“What can I get you, Lucia?” Francine asked her with a big smile on her face.
“The five-dollar lunch special, soup, and grilled cheese, please, Ma’am,” she replied.
She was definitely courteous and had good manners as she crossed her legs and daintily placed her hands on her lap. She shivered slightly, and he knew it was because of the way she was dressed. She needed more than a light sweater. Something in him clicked. Instinctively, he was always able to size up a person and follow his gut on what he thought of them. Perhaps Sage was having an influence on him. He wasn’t certain, but he had the feeling the very pretty young woman was maybe struggling a little.
He glanced at Virgo, who was chatting with Francine about the upcoming fall festival and the jack-o’-lantern-of-lights display that would be up and running this weekend before the start of the fall festival.
He noticed that the conversation grabbed Lucia’s attention, and he thought it the perfect opportunity to engage in conversation with her and maybe find out a little more about the young woman. He didn’t overanalyze why he felt compelled to be nice to her, but he did.
“Did you hear about our annual event here in Pearl, Lucia?” Dale asked her. Francine and Virgo looked at her, too, and Lucia’s face flushed.
“No, Sir,” she replied softly.
“Please call me Dale, and this is Virgo,” he said, nodding his head to the side. Lucia followed his motion and gave a nod, but she suddenly looked very uncomfortable. Dale hoped she didn’t think he was flirting. He cleared his throat. “I think you’ve met our wife, Sage. She works at the Main Street Inn and also at Second Chances.”
“Oh yes, sir, I know who she is. There are two other husbands too, right?” she asked just as Quaid and Matt arrived along with Lucifer Walters. He was over six feet tall, filled with muscles, and a very quiet, yet friendly carpenter.
They greeted them all, and Dale introduced her.
“Matt, Quaid, Lucifer, this is Lucia. We were just about to tell her about the jack-o’-lantern display and the events we have in Pearl for the fall festival.”
“Nice to meet you, Lucia. I’ve seen you around before. You do a lot of walking,” Quaid said as he reached out to shake her hand. Matt shook her hand next, and then Lucifer gave her a nod and stuck his hands in his pockets. But his eyes never left Lucia’s.
She looked a bit uncomfortable, and Matt and Quaid seemed to realize it as they took the other empty seats on the side of Virgo and began talking. Lucifer took the seat to the left of Lucia, and she suddenly looked rigid and uncomfortable.
“So, about the festival. We have lots of activities for the entire month of October beginning in two weeks. The jack-o’-lantern display is put on by one of the local farming families, the O’Brians. At the end of September, all the local artists volunteer to hand carve over a hundred different pumpkins. At night the pumpkins are lit and pathways are created so anyone can walk through and see all the artists’ hard work,” Dale explained.
“That sounds very cool. Is the farm far from town?” she asked.
He couldn’t help but wonder if she would walk alone from the Anders place where she was renting a room. He felt a bit concerned.
“I think Larry Jenks is going to be doing those tractor hayrides from town to the O’Brians’ like he did last year. So many people want to go, and we get a lot of nonlocals coming in now to enjoy the display,” Virgo added.
“Yeah, add in the events in town like the hayrides, contests, and weekend vendor events, and Larry is going to need more than just his tractor if the turnout is anything like last year,” Quaid added.
“Plus there are more people entering the best pumpkin carving contest and coming in from Turbank and Keanter, probably even Salvation and Tranquility too,” Matt reminded them.
“Wow, it sounds like the town will be invaded,” she said.
“You’re not kidding. It’s a mess,” Lucifer chimed in, sounding annoyed.
Lucia looked at him. “You don’t like the event?” she asked him.
Lucifer stared at her, looked her over, and she shyly looked away.
“It just makes getting around impossible,” he added.
“If there are so many activities going on that people can’t drive their cars down Main Street, then why not make everyone park outside of town and provide courtesy tractor rides into town and to the O’Brians’? That would probably cut down on the congestion and also make the streets safer for the visitors. Kids get so excited about the things you’ve all described,” Lucia said, and Dale smiled.
“That’s an awesome idea.”
Just then, he heard some of the locals greeting Wyatt Cantrell as Francine dropped off Lucia’s lunch as well as Dale’s and the others’ lunches.
“Hey, Wyatt.”
They all greeted him hello, and Lucia lowered her eyes and reached for the spoon and the bowl of soup.
He nodded toward Lucia as if surprised she was there and conversing.
“We were all just telling Lucia about the fall festival when she came up with a really brilliant idea.” Dale explained Lucia’s idea.
“I like that. That’s something to consider, Lucia. We always worry about security and safety in Pearl. We had a few close calls with the kids running around all excited and not looking before they crossed the streets. If we can get the other farmers on board, or anyone willing to be drivers and assist, this could work out well. Are you interested in joining the committee that organizes the activities?” Wyatt asked, and Dale smiled. He had a feeling Anna had spotted Lucia just like Sage did, and they were curious and concerned for the young stranger in town.
“Oh, I don’t think so. I’m not really a member of the community,” she whispered.
“You’re not? You live here, and you dine here at Francine’s. I’d say you’re a member of Pearl,” Wyatt exclaimed.
“No doubt you are, Lucia,” Dale informed her, and he saw Lucifer watching Lucia. He didn’t take his eyes off of her.
“Listen, the meeting is at the end of the week at five o’clock in the town hall municipal building. Sage, Anna, and even Francine here will be there. They would welcome the insight and the help. Plus we can discuss your idea about the tractor rides and blocking off the main entrances to town. I think it’s a fantastic idea,” Wyatt told her.
“What do you say? Will we see you at the meeting Friday?” Virgo asked now, too. Dale loved that everyone seemed to be curious about Lucia and wanted to help her feel part of the community. Wherever she came from, and whatever she went through, they would make her understand that Pearl was a wonderful, caring community that gave everyone equal opportunity to be part of it.
“I’ll think about it. I’ll try,” she said and then went back to eating her lunch.
Dale looked at Wyatt, and Wyatt gave a wink then walked over to the other side of Lucifer. Dale couldn’t wait to tell Sage about what happened today.
* * * *
Lucifer listened to the conversation going on around him, but he was mostly focused on Lucia. She smelled incredible. So much so that he found himself inhaling deeply to absorb more of the enticing scent. Her long brown hair was filled with abundant waves that looked soft to touch. When she glanced at him, her brown eyes, pixie nose, and delicate features stirred something deep inside of him. She was feminine, petite, and also looked sad.
“Are there really that many vendors during the fall festival?” she asked Dale. She sounded excited yet her expression was still sad, especially in her eyes.
Her big brown doe eyes, drew him in immediately, but she didn’t hold his gaze long enough for him to really analyze what he thought he saw in them. Then, of course, he wondered why he had the capability to see anything beyond the chocolate color. Who was he to do an in-depth analysis of the young woman who kept to herself and barely said a word?
“Haven’t you ever been to a festival before? Maybe where you lived before Pearl?” Dales asked.
As Dale engaged her in conversation, more
than likely interrogating the girl to see who she really was and what brought her here, Lucifer took the time to look her over.
He initially thought she was no more than twenty, maybe twenty-one, because of her youthful, small features like her pixie nose, big brown eyes, and skinny jeans she wore. Then a closer look revealed her maturity, a classiness about her that really confused him entirely. Could she be well off and just playing some role? The raggedy sweater that barely covered her abundant breasts, which pressed tight against the black long-sleeve shirt she wore beneath it, wasn’t exactly an indicator of wealth.
“No, I’ve never really heard of such a festival before, but you’ve all piqued my interest. I’ll definitely check it out,” she said and then went back to eating her lunch, avoiding further questioning.
She was young, so maybe she was on the run, or just trekking cross-country to see the world. Not too smart. His brother Salvatore mentioned a young woman walking thought he woods alone and how she hadn’t even known he and Brutas were there. The thought that Lucia was that young woman put Lucifer on edge.
But it wasn’t his place to interfere. Sure, he and his brothers Gabriele, Salvatore, and Maxwell helped out when needed by Wyatt, but they still kept their distance from getting too close to anyone or too involved. The town’s men watched over all women, single or taken. Surely there were already lots of men showing interest in Lucia. That was probably why Dale and even Wyatt were engaging her. But she wasn’t giving much up, just an understanding of safety for the town and her idea about the tractors and offering rides to the events. It was ingenious.
As Lucia wiped the corner of her mouth and seemed to enjoy her soup and grilled cheese, not even wasting the crust. He thought about his brothers and how things had changed so much over the years. He wondered as they gathered around their outdoor fireplace, drinking beers and enjoying their home, if they all could ever be as close as they once were years ago. The war, their service to their country, and their professions had caused them to drift apart, yet in the end they would up together, developing their ranch and once again trying to be a family.
It was different not having their mother or father around. The distant memory of childhood and the loving environment their mother had established was something he longed for even now as a grown man in his thirties. At first they had talked about being bachelors, having a bunch of parties and fucking around with whomever they wanted. But once they renovated their parents’ home, things instantly changed. They were proud of their hard work, and they acknowledged their age and their experiences but fell into dealing with the effects the war had on each of them. Salvatore suffered the most. He became their focus, and nothing else seemed as important as family.
Lucifer shook his head, wondering why the hell he was thinking so deeply. He came here for a quick lunch before he had two appointments on estimates for potential jobs. He needed to clear his head and not look at Lucia or inhale her perfume. He would never get anything done.
* * * *
Lucia walked along the street and then past the Inn to get to Mary Higgins’s home. She kept going over the events that happened in Francine’s and how she wound up being asked to join a committee in town for the fall festival. Inside, her heart pounded as Wyatt gave her more information and basically expected to see her there. The sheriff had a way of intimidating her. He was the law, the head honcho in town, and she knew he expected respect. She thought he was a great man and she was impressed with the town.
She wanted to stay here, establish a new life here, but that fear, the concern that Derek or her parents would find her and force her to come home, made her weary of letting down her guard and living her life. Derek had connections and power, which is why her parents were so set on her marrying him and crossing the bloodlines. How prehistoric and barbaric. They didn’t even support her when she told her parents what Derek had done. It made Lucia wonder about her parents’ relationship and how their parents brought them together in a modern-day arranged marriage. They were basically selling Lucia’s body and soul so they could continue to be filthy rich and a prominent, wealthy family in South Carolina.
It made her shiver.
As Lucia passed the Inn and headed toward the long driveway leading up to the very old, large home, she was immediately impressed. The estate was very big for one person to reside in, yet not a monstrosity as she expected. It had a charm to it, from the wrought-iron gated entrance on the driveway to the abundant landscaping that lined the route to the house.
The house itself was like something out of Gone with the Wind. A large front porch with swinging benches and rocking chairs adorned it. The opening for the front door was double wide, containing two large wrought-iron doors that were very impressive. The etched glass was stunning, and the large planters on either side of the door with fall flowers were appealing, too.
She pressed the button for the doorbell and heard the long chimes of “The Yellow Rose of Texas” echo through the house. Lucia smiled.
Mrs. Higgins answered the door with a smile and a wave. “Come on in, Lucia. I was just finishing up something in the kitchen. Come on.”
Lucia followed, taking in the warmth of the home, the fireplace burning strong in the living room as they passed by and headed right to the kitchen. The home was stunning and so warm and welcoming. It was nothing like her home back in South Carolina. An old family plantation house that could have had a world of charm and appeal was smothered in expensive art, vases, and things no one could touch, never mind come near, sectioned off by red rope and other barriers. It was like living in a mausoleum. There were pictures of all the descendants of the Monte family, a line of rich snobs who had owned and operated cotton fields and banks. Derek McMillian’s family was just as blood deep in South Carolina.
As soon as Lucia entered the kitchen, she smelled the pies cooking.
“Oh God, it smells incredible in here,” Lucia stated aloud as she absorbed the sight of fresh apples, flour, sugar, and other ingredients lying on the huge island. An older woman was rolling the pie crusts.
“Thank you. Beth, meet Lucia. I’m looking to hire her to help me out around here.”
“You need the help, Mary. You take on too much on your own. Nice to meet you, Lucia,” Beth said, and Mary waved her hand.
“Too much on my own? I don’t think so. But I could always use an assistant,” Mary said and winked at Lucia.
Lucia smiled as the two women talked back and forth, and then Mary offered her a drink and a slice of pie.
“No thank you, Ma’am. I just had lunch at Francine’s.”
“Oh, wonderful. Then let’s head into the study. I can go over some of the things I’m looking for help with.”
As they began heading out of the kitchen, Mary’s cell phone rang and she answered the call as she walked. She gave orders about designs and shipping dates for new items being displayed on her Internet site. It was all very interesting.
As they entered the elaborate study with shelves of books, two desks with computers, and other workplace paraphernalia, Lucia realized that Mary really did work from home and that this was where she ran her Internet business.
She ended the call and exhaled.
“Okay, so this is my office and where I conduct most of my business. That little cubby over there is where I do my phone conference calls and make the big deals happen. As you can see, I have files all over the place and need some organization. I’m working on a new line of jewelry for the site and things are really crazy. I’ll need some help in here getting organized, and I need some help around the house.”
“Around the house? You mean like cleaning and stuff?”
“Oh no, that’s Beth’s job. I mean more like organizing home improvements and some jobs I’m having bid out right now. I have a contractor coming shortly to get some numbers on remodeling one of the main bedrooms and bathrooms. There was a plumbing issue a few days ago, and of course it got out of hand because neither Beth nor I even knew the toilet had been le
aking. Ruined the ceilings and floor below the upper room too. Big job. I’d like you to oversee the work so that I know it’s done accordingly while I’ll be busy with the design team completing this new jewelry line.”
“But I don’t know much about construction.”
“No need to. I have a set of designs I think may work, and also it’s more for my peace of mind that you’re here to watch over the project. I’ll come up with a list of your responsibilities, give or take a few things along the way. How is fifteen dollars an hour?”
“Fifteen? Are you sure?”
Mary smiled.
“I expect a hundred percent effort. If you fail to deliver a hundred percent, then I can find someone else.”
Lucia gulped and could feel her eyes well up with tears. She was shocked and thrilled at getting offered a job and at such great pay. She felt excited and ready to take on the challenge of whatever Mary had in mind for her to do. Suddenly things were looking better for her, and as if she might actually make it through this winter.
“Oh, I promise to give a hundred percent. I’m just worried I may not be qualified for certain aspects of this.”
“Lucia, I’m pretty good at reading people.” She looked Lucia over, and Lucia nervously dried her palms on the dingy sweater.
“I’d say you’re an educated woman, finished college maybe, and even came from a nice family.”
“Well, I—”
“It doesn’t matter. I have this feeling that things are going to work out fine.”
The sound of the doorbell ringing drew their attention, and Lucia quickly followed Mary out of the room. The woman sure did have a lot of energy and no time to stand still. As she followed her to the front door, Lucia nearly gasped aloud. As the door opened and Mary greeted her guest, Lucifer came into view. He wore snug-fitting blue jeans and a tight flannel shirt that showed off his muscles, and the white of the flannel he wore underneath peeked out from the rolled sleeves on his elbows.
Just One Kiss: A Holiday Story [The Town of Pearl 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 3
