Wonderful, Lucio said, reaching across to give Josh a high five.
And I'll do the rest of the Web site design and get it listed with search engines, Jason said. Once we get some sample portraits we'll be ready to go online. I'm working on the MySpace and Facebook sites, too.
Great! Lucio high-fived Jason, as well.
As soon as your posters are ready, I'll make sure they're up at all the stores, Rick said.
My thanks to you, as always, Lucio said, bowing as deeply as he could manage with a small dog in his lap.
My pleasure.
We have our idea, too, Josie said from her nest under Rick's arm. She looked quickly to Rick, who nodded for her to do the honors. Josie sat forward on the love seat.
Rick and I are on the Harley, right? When everyone started to chuckle, she smiled. We've decided to go totally over-the-top with the black leather stuff. Chains, shades, and tattoos. Well, mine will be fake.
Teeny laughed.
And the three dogsthey'll be dressed exactly like us. Little helmets, sunglasses, vests, the whole deal.
Bea shook her head. Good luck pulling that off.
Rick gestured to the haphazard pile of dogs on the porch floor near his feet. Our pack is pretty mellow. They spend all day running the property, so with Lucio's expertise I think they'll be able to sit still long enough to get the shot.
Lucio nodded in approval. So far, the ideas from the group had been outstanding. But no one had even inquired about Genevieve's pose with HeatherLynn, and Lucio was itching to make the big reveal.
He was about to toot his own horn when Bea, bless her, barged in. How about your shoot, Ginger? How did it go?
Genevieve gave Lucio a sheepish smile. I'll let you be the judge.
You brought it? Josie said, scooting to the edge of the love seat.
Mm-hmm, Genevieve said. Be right back.
Lucio watched as she rose from her wicker chair and headed for the front door of the ranch house. He couldn't help himselfhe admired her tall elegance, the sweet indentations at the back of her legs, her soft heels, the swish of her lovely ass. Lucio felt Rick's eyes boring into the side of his head, and knew he'd been caught.
He turned, nodding ever so slightly to Rick, hoping his friend would see that he was pleading guilty to being crazy about Genevieve.
Rick's eyes got big and he dropped his jaw. Damn, he whispered, shaking his head.
What? Josie asked her husband.
That was incredibly fast, Rick said. When he noticed the strange looks from the crowd, he amended his comment. The photo, he said. What I meant was that Lucio sure got that picture together fast.
Everyone ready? Genevieve stood before the group on the front porch, the blank side of the large poster board visible between her shapely, long legs. The only sound was the slap! of the screen door as it closed behind her. Everyone was frozen in quiet anticipation.
Genevieve flashed her eyes at Lucio for the go-ahead. Whenever you wish, he said, smiling at her.
Ta-da! She whipped the horizontal eleven-by-seventeen glossy blowup from behind her back, flipping it so the image was on display for all to see.
Lucio was thrilled. The reaction was precisely what he'd hoped for. There were a few seconds of complete silence, followed by dropping jaws, then an outburst of laughter, surprise, and squeals of delight.
Bea was on her feet. Look at you, girl! she said, laughing. She then made a few whoop-whoop-whoop sounds while pumping her fist through the air.
Awesome, Mom! Josh called out. And look at HeatherLynn's little beehive! It's perfect!
It really was, Lucio had to admit to himself, smiling. Somewhere in the stream of treats and titillating talk, he'd captured one single perfect image: HeatherLynn's face pointed right at the camera, her little pink tongue licking her lips, while Genevieve lay stretched out on her side, all long and languid curves, a few sand grains stuck to the glistening pink of her flat belly, her eyes simmering with the kind of overt sexuality the original 1960s TV Ginger could never have gotten away with.
Everyone got to their feet and crowded around the print. Teeny took it from Genevieve's hands and held it in the middle of the huddling group. Unbelievable, he breathed. Wow! Gingeryou're amazing!
Josie looked up from the image, her eyes huge. Good God, Garrison, she whispered. I think you missed your calling!
Rick nodded slowly. Nice, man, he said to Lucio, chuckling in shock. Real nice.
You sure you want this on the Internet? Roxie asked, her brow furrowed. You don't know who might see it. I mean Her eyes darted to Josh and Jason, then back to Genevieve. It might attract the attention of one of those ‘he was a quiet man and mostly kept to himself' serial killers prowling the Web for his next victim!
Lucio laughed, as always, amused at Roxie's worst-possible-scenario view of anything related to man-woman relationships.
Well, Josie said, sitting back down. You've set the bar pretty high, Ginger. The rest of us have our work cut out for us.
You're going to make a ton of money, Lucio, Bea said, walking over to slap him on the back. The affectionate tap nearly caused him to spill his wine all over HeatherLynn, who was still asleep in his lap. Every dog owner I know is going to want one of these. I hope you're ready for the demand you're going to unleash.
Lucio looked around at his crowd of friends and raised his glass in thanks. Thanks to all of you, I most certainly am.
I owe you one, Genghis, Lucio mumbled, watching as the fun-loving Labradoodle ran off with the last intact shuttlecock on Samhain Ranch. Blessedly, the badminton tournament had come to a standstill.
I'll check in the barn again, Teeny said with a great sigh. I swear there's some more in there somewhere.
Have mercy on me, Teeny, Lucio whispered in his teammate's ear. Come up empty-handed, I beg of you!
Teeny laughed as he jogged off to the barn.
We're gonna take you down, sucka! Joshua said, making theatrically threatening hand gestures from the opposite side of the net.
Yeah, Bea called out, laughing. Is that all you got for us, pretty boy?
Lucio chuckled as he wiped the sweat off his brow.
You are a far better woman than I, Bea. I need a break.
She laughed again, giving her teenage teammate a victorious high five.
Smiling, Lucio strolled across the lawn to the shaded stone wall, where he ditched the badminton racket. He surveyed the ranch for any sign of Genevieve. Josie and Jason were still on the front porch, talking about her trip to the North Pole. Rick and Roxie had taken the horses out for a ride. Teeny was running toward the barn. Lucio was puzzled. Granted, it was a huge property, but Genevieve was nowhere to be seen.
He decided to try to find her. Lucio took a path through the gardens, remembering that first night they'd spoken, when he'd advised her that he'd be no good for her and, with a trembling hand, she'd given him her card. It was just two months ago, but it seemed like another lifetime.
He'd been filled with self-pity that night, ruminating over how he was nothing without his career. It made Lucio smile to think how drastically his perception had changed. Now, he knew how much he had missed when his career was his only passion. He walked farther, noticing the tall gardenias to his right, recalling how Genevieve's shoulder had brushed against the flowers as she approached him, sending their scent into the evening air. He reached toward the flowers, cradled a single blossom in his hand and inhaled. It was a fragrance he'd always associate with her. He picked the bloom to take along with him, sure that Rick and Josie wouldn't mind.
Lucio continued his stroll through the gardens, stopping long enough to nibble on a few ripe raspberries before he turned onto the crushed-stone path that would eventually take him to the pool and tennis courts. This entire area of the ranch was bordered by a row of tall, flowering hedges that filled the air with a light, intoxicating perfume.
He stopped in mid-stride. In a thick carpet of grass in the shade of the hedges, Genevieve was curled u
p, asleep, HeatherLynn in the crook of her knees. The dog heard Lucio approach and her tail began to wag, but Lucio put his finger to his lips, knowing she'd understand. Silently, he drew near, then lowered himself to the grass right next to Genevieve. He tucked the hollyhock blossom into HealtherLynn's pink leather collar, then gently adjusted Genevieve so that her head rested in his lap.
Lucio didn't speak. He didn't move. He fought back the desire to touch her silky hair in exchange for the pleasure of watching her sleep. HeatherLynn stretched and yawned, then toddled off across the lawn, flower in her hair, swinging her little fancy dog butt. Lucio chuckled to himself.
He looked up to the evening sky and could hardly believe where he found himselfthe woman, the boys, the dog, good friends, the city of San Francisco. It was shocking to think that just two months ago, none of these things were as important to him as clearing his name and getting his Geographica contract reinstated. Everything had changed the night Genevieve Garrison fainted in his arms. Ironically, now that he'd taken steps to clear his name and put the blame where it belonged, it didn't seem all that important anymore.
She stirred. Her lips parted and she absently rubbed the tip of her nose, still not fully awake. Lucio leaned down. Te amo, Genevieve, he whispered, just before he kissed her tenderly.
She kissed him back, which meant she'd either been awake to hear his profession of love or had woken up in mid-kiss, oblivious to his confession. Lucio realized that either way was all right with him. There was nothing he wanted to keep secret. He loved her. That was a fact.
Please don't tell me I fainted again, Genevieve whispered.
And the kiss was merely my attempt to revive you, Senora Garrison.
She giggled, adjusting her head on his lap. She brought a hand up to softly stroke his thigh. You really did, you know. You revived me.
Hmm, that is a nice way to see it. Very romantic.
Extremely.
Lucio allowed his hand to play in her hair. He noticed that she felt warm to the touch. Are you feeling all right, bonita?
Sure, just tired. I came out here to sit a minute and was lulled to sleep by the perfume of the bushesisn't it glorious?
It is.
Lucio?
Hmm?
I heard what you said.
Lucio's heart began to thump wildly. He had never told a woman he loved herand actually meant it. Early on, he told women he loved them as a matter of strategy. He'd told Alma to see if it would convince her to take off her panties. It worked like a charm, and within three months she was his child bride. Lucio told a few girls he encountered early in his career that he loved them. He'd said it to Sylvie, knowing that he was an insincere cad. It was shameful to recall. He told Sylvie he loved her, and then he left. The cowardly act ate away at his soul for years, but at least it cured him of ever doing it again. And if there were just one mistake he could take backin a lifetime of themhurting Sylvie would be it.
But with Genevieve, it was so different. Lucio was a grown man. He had known many women. But he had never known a woman who made him laugh like Genevieve, made him look forward to each regular day like Genevieve, made him a slave to his passion like Genevieve. It was a curious thing, this love he had for her, because it had given Lucio permission to simply be. With this lovely woman at his side, he was able to fully experience the present moment, instead of plotting his next move, his next trip, his next challenge.
Genevieve sat up, her hair falling across her face as she climbed up to sit fully on his lap. He put his arms around her waist as she wrapped hers around his neck.
I love you, too, Lucio, she whispered. I love you with all my heart.
He nodded, swallowing back a surge of emotion he'd not expected and didn't know how to handle. It would not do for him to cry, of course. He had not cried since his mother's death.
Then it's official, he said. We love each other.
It's been official for a while now, Ginger said, a touch of humor in her voice.
It has?
Sure. Roxie, Bea, and Josie figured it out a couple weeks ago.
Lucio chuckled. And Rick figured it out today, on the porch. He caught me staring at you.
And if Rick knows, then Teeny does.
And how about your boys? Lucio asked. Do they know?
Genevieve unlocked her arms from his neck and straightened, looking down into Lucio's eyes. Her face was so beautiful. It was the center of his world.
Of course they do, silly, she said, smiling. Even HeatherLynn knows.
Lucio laughed. How could she not, after your photo shoot?
Genevieve laughed. It was a heartfelt and joyful sound. And as she laughed, every glorious wrinkle, every lovely furrow, every one of her crow's-feet came to life on her face.
Lucio grinned. He'd seen so much of the worldthe frozen cathedral of Mount Everest, the impenetrable tangle of life along the Amazon, the awe-inspiring mystery of Machu Picchuand all of it had stirred his soul, most certainly. But it wasn't until right then that he'd discovered his favorite spot on earth, the place that afforded him the single most spectacular view available on the planet.
It was the happy face of the woman he loved.
CHAPTER 16
Sit, sit. Coffee?
No, thanks. Lucio took one of the chairs in the sitting room of Sydney Frankel's downtown office, a little annoyed that his agent had insisted he take time to visit him in person. He'd told Lucio he had an intriguing idea to discuss with him.
Am I getting the Erskine? Did they change their minds? had been Lucio's first question.
No, unfortunately. Their decision to rescind the award was final.
But why? Didn't they care that we had proof that Ilsa Knauss set me up? Lucio was dumbfounded. ?Hostia! What do they want from me?
I'm sorry, Sydney said, looking down. Their decision was final. They'll be announcing the new winner any day.
Lucio fell back into the leather chair in Sydney's office, crossing his legs, though he knew he'd never be comfortable. He was too angry to be comfortable.
It is unfair, Lucio said, shaking his head. That is my award.
Sydney nodded. There is always next year.
Lucio looked away, staring out the window. Any word on who's getting it?
Sydney sighed softly. The rumor is Kieran O'Shaunessey, but it's not official.
Ah, Lucio said, still looking out the window. He's young, but he's good.
Yes, Sydney said.
The two men sat in awkward silence for a moment, until Sydney cleared his throat. Well, he said, his voice noticeably brighter. You're certainly looking well, Lucky. His agent took the seat opposite him.
Lucio said nothing.
So, Sydney said, chuckling. I've got to tell you, those pet portraits you've got up on your Web site are absolutely top-notch. They're funny and sophisticated andI suspected this might happen because I know how good your work ismy wife wants one taken of her and her moronic Maltese.
Lucio cracked a smile, finally turning away from the window. So you called me down here to try to get a discount?
Sydney roared with laughter. I wouldn't dare. But, since you brought it up, how much is something like that going to set me back?
Lucio snickered. It depends on how elaborate the owner wants the setting or backdrop to be. The more props and costumes, preparation, or digital enhancement a picture needs, the more expensive it gets.
Sydney's bottom lip protruded the way it always did when he was running numbers in his head. Ballpark? he asked.
Lucio shrugged. I've been charging anywhere from one to five thousand, U.S.
Sydney's mouth fell open. You're shitting me.
No. And I am booked for the next six weeks. I am enjoying myself, though, and I've got a terrific staff. I am on my way toward paying off Geographica in ninety days.
You've got a staff? Sydney looked shocked.
Mostly volunteer, but I'm paying my girlfriend's teenage sons a little for their work. They've been doing c
ostuming, Web design, and one of them is working as my assistant in the studio and the field. My girlfriend has been doing most of the scheduling, billing, and sales. She's phenomenal.
Sydney's left eye squinted. You have a studio?
Lucio nodded.
You have a girlfriend?
Lucio nodded again.
Well. Sydney slapped his palms on his thighs and took a deep breath. Sounds like you might not find my news as exciting as I'd assumed you would.
What news?
I have to be honest with you, LuckyI truly never thought I'd see the day.
The day for what?
I swear it sounds like you're settled, like you're planting your ass right here in town and you're fine with it.
Lucio was preparing a response to that when the left pocket of his trousers began to vibrate. Ah, un momento, por favor.
As Lucio fished for the cell phone Josh and Jason had convinced him to purchase for the business, Sydney's eyes got big.
It is a text message. Lucio squinted at the tiny screen and tried to decipher the strange code the boys used to convey information: c u @ 7 yr crib game at8 imo we shld order za.
Lucio laughed, thinking Jason had just told him they'd be at his place at seven p.m., that the game started at eight p.m., and that they should order pizzabut Lucio could not be certain. He stuffed the phone back in his pocket.
He noticed Sydney gawking at him. The boys are coming over to my house tonight to watch American football. The 49ers are playing the Seahawks, he said.
Just then, his pants vibrated again. I am so sorry, Sydney. He fished out the phone and saw that Genevieve was calling. Digame, Lucio answered. Can I call you right back, guapa? Gracias. He snapped the phone closed, then laughed at Sydney's increasingly stupefied expression. New phone, he said, holding it up before he shoved it back in his pocket.
Since when do you have a cell phone?
Three days ago.
My God.
Lucio dismissed Sydney's reaction with a wave of his hand.
You're in a relationship, Lucio. You're in love!
Yes, I am.
The night she got lucky sfdg-2 Page 20