Hotter than Texas (Pecan Creek) - By Tina Leonard Page 0,102

I’ve now got a business like the other Pillars. I finally fit into this town after all these years. I am the proud owner of the Best Little Sex Shack in Texas.”

Lucy came skidding into the foyer, throwing her arms around Jake’s neck. “You get first peek!”

“You scare the hell out of me,” he told Lucy. “In a good way.”

“Life’s no fun if you live it safe.” Lucy grinned at him, torturing him with abandon.

“What are you wearing?” Sugar asked her sister.

“Oh, this old thing?” Lucy asked in her best Southern-belle voice. A white minidress with fringe, twinkling with occasional sequins, and sky-high white heels graced Lucy’s petite frame. “The Pillars sold it to me. They were hoping I’d wear it to be their princess in the parade. But they sold it to me when I told them I had to work for the family.” Lucy smiled with delight. “It’s okay, though. They want to keep me on as a consultant, when we’re not overflowing with orders for Hotter than Texas Nuts.”

Jake turned to look at Sugar. “About that new DBA—”

“Not now. It’s time!” Sugar glanced out the window. “I think the crowd has grown.” It looked like another hundred people had shown up.

“I should have hired you to run my con a long time ago,” Jake said. “You girls could sell ice to our discerning northern neighbors.”

“Here’s Vivian.” Sugar pulled open the door. “Come on in, Vivian,” she said, helping her in past the crowd lined up on the porch. “This is the owner of the house, and the original decorator,” Sugar called out. “Five more minutes!”

“Whew,” Vivian said. “To think I worried about the effect you girls would have on our reputation. We need to bottle your karma!”

Sugar smiled. “I consider that a compliment coming from a woman who knows a little bit about survival. Maggie?”

“I’m here,” her mother said, coming around the corner. “I had to corral Paris. She’s been playing parade marshal, and it was hard as heck getting her inside. All the attention is too much for her to resist. Funny how she went from being an unwanted stray to the belle of the ball. Hello, Vivian.”

Vivian nodded. “Maggie.”

“Let’s go up,” Sugar said to her family, and together they went up the stairs, Lucy leading the way.

“Get ready,” Lucy said gleefully. “Vivian, you first.”

She flung open the door, and Vivian gasped.

“Breakfast at Tiffany’s,” she said at once, and Lucy clapped like a delighted child.

“Yes!” She jumped up and down. “What do you think?”

Vivian walked through the room, looking at each and every item, each piece of furniture, the coverings, the drapes. The robin’s egg blue walls set off a white fluffy comforter, where piles of pretty blue pillows rested in jeweled and tasseled confection. A blue-and-white carpet lay at the foot of the bed, where an off-white Louis XIV-style chaise sat, curving with inviting comfort. A dresser and armoire to match graced the room for whatever guests might want to harbor inside. A fabulous chandelier iced with thousands of crystals dripped from the ceiling, practically diamonds raining over the room with a romantic glow.

“It’s not red,” Lucy said, and for the first time, Sugar realized her sister was anxious. Jake reached for Sugar’s hand, wrapping his fingers through hers. Sugar was grateful to know he cared so much about her sister. He’d done a lot to make certain Lucy hadn’t been scarred by that strange night.

And me.

“It’s perfect,” Vivian said, turning slowly around the room, touching the items on the dresser with a wondering hand. “It’s sexy in its own way, because it’s so beautiful. I can practically see Audrey Hepburn staring in the window of Tiffany’s, dreaming of her future.” She turned to Lucy. “Thank you, my dear child. Thank you for understanding how much this house means to me and what I was trying to achieve. You have taken my design aspirations to a new level. In fact, I think you may have found your own calling.”

Lucy threw her arms around Vivian. “I hoped you’d love it! I designed this room for you.”

Vivian hugged Lucy back. “You did?”

“Of course I did!” Lucy broke free to look at her. “You know, it takes one to know one, Vivian. And you and I are survivors.”

Vivian smiled. “Yes. I believe we have that in common.”

“Good.” Lucy took her hand. “Come see the bathroom. I broke your son’s bank account with the bathtub in here, but I’m pretty sure you’ll agree it’s well worth it. And the