The Ladybug Jinx (12 page)

“I’m having dinner with a friend.” Marty stood up next to the table. Celia looked at Kerri Ann for answers.

“You can’t even look at me?” Celia said to Kerri Ann. “You were my mother’s best friend and now you, you.” Celia fumbled and grabbed Charlie and ran out the door.

“Celia, wait.” Marty ordered her to stop.

She didn’t look back. The run to her car seemed like a mile away—only it was parked around the corner.

She didn’t care how fast she was going. She didn’t care if she got pulled over. Celia couldn’t wait to get home and take out her frustrations. She was rejected by two men tonight.

She was disappointed by Sam. She was angry with her father. Her mother has only been dead a year and her father was already out and about. She had no clue. The town had to be laughing at her. There he was in plain sight, holding hands like a teenager.

Going to bed was the only thing going to help her headache. She was ready to put this day to rest when a knock on her door interrupted her plans.

“If you think you are going to come here and…” Celia opened the door to find Sam. “Sam, I’m sorry.”

Celia melted into tears and into Sam’s wide open arms.

“How could he? He has made a fool of himself.” Celia sobbed. “I can’t believe him!”

She released her body from Sam and stomped around the shop and up the stairs.

“Celia, I have no idea what you are talking about.” Sam followed her up the steps and sat next to her on the couch.

She dare look at him. “I must look like a fool, crying all over you.”

“No you are human. I am assuming you found out about your father and Kerri Ann.”

Sam knew. How did Sam know and she not?

“You aren’t even from here and you knew?” Her eyes were beginning to puff up. Sam walked over to the side table and retrieved a Kleenex. “Thank you.”

Sam talked Celia into going to get dessert in Lexington.

*

“I think your father is lonely.” Sam knew what he was talking about. “When you are with someone for a long time, you are lost without her.”

Sam watched Celia’s reaction to his words. She was beautiful even when she was crying. Her hair looked like it was on fire and she made him crazy with emotions.

“Sounds like you know what he is going through.” Celia’s green eyes were glowing against her pale skin. They were mesmerizing.

The waitress seated them in a booth.

“I said, it sounds like you know how my father feels.”

The waitress interrupted and took down their brownie and coffee order.

Sam was confused. He did want to open up to her, but he trusted her. He trusted his feelings around her.

“I do actually.” Sam twirled his spoon in his coffee. “I lost my fiancé about the same time you lost your mother.”

Sam felt Celia’s warm soft hands cover his. He began to pull away, but stopped. Hers eyes pierced his soul which caused him to look away.

“I am sorry, Sam.” Her voice made her lips even softer. “Is that what you are running from?”

Sam closed his eyes for a moment. He could hear Bianca’s voice, ‘Promise me you will be happy. Promise me you will find someone who makes your heart sing. Sam find your Chrysanthemum.’
He smiled up at Celia. He wondered if she knew the meaning of chrysanthemum: fidelity, optimism, joy and long life.

“I’m not running from anyone. I just wanted a new start.” He might open up his heart, he was not going to open up his past.

Sam found it easy to talk to Celia. She didn’t question Bianca’s death or even his past. She listened to him.

“It’s not about your mother. Your father needs companionship at his age.” Sam continued to hold Celia’s hands. He liked it. It has been a long time since he’s held hands with a woman.

“You’re right.” Celia smiled pulling her hands away in order to let the waitress put down the brownies. “I guess I never thought my father would find someone else. I never pictured him with anyone other than my mother.”

“What better person than your mother’s best friend? Who also loved your mom and knows what your dad is going through.” Sam definitely knew how to play the sentimentalist.  After all, he was America’s male sweetheart.

“Sam Reynolds, you are a smart man.” She smiled at him, melting his heart. “Your fiancé was one lucky woman.”

Celia reached over and took his hand again. It was a feeling he could to get used to.

“All glory comes from daring to begin.”

Eugene Ware

11

Celia enjoyed the warmth of Sam’s hands and company over the past few weeks. She laughed thinking about how she treated him in the beginning. They’d become comfortable with each other. Sam had a constant presence at the shop, around the community, and at Celia’s dinner table.

“We got another order for the retirement home for tomorrow.” Celia served the homemade chicken pot pie to her dad and Sam. Charlie begged next to Marty who was always sneaking treats.

“It’s a nice place.” Sam had never discussed his deliveries and Celia loved that about him.

“It’s a strange order,” Celia commented, taking the seat next to Sam. “It’s faxed every week like clockwork. The credit card goes through like a charm. Each week it’s the exact same order.”

Celia noticed her father sat eerily quiet.

“Is the recipient a man or women?” Celia really wanted to find out about the mystery flowers.

“Man.”

“Sick or healthy?”

“I don’t know.”

Celia looked at Sam like he was crazy. “How do you not know? Don’t you see him each time?”

“Yes.” Sam reached over for seconds. She loved how he devoured her home cooked meals.

“Well?” Celia was getting annoyed with his one word answers. He was smarter than that.

“What?” Sam put his fork down in mid sentence, giving her the attention she required. “I don’t know Celia. He answers the door, takes the flowers and shuts the door.”

“Does he say anything?” Celia continued to bagger him because she loved how dramatic he was when he tried to tell a story.

“Nothing.” Sam looked up at her like a light bulb went off. “The first week he asked me who I was and nothing after that.”

“I think it’s strange. Someone sends him flowers and he never asks questions.” Celia looked between the two of them.

Amazing, she thought as they shoveled the food in their mouths like they hadn’t eaten in days.

*

After dinner, Marty left to have dessert at the diner with Kerri Ann. And Celia was looking forward to a little alone time with Sam. She’d gotten use to the idea of Kerri Ann keeping her father company. She made him happy, which made Celia happy.

“Another fine meal.” Sam patted his belly.

The way he was eating, he was gaining weight by the day. She couldn’t believe how her feelings have grown for him. Sam was everything she needed. She enjoyed his company and he seemed to like working with her, and being around her dad, not to mention her cooking.

“Tomorrow after I deliver, I go to the radio station to record my segment.” Sam dug into the homemade apple pie. Celia was glad to see he wasn’t nervous anymore. In fact he looked rather joyful, at peace, not like the scaredy cat he was when he showed up in town.

Grandberry Falls has a way of unwinding the tightly wound. Or at least that’s what all the vacationers say about the cozy town.

“I want to know if you could come with me?” Sam asked.

“I would love to.” Celia was flattered he’d want her there, and no way was she going to miss it. “I will make sure I get my orders filled and we could deliver the last of them on the way.”

The night was over way too fast, but tomorrow was a big day. If everything goes well, she’d see more orders, move some inventory, and pay the bank. She was going to need a good night’s sleep for what hopefully would be a busy week.

Celia wondered if her mind was playing tricks on her or if he was stalling walking to the door.

“I guess I better get going and rest up for my big performance.” He stood there, devilishly handsome. The twinkling lights Celia had put in the window for the seasonal decorations put a magic touch against his skin. “I like the window decorations.”

“Thanks. I figure I better decorate for the upcoming holidays as they approach. People tend to skimp on the flowers this time of year. And I need all the orders I can get.” Celia almost slipped. She didn’t want to burden anyone with the little oversight of the arm loan.

“Thank you, Celia, for making me feel at home.” Sam bent down, the touch of his lips was a delicious sensation.

Celia’s flesh tickled with his touch, and she stepped back.

“I’m sorry.” Sam looked down at his feet. “I should’ve asked if I could kiss you.”

“No, I moved.”

Celia blushed and put her hands to her mouth.

“Okay, well goodnight. See you in the morning.” Sam turned the knob on the door.

Celia gently put her hand on his arm. “I enjoyed it.”

Celia stepped forward and kissed him harder and longer. Sam swept her, weightless, into his arms. She wasn’t going to pull away this time.

“This was a great dinner.” She looked back down in fear of getting lost. She looked back up—it was too late. Her heart was already stolen.

“I love your smile, your eyes,” he whispered, his breath hot against her ear.

She relaxed, sinking into his cushioning embrace. “Who would’ve thought I would be standing here kissing my delivery boy.”

“Speaking of which, I need to let you get some sleep.” Sam kissed her one last time, and closed the door behind him.

“What?” Celia looked down at Charlie. He was staring at her. “I haven’t forgotten about you.” She patted the side of her leg and delighted in hearing Charlie’s paws up the steps.

“He is special isn’t he boy?”

Celia and Charlie rolled into bed and off to sweet dreams.

The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and let it come in.

Morrie Schwartz

12

Sam couldn’t wait until he got to the shop. Going home last night about killed him. He could’ve kissed and held her all night. He didn’t realize how much he has missed the companionship of a woman. A woman’s touch, Celia’s touch made him feel good—like he could conquer the world.

“Ugh.” Sam sighed when he pulled into the driveway and saw Marty was already there. He was hoping to get another kiss to start his day off.

“Good morning.” Celia gave her shy smile to Sam. He took it and stamped it in his memory.

“Good morning.” He couldn’t stand it.

He walked over, took the coffee cup out of her hand, put it down on the farm table next to the arrangement she was finishing and kissed her softly. “Good morning,” he whispered as he pulled away.