Lucia held her sweater tight.
“Hi, come on inside. I want you to meet Mary Higgins. She owns the really big house behind the Main Street Inn. She’s looking to hire someone to help do some odds and ends around the house.” Lisa pulled Lucia along with her and whispered to her, “Mrs. Higgins is loaded and is really nice. She has these parties all the time and usually hires some of the teens or women from Second Chances to help serve food and prepare things. She was in the back of the store and heard you asking about work earlier. She asked me about you.”
Before Lucia could process everything Lisa was saying, she was inside the store and facing Mrs. Higgins and Lisa’s brother Lewis, who stood there smiling.
“This is her, Mrs. Higgins,” Lewis said, and he winked at Lucia.
“Hello, Lucia, my name is Mary Higgins. It’s nice to meet you,” she said and stuck her hand out for Lucia to shake.
Lucia shook her hand, and the woman smiled.
She stared at her and looked her over as if she were sizing her up. Lucia knew the type. Wealthy, high-class, and only wanting the best, she was seeing if she was from good stock. It would knock her socks off if Mrs. Mary Higgins knew what family Lucia came from. One rich in historic wealth tied to prehistoric ideals and beliefs.
“Nice to meet you too, Ma’am.”
“Mrs. Higgins was in the store when you asked about some part-time work,” Lewis began to say.
Lucia looked from Lewis to Mrs. Higgins as the older woman began to speak.
“I usually hire on a need-to basis from Second Chances. However, I was in the pharmacy yesterday and heard that you rent the apartment from Kelly Anders and her husbands. Ron mentioned that you were looking for part-time work, and then I overheard you asking if there are job openings here.”
Lucia felt her heart racing. She was also getting a little emotional. These people who lived in Pearl really were very compassionate.
“Yes, Ma’am. I just started asking around today,” Lucia told her.
“And were you successful in grabbing anything good?” she pushed.
“No, Ma’am. Seems this time of year is a bad time to be looking for work.”
“Well, it just so happens that I’m looking for someone to do some odd jobs around my home and assist me with various things when needed.”
“Various things, Ma’am?” Lucia cautiously asked.
Mary gave a small smile.
“I run an online business selling lots of different types of jewelry and other home items for women. I can’t seem to keep up with the housework and getting things organized and fixed around the place. I have someone who comes in and cleans. But I need an organizer, like a personal assistant. I’ll pay by the hour at first to make sure things work out and we get along, then weekly.”
Lucia couldn’t believe this was happening. It was like her little miracle. Something had to go wrong.
“When would you need me to start?”
“Don’t you want to know how much the job pays?”
Lucia felt her cheeks warm but quickly replied, “I’m certain you’ll pay me what you think I deserve.”
Mary smiled.
“Wonderful. Lewis can direct you to my house, just right behind the Inn. Could you meet me in an hour
to go over some things?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Mary nodded and then winked at Lewis and Lisa before exiting the store. Lisa smiled wide.
“That is so awesome. She’s going to love you.”
“She’s a tough woman to work for and expects a hundred percent, Lucia, so be sure to get there on time and do as she directs you to,” Lewis informed her.