Just One Kiss (The Town of Pearl 8)

“She didn’t sound so passive by the way you explained how she verbalized her ideas with you and Mrs. Higgins,” Gabriele pushed.

“No, she’s definitely quiet and shy. I walked into Francine’s for lunch, and Dale and the guys were talking to her, telling her about the fall festival. She responded shyly, cautiously, and seemed on edge.”

“Well, she’s new to town. No one really knows anything about her. Could be she is just shy,” Gabriele added.

“If she’s new to town, she may be a bit on edge with the types of relationships running rampant. I can tell you from talking with Wyatt the other day, that he has a few men offering to keep a closer eye on her, if ya know what I mean,” Maxwell told Lucifer. Lucifer shot his head up from his dish and felt instant jealousy. It shocked him. But apparently not his brothers as they all chuckled, except for Salvatore. He looked serious.

“She does need looking after. She walks through the woods all alone that leads to town. I was there with Brutas the other day and she didn’t even see me,” Salvatore informed them.

Lucifer scrunched his eyebrows together.

“Did you speak to her about it?”

Salvatore raised one of his eyebrows up as if Lucifer were crazy to ask him that. Lucifer sometimes forgot how closed off Salvatore was. He wouldn’t even converse with anyone unless he had to.

“I’ll talk to her about it tomorrow when we start the job,” Lucifer said to Salvatore.

“Don’t drag me into the conversation. Just warn her. She looks like some teenager. Anyone from outside of town looking to cause trouble could attempt something. You know the sheriff’s department can’t patrol the woods too,” Salvatore told his brother.

“I know. I’ll mention it at some point. She walked home yesterday afternoon and wouldn’t accept a ride from me. It was chilly out. She had on this old-looking sweater that had seen better days.”

“Lucifer, living in this town, we took on the responsibility of watching over the women and children. All of them. If you’re aware of something, or have a gut instinct about this woman that concerns you, bring it up so we can discuss this. Wyatt may have to assign her guardians,” Maxwell stated firmly in that detective tone of his.

Lucifer thought about it as moment or two as they ate. He saw her immediately when he entered Francine’s. She looked thin, shivered as she ate a small bowl of soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. When she pulled out her money to pay for the five-dollar special, she had exactly seven dollars. When he watched her leave Mrs. Higgins’s house, she pulled that flimsy sweater tight and hunched her shoulders as she headed toward the woods to the Anders home. Could it be that she didn’t have enough money to even buy a coat or a decent meal?

He lowered his form, suddenly feeling a sick sensation in the pit of his stomach.

“What’s wrong?” Gabriele asked.

He knew he probably looked shocked, but these were his brothers, his family, the only men he truly trusted and loved.

“I’m not sure. But my gut is saying there’s more to Lucia. That maybe she’s struggling a bit.”

“Struggling?” Maxwell asked.

Lucifer explained his observations and expressed his concerns.

“There’s the women’s shelter. They run that coat drive every year and have plenty of warm clothes and coats for anyone in need,” Gabriele reminded them. Now he looked concerned.

“I don’t know. We shouldn’t assume anything. I guess the way these fall temperatures have been, we’ll know soon enough. If she doesn’t wear a coat soon, I’ll have to ask her.”

“You sure as shit will, Lucifer. Remember, if she’s in need or in trouble, it’s our responsibility to help her,” Maxwell said.

Lucifer looked at Salvatore, who now seemed angry or annoyed at the conversation. Lucifer wondered if his brother would ever look happy again. His prayers, his pleas of some sort of miracle occurring, had fallen on deaf ears. The struggles, the battles with his past seemed too strong for Salvatore to overcome. Brutas was a huge help, but Salvatore never smiled, never showed emotion, and just wasn’t the same man Lucifer remembered him being. Lucifer wanted his brother back. He wanted to hear him laugh like he used to years ago. It made him feel somber as he went back to eating and begged God silently to grant him his wish, for Salvatore to feel alive, loved, and whole again.

Chapter 4

Mary was excited as Beth helped her make a big pot of coffee and set out some fresh baked goods for breakfast. When the sounds of “Yellow Rose of Texas” echoed through the house, she nearly burst with jubilation.

“Oh God,” Beth sighed, rolling her eyes at Mary.

“You stop that. This is going to work. You’ll see,”

Mary rubbed her hands together as Beth went to open the door for Lucifer and his brother. She still didn’t know how she would get Maxwell and Gabriele here, but if it all worked out, Lucifer would invite Lucia to dinner at their place soon enough. That way all the Walters men could meet her. She smiled and glanced at her watch. Lucia wasn’t due for another hour.

That was another thing. She needed to get some busywork ready for Lucia, and then encourage her to watch over the construction job and add her opinion. That would force a conversation between Lucia and the men.

Mary smiled then closed her eyes. Lucia is perfect for them, Lilly. Your sons deserve happiness. This is going to work.