Page 28 of Lipstick Kiss

“You can always buy somewhere on the mainland.”

“Not likely. The proceeds of the house have been split four ways. I have savings from the rigs but not enough to buy something decent. Anyway, my job is here, and so is my family. I’m not looking to move away.”

“That is great to hear, Luke. Now, here is your breakfast. I need to get into town. Do you need anything else?”

“Did I keep you by demanding food?”

“No, Son, don’t be silly. I have hours to get to the butcher, and I have a buggy, so it takes no time at all now.”

“She’s a menace in that thing. We should instal seatbelts,” Bailey said, coming into the kitchen and scowling at Maggie.

“They have fitted seatbelts. Keith put them in all the buggies,” Maggie said.

Luke chuckled behind his hand as he saw Maggie roll her eyes. He loved these two people. Chalk and cheese, butthey would never want to work anywhere else, with anyone else.

“I’m going to head off as soon as I’ve eaten this,” Luke said.

“Can I have a word when you’ve finished?” Bailey asked.

Luke knew what this was about, so he nodded and ate his sandwich slowly to put off Bailey being fatherly and urging him to do the right thing. Maggie gave a pointed glare to the back of Bailey’s head while tugging off her apron.

She knew too.

Maggie left the kitchen tossing her bunch of keys, and Bailey busied himself making a cup of tea.

He settled opposite Luke, waiting patiently for him to finish.

“What did you want to speak to me about?” Luke said after his final mouthful.

“Miss Turner wishes to speak to you.”

“No.”

Bailey exhaled through his nose and looked down at his cup.

“She’s not the same woman, Luke.”

“She is exactly the same woman, Bailey. I know she’s your employer, and you can’t say anything negative because it would go against your standards. However, she is still the same woman from when I was a child and teenager.”

“That was a long time ago.”

“Not really, Bailey. I’m thirty-one. I’ve been away a long time, but I swear to you, being in the same room as her makes me feel like those twelve years never happened.”

“I’m sorry,” Bailey whispered to his cup.

“You didn’t hand out beatings, Bailey. There was nothingyou could do. I don’t blame you. I was grateful for you and Maggie hiding me away when I needed to disappear.”

“I can’t not ask, Luke,” Bailey said quietly.

“I know that. And because you saved me a hundred times over when Dad was away, I’ll meet her.”

Bailey’s head snapped up. “Are you sure?”

“I’ll do it for you. Cynthia can’t beat me now, she’s too old, and I’m too strong.”

“Thank you.”

“Hide her cane when I have the meeting, will you?”

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