Read Online Jennifer's Garden by Dianne Venetta - Free Book Online

from around here?
    “This architecture was pretty standard fare back then,” he continued, frank and unpretentious.  “They used a lot of limestone and coral, forming it into arches, accents mostly of wrought iron.”  The man basically described her home.  “Nice and private, too,” he added.
    “I put the iron gates in.”  Ensconced behind a four-foot wall, the top trimmed in keystone, her driveway was accessed through an intricately formed wrought iron gate.  “Over there, as well,” she said, and pointed to the driveway passing alongside the home.  “That leads to a garage apartment in the back.”
    “You have a good eye.”  He flipped his full attention back to her.  “It’s perfectly in line with the character of the Gables and what makes this city unique, right along with Coconut Grove.”  He shot his thumb upward.  “And that balcony is phenomenal.”  Jackson smiled, clearly impressed.
     “Yes,” she said, taken aback by the extent of his enthusiasm.  “It’s one of the reasons I purchased the home.  The balcony and courtyard here are what sold me.”  Sequestered behind another four-foot wall, capped with a single row of roof tile, the small courtyard acted as an outdoor foyer, adding more privacy and charm.  Coral Gables was the only place she could ever imagine calling home.  She grew up here, three blocks over.
    “I agree,” he said.  “They really make a statement.  You have good taste.”
    Her pulse skittered.  “Well,” she began, smoothing the back of her pants.  “I have some ideas for the yard that I’d like to discuss.”
    “Great.  Why don’t we start here, out front?”
    Jennifer had prepared to start with the back, but acquiesced.  About to proceed, she realized he was empty-handed.  “Don’t you want to take notes?”
    “No, I’m fine.”
    Fine?  How was he going to remember everything she told him to do?  But with no easy way to voice her concern, Jennifer reluctantly began, by pointing to the empty space within the center of the circular drive.  “For starters, I was thinking maybe one of those Sago palm trees should go there.  I feel it would make a great centerpiece for the front yard.”
    “A Sago is a nice choice,” Jackson said.  “But I’d also consider a fountain.  A three-tiered, Italian-style fountain with nice curves and a large basin encircling it.  Around the base,” he gestured with his hands, “I’d like to see a low shrub, or some flowers.  I think it would add to the romantic feel of your home, yet stand out in its own right.”
    Startled by the suggestion, she tried to cover her surprise by fixing on the image he was forming in her mind.  Italian fountain?  Bushes and flowers around the base?
    Jackson smiled again, open and engaging.  “People are drawn in by fountains.  Sort of an invitation to come on in and relax.  Enjoy.  I’d also add some flower boxes,” he turned toward the house, hands outlining them like a mime.  “Beneath the windows.  They do wonders for bringing in warmth, both inside and out.”
    Romantic feel, flower boxes, warmth ...
    Jennifer stared at him, knocked off guard not only by his choice of words, but the accompanying sparkle in his eyes.
    Was this really coming from him?
    “You already have a natural wall of privacy in place there.”  He pointed off to the dense clusters of skinny palm trees on the opposite side of the driveway, then turned to the other side, a mishmash of plants bunched around the base of more palm trees.  “But I’d like to see that area cleaned up a little.  Maybe add a few ginger and ferns.  Once rooted, they’ll spread, and do a nice job of filling in the gaps between trees.”  He stopped as though a thought occurred to him.  “Do you have an irrigation system?”
    “Yes,” she answered abruptly, honed in.  “Both front and back.”
    “Great.  It will help to establish your new plants.”  Glancing around one more time, Jackson