Love Makes the Difference (Sully Point Book 1) (11 page)

"One of the main differences is that you are, well, real,
Anna. There's nothing fake about you. Do you know how rare that is, at least in
the world of Tom Anders? You're straightforward and honest. And you have those
changeable fascinating eyes that draw me in so that I could stare at them all
day. And don't even get me started on your figure."

He noticed the pink blush on her cheeks as she sat up
straight. "You really think that stuff about me?"

"Yes, and I'll keep telling you until you believe me."

"Okay."

Sam felt like jumping up and down at that simple concession.
She wasn't giving up on them. Thank God.

"Uh, Sam, about tomorrow night--are we going to the
Diner? Or somewhere else?"

"I thought we'd go one town over, to Alberto's. They
have good food."

"Okay. Trying to nail down what I'm wearing."

Sam laughed. "Don't worry, I'm sure it will be fine. I'm
looking forward to it. You'll probably see me in the morning first--for a
muffin or donuts at the bakery."

She smiled. "What's your favorite kind of donut?"

"Honestly? Coconut. But I love all kinds, really."

"Come in early tomorrow," she said as she stood
up. "I rarely make coconut, so they go quickly."

He stood up next to her. "Save me some?"

"Sure. I'd better go now. I ran out on dinner with Dad
and Cody."

"What will you tell them?"

"Probably nothing. They're used to me being a little
bit odd."

"That's funny. You don't seem the least bit odd to me."

She looked up at him, eyes sparkling in amusement. "Then
you clearly don't know me well enough yet." She turned and walked through
the doorway, pulling the door shut behind her.

Sam ran both hands through his hair. "Just give me
time, Anna. Just give me time."

Chapter 6

Anna woke up thinking about making coconut donuts. Deciding
she'd better get in a half hour earlier than normal, she rushed through her
morning ablutions. Coconut donuts always took her longer to make than other
kinds.

She decided she still felt nervous about this thing with
Sam, but he had gotten to her last night. What he'd said felt honest and true.
And some of those women in the photos had looked a bit, well, fake. Staring at
herself in the mirror, outfitted in a pale blue uniform she shook her head.

Kayla had agreed last night to come in by nine o'clock to
manage the bakery for the day. She had a work study program as a senior so
there were some days when she could spend the whole day at the bakery. Anna
felt a little guilty about asking at such short notice, but Kayla seemed happy
to be making extra money.

Shopping with Holly--now that should be an experience. Holly
loved to shop. Anna never had loved it the way her sister did. At least on this
trip it would be different because she was actually interested in what they
would be buying. She knew she couldn't compete with the women she'd seen on the
arm of Tom Anders. Therefore, she chose not to try. All she could do was be
herself. Maybe an improved version, but still, the real Anna, and nobody else.

* * * *

Frank looked up in surprise from the kitchen table as his
oldest daughter, Holly, walked into the house. "What are you doing here,
Holly? Not that we don't love to see you, but I thought you were too busy to
come for a holiday with us."

Holly stared at him, hands on her hips. "I've come
because of Anna. Dad, just what is going on with her? She called me last night
asking about what to wear on her date tonight. Who is this guy and can he be
trusted? I don't want to see her get hurt."

Frank chuckled. "So they're going on another date? That's
great."

"Another?" Holly sat down across the table from
him.

"They were at the fair together. Cody said they seemed
to be having a good time when he saw them."

"And we all know Cody is the best judge of
relationships."

"Holly--be nice."

She sighed. "Sorry, Dad. I'm just worried about Anna.
She told me she sold one of her paintings. I can't comprehend that. She's
always been so secretive about them."

Frank frowned. "That was my fault. About Sam finding
out. She told me last night he'd bought one for his living room. She seemed
okay with it. Said he might put her in touch with a gallery owner, and I'll
tell you, I'm glad to hear it. She needs to be out in the world more and not
just cooped up in that loft all the time and hiding her paintings. There are
plenty of them too. About time she got rid of some of them."

"So you see all this as a good thing then."

"Yes, I do. I think Anna is growing up and coming into
her own. And yes, Sam may have something to do with it."

"Well then, I hope he's a good guy. What does he do for
a living?"

"He's a writer. Although I think right now he's living
off money he saved up so he can write his novel. I'm not sure if he's actually
made money at writing yet, although he does have a pretty expensive car."Holly
got up and poured herself a cup of coffee. She took a sip and smiled at her
father. "So what else is going on around here? Clearly I haven't been home
enough lately. I feel like I'm completely behind in the news."

Frank smiled at his oldest daughter. "You know we'd
love to see you back here more often. And you have missed out. Cody and I are
fixing up Anna's loft. She's going to start living there permanently once we
are done."

Frank laughed at how startled Holly looked. "Oh you are
the big sister, aren't you? Shocked to hear that the baby chick is leaving the
nest? It's time for her to leave home."

"Wow, things really are changing around here. Are you
okay with it? You'll be all alone here."

"I'll be fine. Might be nice to have the house to
myself. Besides, it makes me proud when I see how you all are doing."

Holly put down her coffee and crossed the room to stand next
to Frank and give him a hug. "I miss you, Daddy," she said softly.

"I miss you too, sweetie. But now I'd better get on
down to the store. When are you meeting Anna?"

"Right now. I'd better go too."

"Good luck today. Shopping with Anna is bound to be
interesting."

"Hey, at least she wants to go this time. And anything
will be an improvement over the last time I tried to get her to shop."

They looked at each other and both started laughing.

"Yep," Frank said. "Ought to be interesting."

* * * *

Anna was smiling at Sam as she handed him a box of coconut
donuts, when Holly entered the bakery. She felt the smile freeze on her face as
she waited for Sam to notice her sister. Holly came behind the counter and gave
her a hug while Sam looked on quizzically.

"Holly, this is Sam Carter. Sam, this is my sister Holly."

She watched as Sam shook hands with Holly. And was stunned
when his attention came right back to focus on her face, not Holly's.
Why
isn't he looking at her like everyone else does? Why is he looking at me?
Then
she realized Sam had asked her a question she hadn't heard.

"Uh, what?"

Sam gave her a gentle smile. "I was just telling Holly
how we're going to Alberto's tonight and then I thought to ask if you like
Italian food."

"Oh, yes. I do."

"I'll see you tonight then. Pick you up at seven, all
right?"

"That's fine. I'll be ready."

He smiled again, and said, "Nice to meet you Holly,"
as he walked out of the bakery.

"Well! He's gorgeous, Anna."

"I know," she replied glumly. "I can't figure
out what he could possibly see in me."

"Maybe he's drawn to you for yourself ."

"Come on, really?"

"Really. You're something special, Anna, if you'd just
let yourself see it."

Anna stared at her sister.

Holly nodded. "Okay then, let's get going. Is Kayla
subbing for you?"

"Yes, she's in the back. Kayla!" Kayla came to the
front and greeted Holly.

"Now Holly, before we go, I want you to look at Kayla
and at me and be honest. Are these uniforms in any way attractive?"

Holly stared at them for a minute and then gave a little
laugh. "Oh dear, those may have been a mistake. You look a little like
those pastel cupcakes."

"Exactly. There would be nothing wrong with wearing
something like nice blue jeans and the same color shirt--white or a color, I
don't care. I'm sick of polyester. So what do you say?"

"You too, Kayla?" Holly asked.

Kayla nodded vigorously.

"All right, Anna. Do it whatever way you want. Just
make sure you guys sort of match. Come on, we've got to get to the mall."

Anna paled. "The mall? That's a half hour away. I
thought we'd shop here."

"Anna, no. There are only two dress shops here in town
and they are a few seasons behind. You go change out of that horrid uniform so
we can leave."

Anna walked away shaking her head and muttering. "The
mall
."

* * * *

Sam settled at his computer after he finished eating coconut
donuts. A run on the beach would definitely be happening after that treat. He
felt good. Seeing Anna in the morning gave a lift to the start of his day. His
smile faded as he thought about yesterday evening and how upset she'd been. The
Tom Anders' photos--he never would have imagined they might cause Anna pain.
But she was right, he had to own them as his own photos. Tom wasn't a separate
person from him. And what he did in that persona reflected back on him as Sam.

It made him think about the use of the pen name in his work.
He'd always hidden out, even from the very beginning. At first it was because
he didn't think he was any good. He didn't want badly reviewed books to be
attached to his real name. But then the books had taken off. And suddenly he
was dealing with fans, movies, paparazzi, and everyone wanting a piece of Tom
Anders. At that point he was very glad to have the pseudonym, to have a place
where he could be a regular person.

Now, after he'd spent time watching Anna as she ventured
forth from her hiding place, he wondered. Wondered if it might be time to give
up the pen name and write under his real name. He should talk to Norman about
it. Although, Norm would probably flip out. 'We'll lose sales!' Sam could
already hear the arguments. They'd have to figure out the best way to do it.

He found his thoughts going to Anna again, and their date.
He had the feeling she hadn't dated much, but had lived in her own little
world. If he could convince her to let Stanley, his friend with the gallery,
come look at her paintings her world might get a whole lot bigger. Still, the
one thing he was beginning to see about Anna was she could stand up for
herself. She wasn't some helpless fainting violet. All anyone had to do was
look at her paintings to see that. Who she was as a person came through in her
work--an intense, vibrant, strong woman. His attentions may have thrown her off
her game a bit, but he had no doubt she would adjust to having him in her life,
if that was what she wanted.

The phone rang. Before Sam could even say hello, Norm's
voice came out of the phone.

"Sam, it's Patrice. She's found out where you are. I
think she might show up there. Bribed my damn mail clerk. I'm sorry about this
pal, but I thought I should tell you right away."

Sam sat up abruptly in his chair. "Patrice? Here? Norm,
I so don't need that right now. Damn. When did she find out?"

"Last night, from what I could tell this morning before
I fired the mail clerk. So you could be seeing her today."

"Great, just great." He listened to Norm splutter
on about unreliable employees and confidentiality clauses. Finally he
interrupted the flow of words.

"Norm, listen Norm, I've decided something. I think we
ought to get rid of the pen name. Tell the world it's me writing the books.
There's no point to having Tom Anders anymore. I was thinking--"

"Are you nuts? Where do you come up with these screwy
ideas? Tom Anders is well-established, everyone knows who he is. I can't
believe you'd think this was a good idea. Just what are you smoking out there
on the beach?"

Sam sighed. He could picture his pudgy friend turning red in
the face. "Okay calm down and think. Wouldn't it be an even bigger story
to finally come out of the closet so to speak? I'm sure we'd have the same or
more sales. And I'm tired of it Norm, tired of pretending. I never thought it
would all get so big."

Norm was silent for a full minute, and Sam could sense his
mind racing. "Yeah, yeah maybe I could do something with this. Let me
think about it and don't go making any announcements until you talk to me
first. In the meantime, you be on the lookout for that piranha, Patrice."

"I will. I'll deal with her if she shows up, never
fear." As Sam hung up the phone he could feel his expression turn grim. If
he knew Patrice, she would be coming here for two reasons. She either wanted
him to take her back, or she wanted to hurt him in some way. Yes, he'd
definitely be on the lookout.

* * * *

Holly turned to face Anna outside the second store they'd
been in, clearly aggravated. "Anna, listen to me. Either you don't want to
go out with this guy or you do--make up your mind. Because if you do, you want
to look your best. Stop being such a pest! Nothing appeals to you."

Anna held up a hand. "Hang on, nothing appeals to me
because you keep picking out stuff I'd never wear. Ruffles, satin, sparkly
stuff. You can get away with wearing some of that kind of thing, but not me. I
want something comfortable, that doesn't look like it belongs on someone other
than me. Is that too much to ask?"

Holly realized she'd been underestimating Anna again.
Sometimes it was too easy to think of her sister as she was in high school, but
she'd clearly grown up since then. And she also knew she didn't have a clue
about what to pick out for Anna to wear because she didn't know this young
woman as well as she'd known the girl.