Katrina smiled. “Congratulations. What a milestone.”
“It is a pretty big one. Easton and I are heading to the Caribbean for a vacation in a few weeks, but it’s wonderful to have the whole family here for the occasion.”
“I hope we’re not intruding.”
Lydia laid her hand on top of Katrina’s. “You are no intrusion. We’re so delighted to have the three of you here.”
“Okay, Dad,” Grant said. “Let’s go take a look at the tractor. Leo, want to come out with us?”
“Sure.”
Katrina saw the excitement on Leo’s face. Being alone with Grant and Easton must be so thrilling for him. He nearly tripped over his own feet catching up with them as they headed out the back door.
“Now it’s just us ladies,” Lydia said. “Tell me, Anya. What grade are you in?”
“I’ll be a senior.”
“Wonderful. Have you visited colleges?”
She nodded. “A few, though I haven’t made my mind up yet where I want to go.”
“You should go to the University of Texas,” Mia said, grabbing an apple from the island. “There are a lot of great programs there. Though I should ask what you’re considering majoring in.”
Anya took a seat next to Mia. “Actually, and I haven’t discussed this with Kat yet, I really enjoy cooking.”
Katrina’s brows rose. “You want to go to cooking school?”
“I was thinking about it. I was also thinking about getting a bachelor’s degree in hospitality first, then going to cooking school, so I’d have the management and business knowledge to go along with the culinary skills.”
Mia finished slicing a few apples and had set the pieces on a plate in front of all of them. “Not a bad idea, actually. A lot of chefs don’t have the business acumen to run their restaurants. I assume you’re thinking long term, like opening a restaurant of your own someday.”
Anya nodded. “Yes. I don’t want to work in some kitchen for someone else. I have a lot of ideas.”
Of course she did. “This doesn’t surprise me at all. I know how much you love to cook. And you’re certainly talented enough to do anything you set your mind to do. It’s a wonderful idea.”
Funny how she and Anya had never sat down and talked about this until now.
But it was good she knew where her sister’s head was at—and her heart. Now they could make plans.
“Why don’t you come upstairs with me to my room, Anya?” Mia asked. “I could clue you into some information websites I think you’d really like. They preview various colleges, what they offer, and you can link in to the specialties you’re interested in. It might help you narrow down your choices.”
Anya nodded. “Sure. I’d like that. Thanks.”
Mia and Anya disappeared, leaving Katrina alone with Lydia.
“I would love to see the garden,” she said.
“Really?” Lydia’s face brightened.
“Yes. Living in New York, where space is at a premium, I can’t have one. I have a terrace outside my apartment and I’ve tried to grow a few things in containers, with some success. But it’s not the same. I saw yours when we drove up and I have to admit it was one of the first things I wanted to look at.”
Lydia’s lips curved into a genuine smile. “You are a woman after my own heart.” She stood and Katrina did, too. “One of the things I swore when I was working the full-time grind as a prosecutor in the cold climate of Green Bay was that as soon as we bought land in Texas, I was going to have the best damn vegetable garden in the state.”
Katrina laughed, and Lydia slipped her arm in Katrina’s and led her out the back door.
It was amazing out there, with a full kitchen and a built-in grill, a gorgeous flagstone patio that led to a huge pool. There was plenty of area to entertain, with several spots set up for seating. The space was fenced off, and Lydia led her through the gate toward the gardens.
“And do you have the best garden in the state?” Katrina asked.
“I’m not sure I give a damn about anyone else’s garden, but mine sure does make me happy.”
The garden was on the south side of the house, and quite extensive. There were a lot more beds planted than Katrina had noticed at first. She followed Lydia through.
“There’s lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn way in the back there,” she said as she pointed out the tall stalks growing in the field behind the beds. “Out here, there are beans and asparagus and carrots. I keep a separate bed for all the herbs.”
“Anya is growing an herb garden in her bedroom window,” Katrina said. “She gets plenty of light in there. So we at least have fresh herbs, but we walk down to the farmer’s market on Sundays for most of our vegetables.”
“A farmer’s market is a great way to buy fresh produce.”
Katrina leaned over to inspect one of the tomato plants. “But nothing beats the smell of a garden. It’s something I’ve wanted my whole life.”
“The drawback to city living, unfortunately. You have the advantages of everything within walking distance, though.”
She straightened, then nodded at Lydia. “That much is true. I guess you have to decide what’s more important.”
“I’ve tried to talk Grant into putting a garden in his yard. He has plenty of space back there.”
Katrina thought about it a moment, visualizing where it would go. “Southwest of the pool. On the side of the house. Yes, I agree, there’s plenty of space for several beds. Of course, during the season he’s not there. He’d have to have someone tend it for him.”