Read Just Beginning: A Prequel to Just Destiny (Destiny #1) Page 21
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Watering can in hand, Jenny generously doused the thriving impatiens and geraniums with blue fertilizer water, then snipped off the dead flowers so new ones would bloom. Surprisingly, Jenny found she enjoyed fussing over her potted flowers, and it turned out she had her mom’s green thumb. Who knew?
Before moving in here, Jenny never had the urge to grow anything, but over the six months they’d been married, their new home seemed to bring out her latent nurturing instincts. Jenny’d planted colorful pots of flowers all around the front yard and back patio—even the dock had a welcoming pot of petunias.
She turned at the sound of a car rolling up Steve’s long brick driveway. The familiar slim blonde popped out of the car as Steve came out of the house. Barefoot, wearing a worn Princeton T-shirt and frayed blue jean shorts, he looked ready for a relaxing day. He took the toddler and pastel diaper bag from the woman and ruffled the older boy’s hair before waving the mother away.
Jenny mixed more of the solution while centering her attention on her neighbor and the kids. The woman dropped the children off almost every weekend, for varying amounts of time. Was Steve divorced? The solution gushed over the top of the watering can, splashing her feet. She turned off the water and crossed to the large planters flanking the porch.
Divorced. Maybe she dumped him when Steve couldn’t play ball anymore. That would account for the flash of sadness she glimpsed in his eye when he admitted to Gabe that he used to play. Quitting in the middle of a successful career must have been tough, especially when he’d been forced out by an injury.
It would have been a huge lifestyle change to go from celebrity athlete always in the limelight to lowly first-year law student. There was no shame in being a lawyer—usually—but maybe she’d left him when he chose a less visible career. Interesting. There could be an article in it.
Her attention returned to the empty watering can she held over the overflowing planter. Oops, she’d given it all to the one. Hopefully the extra fertilizer wouldn’t kill them.
While mixing up some more food for the other flowers, her gaze frequently returned to the roughhousing, screaming, and giggling coming from next door. Annoyed that they so easily distracted her, Jenny finished her yard work and moved inside. Firmly shutting the window to lock out the childish shouts and squeals of laughter, she entered the kitchen and fixed a glass of iced tea.
Jenny tried to work, but from her study over the garage, she could clearly see into his backyard and found herself watching Steve and the children frolic in the wading pool. Steve sprayed the children with the hose as they slid down the plastic slide, screaming at the top of their lungs, floundered in the pool, and then climbed out and raced around to do it all again.
It certainly was quieter when he was living with his parents. Exasperated with her lack of concentration, Jenny resurrected her earplugs and took her laptop to the opposite side of the house to work.
Hours later, she clasped her hands high over her head and then twisted from side to side, stretching stiff muscles. The garage door droned open. Yay, Gabe was home early. Smiling, she shut down the computer and padded into the kitchen. Her welcoming smile faded, and she came to a complete stop near the doorway, when she saw a big dog standing patiently at Gabe’s side.
He dropped the leash and came forward to kiss her. “Surprise.”
She moved around him to look at the golden retriever. “Who’s your friend?”
“Ritz.”
“I see.” She nodded. “And what’s he doing in my kitchen?”
“She is a present for you.”
“For me?” Eyebrows raised, Jenny looked at him.
“Yup. You said you didn’t want kids, but you didn’t say anything about dogs. I thought you’d like some company. She might not be as smart as a kid, but she’s easier to care for, less expensive, won’t talk back, and is far more obedient. She probably eats less, too. Definitely eats less than Alex.”
Jenny squatted to pet her silky coat. The dog wagged her tail furiously and licked her face, knocking her backward. Laughing Jenny pushed her away and looked up from her spot on the floor. “You got her for me?”
“I didn’t think you’d want to bother with a puppy, so when one of the OR nurses mentioned that the Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester placed their drop-out dogs with other people, I put us on the waiting list.”
“Without asking me?”
“Wouldn’t have been much of a surprise if I had.”
“What if I didn’t like dogs?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You love animals.”
Okay, so she’d give him that; she did like animals. “A dog’s a big responsibility. Don’t you think we should’ve discussed it first?”
He frowned. “Really? I thought for sure you’d love her.” He stroked her head, cooing, “What’s not to love about this sweet little girl?”
They both looked at her with soft, pleading eyes. Geesh. How’s a girl to stay annoyed? Jenny’d never really thought about owning her own pet since keeping goldfish alive had proved an impossible feat, but a dog was a little hardier than a fish.
“How sweet. You got me a reject.”
He grinned. “Only the best for my girl. They kicked her out ’cause she’s scared of moving traffic.”
“Smart girl.” Jenny turned her attention to the dog and ruffled that spot behind her ear all dogs love rubbed.
“She’s house broken, passed advanced obedience classes, and even had her teeth cleaned. So what do you think?”