Just One Kiss: A Holiday Story [The Town of Pearl 8] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

by Dixie Lynn Dwyer

  Lucia didn’t want to tell them that it was the only route she knew. She didn’t want to appear fearful, nor did she want to come across as naive. They could try something. Anyone could.

  “I’ll take precautions. Thank you for the concern,” Lucia told them and then went back to eating.

  “Is the fall festival committee going to meet Saturday afternoon still?” Mrs. Higgins asked.

  “I believe so. That’s what Wyatt said. Lucia is supposed to go and help out,” Lucifer added. Lucia looked up at Mrs. Higgins and then at Lucifer.

  “You’re part of the committee, Lucia?” Beth asked her.

  “Well, the sheriff asked me to attend.”

  “She had a great idea as to how to handle the traffic during the festival,” Lucifer told them and then explained her idea. They all began complimenting her and telling her she should definitely attend the event.

  As they talked more about the festivities and mentioned the jack-o’-lantern display on the O’Brians’ land, she decided she really wanted to see that. She would head there tomorrow night. It wasn’t too far. A mile or two, less on the way back if she went through the woods.

  She felt a funny sensation in her gut. Now that Lucifer and Salvatore had warned her about being more cautious and the dangers she should have been aware of, she felt annoyed. She could take care of herself. She didn’t need these men, strangers, telling her what she could and couldn’t do. Control was hers. She decided what, when, where, and how in everything she did. She would walk to the event and walk back. Everything would be fine.

  * * * *

  After lunch Mary accompanied Lucia, Lucifer, and Salvatore back up to the bedroom to discuss ideas. As they walked she noticed how Lucifer placed his hand at Lucia’s lower back, guiding her past some of the broken wood. The sight made her nearly leap with joy. There was a definite, natural attraction there, and if her womanly instincts were right, Salvatore felt it, too.

  “My goodness. I don’t even know where to begin. I think the entire room should be gutted,” Mrs. Higgins said as she looked at the mess.

  “No need to panic, Mrs. Higgins, it looks bad now because of the demo, the dust and debris, but I think a lot of the room can be salvaged,” Lucifer told her.

  “I think so too. Those two walls right there where the bed goes can stay. Since you’re renovating the room, they could be sanded and repainted,” Lucia told her.

  “I don’t know. I think maybe we should just start fresh. A whole new canvas. Your love is interior decorating and redesigning, making people’s dream homes become a reality, so why not?” Mrs. Higgins asked.

  “Because we’re already on a tight schedule of eleven weeks. That’s if the subcontractors like electricians, painters, et cetera, come through,” Salvatore added.

  “How about your brothers? Don’t Gabriele and Maxwell help you out on jobs anymore? I’m certain with their help the five of you can accomplish everything in eleven weeks.”

  “Five of us?” Lucifer asked.

  “You, your brothers and Lucia. Now, start planning, I’ve got phone calls to make.” Mrs. Higgins exited the room.

  * * * *

  “She’s gotten pushier over the years,” Salvatore mumbled then shook his head.

  “You’ve known her long?” Lucia asked.

  Lucifer looked at her and nodded his head.

  “She was a good friend of our mom,” Lucifer explained.

  “That’s nice. She mentioned brothers, you all grew up around here?” Lucia asked him.

  “Sure did. We left for a bit of time but eventually returned. There’s no place like Pearl,” Lucifer said as he held her gaze. He couldn’t help but take all of her in. Her sweet expression, those big brown eyes, it was all appealing as his body reacted. She stared right back at him, and then glanced at Salvatore. The moment her eyes roamed up toward Salvatore’s, she quickly looked away.

  “Well, this is a huge job, but I suppose with the extra help we could pull it off. How do you want to attack this?” Lucia asked, changing the subject as she moved further into the room.

  There went the opportunity to ask something about her, like where she came from and why she was in Pearl.

  “Mrs. Higgins mentioned something about your love of interior decorating. Did you go to school for that?” he asked as he followed her while she balanced between beams on the floor.

  “My degree is in graphic design, but I’ve always wanted to pursue interior design. You know, taking a room and making it into something special.”

  “So you never really did anything like this before?” Salvatore asked her, his voice deep, and edgy, like always. Lucifer felt a mix of emotions. Annoyed that Salvatore had to be so abrupt and edgy, and slightly excited that his brother, who seemed like he had sworn off women forever, was showing somewhat of an interest in Lucia.

  “I can assure you that I know beyond the basics, Salvatore. Plus, a person has to start somewhere. I’m sure you didn’t just start your carpentry business by picking up a hammer and banging nails into wood,” she said, and Lucifer chuckled.

  Salvatore just watched her.

  “Well, what are your ideas for this clean palette of ours?” Salvatore asked, and Lucifer was surprised.

  “Well, with your feedback and all, I think we should gather some ideas and then see if they’re feasible. I’ll need the square footage of the entire room, and that should help me know what I can and can’t fit in here. I like your ideas about the window, Lucifer. I still think the stained glass will look brilliant in here.”

  “That may cost a lot in itself.” Lucifer explained about the specialty item and special ordering it.

  “Well, we’ll hold off on that for now. I can research what’s available within driving distance. Maybe that might cut the costs. We’ll discuss it tomorrow, I guess. You’re probably going to need until Monday to complete the demo, right?” she asked them.

  “We should be in great shape by Monday,” Lucifer told her, and she smiled. It hit him clear in the center of his gut. The woman was so appealing. He wished he were a few years younger. He was thirty-one, and she was maybe twenty-one. God, just absorbing her youth and beauty made him feel old.

  “I guess we’ll talk more over the weekend. I’ll have to use the computer in the library over the weekend, unless Mrs. Higgins lets me print some ideas out today and tomorrow from her computer. I’ll keep you posted.” She started heading out of the room.

  “We have a computer at our place. You could always come over and we could brainstorm together,” he found himself suggesting, shocking him.

  Her eyes widened, and then she quickly headed toward the door.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’m sure we can complete it here or even meet at the library.”

  He could tell he had put her on edge, and she sure did look scared. As he thought about that, his instincts kicked in, and he couldn’t help but wonder if she was afraid of him.

  “Lucia, I didn’t mean to scare you by suggesting that.”

  “You don’t scare me, Lucifer. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” She quickly headed out of the room. One glance at Salvatore and he could see his brother’s concern.

  “I think you do scare her. I wonder why,” Salvatore expressed.

  “She’s shy, not so experienced probably. We are a lot older than her.”

  “Doesn’t mean a thing. She was scared. Just like when she nearly tripped earlier and we both caught her. She nearly jumped from our embrace,” Salvatore pointed out.

  Lucifer thought about that a moment. “You’re right. Do you think she’s been hurt before?” As he asked the question, he instantly felt sick. She was petite, sweet, and the thought that he frightened her or that she felt like he could hurt her really bothered him.

  “I don’t know. It’s not our business though. Let’s just get this work done and call it a day. Tomorrow we’ll worry about the plans for this room and Lucia’s ideas.”

  “You’re right. Maybe I’m reading in
to this too deeply. Let’s get moving. Maybe we’ll complete this job ahead of schedule.”

  “With those two women planning and designing, I doubt it.” Lucifer chuckled and placed the gloves back onto his hands then began working. His mind remained on the mysterious, doe-eyed young woman and all the reasons why he shouldn’t pursue the attraction he felt. Not when he knew so little about her.

  Chapter 5

  Lucia spent most of Friday on the computer trying to get an idea of what styles Mrs. Higgins liked. Since the bedroom was going to be a guest’s quarters and had its own adjacent bathroom, she wanted something welcoming and relaxing. That gave Lucia a lot of ideas. She would just need to go over the possibilities with Lucifer and Salvatore on Monday.

  When Mrs. Higgins handed her cash for the hours she had worked this week, she was thrilled. She knew the first thing she would do after work was head into town to buy a warmer coat. It was bitter this morning as she walked from the Anderses’ place. It took a good hour for her to warm up. Plus she didn’t like the concern on Mrs. Higgins’s face.

  “So what are your plans for this evening?” Mrs. Higgins asked her as Lucia began to close up the laptop. She was letting her go at 4:00.

  “Oh, I need to head into town for some things.”

  “Do you need a ride?”

  “No thank you. I’m fine,” she said as she pulled the small backpack onto her shoulder. She never even took her sweater off.

  Mrs. Higgins nodded her head.

  “Have a good weekend and I’ll see you on Monday. Be sure to get together with Lucifer and Salvatore to discuss ideas.”

  “Oh, I think we’ll just go over them here on Monday. They should have the demolition finished by then.”

  Mrs. Higgins nodded as Lucia said good-bye then walked out the door.

  * * * *

  Anna was at the boutique in town picking up some leftover coats from last season that Diane and her sister Melissa were donating to the shelter. That’s when she saw the young woman, Lucia, searching through the racks. She whispered to Diane, “Did you strike up a conversation with her?” Diane shook her head.

  Anna felt compelled to talk to the young woman after her husband, Wyatt, expressed a shared concern over Lucia and the sweater she wore in the colder fall weather. But seeing her here in the boutique looking through the items gave her hope that the woman was going to be okay. It wouldn’t hurt to let her know about the services the shelter offered when people were trying to make ends meet.

  “Excuse me. Hi, I’m Anna, the sheriff’s wife,” she introduced herself. Lucia seemed surprised but then instantly smiled.

  “Hello.”

  “I just wanted to introduce myself. I understand that you may be coming to the committee meeting tomorrow at town hall. I’m on the committee for the fall festival as well, so I thought you may feel more comfortable with a familiar face you’ll know.”

  “Oh, that’s so kind of you. My name is Lucia, by the way. I was just looking for a warmer coat. I hadn’t expected to need one so soon.”

  “Yes, fall is hitting earlier this season. The leaves are changing, and the temperature is colder than usual. Is there anything particular that you’re searching for?” Anna asked her.

  “Well, I guess designer might not be in my budget. I was looking for something functional, not necessarily glamorous,” she said and then looked back at the one coat she had been eyeing. Lucia checked the price tag and cringed.

  “You know, we get so many donations for coats for the shelter, we wind up selling them during the fair for a monetary donation. I think in the one box that Diane just brought out, I saw a similar coat, but a bit warmer and more functional like you said. Come on, we’ll check and see.”

  Anna was grateful Lucia didn’t protest but instead followed her toward the box of items.

  As Anna looked through the box, Diane joined them.

  “There is definitely one very similar to that black one you were eyeing. It’s last year’s design, but exactly the same. I think the designer just added an extra fancy button on the lapel,” Diane said.

  “Here it is. Size small. That should fit you. You’re very petite,” Anna told her.

  Lucia looked at the tag. “I don’t know. It’s still a lot.”

  “No, you try it on. The price tag doesn’t matter. I told you that these are donations and if no one uses them from the shelter we sell them for monetary donations at the fair. It’s a win-win situation,” Anna stated.

  Diane helped Lucia try it on, and it fit perfectly.

  “Wow, this is very warm, yet really light,” Lucia stated as she snuggled into it. Anna smiled.

  “It’s down feathers or something. Let’s see if there’s another one. It’s always good to have a backup,” Anna said as she looked through the pile.

  “Oh no, this is fine. I couldn’t take another one. Someone else might need it more,” she said, and Anna realized instantly she liked Lucia.

  “Here, this one is chocolate brown and matches your eyes,” Diane stated.

  “Oh, look at that, and it has some fancy buttons too. It can be your dress-up coat,” Anna sated.

  “I don’t really need a dress-up coat.”

  “Why not? You never know when someone might ask you out.”

  Anna immediately saw the color drain from Lucia’s face. She looked downright scared.

  Anna touched her arm.

  “Sweetie, I was only joking. Don’t look so scared. No one in Pearl will hurt you.”

  “I’m sorry, it’s just—”

  “No worries. Now, try this brown one on too.”

  “Were you looking for other things like sweaters or jeans, maybe skirts, boots, anything else?” Diane asked. Anna could see how excited Diane was getting. She loved to help people.

  “I don’t think I can get all that today. I only have a little to spend as I just worked my first full week at a new job.”

  “With Mary Higgins, right?” Anna asked. Lucia looked a bit concerned.

  “Don’t worry, word travels fast around here, and besides that, Mrs. Higgins has a heart of gold. She’s helped create jobs for some of the women in the shelter who have nothing. In fact when it gets closer to the winter holidays like Christmas and Hanukkah, she throws a big holiday party and gets the women to decorate, serve food, and also partake in the festivities. It’s an awesome event.”

  “That sounds so nice. She is a very energetic woman. I’m grateful she gave me the job. I was getting worried when I asked around town and no one was hiring.”

  “Well, there are lots of jobs in Keanter,” Diane told her.

  “I think it’s too far to walk. I don’t exactly have transportation, so working here in town is perfect. So how much for the coats?” Lucia asked.

  “It’s whatever you want to donate to the shelter.”

  She thought about it a moment and then gave a hundred dollar bill.

  “Oh, Lucia, that’s too much. You can give us, like, twenty dollars or even five,” Anna told her.

  “No, the hundred is perfect. There are other people out there who are more needy than I. Right now I can get three square meals a day, I have a new job, a roof over my head, and am thankful to this town and the people like yourselves and Mrs. Higgins that make me feel welcome. I don’t need anything more. I’ll be just fine.”

  Anna felt the tears reach her eyes as she took the hundred-dollar bill.

  “I’ll wrap these up for you and put them in a bag.” Anna was in awe of Lucia, and she hoped that she was successful in making it on her own, and that she would stay in Pearl and settle down.

  * * * *

  Lucia put the bag with the other jacket into her backpack and headed out into the evening chill. It was in the low fifties, maybe colder, but the warmth of the black down jacket that fell a little past her waist was heaven. The walk back to the Anderses’ would take fifteen minutes, but the walk from here to the O’Brians’ would take a lot longer. Then she had the return trip all the way back bec
ause the O’Brian farm was on the other end of town. She figured she would go to the library until it got dark before she headed to see the opening night at the jack-o‘-lantern display. She was looking forward to it, and the trek back to the Anderses’ wouldn’t be so bad now that she had the coat.

  She could eat the small sandwich she had made for lunch but hadn’t eaten because Beth had made a pot of chicken soup. It had been delicious and made Lucia long for things she never had nor ever would. She asked Beth how she made the soup and explained to her about not knowing how to cook a lot but wanting to learn. That made Beth excited as she planned to show her how to make a few things. Too bad she wouldn’t be able to unless she got a bigger apartment with a regular-size stove and oven.

  Lucia made her way to the library for an hour. There, she could look up more ideas for designs and also eat the sandwich.

  She would also confirm the location of the O’Brian farm and that the display was opening tonight. It was funny, but after talking with Anna and Diane and having money in her pocket, security of a job, and the adventure of designing her first room, she was feeling pretty excited. Going to see the creative, hand-carved jack-o’-lanterns was going to be a wonderful way to celebrate and get into the spirit of fall and all it had to offer here in Pearl.

  * * * *

  Brutas was at Salvatore’s side as he, Lucifer, Maxwell, and Gabriele helped add some finishing touches to the project Lucifer worked on for the entryway to the O’Brian jack-o’-lantern display. He was truly impressed with the artistic talents of the locals in town, but was shocked when Mr. O’Brian asked his brother and him to create the entryway theme. Something that enticed the visitors and truly put them in the mood for the event and, of course, the festival. Salvatore hadn’t wanted to be involved, and really didn’t do much because he showed no interest in being part of the community on the frontlines. Behind the scenes was one thing, but he allowed Lucifer to take complete control over this project.