Wild Man Creek (Virgin River #14)(76)

“Sure,” Jill said. “It’s so important that he do this. You saw his art. It’s magnificent. He doesn’t have to decide to paint full-time, but he has to know his worth. I know it’s beyond his expectations.”

“You love him,” Kelly said.

She smiled and gave a small nod. “Let’s not bring it up. It will only make him squeamish.”

“But he loves you,” Kelly said. “It’s so obvious.”

“Not to Colin,” Jillian said. She sat on the porch steps and brushed the drying mud from her knees. “Trust me.”

“Will you tell him how you feel?” Kelly asked.

Again she nodded. “I’ll tell him before he goes, but I’m going to find the best way to do it. When I tell him I love him, I want it to feel like a gift, not a noose. I wouldn’t be telling him to change him or to weaken him, but to strengthen him. I’d want to reinforce his sense of purpose.”

Kelly leaned forward. “Are you sure about that? Because you seem sad.”

Jillian leaned against the porch post. She shook her head. “I was just daydreaming a little. I’ve never had anything like this, Kell—never had a man in my bed every night, at my breakfast table every morning. When people talked about being in love I didn’t even realize they meant all this laughter, this level of friendship and encouragement, this… I didn’t know it was possible to have this kind of physical love. I’m sure no virgin, but I didn’t know a man could love a woman this way. It’s truly a miracle.”

“A miracle that will be over in September?”

“No,” Jillian said. Her smile was melancholy. “I’m sure it’ll never be over.”

While Jillian found her solace in the garden, Kelly liked to occupy herself in the kitchen. She lamented the lack of accoutrements. Jillian was competent in the kitchen but had no real interest in cooking, therefore she was short on supplies. In fact, while there was space enough for a large, double subzero refrigerator-freezer, Jack had put in a rather small refrigerator, just to keep Jill in chilled foods. The stovetop, likewise, was smaller than the space allowed. And as far as pots and pans and cooking utensils—a few pots, a few plates, a few spoons, spatulas and turning forks. Yet the cooking space was fantastic. She envisioned hanging pots above the workstation and stainless steel appliances custom-fit to the granite countertops that Paul had installed. She’d taken a flashlight and braved the cellar—nothing but cinder block and dirt, but with very little work and money, it could be an outstanding wine cellar. There were already three sinks, refrigerated drawers, warming drawers, room for three ovens—Jack had put in one—and another dishwasher to add to the one already there. This was a kitchen, once set up properly, fit for a small, elegant restaurant.

The only problem was, it was in Virgin River. There was really no one here who would want to eat in a small, elegant restaurant. A tragedy, really.

Kelly’s cell phone chimed and she grabbed it. She smiled as she heard, “Ciao, Bella! How are you, my love?”

“Luca! I didn’t expect to hear from you,” she said. “How is the family gathering?”

“Loud. Very loud, indeed. Five children at home, their spouses, partners, boyfriends, girlfriends, even their in-laws if they have them. After Michael’s college graduation celebration he announced his engagement. Not to be outdone, Bethany, age twenty, flashed her diamond. It appears there will be two Brazzi weddings in a year or less. That marries them all.”

“Congratulations!”

“And of course I am in the kitchen, spoiling them and showing off. Why wouldn’t I think of you and wish you were here beside me,” he said. “I do miss you, Bella.”

“I’ll see you soon enough. For now, enjoy the family! You don’t have them all together very often.”

“I wanted to tell you something, Kelly. When these weddings are done, there will be some changes in my life. And, with any luck, in your life, as well.”

Kelly smiled to herself. After a year and two weddings?

They began as acquaintances, then friends, then he took a position as her mentor, and finally he opened up about his deeper feelings. Kelly had grown so close to Luca in the past six months that it was no surprise she’d fallen for him, but in fact she was very proud of herself for managing, somehow, to hold him at arm’s length even though he claimed to desire her madly.

Luca had been married for twenty-eight years and had five children ranging in age from twenty to twenty-seven. When their friendship began to heat up, he explained that his was a family business, that he and his wife and several employees lived in the same huge home, but his marriage had been all business for many years.

“It’s still your marriage,” she had replied. “And you’re still all under the same roof.”

“Yes, sweetheart, but a roof that covers over twelve thousand square feet, a couple of warehouses, guesthouses and a few acres. And not only have Olivia and I occupied separate bedrooms for twenty years, we’ve discussed the situation with our grown children! It’s all geography and settlements!”

Ah, the idea of a fling with him had been so appealing! She was completely seduced by him! Thoroughly! There was no one more perfect for her than a gifted, internationally known chef like Luca. Every moment they spent together, every time they talked, she was his. But she kept him back. “But until you are a single man, Luca, I am not getting further involved. It’s going to be difficult enough when you’re single. Your family—no matter how adjusted to the idea that you and Olivia are mostly business partners—aren’t going to warm to me.”