Just One Kiss (The Town of Pearl 8)

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?”