Page 206 of Torrid Passion
“Your dad is the sweetest,” I say.
“Yeah, after being away for six weeks, the last thing we needed was to come back to a messy home,” Stella says.
“Francisca and Fernanda were here every week without fail,” Hayden adds. The D’Souza sisters keep my cousins’ house and the guesthouse as clean as a surgical room. Those two Portuguese ladies declare war on dust, grime and stains. I swear they hold a PhD in the subject. “Since we were due back yesterday morning and you were back today, our housekeepers stocked our fridge and yours. On top of that, my dad sent his personal chef over. You won’t believe how much delicious food we have in our fridges.”
“Man, we’re pampered,” I smile.
“It’s good to be us,” Stella says.
Our parents were worried out of their minds when Dawn and Denver decided to strike––justifiably so. I think what made it easier on them was Loki. They knew him and they trusted him implicitly. He assured them we would be safe at all costs. Once our parents had the peace of mind someone would be watching over us, they weren’t on edge as much.
The Boggess sisters’ vengeful nature affected the lives of so many people.
“Let’s go back to our place,” Stella pulls my arm. “I made doughnut bread pudding topped with a rum glaze. And a coffee pecan pound cake. And raspberry cream cookies. And white vanilla cake. Nothing says welcome home like a sugar high!”
“Whoa. Wait. What?” I pull against her hand. “When did you become baker extraordinaire?”
“Six weeks in hiding in a small town will do that to a girl,” Stella says. “When I wasn’t working, YouTube and Food TV became my best friends. I figured, might as well be prepared for when we’re all together again.” She’s so proud of herself.
“Puh-lease,” Hayden rolls her eyes. “This has nothing to do with us. Betty Crocker here, was trying to impress the rugged and sexy owners of Falcon Crest.”
“Shut up!” Stella shouts. “I was not!”
“I don’t understand,” I say. “I thought you guys were assigned bodyguards.”
“One of them got injured in an accident,” Hayden explains. “He was on his bike in LA on his day off. A careless driver tried to run a red light and our bodyguard was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The poor guy broke his arm and his leg. We were told he was in bad shape. Stewart, Talbot and Lance took turns covering for him until they could assign another guy. Turns out, it took about three weeks––bodyguards are in demand. During the time the three former military men were in Orange, my cousin here, transformed into a teenage lust-struck fool.”
“I was trying to show my appreciation for what they were doing for us. Nothing more,” Stella says, lifting her chin defiantly.
Her face is as red as a tomato.
She’s so guilty.
“Yeah, sure. And I’m a Disney princess,” Hayden sneers.
“Who are you kidding?” Stella snaps. She really looks offended. “You were salivating over them as much as I was. I saw the way you were eye-fucking Lance… unless you were drooling all over Talbot. And I saw you checking out Stewart’s butt as much as I did.”
“Maybe, but I wasn’t as obvious about it,” Hayden retaliates. “It was written,‘Take me, I’m yours’,all over your face.”
“I’m more in touch with my feelings,” Stella defends. “Sue me!”
“Just like the good old days,” I say, putting an end to the fight.
We all laugh.
“Let’s go stuff our faces!” Stella says.
“Yay!” I cheer.
All three of us rush back to the house.
“Wow, it smells amazing in here,” I say.
“The plus side of her trying to impress the Falconer brothers is she’s become really good at baking,” Hayden says. “Some of the desserts she prepared while we were in Orange were mind-blowing. I was truly impressed. I’m surprised I didn’t gain fifty pounds while in hiding. Meanwhile, I can barely make pancakes.”
“Thanks for the compliment, cuz.” Stella smiles. “You two sit at the dining table, I’ll be back with dessert and coffee.”
Hayden and I head over there.
