Chapter Two

Three thousand miles from everyone she knew and everything familiar, she stood in the unfamiliar driveway of her new home. With her suitcases surrounding her, she looked up at the little house she had rented. It was a quaint little bungalow tucked in amongst the multi-million dollar homes that lined the street. Her realtor friend in Phoenix had directed her to a reputable company here in Burbank and the woman, Jane, had led her here.

She had rented it sight unseen and she wasn’t disappointed. It had a wide front porch, perfect for a couple of chairs or maybe a swing. Flowers bloomed in the boxes hanging from the front windows and the lawn was as lush as a carpet.

Dragging her suitcases behind her she ambled up the walk and pushed through the front door. Leaving her bags by the stairs she followed the wood floor that wove through the entire downstairs. The small front room would work well as an office, there was a tiny powder room tucked in under the stairs, then the hallway opened up to an airy, open kitchen and sunken family room. Crossing to the French doors she stepped out onto a wide deck.

The backyard was as well manicured as the front, and the large trees would provide ample shade in the heat of the summer. The far corner held a fire pit and there was room for a barbecue or grill. At the other end, at the bottom of the three steps, was a hot tub.

Heading back into the kitchen she walked around the downstairs once more, mentally placing her furniture in each room. She sucked in a tremulous breath. It was the house they had always wanted, but hadn’t ever found back home.

Shaking off the pang of sadness, she headed to the stairs, grabbed a suitcase and started up to the second floor. It was the perfect place to get a start on her new life. There would be no memories to haunt her here. A fresh start, a new beginning might not be what she wanted, but it was what she needed to start living again.

Sighing she stepped into the first room at the top of the stairs. It was the perfect size for a small gym. Her treadmill would go over by the window, her weight bench against the far wall. She looked down at herself. The weight had fallen off of her so fast in the last year she hadn’t been able to tone any part of herself. Honestly, she hadn’t been compelled to do anything about it. She headed to the door. What was the point anyway? She certainly wasn’t going to be dipping into the dating pool again so what difference did it make what she looked like? She hiked up her jeans. Maybe she would take a trip to the mall at least. Jeans that fit would be nice.

She wandered into the next room. It was good sized and would serve nicely as a guest room. Standing in the middle of the room she let a smile curl her lips. She hoped her friends would come visit her out here. She knew it would take nothing short of a miracle to get Hath on a plane, but maybe, just maybe she could be convinced. Surely Willow and Catte could convince her. She tapped a finger against her lips, she’d have to send the girls another e-mail and set things in motion.

The last room at the end of the all she assumed was the master bedroom. It was enormous and she was immediately drawn to the bow window and the seat that was beckoning. Sinking down onto the seat she rested her forehead against the cool window pane. Would this ever get easier? Would she ever not miss them quite so much?

The sound of the doorbell startled her. Dragging herself up from the bench she scrubbed her hand over her face and headed downstairs.

It was hours later before she sat down again. Her furniture had been arrived and the movers helped her get everything where she wanted it. For now. Standing in the middle of the family room she shoved at her sofa. She wanted it closer to the wall and the oversized chair needed to be angled slightly.

The afternoon waned as she made all her minor adjustments and finally sat down on one of the stools in the kitchen. Her stomach rumbled loudly reminding her that she hadn’t eaten since breakfast. Glancing at the refrigerator she sighed. She would have to find a grocery store. There was nothing but a bottle of water in the fridge.

Heading up the stairs she glanced into the room that was now her gym. Tomorrow she would start some sort of routine she promised herself. She pulled her shirt over her head and padded down the hall, right now she needed a shower and some food. For the first time in a long time she was actually hungry.

Climbing into her car she turned the key and it roared to life. She stroked her hand across the dash. This was her baby. Her and Mark had bought the car for their 40th birthdays for a song. Her husband had been a tinkerer and between answering her questions and showing her how to do this or that, they had managed to restore her to her former glory, with two modifications.  She now sported XM/Sirius Satellite radio and a GPS.  While Mark had a better sense of direction than anyone she had ever met, Stephanie couldn't find her way out of a paper bag with a map and a flashlight.  

The 1967 madeira maroon Camaro SS convertible had been their pride and joy. Now it was just hers.

Hitting a button, the top slowly folded back and stowed out of the way. A turn of a dial and the New Jersey boys who had kept her sane for all these months had her singing along. With the warm California air swirling around her she dropped the car into reverse and backed out of the driveway. There had to be a grocery store somewhere close by. She was sure she had seen one on her way to the house that morning. Now, she just had to find it again.