There she stood, next to the large window. Motionless. The remains of the evening sun reflected in her already sparkling eyes. Arianne Skye gathered up her flowing, azure gown, sashayed across the room, and flopped down on the cream-colored chaise. A soft sigh escaped her.
"Whass da matter?"
Brick Branston stared at the woman. His hazel-colored eyes searching for answers but finding none. He didn't know what Arianne was thinking. He never did! But she hadn't hired him for his wit or even emotional support.
Arianne arched her back and looked away. She let out a deliberate moan. Brick charged across the room, wrapped his slab of arm around her delicate waist, and pulled her soft, crimson lips into his chiseled face. He may have been as thick as Louisiana swampwater but the brute knew his signals!
A nearby window burst open, and a gust of wind rushed in lifting Arianne's skirt ever-so slightly, revealing her smooth alabaster skin.
"Oh, Brick!" she breathed.
"Oh, Arianne!"
"Oh, brother!"
Loretta's laugh echoed across the small kitchen. She knew right where this was heading! Where they all did.
Of all the Of Fire and Ice series, Alaskan Love was her favorite. Outrageous tales of lust and lovers. And this current escape did not disappoint either! Loretta just couldn't stop reading them.
She tossed the glossy paperback onto the counter, looked into the mirror. Her wrinkled hand ran across her face, her dark eyes hollow. Not a bit of sparkle in 'em.
Yep. Loretta Duffy was nothing like Arianne Skye. Matter of fact she had more in common with the mirror. Plain, misused, and barely functioning. And the only delicate thing about her was her temper!
As Loretta placed the dish towel on the hook, she heard the front door open. DEL. HE'S EARLY. The familiar jangle of his keys made her eyes roll. Loretta took a deep breath and counted to ten. She was calm. For now at least.
Del Connors was standing in front of her and about to be his usually annoying self. In his hand was a clipboard with a sheet attached. He tugged on his stylish black frames as he looked over it.
"Loretta. I need you up front with the customers!"
Oh please! You've had 20/20 vision since you were a cub! And I doubt two years at that college changed that. Delbert!
"You know what they say, Loretta. A punctual employee is an important employee!"
She didn't know who "they" were or why in Sam's great hill did they elect Delbert Connors their spokesman. Her lips pursed.
"Loretta? Don't start daydreaming again. I detest daydreamers. Especially in my establishment."
"I'm...sorry Delb-...Mr. Connors. I'll try to do better. Now I've got counter gunk to get off." She headed through the swinging doors. And added "in your fine establishment."
"Momma! I've been looking all ova for you. Where have you been?"
Loretta slowly joined her daughter, sitting in the corner booth. "Same as always. What do you want?"
She paused. "Is everything alright, Charlene?"
"Ugh! No momma. It's not!" She snatched her baseball cap off. "Today has just been the ab-solute worst. I wake up and find you-know-who has broken my dang clock...again! Wanted an omelette for breakfast. Ya know the real kind. Not this mess here. Right?" Charlene slid a greasy menu at Loretta. Her eyes rolled. She grabbed the cap and handed it to her.
"Anyway...I'm all out of eggs! I mean are you kidding me? Then I'm out in the yard and fall off the dang tractor!
"Did my baby break a nail?"
"Funny. More like my arm, momma! Been at County all morning."
Loretta sat back and stared. For the love of sanity! Tomboy or drama queen? She wished the child would just pick already!
"Wait. Where's Michael?"
As if on cue, a ten-year old boy dressed in navy blue button-down appeared from the bathroom.
"Mother, you know how much I hate public restrooms. I have no-"
Within seconds, Loretta had scooped him up off the floor and held him close.
"Mikey!!! How's my little cub doing?"
