Lucien smiled. “Some things deserve killing. Especially if they threaten what’s important to you.”
“Amen to that,” Barron said, slipping his arm around Emmalyn’s waist.
“You found a design you like, then?” Hellen asked, taking the focus off Lucien.
“I did! I really like the old Victorian style, but I like the Tudor style, too. So, I think I’m going to go for the Tudor style with some round corners and edges and call it Victorian Tudor! I want natural stone in dark grays and whites and dark wood.”
“Nothing’s ever simple,” Barron said, shaking his head slightly.
“Is that going to make you happy?” Hellen asked. “Once it’s built, you can’t just change your mind. It is what it is. Especially if Barron is giving up the house he already has.”
“It’ll be big and sturdy, but pretty and…”
“Like a fortress,” Lucien said.
Emmalyn’s gaze shot to his. “Exactly. Home, warm, inviting inside, but looming and impenetrable from the outside.”
“Give the lady what she wants,” Lucien said.
“Oh, mine is an afterthought now. I want Em to feel safe and secure and to be near her sister. So, this is what we want to do and where we want to build.”
“When are y’all going to start?”
“Soon as we can get the permits and all. We have to have the plans drawn up since it’s not a specific style and incorporates a few things from two different styles.”
“I’m so excited,” Emmalyn said, doing a little happy dance.
Barron smiled and seemed to brighten a little just watching Emmalyn’s happiness.
“I’m sure it will go quick once everybody chips in to help.”
“Oh, yeah. Where are y’all coming from?”
“Vince’s. We were at your parents’ house with everybody else, but I had to get out of there. Then the reason I had to get out of there followed me to Vince’s and now we’re headed home.”
“Everybody’s at my parents?” Barron asked.
“Yes. Well, except for Christian and Addie and Cristie. Cristie was with me, but she doesn’t want to go back there yet in case Remi shows up. She’s hanging out with Christian now.”
“Yeah, that was some shit, wasn’t it? I wonder if he could have possibly made it any more awkward?” Barron said.
“I know. And then Cristie went in to get some coffee and donuts this morning to bring back for everybody.”
“Aw, no!” Emmalyn said.
“Yeah. She didn’t know, though. And my dad and your mom encouraged her to go.”
“They some meddling people, I tell you,” Barron said.
“Aren’t they?” Hellen asked, shooting a glance at Lucien. “How do you think this one found me after I left?”
Barron barked out a laugh. “Your dad drove him to Vince’s?”
“Exactly,” Hellen said.
“I can’t help it if your people like me,” Lucien said, trying to be amiable while shifting ever so slightly to relieve the pain in his side.
Hellen noticed him hurting and quickly cut the conversation short. “We’re going to go ahead and get home. I feel a cup of coffee and a Hallmark movie calling me.”
