“You’re not kidding. It’s a mess,” Lucifer chimed in, sounding annoyed.
Lucia looked at him. “You don’t like the event?” she asked him.
Lucifer stared at her, looked her over, and she shyly looked away.
“It just makes getting around impossible,” he added.
“If there are so many activities going on that people can’t drive their cars down Main Street, then why not make everyone park outside of town and provide courtesy tractor rides into town and to the O’Brians’? That would probably cut down on the congestion and also make the streets safer for the visitors. Kids get so excited about the things you’ve all described,” Lucia said, and Dale smiled.
“That’s an awesome idea.”
Just then, he heard some of the locals greeting Wyatt Cantrell as Francine dropped off Lucia’s lunch as well as Dale’s and the others’ lunches.
“Hey, Wyatt.”
They all greeted him hello, and Lucia lowered her eyes and reached for the spoon and the bowl of soup.
He nodded toward Lucia as if surprised she was there and conversing.
“We were all just telling Lucia about the fall festival when she came up with a really brilliant idea.” Dale explained Lucia’s idea.
“I like that. That’s something to consider, Lucia. We always worry about security and safety in Pearl. We had a few close calls with the kids running around all excited and not looking before they crossed the streets. If we can get the other farmers on board, or anyone willing to be drivers and assist, this could work out well. Are you interested in joining the committee that organizes the activities?” Wyatt asked, and Dale smiled. He had a feeling Anna had spotted Lucia just like Sage did, and they were curious and concerned for the young stranger in town.
“Oh, I don’t think so. I’m not really a member of the community,” she whispered.
“You’re not? You live here, and you dine here at Francine’s. I’d say you’re a member of Pearl,” Wyatt exclaimed.
“No doubt you are, Lucia,” Dale informed her, and he saw Lucifer watching Lucia. He didn’t take his eyes off of her.
“Listen, the meeting is at the end of the week at five o’clock in the town hall municipal building. Sage, Anna, and even Francine here will be there. They would welcome the insight and the help. Plus we can discuss your idea about the tractor rides and blocking off the main entrances to town. I think it’s a fantastic idea,” Wyatt told her.
“What do you say? Will we see you at the meeting Friday?” Virgo asked now, too. Dale loved that everyone seemed to be curious about Lucia and wanted to help her feel part of the community. Wherever she came from, and whatever she went through, they would make her understand that Pearl was a wonderful, caring community that gave everyone equal opportunity to be part of it.
“I’ll think about it. I’ll try,” she said and then went back to eating her lunch.
Dale looked at Wyatt, and Wyatt gave a wink then walked over to the other side of Lucifer. Dale couldn’t wait to tell Sage about what happened today.
* * * *
Lucifer listened to the conversation going on around him, but he was mostly focused on Lucia. She smelled incredible. So much so that he found himself inhaling deeply to absorb more of the enticing scent. Her long brown hair was filled with abundant waves that looked soft to touch. When she glanced at him, her brown eyes, pixie nose, and delicate features stirred something deep inside of him. She was feminine, petite, and also looked sad.
“Are there really that many vendors during the fall festival?” she asked Dale. She sounded excited yet her expression was still sad, especially in her eyes.
Her big brown doe eyes, drew him in immediately, but she didn’t hold his gaze long enough for him to really analyze what he thought he saw in them. Then, of course, he wondered why he had the capability to see anything beyond the chocolate color. Who was he to do an in-depth analysis of the young woman who kept to herself and barely said a word?
“Haven’t you ever been to a festival before? Maybe where you lived before Pearl?” Dales asked.
As Dale engaged her in conversation, more
than likely interrogating the girl to see who she really was and what brought her here, Lucifer took the time to look her over.
He initially thought she was no more than twenty, maybe twenty-one, because of her youthful, small features like her pixie nose, big brown eyes, and skinny jeans she wore. Then a closer look revealed her maturity, a classiness about her that really confused him entirely. Could she be well off and just playing some role? The raggedy sweater that barely covered her abundant breasts, which pressed tight against the black long-sleeve shirt she wore beneath it, wasn’t exactly an indicator of wealth.
“No, I’ve never really heard of such a festival before, but you’ve all piqued my interest. I’ll definitely check it out,” she said and then went back to eating her lunch, avoiding further questioning.
She was young, so maybe she was on the run, or just trekking cross-country to see the world. Not too smart. His brother Salvatore mentioned a young woman walking thought he woods alone and how she hadn’t even known he and Brutas were there. The thought that Lucia was that young woman put Lucifer on edge.
But it wasn’t his place to interfere. Sure, he and his brothers Gabriele, Salvatore, and Maxwell helped out when needed by Wyatt, but they still kept their distance from getting too close to anyone or too involved. The town’s men watched over all women, single or taken. Surely there were already lots of men showing interest in Lucia. That was probably why Dale and even Wyatt were engaging her. But she wasn’t giving much up, just an understanding of safety for the town and her idea about the tractors and offering rides to the events. It was ingenious.