Louisa’s Passion Bonus Epilogue

Louisa, coming apart after her second orgasm of the morning, moaned, then kissed Will and curled up with him. Then they heard their phones ringing simultaneously.

“I’ll get mine,” Will said, reluctantly, as he rose and walked to the kitchen, where he’d left his phone. He called back to Louisa, “It’s Joe. I’ll take it.”

Blinking, shaking her head, and lifting her shoulders to rejoin the world, Louisa looked at her phone on her night table. She saw it was Sophie and picked up. “Hi Soph, what’s up?”

“Did I wake you?”

“No, we’ve been up.” Louisa said, and sighed.

Sophie laughed. “Sorry if I interrupted anything.” She chuckled.

“Your ‘sorry’ doesn’t sound sincere. Sorry yourself, Soph. Again, what’s up? We were about to get ready to drive up to see you.”

“We’re having a plumbing emergency. Joe is good at many things, but not household repairs.”

“I see. What needs fixing?”

“The toilet. We bought a new flush handle, but it won’t work. The flapper doesn’t mesh with the seal, and it keeps running.”

Louisa asked, “Where is the hole for the flush handle located, on the front or on the side?”

“Front. And the one we bought is obviously not right. We can’t maneuver it into place.”

“We’ll pick up a new kit that takes care of the handle and the flapper. I’ve done this several times at my dad’s house.”

“Thank you so much, Lou! And this ‘thanks’ is sincere.”

“I appreciate that. In the meantime, finish up, get it flushed, then turn off the water to that toilet. We’ll be there in about an hour and a half, allowing time to stop at the store.”

“Thanks, Lou. You’re live-saving. This ‘cabin’ is a home disaster project. See you soon.”

“We’re bringing food, too.”

“Mind-reader! We’re low on supplies. We were going out to the store later.”

“Don’t leave. We’ll bring everything that we think might be useful. Including Will’s toolbox. See you soon, Soph. Don’t panic!”

“You’re the best, Lou! See you!”

As Louisa hung up, she saw Will leaning on the doorframe, grinning at her. “So, you’re pledging my toolbox, huh?”

“It sounds like they need it. Your wizard friend is not so gifted in the home repair department.”

“True. He’s great at reassembling electronic equipment, but plumbing is not his thing.”

“They can’t seem to get their toilet functional. Sophie said it has a front opening for a flush handle, but bought the wrong one, plus the flapper isn’t sealing. I told her we’d stop and pick up what’s needed. I even promised to fix it.”

“What a friend you are. Skills I didn’t know you had, either.”

She winked at him, looking coyly as she licked her lip. “I’ve learned many skills and talents.”

“I have noticed that. Much as I’d like to take you back to bed to see some of your talents in action, I think our friends need us.”

“Sadly, I agree. Also, we should pick up some food items. I told them not to leave until we come and assess the plumbing situation, but Soph said they’re low on food supplies. We should also pick up basics, like eggs, bread, milk, you know, STUFF!”

“Okay, I’ll pack the cold picnic items, then we should raid our pantry for things they can use. We’ll replenish when we get back. Could you put the non-perishable items in the picnic basket?”

“Sure, hon. Let me get some clothes on, and I’ll get right to it.”

“Aw, gee, I was enjoying seeing you naked.”

“Later, honey!”

Following Joe and Sophie’s directions, Will and Louisa arrived at Sophie and Joe’s “cabin” at Lake Azul Cielo. Although it was only about an hour from Temecula, Will had never been to visit. Joe purchased the house while Will was in France during his internship in Bordeaux.

“I would never use the word ‘cabin’ to describe this house in a million years. Cabin. Hah! It’s a mansion. There must be over twenty rooms!” Louisa said.

“’Cabin’ seems to be what realtors call homes near lakes and rivers. It surprises me that Joe bought this place.”

“Maybe a home near a lake excited him. They say, ‘location, location, location’ and water certainly makes a home desirable.”

“Joe has never seemed like he cared about lavish things.”

“Maybe it’s a fixer-upper inside. Let’s get inside with all the goodies we brought. If they’ve seen us pull up, they must be wondering why we’re standing here.” Louisa opened the trunk and removed a picnic basket filled with delicacies for them to share.

Will took the basket from her and pointed to the picnic blanket. “Maybe you should start light, since you’re just back to walking on your own, hon.”

“I can’t wait to be back to normal, Will. I’m tired of feeling helpless.”

“Oh, my darling wife, you are anything but helpless. At least twice a day you remind me of how strong and exciting you are.”

“Will, stop. Sophie’s nearby.”

He laughed. “Louisa, you’re amazing.”

Sophie was within hearing range and grinned because she’s heard Will’s innuendo about Louisa’s strength.

“Lou, Will, I’m so glad you made it. We’ve been here in this behemoth of a house rattling around for weeks. Did you enjoy your honeymoon?”

“Louisa wants to go on a honeymoon every month, I think.”

“That good, huh?” Sophie grinned at Louisa.

“We stayed at the most amazing place on the coast. It felt like we had our own house on the penthouse level, but terraced into the cliff. It had a private sauna, a hot tub, a pool, a full kitchen with all the amenities, and a restaurant at the ground level that reminded me why I like other people to cook. It was stupendous.”

“Soph, she loved having freedom and being by the ocean. Lou was just walking again and so excited to walk without gadgets.”

“They fulfilled every whim for us! I ordered a custom birthday cake for Will, and they provided everything, including a vase and rose.”

“Well, sorry, we won’t be able to compete with that level of service.” Sophie laughed.

“We don’t expect you to, Soph! We came for the company. It’s so great you can enjoy each other’s company and get ready for your wedding.”

“I’m teaching Joe to cook. He could make toast before. When he was at his mom’s, she cooked for him. Otherwise, he picked up food. Being away from nearby stores, it’s important that he can cook.”

“We’ve brought a gigantic picnic basket of goodies. Some we should get in the fridge. No cooking required. We also brought basics, like eggs, milk, bread, pasta, sauce, and more,” Will said.

“Thank you, much appreciated.”

“Soph, where’s Joe?”

“He’s wrangling the toilet mechanism that needed replacing. We have seven bathrooms and four half-baths. We’re going to need an army of repair and reno people to put this house in shape.”

“Hey, I told you to take it easy. I’ll fix it in a few minutes,” Louisa said.

“He’s a guy. Guys are cavemen. ‘Me fix. Man job.’” Sophie said.

Will cracked up. “Sophie, say the caveman thing again.”

Louisa looked at Will, shaking her head in disgust. “Soph, please tell Joe to get out here, greet his guests, and relax. We want the two-dollar tour. I can fix your annoying toilet in ten minutes.”

Sophie saluted Louisa. “Aye, aye, boss. Your command is noted.” She was about to leave, but Will stopped her.

“Soph, why did he buy this home improvement project? If he even looked at it, he should have known it was a headache.”

“He didn’t know me yet, and you were away, Will. He was wowed by the porch’s lake view. We have three habitable bedrooms. The A/C and heat are in dubious condition. The plumbing is in disrepair.” Sophie exhaled with a long sigh.

“Guess you’ve got a major home improvement project on your hands,” Will said.

“With us going off to school in a few weeks, I doubt you’ll have time to fix it all this summer. Not to mention, you’ll be off on your honeymoon,” Louisa said.

“I can’t wait! Joe wants to surprise me, so he’s making our destination a secret. The only clue was he made sure we updated my passport. He told me to pack bathing suits, hiking shoes, and not much else. Maybe a dress for dining at our hotel’s restaurant.”

“Vague enough so you can’t guess. Hmm. I can’t imagine where he’s taking you,” Lou said.

“Ladies, let’s get inside. Speaking of habitable bedrooms, are you sure you want overnight guests?”

“Why not? We’d love to know that we can hang out this weekend and not worry about curfews or deadlines. Lou, your family has been so gracious letting me move in. I want to return the favor. Maybe you can help me decide how we should furnish the house? I’ll be right back with Joe.”

While Sophie went to corral Joe, Louisa and Will sat on the couch and kissed. Misjudging how long it would take Sophie to bring Joe, they were deep into a passionate kiss when Joe interrupted them with an “ahem.”

Will and Louisa moved apart, startled.

Sophie cracked up, laughing.

“Still on your honeymoon, huh?” Joe asked.

Grinning, Will said, “Probably will be forever, Joe. Just occupying our time productively while waiting for you.”

“Productively?”

“Just wait until you return from your honeymoon!”

Louisa jumped in. “I’m not embarrassed to be seen kissing Will, Joe. He’s my husband! We’re getting so good at it, we spend lots of time practicing.”

Sophie laughed and couldn’t stop.

Joe turned to her. “Soph, you okay?”

“It’s hilarious to see them. Ever since they claimed to be in a long-distance kissing contest, I can’t help laughing when they’re kissing.”

Will looked at Sophie. “Guess we’re going to hear your wonderful laughter a lot, Soph.”

Louisa said, “It’s preferable to your frowning!”

Joe said, “Soph said you want a tour. I’ll be glad to show you around. You can see what’s here and what I hope to make it into. Okay?”

“Fine, Joe. But after Louisa fixes your toilet, I’d like you two to relax. We came prepared for a picnic.”

“Let’s do the picnic indoors. The mosquitoes love Sophie and I haven’t gotten exterminators out here to take care of them yet.”

“Indoors it is! We can use our picnic blanket here to pretend,” Will said. “I’m hungry, so let’s have the picnic before the tour.”

“I second the motion,” Sophie said.

Will and Louisa spread out the blanket in the living room, then brought out the food, plates, and silverware. They set up the picnic in five minutes.

“I forgot you worked in your family’s restaurant, Will. Thanks for all this. Let’s eat!” Joe said.

“I learned to be speedy. Ulterior motive, you make better tips when you work quickly.”

“No tips today, Will, except maybe not to buy a house until you get it inspected.” Joe shook his head regretfully.

“You didn’t get the house inspected, Joe?” Louisa asked.

“No, I didn’t. I take full responsibility for this mishap. I still like the view, but the work involved to make this fully habitable and a wonderful place to live, OMG!”

“Maybe Karin, my dad’s new wife, could help you, Joe,” Louisa said.

“I remember meeting her. I didn’t know her capabilities. Do you think she’d consider it?”

“Well, really, she seems to deal in gigantic properties like hotels and business offices,” Louisa said. “But she’s helping us get furnishings to complete our rooms, so maybe. Do you have an idea what you’d like in each room?”

“Not totally, but Soph and I know styles we like, colors we want, wood, and textures.”

“That’s a great start!” Louisa said. “I can ask her. Could you cover her fees? She works for a company.”

Looking over at Soph, who nodded back at him, Joe said, “We’d be happy to cover her fees. It would be incredible to have someone knowledgeable with great resources be able to fill this house and make it habitable. Does she know plumbers, electricians, and other contractors, too?”

“She’d likely subcontract out those services to locals, but you’d have guarantees. You wouldn’t need to be here all the time. She’d subcontract to a project manager, I imagine, who could follow the plan she develops after working it out with you and Soph,” Louisa said.

“Wonderful, Lou! I want our life back without being house beautiful in a magazine. Maybe just home comfortable and attractive?” Sophie said.

“I’ll ask her and give her your numbers. And I’d get out of the middle. This is your home, so you’ll decide.”

“Fine by me, Lou. If it’s so incredible that we love it, we’ll stay here during holidays and summers. Of course, only if we can protect Soph from the mosquitoes.”

“Sounds great to me. Thanks, honey. I’m going to be busy at school, and you’re busy deciding on a new business to develop. We don’t have time for a major renovation project.”

“I agree! Thanks for saving our lives, maybe our marriage, Louisa. You know what──please call Karin now? I know it’s the weekend, but it would be so great if maybe she and your dad could come up here and take a look.”

“Okay, Joe, I’ll call. Do you have another room where I could sit down on a chair while I talk with her? If she thinks she wants to take the first step, I could come get you?”

“Lou, come with me. We have a small office with a comfortable chair. ‘Bye, guys, be back soon.”

Sophie led Louisa to their office, which turned out to be larger than Louisa expected. It was like a living room-sized space. Their furniture filled only one-quarter of the room.

“Soph, hang around in case I can talk with Karin and she has questions, okay?”

“Sure, Lou.”

Louisa called Karin’s direct line and tapped her foot, impatient to talk with Karin. After three rings, Karin answered.

“Louisa, so good to hear from you! What’s up?”

“It’s always wonderful to hear your voice, Karin. Are you okay to talk for a few minutes?”

“Sure. Your dad is playing catch with Randy. What’s up? Is everything all right?”

“Quite. Will and I are visiting Joe and Sophie at their lake place. You remember them, right?”

“I certainly do!”

“They have this mansion of a place that Joe bought before he met Sophie. It’s on a lake about an hour away from Temecula. The house is a giant fixer-upper. They’re both so busy that they can’t spend the time to fix, furnish, and decorate each room. They need the plumbing, wiring, and services all checked out. They’ll want someone to oversee the project. Excuse me just a second. Sophie’s here and I need to ask her something. Hang on.”

Louisa asked Sophie, “How many rooms do you have here, Soph?” She grabbed her phone to record the numbers.

“Ready for this? We have 22 rooms, 8 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, 4-half baths, 2 kitchens, a large dining room, a small breakfast nook off the small kitchen, a laundry, and assorted offices, studies, library, gym, family room, media room, a living room in the maid’s quarters, you name it.”

Louisa returned to the phone with Karin. “Are you ready, Karin? Here’s the rundown. Sophie counts 22 rooms, but I don’t know if that counts a breakfast nook off one of the 2 kitchens! They have 8 bedrooms, 7 full bathrooms, 4 half baths, and offices, a library, gym, a commercial-sized laundry, family room, media room, and a few others. The two kitchens I mentioned. Two of the bedrooms and one-and-a-half baths, and a living room are in what you’d call the maid’s quarters.”

“And you say that Joe owns this house? They’re trying to live in it?”

“Trying is a good word. They are trying, and it is trying them, as not all the plumbing works. I’ll be fixing one of their toilets today.”

“Good for you, Louisa!”

“I took care of things in the house, since Dad was working long days for a while.”

“I didn’t know that. How about I talk with your dad about coming up tomorrow and seeing if it’s feasible for me to take on this project with the other items on my schedule? I could find a subcontractor to oversee it, but I’d guarantee the items purchased and final results.”

“Great, Karin. I’ll wait to hear from you. You know Sophie for sure. They have an enormous budget. I thought of you since you have such good taste and you’re helping us make our new home possible.”

“Thank you, Louisa. I had no idea Joe and Sophie were interested in the services I can provide.”

“Neither did they until I explained what you did for us and what you can handle.”

“I appreciate you thinking of me. As soon as your dad and I talk, I’ll let you know if we can make it tomorrow.”

“Thanks, Karin. Hugs!”

“You too, sweetheart!”

Louisa hung up.

“We’ll know soon if they can come tomorrow, Soph. I think she’s intrigued, but it’s a matter of her schedule. She’s in demand since she does such great work!”

“We’ll cross our fingers. Since you’ve told me about her, I wouldn’t want to work with anyone else!”

Will and Joe surveyed the bathrooms to find out the toilet specs, whether the handle was in front or on the side. Then they compiled a list of plumbing items to fix the bathrooms. They also needed bath mats, soap dishes, and cleaning supplies.

Sophie stopped to asked, “While you’re out, could you pick up some food? I’ll make you a list.”

“Sure, hon,” Joe said. He added several items to the list.

“Are you sure we have a vehicle to hold all this stuff, plus groceries?” Will asked.

“We’ll make it work. Can you hold a bag in your lap?”

“Sure.”

Sophie returned with a minimal shopping list.

Joe and Will gathered shopping bags and headed out.

“We’ll be back as soon as we can, Lou and Soph,” Joe said.

Will leaned over and kissed Louisa.

After Joe and Will had been gone about half an hour, Louisa received a call from Karin.

“Hi Lou, good news! We can join you tomorrow, including Randy!”

“That’s terrific, Karin. I’d say bring your bathing suits, but Joe says they have a mosquito infestation and Sophie’s gotten bitten up.”

“Okay, we’ll wait to enjoy the lake on another day. Can you give me directions?”

“Sure, let me put Sophie on.”

Sophie took the phone, “Hi, Karin! I’m so excited you’re coming to see our home improvement project! You might take the rowboat out, but I’m not sure. I suggest you arrive before noon. It’ll take you about an hour. I’ll have Lou text you the directions. Is there anything special you and the guys like to eat?”

“You know Randy. He’s a food vacuum cleaner. We’ll be happy with anything edible, considering your situation. The refrigerator does work, right?”

“Yes, we wouldn’t want to die of food poisoning. That was the first thing we bought.”

“Great! All of us are excited to see your place and especially all of you!”

Lou leaned over and called into the phone, “Us, too!”

When they hung up, Louisa speed-dialed Will and put him on speakerphone. Nodding at Sophie, she whispered, “Food emergency, Randy’s coming!”

Sophie laughed.

Will answered. “Laughing already?”

“Put us on speakerphone, Will. We’re calling to let you and Joe know that Karin, Dad, and Randy are coming tomorrow. I declared a food emergency. That’s what Soph was laughing at. Please pick up some easy-to-make food. Maybe corn and flour tortillas, two pounds of ground beef, salsa, and other fixings for lunch tomorrow. . . Soph, any other suggestions?”

“A pre-roasted chicken. We can turn that into several dishes. Get lettuce, tomatoes, and shredded cheese.  Eggs, bread, butter, maple syrup for French toast.”

“Sounds good. We’ll be cramming the car, except for Joe’s viewing area, chock full.”

“Maybe don’t buy plumbing supplies for all eleven bathrooms? How about three for now, Soph and Joe?”

“Three should work for now,” Joe answered.

“We’re going to be busy straightening up, guys. Buy a frozen pizza and some pasta for tonight?”

“We brought you pasta and sauce, Soph,” Will said.

“That’s right. And thank you!”

“Okay, guys, see you soon.”

“As soon as we corral this stuff. Love you, honey,” Will said.

Joe yelled over, “Love you, Soph!”

After half an hour packing up loose clothing and straightening the bedrooms, living room and kitchen, Sophie and Louisa sat down at the kitchen table.

“Want some tea, Lou?”

“Sounds great, thanks!”

Sophie put water in the kettle and placed it on the gas stove to heat. Pulling two mugs from a shelf and tea from a canister, she placed them on the table. Then, she collapsed like a balloon losing air on the chair.

“Pooped, huh?”

“Yes, this house is an exhausting project. I’m hoping Karin can whip it into shape. I’m so glad you mentioned her. Otherwise. . .”

“Uh oh! What does that mean?”

“No, I wouldn’t refuse to marry Joe. I would insist he sell the house.”

“I know he’d be disappointed, but I think he’d understand your reasoning. And yes, he’d do what you ask if it was a choice between you and the house!”

“Ya’ think?”

“Yes, I do think. That man adores you!”

“And I adore him. Next time, when we buy a house in Davis, we’ll have help along to assess whether our choice is the best one.”

“I think we can see if David Haggerty can help you, the way he helped us.”

“That would be terrific!”

“I’ll ask.” 

Sophie and Joe enjoyed Louisa and Will’s company, but finally, Louisa yawned. “Sorry, everyone. It’s been an exhausting few days. Can you show us which of the bedrooms you wanted us to use?”

“Oh, I thought we had. Since we have three ensuite bathrooms that work now, thanks to you, Lou, take your pick.”

“I’m partial to the blue bathroom since I fixed it first. That room will be fine. Thanks, Soph.”

“Lou, I’ll be along in a few minutes. A couple of things I wanted to run by Sophie and Joe.”

“Okay, hon. See you soon.” Louisa headed off to the bedroom with her suitcase.

Once she was out of earshot, Will looked over at Sophie and Joe. “Does Louisa seem her usual self?”

“I wouldn’t know,” Joe said.

“She doesn’t usually get tired this early, Will. Otherwise, she seems fine. Why, are you worried?” Sophie asked.

“Lou is usually perky, but I sense her energy is lower the past few days. Maybe she’s lacking some vitamin, like Vitamin D3, or she needs more protein.”

“That’s how I get sometimes. If I’m not out in the sunshine for a little while every day or I didn’t eat enough protein, I’m out of energy. You’ve seen that Joe keeps protein bars around for me?”

“Yes, Soph. Joe what brand are you buying?”

“Just look for a high protein variety and make sure the sugar isn’t too high. I also look for ‘Non- GMO,’ non-genetically modified labels,” Joe said.

“Thanks, that’s helpful. The other item I wanted to ask about is what you’re working on, Joe. I know you’ve been busy, but you haven’t mentioned what your newest project is since you sold your company.”

“I’m researching different projects. I keep circling around food ideas, but haven’t come up with one that makes me feel, ‘I just have to do this!’”

“Let me know if you want to have a development partner, or just throw some ideas at me to get my reaction. Since I’ve worked in Watson’s restaurant, I’ve been involved with every aspect of food service, menus, preparation, service. Pretty much everything.”

“Thanks for reminding me. Maybe we’ll meet for lunch someday when Lou and Sophie are at school. Kick around some ideas.”

“Sounds good, Joe. Guess I’ll get some sleep. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow with Karin and company coming up.”

“Thanks again for coming with me to pick up stuff for the house. I knew there were things we needed, and I just forgot to add them to my list.”

“G’night, both of you,” Will said, nodding at both of them.

“Let us know if you need anything. Extra towels and soap are under the sink,” Sophie said.

“Thanks, Soph.” He waved as he exited.

Will hurried to the bedroom with the blue bathroom, eager to see Louisa naked. “I’m here, Louisa, love. Where are you?

Cleaning her teeth, Louisa gurgled and spit. “I’m here, Will.”

Entering the bathroom, Will swept her up in his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Kissing her, he found her mouth still foamy from her tooth brushing. He kissed her anyway. “Ah, Louisa, I’ve kissed you many times, but this is the funniest. You’re literally foaming at the mouth.” He put her down and laughed.

“And that’s enough reason for you to stop kissing me?”

“No, of course not.” He leaned in and enclosed her in his arms. His lips sought hers. Once they’d meshed lips, he kissed her passionately, deepening the kiss as he nestled her next to him. Coming up for air, he announced, “I’m going to show you how much I love you, sweetheart. But first, I’m not sure whether this bed is going to squeak. I’m putting the mattress on the floor.”

“Really?” she asked. “Is that necessary?”

“We’re only a few doors away from Soph and Joe’s bedroom. I don’t want them to hear us. Pretend we’re camping.”

“But I don’t like camping.”

“You will this time. No outdoor pests and just you and me enjoying ourselves.”

“I can get onboard for that, maybe on top?”

“If you prefer, I’d be happy to make that happen.” Since he’d moved the mattress, a corner of the sheet came off, so he fastened the sheet.  He beckoned her to the spot next to him.

She kneeled, then swiveled until she was lying next to him. Sighing,
“Aah,” she said, “Will, I’ve missed you today. Let’s get your clothes off.”

“I’d like to do that. Would you like to unbutton me?”

“Always. It’s thrilling to remove your clothes, leaving the very sexy husband I’m eager to make love with.” She undid his jean’s button, unzipping him, gripping his waistband, and pulling it down. “Oh, Will. Every time we do this, I’m excited seeing you, more every time.”

“I hope so! I feel the same way about you! When I see your creamy skin, and linger on your curves, I can’t wait to join you. Feeling you grip me, blend with me as I enter and go deep! Aah, Louisa! If I can make you as happy as you make me, I’m the luckiest man alive!”

“Will, that’s exactly it! Pure joy! And the orgasms that shred me, all my nerves exposed and throbbing. I could never have imagined the pleasure and happiness.”

“Oh, Lou, come to me, sweetheart.”

She climbed on top, lined herself up with his erect shaft, and slowly slid down until he was deep within her. As he hit her G-spot, he moved.

He could feel her vibration, the throbbing setting him off. He held her tightly, rocking and thrusting upward in rhythm with her movement.

They moved together, their rhythm speeding up. Gasping for breath as she reached her orgasm, he spilled into her as she exploded.

She nestled into his chest to muffle her moaning and high-pitched shrieking as she continued to vibrate with additional orgasms.

Their breathing slowed. They lay together in complete exhaustion, sprawled on the sheet, but clutching each other, as they drifted off to sleep.

Sophie and Joe cleaned up the kitchen. Sophie assembled what she’d need for breakfast to make French toast, leaving the eggs and milk inside the fridge. “Joe, I’m ready for bed.”

He grinned at her. “Me too.”

She hurried down the hall to the last bedroom, grabbing Joe’s hand along the way, and pulling him along.

“I’m not resisting, love. Quite willing to join you.”

“Join me, huh! But I can’t wait. You can make sexy jokes as much as you want. I just want you!”

“My very sexy Sophie! How did I live without you?”

“I can’t imagine.” They reached the bedroom. She opened the door and pulled Joe in, then closed the door quietly. “I hate having to be quiet.”

“Love hearing you moan and all the noises you make, but we’ll stifle ourselves so Will and Louisa don’t tease us.”

“Sure, maybe.”

Joe broke into a loud laugh, and couldn’t stop. Sophie touched him, stroking his back to soothe him. He stopped laughing and led her to bed.

Louisa woke first, disoriented until she realized where they were. She lay there in the darkness, smiling as she remembered their lovemaking the night before.

Then she thought about the house. Even if Karin was a miracle worker, Louisa couldn’t see how they could salvage the house with everything out of order. She had a vision of the basement and sensed something was wrong with the heating system. Not sure what the problem was, she made a mental note to have Karin test the system.

At least the kitchen had functional appliances! A scary thought . . . she could sense a clog in the stove’s vent. That had to be cleaned out immediately! Venting the gas stove was urgent. Maybe they could use the kitchen in the maid’s quarters for now? Cook there, then eat in the dining room?

Louisa closed her eyes, letting her vision guide her through Soph and Joe’s house. The gas heating system leaked. Maybe it was the ducts?

She opened her eyes and thought about what she’d seen. Money was no object for Joe. But how much did he want this lake house with its potentially lethal problems? What else might the former owner have hidden from Joe?

As she considered all of this, she had to get up. She couldn’t sleep. It was cool enough that Joe and Soph hadn’t run the air conditioner, which didn’t run on gas. One good thing!

What flashed in her mind was the seriousness of the situation. She remembered a former classmate whose father and brother camped in the winter and used a gas heater. They died from suffocation, and her friend Mariana did not return to school after that. She felt sad just thinking about it. Her friend had moved away and never returned her messages.

She hated to wake Will, but felt like she needed to share this serious issue with him.

Leaning over and kissing him on the lips, Louisa said, “Good morning, love!”

Will responded to her kiss, wrapping her in his arms, and kissing passionately. She could feel his shaft press against her as it enlarged.

When they stopped for breath, Louisa sat up. “Will, I need to talk with you about something serious about this house. I need to share it, because my visions wouldn’t let me sleep.”

Will sat up, wrapping his arms around her. “What do you need to share, honey?” His tone was serious and somber.

“Will, I dreamed that the gas exhaust from the stove and the heating system don’t vent properly; they’re even clogged up, and if they don’t get it fixed, Joe and Soph could suffocate!”

“That is serious! It seems dangerous that they’re living here. Are there any other problems we need to share?”

“Those were the ones that came to me. We can try cooking in their maid’s quarters kitchen, which didn’t come to me as dangerous. I’m sad that these dangerous and scary things could hurt them.”

“Honey, you may have saved their lives! They can certainly afford the repairs, but they probably shouldn’t live here. Not until they get a full inspection of all the systems!”

“You’re right. The air conditioner doesn’t run on gas, so we’re okay for now, but who knows what else is not working properly?”

“Let’s check to see if Soph and Joe are up. I know Soph is planning to make French toast at the stove. We want to stop her.”

“Will, thank you for treating this seriously. Our best friends won’t laugh about this. Soph knows my visions have proven true many times.”

“C’mon. We’ll postpone our morning lovemaking and catch up later! Can I put your clothes on you for a change?”

“That would be different. I’d enjoy that! Let me grab what I plan to wear, and you can enjoy yourself!”

“Yes, I will!” He snickered and kissed her.

Sophie and Joe shared their morning lovemaking, gleeful that they could muffle their sound, but still enjoy the full effect of their orgasmic energy.

“Oh, Joe, I could just stay with you in bed all day.” She stared at him, her tongue licking her lips.

“Feeling’s mutual, but we have our friends visiting. They’re really helping us with Karin, John, and Randy here later. We can take tomorrow off, okay?”

She winked at him. “I’d love that.”

He kissed her. “Okay, let’s get dressed. Lots to take care of today.”

They dressed quickly, heading to the kitchen.

Just as Sophie pulled her largest frying pan from the cabinet, Louisa rushed in and took the pan from her.

“What’s happening, Lou? Are you taking over the kitchen? Is it a mutiny?”

“Soph, I have something serious to share with Joe and you.”

“Let me get him. Be right back.”

Louisa sat at the table. The large cast-iron pan sat on the table in front of her.

Will joined her, a question on his face. “What’s up, hon?”

“I stopped Soph just as she was about to use the pan. She’s getting Joe so I can tell them about our serious concerns.”

“Good. I’ll stay to back you up. I ran down to the basement and banged on the exhaust ducts, and some areas sounded all clogged up. They should sound hollow, and they weren’t.”

“Great, Will. I hadn’t thought to check that.”

Sophie and Will entered the kitchen, puzzled looks on their faces.

“Lou, put us out of our misery. What is the ‘something serious’ you want to share?”

“It’s about your kitchen and heating system ducts. They’re clogged. It’s dangerous. Remember our classmate Mariana? What happened to her father and brother?”

“I haven’t thought of that for years. So, you’re saying our ducts are clogged, and that could cause us to be asphyxiated?”

“Exactly. I woke up, and my vision was traveling around your kitchen and basement. I sensed gas and a feeling of danger.”

“Well, I know never to discount your visions and feelings. What should we do?”

“First, don’t cook in that kitchen. We can use the maid’s kitchen and just bring the food back to the dining room. Second, get the entire house inspected. Will just banged on the ducts of your heating system, and they don’t sound hollow, but they should.”

Joe, looking more disgusted by the minute, said, “Thanks, guys! You’ve probably saved our lives, especially when the weather got cold and we started up the heating system. The question is, do we want to replace everything?”

“That’s your call to make once you hire a contractor to inspect the place top-to-bottom,” Will said.

“You’re right, Will. That’s what we’ll ask Karin to help us find first. She’ll have tradespeople who are trustworthy, with great skills, but also honest.”

Soph, on the verge of tears, said, “Do we want to deal with all of this? We’re getting married soon and then leaving on our honeymoon. I refuse to postpone that.”

Louisa responded quietly, but adamantly, “You won’t need to postpone anything, Soph. We’ll make sure with Karin’s help that everything is fixed. If you want it to be.”

“Joe, what do you think?”

“We’ll ask Karin how she’d proceed. We’ll ask her to tell us what the cost is to fix everything. There’s no point in living here if things don’t work and are unsafe. This is supposed to be our summer and holiday retreat. It’s not worth it if we’re afraid to be here.”

“Joe, you’ve got it, succinctly as usual. Let’s go make our breakfast in the other kitchen and move food we’ll make later to the maid’s kitchen. Is the fridge reliable?”

“Yes, it is. We replaced the appliances in both kitchens. We toyed with making this a high-end summer retreat for us or a B ‘n B,” Sophie said.

“Good ideas. The ‘bones’ of the place seem sound. Walls are solid. The expansive spaces are terrific for parties, even weddings. There are picturesque views and usable outdoor areas. With the dock fixed and boat replaced, it’d be a fun place. But buy plenty of accident insurance to protect your liability,” Will said.

“I appreciate your input. It’s a matter of whether we keep the place and have Karin hire an army of people to make it right, or we dump it. It could be a wonderful place for family gatherings, as our families will probably expand over time.”

“Very true, Joe.”

Karin, John, and Randy announced their arrival loudly with Randy knocking energetically on the door.

Sophie answered the door. Her smile was sincere, as she’d gotten to know them all while she lived with them, before she moved in with Joe. “Hello, everyone! C’mon in! We’re all excited to see you.”

“The trip took less time than we expected, so we’re early. Is that okay, Sophie?”

“It’s fine. Actually, we’re glad. Louisa discovered something wrong with the house that could be a major problem. We can’t wait for you to work your magic. Do we stay and fix everything, with your help and an army of contractors, or do we dump the place?”

“I’m so sorry to hear you have those choices, Soph. A place on a lake could be prime property. I’m sure Karin can help with your perspective on this project,” John said. He leaned over and gave Sophie a hug.

Both Karin and Randy also shared hugs with Sophie.

“Can I help you cook, Sophie? I miss you in the kitchen. Oops, sorry, Karin, I love working with you, too. But Sophie was the first person to make cooking fun for me. She even bought me an apron, and you saw my toque,” Randy said.

Karin grinned at Randy, who looked contrite over his faux pas of nearly insulting her. “No problem, Randy. We both love that you enjoy cooking.”

“And I especially enjoy the taste testing and eating part,” Randy said, grinning.

John asked, “Where are Will and Louisa?”

“They’re down in the basement checking on the heating system with Joe,” Sophie said.

“Uh oh! Whenever you say ‘system’ it automatically tells me this could be a costly part of the project,” Karin said.

“Unfortunately, you’re probably correct, Karin.” Sophie sounded like she was about to break into tears.

Randy said, “Cheer up, Soph! We’re here to help, and you now have several strong people to  check things out and move things around.”

“Thanks, Randy.” She hugged him.

“Come in. I want you to see this monstrosity. Maybe we can salvage it? Maybe not. I just know that with our wedding and honeymoon coming up. I don’t see much time for us to oversee or fix things,” Sophie said, beckoning them to join her.

Karin, John, and Randy brought things they’d cooked and baked.

“Where should we put the food we brought for you?” Randy asked.

“Do any of them need refrigeration?” Sophie asked.

“The cake can stay out, but the cookies should move to the fridge because they have meltable ingredients,” Karin said.

“Great. Let’s put the cookies and cake away. I’ll take you on a tour, and we’ll start with the basement next,” Sophie said.

As they descended into the basement, Sophie brought Karin, John, and Randy over to the corner where the heating and air conditioning units were located. Joe, Louisa and Will were tapping on the ducts, and Will was taking videos on his phone of the sections they decided seemed clogged.

Louisa noticed everyone waiting quietly to talk with them. “Hey, let’s stop. Look who’s here!”

She rushed over and started a group hug with Karin, John, and Randy. Will stopped his filming. Joe hurried over to greet everyone.

“Sorry we weren’t upstairs to say ‘hi!’ to everyone. We’re on a weird mission. To boldly go. . . and find out what things aren’t working.”

Sophie cracked up. “Boldly go, huh, hon? I don’t think this fits in the same realm as Star Trek.”

“More interesting than saying our systems aren’t working and we’re trying to figure out where it’s bad, so we can fix them?” Joe asked.

“Yes, it was more fun.” Sophie laughed, admitting Joe was being witty in sci-fi terms.

Karin said, “Could we say ‘hello’ before we get lost in the house’s various challenges?”

John strolled around the basement, looking for signs of damage to plumbing, the structure, electrical panels and wiring, and the floor. He opened the electrical box and scanned the box. “Karin, look at this.”

When she walked over to the circuit box, she noticed John pointing to frayed wiring and circuit breakers that were in the ‘off’ position. Karin beckoned to Sophie and Joe. “Look, Joe and Sophie. Just to start, you’ve got a safety hazard with frayed wiring leading to this box, and several important circuits off. I know you have gas cooking, but having the electricity working for the refrigerator is essential. If you’re not in the proper outlet, you’re overloading the house’s wiring. This is urgent.”

“Karin, I’m sorry you got sucked into this right away. How about we have some tea and cake?”

“We’d be happy to join you for tea, but let’s make sure the fridge outlet works properly.

Louisa sat down on the stairs, her face drawn, looking as if she was about to cry.

Will came over to her, stroked her back and kissed her. “Hon, are you okay?”

“Not really, Will. It’s times like these that I remember I’m an empath. With our best friends having all these dangerous issues, I’m afraid for them.”

“Now that they’re aware of the issues, I know they’ll take the steps to get it fixed, or sell it!”

“That makes me sad, too.”

Sophie came over to Louisa. “Don’t cry, Lou. I can do it enough for both of us. We’ll get it fixed, or sell. Joe is attached to this lake place. We could probably tear it down and start from scratch, and we’d still have what he loves most, the lake view.”

“C’mon everyone. Let’s go upstairs and talk about this. Joe said he didn’t have the house inspected when he bought it. Joe, you do have a written sale contract? If it says you bought it ‘as is,’ you’re out of luck,” Will said.

“I don’t remember what the fine print says,” Joe answered. “I’ll look through my paperwork.”

“Right. If it states “in good working condition,” you might sue or get the former owner to cover the upgrades for safety. Of course, this probably means a court case that could stretch out forever.”

“No, I just can’t waste even more time and money. I’d almost rather do what Soph said and demolish the problems, then rebuild from scratch. We could salvage some of the wooden flooring and moulding. Modernize the fireplace. Lots of great things we could do.” Turning to Karin, he asked, “Am I being ridiculous wanting to save this mess? I know it’s going to take a fortune to put it into great shape.”

“It depends on how much you love this house. Let me eat my cake, then I’ll assess the damages and give you a very rough estimate, based on what I know things cost for replacing everything.”

“Thank you, Karin. I’d like to make this into a great place for family gatherings. Or we could run a B ‘n B and keep the maid’s quarters for us and rent the rest of it out by the week or month.”

“Joe, that makes it commercial and you’d need to hire someone to keep it going. Sophie’s going to school. You’ll be with her in Temecula. Think about how you’d really like to use this space. I’ll give you a number as a rough starting point, then I can hire a subcontractor to get closer. You did say you want me to help furnish and decorate all of the rooms, too?”

“Yes, Karin. The walls were painted, but everything else is negotiable,” Sophie said.

“I could do wonders for you, but let’s see what the full project is going to involve. Okay, Soph and Joe?”

“Fine by us, Karin. I’ll nominate you for the Nobel Peace Prize if you can pull this off! We could use the peace.”

“Okay. I’m having my cake and eating it, too, then my trusty structural engineer will let you know if this place is structurally sound. Okay, John? (She winked at him.) After that, I’ll look for what needs fixing or replacing. We’ll discuss furnishings after the repairs are in progress. We don’t want to order them too early, in case walls need to be rebuilt or flooring replaced.”

Karin ate her cake, while everyone avoided speaking about the urgent repairs needed and how dangerous the house was. Randy was their source of levity.

“Hey, I have a scout coming to see me play. Guess my fast pitching is attracting attention, according to my coach,” Randy said.

“Randy, that’s phenomenal. Don’t let them turn your head yet. You want to complete your growth and skills development. Didn’t you just grow a foot?” Will asked.

“Well, not a foot, but two sizes, anyway. You’re right, though. I haven’t even finished high school yet. I’ll let them go crazy waiting for me to be ready.” Looking over at John, he saw the worry on his face. “Dad, I’m not running off to the big leagues. I want to go to college so I can have an important career like you.”

The wrinkles dissolved from John’s face after listening to Randy’s earnest flattery. “Thank you, Randy. You had me worried. It’s important to have a backup plan when you think of a career in sports. How many sports idols wind up injured and out of commission, temporarily or permanently? You have a great brain! Absorb as much information as it’ll take to have a full life.”

Glancing at John, who was holding hands with Karin, Randy said, “Dad, I want a fulfilling life and career. Everyone here is a fantastic role model for me. Like I said, don’t worry. I’m taking my time. I have lots of things I love doing, but baseball is only one of them. I want someone in my life the way all of you have.” He looked at Louisa, then Sophie.

“Randy, you are wise beyond your years. I can see you pay attention and listen. I’m flattered you consider me a role model, but I’m still a work-in-progress, too,” Louisa said.

“Louisa, you’re a valedictorian. I’ve noticed you absorb everything and have an ability to learn whatever you study. I want to be knowledgeable like that. Baseball’s great, but I want a family and a better life than traveling from city to city playing for years.”

“Wow, Randy.” Louisa scanned his face. “You’ve been hiding the wisdom you’ve gathered at such a young age.” See kissed him on the cheek and hugged him. “I’m so proud of you, honey.”

“You are amazing, Randy! I can see you being successful at whatever you decide to accomplish,” Joe said.

“Joe, thank you! I know you made a fortune from your brainy ideas and you’re barely out of college! Now, you’re marrying Sophie, which is pretty spectacular! You’re unstoppable!”

“Randy, such flattery. I think you’re pretty unstoppable, too. You learned to cook, which is a skill, but also intuitive. I’ve seen you substitute ingredients to make a recipe better. That shows me your abilities. Joe’s just learning to cook!” Sophie said.

“Now, Sophie, I’ve been a little busy. . .” Joe said, laughing.

“I’m sure you’ll be a terrific cook when you’ve had a little more experience, Joe. What I’m stressing here are innate talents combined with an ability to learn. Randy’s going to be successful. He just needs to decide what he wants to develop, gain the expertise, and put his talents to work,” Sophie said.

“Sophie, thank you! No one has ever talked about me like that. I’m so flattered!” He walked over to Sophie, hugged her and kissed her on the cheek. “Thanks, second sis!”

“Okay, everyone. Continue your discussion, but it’s time for John and me to review this fixer-upper,” Karin said, taking John by the hand. “Basement first. Everyone, please stay where you are. If I have questions, I’ll ask.”

Karin and John headed to the basement. Using her phone, Karin jotted information in a file she used for potential clients.

“Well, we have some good news, some okay news, and some numbers,” Karin said.

“Okay, give me the good news first, Karin. I think I need to hear some good news before I hear the rest,” Joe said.

“The good news is that the maid’s quarters are in great shape. It’s relatively new with a separate, functional HVAC, and gas cooking.  It was installed five years ago! Amazing, huh?”

“So, essentially, we could live in the maid’s quarters, safely?”

“As far as we can tell. I’ll need to trace the wiring to make sure the fridge is in an outlet meant for a large appliance, but I didn’t want to move it right now. We’ll look at the box, that is on a separate circuit, and make sure it’s on. The food is cold, so I think we’re in business,” Karen said.

“What’s the okay news?” Sophie asked.

“John has checked the walls and structure and they appear to be in good shape. We’d want to see floorplans and, if possible, see what paperwork you received from the seller. For instance, do you know what year the house was built?”

“Offhand, no. But I can get my sale paperwork and find out. I’ve got it in my office here,” Joe said.

“That’s fine. It should answer questions. The property should be registered with the county. You should be getting documents regarding taxes. We’ll wait while you retrieve your paperwork.”

“Be right back,” Joe said.

“He bought this fixer-upper before we started dating, Karin. I wasn’t involved,” Sophie said.

“Would you want to live here, even part-time, if it was in good shape?” John asked.

“If it was in good shape, it could be fun to have friends and family stay with us, celebrate birthdays, and other party-worthy events. Right now, it’s just a hassle. I’m eager to get married, go on our honeymoon, and get ready for school,” Sophie said.

“Do you think if we could get this home in working order, decorated with furnishings you’d love, you’d want to stay here?” Karin asked.

“Yes! That would be great!”

“I’m glad you have other places to live. This could take a few months to get everything in order, then furnished. Do you know where you’ll be staying in Davis?”

“We’ll be purchasing a home in Davis. This time, we’ll have a home that should be in great shape. David Haggerty, who I think you met at Louisa’s wedding, has friends who are retiring and moving away. The homes are in great shape. Louisa and Will are closing on their home on August 14th.”

“Good luck on your house purchase. Do get an inspector this time. It could save you grief,” John said.

“We’ll do that, but we feel like, from what David says, the owners are the original owners and very responsible. He’s known them for years.”

“That’s good to know, but things can happen even the owners are unaware of. Like termites, plumbing leaks, and other things that develop over time,” John said.

“We’ll be careful. I think we’ve learned our lesson. I say “we” even though I wasn’t involved with this mess. I will be careful in our Davis home buying,” Sophie said.

Joe rushed into the room, waving a folder of paperwork. “Got it!” He sat down and thumbed through the files.

Everyone waited, quiet while he sought the details they needed to make decisions.

“Here they are. The house was built in 1998, so it’s twenty-seven years old.” Joe thumbed through, reading them details as he found them. “They had a new roof installed in 2020. The electricity was upgraded in 2015 with wiring that should still be functional.  The separate maid’s quarter’s electrical, gas, A/C, and heating were installed in 2012. It was actually fitted out for a senior suite with wider doors, and more accessibility. I forgot the realtor told me that the owner wanted to sell once his elderly parents moved to a retirement home. He sold because he didn’t need 22 rooms. His kids were grown and out of the house. He wanted to travel.” Joe paused, looking at Sophie to see her reaction.

“Go on, Joe. Anything else noteworthy?” Sophie asked.

Turning over another paper, Joe smiled. “Great news! The owner bought a transferable homeowner’s policy that covered major repairs, appliances, HVAC, wiring, and plumbing. I’m not sure what we’re going through is under that plan, but it doesn’t expire for another two years.”

“Fabulous news, Joe! May I look at it? I’m not a lawyer, but I’ve seen these policies many times. I suggest you send it to your lawyer right away with a list of things that need repair as soon as we can compile the list.”

“What a relief! I’ll send it to Kent right away,” Joe said.

“Ask him if your replacement appliances would be covered under the plan or if you can add a rider to include them, if not,” Karin said.

Sophie’s face had brightened up considerably as she listened to the exchange between Karin and Joe. “Thank you, Karin! You’ve made my day!”

“Happy I could do that, Soph!”

“Let’s set up everything in the maid’s kitchen for cooking. We can sleep in the bedroom there, too. I’ll turn off the gas in the main kitchen until we can fix the leak and change out the ducts,” Joe said. “How fast can you get an electrician here to fix up the electrical, Karin?”

“It sounds like you’re planning to stay, Joe. Have I got that right?” Karin asked.

Joe looked at Sophie asking the question with his eyes. “Soph?”

“Yes, Joe. With the homeowner’s policy, the fact that the maid’s rooms are safe, and that we’ll be getting married and then on our honeymoon, and quickly after that moving to Davis. . . Yes, this fixer-upper can be fixed. With Karin and John’s help.” She turned to Karin and John, then went to them and hugged them. “I thank you all, so much! Randy, too. You cheered me up!”

Louisa watched the situation resolve and heaved a sigh of relief. “Joe and Soph, I’m so glad you can get this place fixed up! Maybe we can actually have a picnic here next time. Thanks Karin, Dad, and Randy for making the trip. You made everything better for all of us.” She got up and hugged Karin, her dad, and Randy.

Joe, sitting next to Sophie now, put his arm around her waist, and whispered in her ear. “I love your family so much and you more than anyone. We can make this a place we look forward to staying in. I promise, when we finish the fixing, furnishing, and decorating, you’ll love being here.”

“I will, Joe. Because you’ll be here. And wherever you are, that’s where I want to be.” Sophie smiled at him with love, then kissed him.

Louisa nudged Will, indicating he should look at Joe and Soph.

“Did you want me to kiss you, too, love?” Will asked Louisa.

“Of course,” she answered, then leaned in and kissed Will.

Randy noticed what was happening. “I think I’ll go outside. Anyone have some insect repellent I can use?”

Dear Readers,

I hope you’ve enjoyed “A Picnic at the Lake,” the SPECIAL BONUS EPILOGUE for Louisa’s Passion. There’s more to enjoy with Will’s Secret, Book 2 in the Louisa’s Vineyard Series, which includes Louisa and Will on their honeymoon, with a gigantic secret Will finally shares with Louisa near the end of their honeymoon.

If you’d like to share the fun and magic of how Louisa’s parents met on the first day of college, you’ll want to read the steamy romance, Love at First Sight, also available at Amazon.

For more information about my books, check in at ShelleySommers.com . . . If you visit my website, you’ll see a sign in on the bottom of the page where you can join my blog recipients in reading my blogs and receiving other information. Once you’ve signed in, you’ll receive a free original short story, “The Bride Wore White,” which is not part of the Louisa’s Vineyard Series. It is also a steamy, contemporary short story romance.

Thanks for reading!

Hugs,
Shelley Sommers

Author of Louisa’s Vineyard Series

www.ShelleySommers.com
shelley@ShelleySommers.com