Free Last Chance Motel 1 (Last Chance Romance Series) by Abigail Keam

finishing touches on dinner.”
    “Sure, Mom.”
    Mary excused herself and went to help Jenny find a vase for the flowers.
    Eva looked about the house. “Have you remodeled lately?”
    “Yes. About five years ago for Mom. I took the dining room, living room, and kitchen and made one great room. Then I moved the washer and dryer from the garage to the side pantry in the kitchen. Easier for her.”
    It was obvious that Mike was proud of his remodeling. Eva had to admit the light and airy house was the perfect Florida home.
    “And back here I took out the deck and put in a loggia.” Mike held open the back glass door.
    Eva stepped out onto the loggia where she was greeted by a stunning backyard with a beautiful pool and outside kitchen with carefully tended tropical landscaping. Everywhere Eva looked was the explosion of orange, yellow, red, and green framing the ocean. The property also boasted a dock with an Oceanic Catamaran Ketch gently bobbing on the water.
    “Everything is just breathtaking,” gushed Eva, who was truly impressed.
    “Thank you,” replied Mary as she joined them. She handed Mike and Eva each a glass of wine. “Let’s sit out here and enjoy the sunset, shall we.”
    The riot of color in the sky accented the garden even though they were facing east.
    “I’m so glad I came to Key Largo,” murmured Eva. “You never see anything like this in New York.”
    “It is Paradise, isn’t it,” agreed Mary. “I’m originally from Kansas and came here after I met Mike’s father. I’ve got salt air in my blood now. I couldn’t dream of living anywhere else, even with the downside of the hurricanes.”
    Jenny stuck her head out the door. “Mama, the oven buzzer went off.”
    “Excuse me. The roast is done.”
    Eva rose. “Do you need any help?”
    “Stay out here and enjoy the view. I’ll call when dinner is ready.” Mary picked up her wine glass and went into the kitchen.
    “Mom doesn’t like anyone in her kitchen,” tattled Mike, watching his mother through the glass panels that made the back walls.
    “This house is impressive,” said Eva, sipping on her wine.
    “Thanks. If Mom ever decided to sell, she would get top dollar.”
    “No doubt. Your boat is impressive, too.”
    “That’s the Sea Horse. That was really the love of my dad’s life,” laughed Mike.
    “It was your dad’s boat?”
    “Oh yeah. We’d go out every weekend. Fish. Swim. Snorkel. Find an island and picnic. We had a blast.”
    “I’m sure Jenny enjoys it.”
    Mike’s face turned dark. “I can’t get her on it. She’s terrified of the ocean. Sometimes I wonder if I’m being cruel, making us live in the Keys. I just keep hoping it’s something that she will outgrow and love the ocean as much as I do and as her mother did.”
    Eva started to respond, but Mary poked her head out and called them to dinner.
    Eva decided her questions could wait until later.

25
    D inner was sumptuous, consisting of a tender pot roast with all the trimmings.
    Eva had two helpings of meat, potatoes, carrots, soft rolls slathered with lots of butter, and a huge slice of chocolate cake with caramel icing.
    Finally Jenny couldn’t wait any longer. “Eva, can I bring your purse to you?”
    Eva laughed. “I did say there was something in my purse, didn’t I. Go and bring it here.”
    Jenny jumped out of her chair and gathered the purse, dumping it in Eva’s lap.
    “Jenny, you know better than that,” scolded Mary.
    Eva laughed. “It’s all right. I shouldn’t have made a little girl wait so long.”
    She dived into her purse and brought out a rhinestone child’s tiara and bracelet. These were some of the few items she had asked her lawyer send to her in Key Largo. “Every girl needs a little bling for special occasions,” Eva said, handing them to Jenny.
    Jenny squeaked, “Are these for me?”
    “They are. Now go try them on.”
    Jenny carefully took the jewelry pieces and ran to her room.
    “You didn’t have to do