The Night She Got Lucky (27 page)

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 up, 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.

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 costuming, 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 at
8 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.

You're buying phones and hanging out with the woman's kids! His agent's face was red with the effort it took for him not to burst out laughing.

I am. Lucio recrossed his legs, bothered by Sydney's level of amusement. It was almost worse than Piers's.

Well. Sydney got up and paced his office for a moment. He went to his desk and hit the intercom button. Bernice, can you bring in that contract for Lucky Montevez?

Lucio's fingers gripped the chair's leather armrest. What contract?

Yes, well, that's why I asked you to stop by. You've just been offered a field assignment for
Nature
magazine. It's a four-week gig in Mauritius. They're doing a piece on pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, and the island's growing list of endangered species. It's the same sad tale you've told a hundred times from a hundred different locations.

Lucio refrained from any type of reaction, because he didn't know what kind of reaction to have. One part of him wanted to hear more. The other part of him wished he hadn't heard a word of any of this. Sydney was staring at him, waiting for a response.

Bernice entered the office with the papers, giving Lucio the few seconds he needed to get himself together.

Sydney glanced over the pages as Bernice left. It's a forty-thousand-dollar job, he said. As usual, they're offering a decent daily stipend with a bonus if you get the cover. The budget isn't enough for helicopters locally, so it looks like it will be private planes, off-road vehicles, and shoe leather, but they usually take pretty good care of you.

Lucio tried to get comfortable in the chair, which was proving to be a real challenge, since he didn't even feel comfortable in his own skin at that moment.

This one job would be almost enough to pay off his debt to
Geographica
. He would be in the clear, and could come back and pick up where he left off with Petography. But, of course, he couldn't take the job. He couldn't leave Genevieve and the boys and his business. He did not want to. The idea was preposterous.

They'll give you ten thousand more as a signing bonus if you take the job today.

I cannot take the job today! Lucio said, shaking his head. I cannot take the job at all!

Sydney placed the contract on the glass-topped coffee table. I'm sorryI just thought I heard you turn this down outright.

At the very least I need some time to discuss it with my girlfriend.

Sydney laughed. I've never heard you utter those words, and I'm especially surprised to hear them now.

Lucio frowned.

His agent balanced his elbows on his knees and peered at Lucio like he'd lost his mind. This is Lucky's lucky day, right? When Lucio didn't say anything, Sydney huffed in frustration. Look, I know we've nailed Ilsa Knauss for all that business in China, but she hasn't been charged with anything yet, so you're still on the hook for the cash.

I realize that, Lucio said.

And I know you just started a little side business and you've got a new girl in your life, but if you take this field assignment, you're back in your element. Once you take this job, the whole China debacle will recede into the background and you won't be walking around with ‘bad boy' tattooed on your forehead anymore. This is the break you've been waiting for.