Home at Last

by Judith Keim

  Flattered, she said, “Well, I love photography and catching people on camera at unexpected times. Cami asked me to help with the wedding party tonight and I liked doing it. I’m hoping to do more. Favorite things? I love Belgian chocolate and, like Cami, I love pink roses the best. There, is that enough?” She’d learned in politics not to give away too much information about herself.

  Laughing, he shook his head. “It’s a beginning. That’s all. I want to learn a whole lot more about you. Do you have brothers and sisters?”

  He listened quietly, his expression growing sad, as she told him about Teddy.

  “Sorry. I can’t imagine losing a sibling. That’s tough.”

  “What about you? Do you have any brothers and sisters?”

  Me? I have three older sisters.” He chuckled. “You can imagine my life growing up with those three trying to boss me around.”

  She laughed with him. No doubt they’d coddled him. He must have been an adorable little boy. He certainly was a handsome man.

  He leaned forward. “Say, I want your opinion on an idea I have about fixing up the farmhouse at Taunton Estates. Are you willing to help me?”

  “Sure. Anytime.” She was much more comfortable with him and was curious to see what he had in mind.

  “How about right now?” Miguel said, grinning at her.

  She gave him a quizzical look. “Are you kidding? It’s dark out.”

  “I know. That’s why I want to show you something now. It’s an idea of mine that might seem far out, but after talking to you, I’m willing to take a chance that you won’t laugh at me.”

  “Okay,” said Lulu, more relaxed, more open to fun than she’d been in many months.

  After paying their bill and leaving the bar, Miguel helped Lulu into his truck. As he climbed into the driver’s seat, he turned to her. “Are you okay with this? I can show you another time. We’ve both had a lot of beer.”

  “Are you insulting me?” Lulu said. “I can hold my drinks very well, thank you.”

  He laughed. “I didn’t mean to insinuate you were drunk. I just meant ... oh, never mind. You’re fine. I’m fine. Everything’s great.”

  As they drove to Taunton Estates, Lulu laid her head back against the headrest and sighed with contentment. She felt so relaxed. Though she hadn’t done much serious dating, she couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so intrigued by a man. She’d had a fling with Kirk Ketcham, a college student working on her father’s campaign, and she knew Wilson Chambers was definitely interested in her. But she attributed his attention to his fascination with the political connections he might gain from being with her. He was already talking about running for local office.

  “We’re here,” said Miguel jarring her out of her thoughts.

  The air was crisp as she stepped out of the truck. She looked up at the dark, September sky. The full moon glowed as it floated above them like a light welcoming them home. Stars twinkled in the sky giving her silent winks.

  “Come inside,” said Miguel. “Then you’ll be able to see what I’m talking about.” He held out his hand, and she accepted it. “We four owners of Lone Creek Winery are going to fix this house up as a place for me to live and for occasional use for social events. So, while it might be bigger than I’d normally choose, I want to make it uniquely mine.”

  “I understand they’ve committed to working on the house. Drew is excited about it.” Of all the three houses at the different vineyards, including Cami’s, this was Lulu’s favorite. A white stucco finish and a mansard roof made it look European in flavor.

  “All the technicalities of ownership will be worked out with lawyers, but it will be mine to live in for as long as I choose, in the same way the house at Lone Creek is available to Dan and Becca.”

  “Sounds like it’s been well thought out.”

  He led her up the front porch steps, flicked on exterior and interior lights, and welcomed her inside.

  She blinked in the brightness of the lights and glanced around. At the moment, it was a guy’s kind of place. Nothing fancy, just the basic furnishings, off-white walls and nondescript carpeting.

  “Looking at it with you now, I see how much work will need to go into the place to make it as nice as the houses at the other vineyards,” said Miguel. “But, as I told the other guys, the bones of this house are good. Right now, it has four bedrooms and two and a half baths. We’re going to change that, add another bathroom or two. Dan is very good at figuring that stuff out.”

  “I’m curious. What did you want to show me?” She could already envision some interior decorating changes she’d make.

  “Upstairs. Follow me.”

  Lulu gave him a quizzical look and trailed him up the stairway. When she realized she was focusing on his butt, she told herself to stop fantasizing. This was a man who wasn’t serious about anyone and wanted to remain that way for the time being.

  At the doorway to a large bedroom, she paused behind him, her heart sinking. “Is this it? Your way to get someone up here?”

  “What? No! This is where I want to make the biggest change. Come here.”

  He walked her to a sliding-glass door and led her out onto a deck. Standing beside him, she gazed with appreciation at her surroundings. The moonlight coated the hills and vines below with a silvery glow that was breathtaking.

  “I saw this idea on television, and I want to do it here. Tell me what you think. First, we’d expand the deck, and instead of leaving it open, I want to build a roof with a skylight over it and enclose the whole thing with large, sliding-glass windows that would make up most of the walls surrounding the deck. The master bedroom would go here. The space inside the house could be used as a private dressing room, more closets, an expansion of the bathroom, whatever.”

  “It would be like camping out under the stars,” Lulu said softly, looking up at the sky, imagining what it might feel like to sleep here surrounded by the night, the moon, and the stars. Arms out, she twirled around as if to embrace it all.

  “I knew you’d like it!” Miguel beamed at her. “The other guys are trying to talk me out of doing this. They’re worried about heating the area in the winter and keeping it cool in the summer. But I believe that problem can be solved with solar panels, baseboard heating, and adequate air conditioning.”

  Staring up at the stars, Lulu said, “If not, make this an old-fashioned sleeping porch that can be used most of the year without those problems. It’s too good an idea to give up.”

  Miguel’s face lit, washed with the light of the moon. “I’m so glad you understand what I’m trying to do here.” He drew her into his arms and lowered his lips to hers.

  At his touch, a powerful tug of longing traveled through Lulu’s body and settled at her core. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, wanting to hold onto the delicious feeling new to her.

  His lips met hers gently then became more demanding.

  When they finally broke apart, Lulu struggled to catch her breath, but her heart was pounding so hard, she could only try.

  “Wow!” said Miguel softly. “Come here.”

  Lulu didn’t hesitate to move into his arms. She’d never felt this way and wanted more. Much more.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Later, marveling at what had just happened between them, Lulu lay on the bedroom carpet just inside the sliding door leading to the deck. She’d had only one other man make love to her, but this was a very different experience. On his back beside her, Miguel wore an expression of satisfaction on his face, which was highlighted by the moon’s gauzy glow glistening on their bare bodies.

  Miguel rolled over and drew her against him. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, “and not at all what I expected.”

  “Oh? What was that?” She wasn’t experienced and worried she hadn’t been a good lover.

  He clasped his hands around her face and gazed at her with a tender expression. “You’re one hell of a woman, Weezie Lopez!”

  Lulu chuckled
. “I can’t imagine how Cami came up with that name so quickly, but it’s a good cover for me.”

  “I like it.” A smile curved his lips as he looked down at her. “But I also like Lulu Kingsley, the woman by my side. You’re very special.”

  This time, his lovemaking was slow and easy, building into another explosion of sensations.

  Lulu awoke sometime later and, realizing the hour, forced herself to move away from Miguel’s warm body and head into the bathroom. She freshened and quickly dressed.

  As she was running her fingers through her hair, Miguel padded into the bathroom. “What’s up?”

  “I’m sorry. I can’t spend the night here. I don’t want any gossip spreading about us. I’ve had enough of that kind of thing. Please, will you take me home?”

  “Really?” His voice held hurt, but she chose to stand by her wish. She wasn’t ready for a relationship until she picked up the pieces of her life and put them back together. Especially a relationship ruled by sensations and not common sense. The depth of her feelings, her need for him frightened her.

  ###

  The next morning, when Lulu walked into the kitchen, Cami looked up at her with a smile. “A late night, I heard. Becca said you and Miguel left the Green Grape together.”

  Lulu propped her hands on her hips. “Does everyone in this town know what everyone else is doing?”

  “Pretty much,” Cami said giving her a teasing smile.

  “Well, all talk can stop about Miguel and me. Neither one of us is ready to do any serious dating. Besides, I’m still trying to resolve things following my father’s death. Personal issues I have to address.”

  The smile left Cami’s face. “I’m sorry for teasing you. I was simply happy to know you were going out with someone.”

  “It’s okay.” Lulu sighed and stared out the window. “There are so many things still to take care of. Mostly my mother.” She turned back to Cami. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am to be here.”

  The shrill ring of the phone ended their talk. Cami rose to answer it.

  Lulu poured herself a cup of coffee and headed out to the deck. Even though the air was cool, she was comfortable in the pink, furry robe she’d recently bought. She’d just settled in one of the rocking chairs, when Cami hurried over to her carrying the phone.

  “This call is for you. You need to take it now.” She handed her the phone and rather than leave, Cami sat in a chair next to hers, gripping her hands and giving her a worried look.

  “Hello? Miss Kingsley? This is Dr. Cleveland from the Steelman Rehabilitation Clinic. Your mother was admitted this morning after attempting to take her life with prescription medication. Fortunately, her housekeeper found her in time and was able to get medical help right away. As you’ve been given power of attorney, you’ll need to sign some papers. It also would be a good idea for us to sit down together to talk about the case.”

  Lulu felt as if someone had just kicked her in the gut. “Of course, I’ll come right away. I was just taking a break ...”

  “No need to explain,” Dr. Cleveland said kindly. “When you get into town, give my office a call, and we’ll set up a time to meet. Your housekeeper has my phone number and the number of the clinic. I suggest you don’t try to talk to your mother until you and I have discussed the matter.”

  Lulu bobbed her head as if he could see her, ended the call, and sat there in stunned silence.

  Cami immediately put her arms around her. “What is it?”

  “It’s my mother. She tried to kill herself again. I should’ve been there for her. I have to go home now.”

  “Oh, no! I’m sorry, hon,” Cami said. “What can I do to help you?”

  “Can you check flights out of Portland?” Her voice quivered. “I need the earliest flight you can get.” She felt so conflicted. She knew she had a responsibility to her mother, but she’d hoped to build a strong relationship with her sister. Tears blurred her vision. “I’m sorry I won’t be around to help when the holidays are this close.”

  “Don’t worry about that now. Take care of your mother, and we’ll see you as soon as you can arrange it. We’ll keep your room ready for you.”

  “May I leave my car here? That way, I know I’ll be back.”

  “It’ll be here waiting for you. We all will.”

  “Some girls dream of fairy godmothers. I always dreamed of having a sister. I’m so glad I found you,” Lulu said, giving Cami a hug before hurrying to her room to get ready for her trip home.

  She was in the midst of packing when Cami knocked on her door and entered. “A flight leaves Portland at eleven o’clock. You have time for breakfast and a shower. Then I’ll take you to the airport.”

  “Thanks. I’m not hungry. I’ll try to eat something later.”

  She undressed, stepped into the bathroom, and headed into the walk-in shower.

  Feeling the warm water sluice over her skin, Lulu imagined the water as her tears. She lifted her face to the stream of water. She knew depression was a horrible thing for anyone to bear, yet her mother didn’t seem to want to help herself. All she wanted to do was to be with her dead son—another indication that her mother was so wrapped in her own sorrow she hadn’t cared enough about living to be there for Lulu.

  She finished washing and dried herself off. Time to get off the pity pot, she reminded herself. She had to take care of what was left of the Kingsley family.

  ###

  Aboard the plane, Lulu thought of her date with Miguel. Self-doubt ate at her. It was a fantasy to think anything could or should come from it. Considering who she was and her responsibilities to her mother in California, it would remain a happy memory of an evening when she’d let her worries go and enjoyed being with a man whose gentleness was a bit of a surprise to her.

  After the plane landed, she saw that Miguel had tried to call her twice and had left a short text message saying simply “Please call me. I miss you already.”

  Lulu read and reread his message, then reminded herself that thoughts of Miguel Lopez and Chandler Hill needed to be pushed aside until her mother was squared away. Besides, she worried that this was Miguel’s usual next-morning message to the women he’d been with the night before.

  As she waited for her luggage at the airport, she sent him a message telling him she’d been called suddenly to California to care for her mother and that she’d be in touch when she got back to Oregon. She hoped to have him out of her system by the time she returned. The last thing she needed was another charismatic man like her father in her life. Women were constantly throwing themselves at Miguel. Someone else was bound to come along. What she felt for him was too quick, too much, a disaster waiting to happen.

  ###

  Later, she met with Dr. Cleveland, a kind, older gentleman who greeted her with sympathy.

  “Let’s sit and talk. I’m well aware of the difficulties you face now and have faced in the past. I’d like to set up a new protocol to balance your mother’s medications. It’s all about the meds,” he said. “We’ll have to work together to make sure they’re doing what they need to do for her. I suggest we discuss a plan with your mother, the housekeeper, whom she trusts, and you.”

  “What if we fail?” Lulu said, blinking away the tears that threatened.

  Dr. Cleveland’s blue gaze rested on her. “You’re not responsible for keeping her alive, Louise. You can help, but in the end, if things go bad, you’re not to blame.”

  “But my father always told me to keep an eye on her. I’ve tried, and then when I went to visit my sister, this happened.”

  “It’s unfortunate you were handed such a burden,” he said. “I’m relieving you of that right now. We’ll cooperate to keep her as healthy as possible, but that’s all we can do. The choices she makes are hers alone.”

  “But won’t I have to be there for her? Stay at home for a while?”

  “It would be helpful,” Dr. Cleveland admitted.

  “All right, that’s what I’ll do,” Lu
lu said, wishing she could grow magical wings and fly away, back to Oregon.

  ###

  Melba Milner, the housekeeper the family had employed for many years, was a stunning woman of mixed heritage—both African American and Native American. Aside from being one of the most giving people Lulu knew, Melba was a bright, happily married woman with two successfully raised sons—one was a doctor, the other, a lawyer. Lulu had always thought her father might have been a little in love with Melba, though Melba would never do anything to harm her mother. Melba adored Rosalie Stockton Kingsley. In the good times, they were as close as sisters, and when the bad times came, Melba was the one Rosalie wanted near her.

  Lulu sat with Melba in the living room of the palatial home in Brentwood she’d always known. After being at Chandler Hill for a couple of months, this house seemed overdone with its fussy furniture and heavily-framed artwork.

  “Don’t worry,” Melba now said. “We’ll work together to help your mother, as Dr. Cleveland asked.”

  “I honestly believe she’s always wished I’d drowned, not Teddy,” said Lulu, unable to hide her sorrow.

  Melba reached across the space between them on the couch and clasped her hand. “No, Lulu, I don’t want you ever to think that. You surely know that from the good times you were able to share with her.”

  “I guess,” she said. “God! I sound like a crybaby.”

  Melba’s lips spread into a loving smile. “No, sweetie. You sound like a young woman who wishes she’d had more time with her mother.”

  Lulu’s eyes filled. “Do you know how often I wished you were my mother?”

  “Come here,” Melba said, drawing Lulu into a warm embrace. “You are the daughter of my heart.”

  Lulu leaned into Melba’s body and sighed, grateful to the woman who’d more or less kept the family together. “I love you, Melba,” she said, meaning it with her whole being.

  “Love you too, baby girl,” Melba said. “I always have. Now, let’s talk about the plan Dr. Cleveland wants us to work on.”

  Lulu straightened and drew a deep breath. “We’re going to need to keep a record of her medications, what she eats and when, and what, if any, mood swings she demonstrates.”