with it. Looking back, she should have taken him up on his offer and would have if she had known he would be dead within a few years. At least she would have had someone