Louis, or Sparks LeConte as her father was affectionately called by those he’d commanded in the fire department, was turning seventy-five tomorrow. He met Michelle at the door and drew her into his arms after she set her bag down. Michelle lingered in his embrace for a moment, then pulled back and looked up into her father’s soft slate gray eyes.
Sparks“How’s my pearl?” he said.
“I’m good, Dad,” Michelle answered as CJ stood nearby. “How are you feeling?”
“Right now, perfect,” he said with a wink. He tilted his head toward the cavernous Great Room behind him. “What’d’ya think of all this?”
Michelle took in the sunlit great room with its large fieldstone fireplace anchoring the far end. The room, which was modestly furnished with Mission-style furniture and a large leather sectional cou
