The Ladybug Jinx (23 page)

She could picture the big firs on her property.

She smiled. “It’s truly a lovely sight.”

“Maybe I will see it sometimes.”

Celia’s face became sullen.

“What’s wrong?” Sam wiped her hair from her face. “Are you missing home?”

“No, I’m missing my sketch book, literally.” She had retraced her steps over and over in her mind and on foot. “I really wanted to leave an impression.”

Not that she didn’t remember what she designed, but the little details of the placement that made the flowers pop. The things that jumped in her head in the middle of the night were in there. And there was no way she would retrieve all those details without the sketch-book.

“White Christmas is coming on TV. Why don’t we order room service and hang out when we get back?”

Celia laughed, there was no way Sam was going to leave her alone in the suite. He was going to be watching over her regardless of what she thought. She would never admit to him how comforting it was to have him near her. She was starting to fall in love with him all over again.

Celia was glad he suggested going back to the suite. She loved White Christmas with Bing Crosby and she loved room service more.

*

The Regent Beverly Wilshire was beginning to look a lot like Christmas. It was a stop for sight-seeing, causing all kinds of extra traffic in the hotel. Celia was amazed what money can do for decorations.

“I’d put money on it that they spent millions on decorating.” Celia gingerly touched the silver feathery tree on their way to the elevator.

“I wouldn’t take that bet. I’m sure they do.”

Sam opened the suite door to a million glowing lights.

Celia was met by fake snow all over the floor. Fake ice sickles hung from a three tiered cup cake holder that was home to hundreds of snow babies on the entry table. Celia took her time to take in all the decorations. The mantle displayed Belsnickle figurines arranged by sizes. Nothing was left undecorated. The sconce lighting was flanked with garland.

An assortment of Kugels took center stage in the middle of the dining table. Celia touched everyone increasing her joy with each touch.

“Kugels.” She picked one up and showed Sam. “They are antiques. See the thick glass.”

Sam took one from Celia. The spark she got when he was in Grandberry Falls reared its head with a vengeance when his hand touched hers. She caught her breath stepping back to look at Sam.

“You did this, didn’t you?” Celia took a handful of snow and threw it up in the air, letting it fall all over her, getting caught in her hair.

“I want you to be happy.” Sam’s eyes glowed in the presence of all the twinkling lights.

“I know you miss home. Especially this time of the year, but you will be home in plenty of time for Christmas.”

Celia’s heart shivered. She realized Sam wouldn’t be in Grandberry Falls to share in her joy. “I don’t know what to say.” She turned with tears in her eyes. “When I think I have you figured out, you surprise me.”

The maid entered from the kitchen with a cartful of food.

“Over by the television please.” Sam picked up the remote control and hit play.

Celia stopped to watch Danny Kay and Bing Crosby open with their song and dance in their Santa costumes.

Celia never took her eyes off the movie. It was a childhood favorite that followed her throughout her life. It was a magical night she would never forget.

Celia’s trace broke when Sam clicked the television off.

“Amazing, Sam.” Celia turned just as Sam yawned. “Are you tired?”

“I am.” Sam put his arm around Celia. “I want you to be happy while you are here.”

Celia leaned in and gingerly kissed him. She missed the softness of his lips, his smell and his tender hugs.

“I have been waiting a long time to receive that.” Sam pulled away only to return back in her arms.

“Love is much like a wild rose, beautiful and calm, but willing to draw blood in its defense.”

Mark Overby

25

Sam had to get to the shop early. He needed to get Celia’s key and get there before Corin. He knew she had something to do with the missing sketch book. He just couldn’t put his finger on it.

Celia must still be asleep, he assumed when he went out into the family room and her bedroom door was closed. With her kiss, he knew she was slowly letting him back into her life and he was grateful for it.

He stopped at the paper stand on the way to the shop. Sam was happy to find their picture graced the cover as the next “it” couple, but nothing about the sketch book. He had time.

The shop didn’t have any lights on which signaled he was the first one there. He looked in every nook and crack in there, but there was no sign of the book.

“What are you doing here?” Sam had no idea how long Corin had been standing there.

“I’m going to find that book.” Sam continued to pick things up and look under them.

“I told you what I saw.” Sam didn’t like how Corin glared at him. “What is it with you lately? Ever since you came back from Hickville, you have changed. You don’t believe in me anymore.”

“You know you’re right. I don’t believe in you anymore.” Sam had enough of her. “Thank God I went to Grandberry Falls to have humanity restored back into my soul. Go ahead and pack your personal items. I will no longer need your services for parties.”

“Sam, you can’t do that.” Corin threatened. “I was hired by Don to take care of all your party needs. Don can be the one to fire me.”

“Wrong.” Sam saw she was serious. “I sign his paycheck and I sign your paycheck. You are no longer on my payroll.”

On his way back to the hotel, Sam made a phone call to Don and left a message. He called a transfer service to pick up the things Celia had been working on. He left Corin spitting nails at him. He was over her and her diva ways.

He needed to get to Celia before she made it to the shop. The last situation he needed was Celia and Corin duking it out.

The maid had already cleaned up from the night before. Celia’s door was still closed. Sam put his ear up to it to try and hear if anything was going on.

He heard the shower which meant Celia was still there. He quickly ordered breakfast for her and waited at the table with a nice cup of coffee. He told the delivery service not to deliver all of her belongings from the shop until noon. It left him a few hours to get Celia out of the suite and tell her about his run in with Corin.

*

“Good morning.” Celia played shy. She was still embarrassed how she acted last night. She was up all night thinking she threw herself at him like all the other girls in this town. She looked around the suite still mesmerized by the decorations. “The coffee smells great.”

“I missed our mornings when I came back.” Sam’s words only made Celia warm and fuzzy inside. “I had no other choice but to come back and finish what I started. Is there any way we can start fresh and see where it takes us.”

“Sam, I’m not ever going to live here. I’ll be going back to Grandberry Falls after the wrap party. If there is a party.” Celia remembered the sketch book. In the middle of the night she sketched some designs on the suite stationary and then couldn’t go back to sleep after thinking about the sketch book.

“I know the paparazzi doesn’t have it.” When Sam said that, Celia looked over at him. He was holding up several tabloid magazines.

“You bought all of those?” Celia took one and smiled. “Hmm. The new ‘it’ couple? I need to keep this for my grandfather. He’ll get a kick out of this.”

“Hurry let’s get out of here. I have something to show you.”

“Sam, I really need to get to work and start building the bases for the centerpieces.” Celia had to cut Styrofoam in order for the flowers to stay. She had tree branches that needed to be hot glued together.

“It can wait.” Sam took her by the hand and led her straight to the elevator.

She didn’t know where they were going, but the excitement continued to build within her. The paparazzi was still outside, where they left them last night—next to Sam’s car. The photographers keep up with them, snapping pictures at every stop light and stop sign.

“If we are the new ‘it’ couple, let’s show them our pretty teeth.” Sam would say under his clenched smile.

“Surprise!” Sam pulled up to the front. There was a man waiting for them so he could drive the car off.

Celia read the sign aloud, “Farmer’s Market.”

She had heard of the flower district, but never dreamed she’d actually be going to it.

“I have something to tell you before we walk in.” Sam took Celia by the hands.

She became frightened at the serious look on his face.

“What?” She wanted him to tell her he found her sketch book or he knew where it was.

“I’m having a flower studio put in the suite for you today. I had a service box up everything you have purchased for the party and sent it to the suite. I ordered all new floral clay, wire, scissors, everything you possibly need to make this the dream you have visualized.”

“Why not the shop?” Celia was confused.

She was getting use to the equipment there and the rumblings around the city weren’t bothering her like it had a week ago.

“Corin is a hag and I don’t want her to influence you, my sweet Grandberry Falls gal.”

“Really, what happened?” Celia knew he was kind, but he was a guy.

“She and I got into it about the sketch book and I can’t shake the feeling she’s hiding something.” Sam showed his ID at the front of the market. “I fired her.”

“Oh.”

“What I’m trying to say, you might want to pick up a few things here. I also bought you a membership so you could come when you please. They have wholesale crazy hours in the middle of the night too.”

Celia took the brochure he handed her.

She stopped dead in her tracks. She slowly inhaled. All her senses came alive like all the colors in the room facing her. Celia had dreamed of being here years ago—touching and smelling.

She had ordered special flowers from there since it was America’s largest wholesale market. She was up front and personal with all the flowers and colors from her sketch book. She started to jot things down on some loose paper she found in her purse.

“Here.” Sam pulled out a new sketch book from the inside of his coat. He truly was one of a kind, she thought. 

“Thank you.” Sam still continued to amaze Celia with his thoughtfulness and manners.

“I thought you might want to write something down while we are in here.”

Celia began to walk around and draw the flowers she wanted to incorporate in her designs for the party. Her mood changed. Being around the flowers and Sam made her think positive, believing nothing was going to stop her from having the most beautiful centerpieces ever seen at a wrap party.

*

Sam had made the right decision. He felt it in his heart when he watched Celia run from bucket to bucket grabbing flowers here and there. Holding them up in the light, feeling the stems and smelling every single petal.