1 The Ladybug Jinx

by Tonya Kappes

  “Where you from?” Ed asked taking Sam’s hand. Sam tried to pull away from the vice grip.

  “California.” Sam’s blood had been completely shut off from the rest of his arm.

  “Long way from home.” Ed took out some of the flowers and put them right in front of old Johnny.

  Sam shivered.

  They couldn’t get out of there fast enough.

  *

  “Where’s everyone?” Sam and Marty sat down at one of the café tables near the waterfall. On cue, Kerri Ann began to fill their cups.

  “Funeral. I’m filling in.” Kerri Ann didn’t say much. She continued to clean around them.

  “Kerri Ann was Celia’s mother’s best friend. She’s a widow, like me, and she fills in for people here and The Fatted Pig when people are out.” Marty took a sip of coffee.

  The steam from their cups circles around Marty’s head, “Everyone in town usually shows up in some way during funerals. When my wife died, Celia’s mom, everyone was great. The entire town came out to say goodbye.”

  Kerri Ann patted Marty’s hand in a way that Sam took notice. It wasn’t an empathy pat, it was a linger, you know I’m there for you rub. Sam gave Marty a strange look.

  “I didn’t ask about Celia coming by your place, don’t ask about Kerri Ann.” Marty put Sam in his place and Sam knew it. There was obviously something going on between them.

  “You want to tell me about your past?”

  “I never had a dad.” Sam continued to look forward with both hands around his mug. “I had two special women in my life. My mom and my fiancé.”

  “What do you mean had?”

  “Both died. I wanted to make a new start for myself and ended up here.” Sam wasn’t going to give any more information about his life. He knew Marty didn’t watch those crazy tabloid shows or pick up magazines, so he didn’t mind sharing a small part of his life. It made him seem more real and help with his disguise.

  “Is that what happened at the funeral home?” Marty knew exactly what Sam was going through.

  “Yeah. I haven’t been to a funeral since Bianca.” Crap, Sam thought. Of all the imbecile things. He didn’t want to say her name.

  “It does get better.” Marty didn’t even act as though he heard the name. “It takes time. Give yourself time.” Marty turned to face Sam. “How much time has it been? I only ask because Celia doesn’t take food to just anyone, and I do have to look out for my girl.”

  Sam smiled remembering Celia standing on those steel steps made his heart flutter. “It was a shock to me. But I think she was just reaching out welcoming me into the community.”

  Sam didn’t want to reveal the attraction he was feeling towards Celia. She didn’t give him the same vibes and he didn’t want to look like some babbling idiot.

  “Don’t worry. If anything was going on there, I would discuss it with you first.” Sam made sure to keep his manners in check.

  Sam was stunned by his words. He had never asked a father to date his daughter. This Southern charm sure was rubbing off on him.

  “What you say we get those carnations over to the courthouse.” Marty pointed at the tallest building in town.

  “Sure.” Sam felt a little better about his breakdown.

  He couldn’t reveal his true identity, but he could share a few personal details with someone, especially if that someone was Marty. He trusted Marty. He was like the father Sam never had.

  The sidewalk was crowded with people setting up booths, chairs, tables, and a band stage. The courthouse lawn had been turned into food booths for the community to enjoy.

  “I’ll take those.” The dark haired woman spoke softly, gently taking the first load of carnations out of Marty’s arms. She looked at Sam. “You can follow me with those.”

  “I’m going to get more.” Marty gestured back to the truck.

  “Thank God, you are the new one in town.” She laughed. “I’m Liz Day. I was new before you. And boy am I glad you’ve taken all eyes off me and on you.”

  “I bet you are.” Sam grinned.

  Normally he wouldn’t mind if all the attention was on him, but not now. The more he was here, the more he liked the cozy town.

  “What do you do, Liz?” Sam lined the carnations on the card tables running along the courthouse walls.

  “I’m an interior decorator, and opened up the new store, Mole Hole Interiors.” She wrapped her long dark hair behind her ear. “You know, trying to come up with a store name to fit in was difficult.” Her green eyes danced.

  Sam laughed. He did wonder how the town came up with the crazy animal names.

  “Bread feeds the body, indeed, but flowers feed also the soul.”

  The Koran

  10

  Celia was relieved the funeral was over yesterday. It was a big order and any profit would go toward the payment she owed to the bank. That would keep them at bay for a while. Until then she’d have more sales and chip away a little at a time.

  Her feelings for Sam were concerning her more than the loan. He was dangerous and mysterious. The secret he was hiding only made him more appealing.

  Carefully, Celia glued the last of the ladybugs in the morning deliveries. Hopefully Sam won’t mind driving to Lexington to do the hospital deliveries. All the past times the flowers going to Fayette Memorial had to wait until Celia got off work, because her father could not bring himself to go back in once her mother died.

  Celia keeps a close eye out for Sam arrival. She continued to be amused at his attire. It was definitely not his style, but she found it endearing how he tried so hard to fit in the small community.

  Charlie whined to signal his arrival. “Okay boy, back off. He’s mine this morning.” Celia laughed at the thought of fighting with her dog for attention. Sam didn’t seem to notice her beauty the way other men did or at least he didn’t led on to it.

  She rustled her curls and added a swipe of lip gloss before he came in. “Good morning.”

  Celia felt her smile widened and tried to contain it, but it seemed she had no control. Her mouth was taking on a mind of its own. She had a steaming cup of coffee waiting for him.

  “I hope you don’t mind delivering to the hospital today.” She was glad she didn’t have to take them after work.

  “That’s the reason for the coffee and bright smile,” Sam said, taking the cup from her.

  If he only knew, she thought as her fingers brushed up against his. This time she didn’t jerk away as before.

  “No. I am actually enjoying your company in the morning.”

  She turned, hoped he was watching. Celia never had to flirt a day in her life and she found it uncomfortable doing so.

  “Someone’s here.” Sam was peeking around the closed sign.

  Celia walked back over to the door with a sinking heart. She would die if it was the bank again. Sam would definitely know something was up. She didn’t recognize the woman.

  “Hi, I wanted to talk with your delivery man Sam.” The woman stated before she got to the door. “I know you don’t open for another half hour, but a friend of a friend came in here and got some flowers. She said Sam helped him and was talking about meaning of flowers.”

  Celia noticed Sam had disappeared when he heard his name. She didn’t want him to be uncomfortable.

  “Let me see if he’s here yet.” Celia noticed Sam disappeared.

  She left the lady out in the cold fall morning fog, and found Sam topping off his mug.

  “Sam, there is a lady that wants to talk to you because of Mitch.”

  “Tell her I’m not here.” Celia heard the chill in his voice, causing her to wonder why he was so against seeing a customer.

  Celia wasn’t about to pry. She opened the door to find the woman vigorously rubbing her hands along her arms to keep warm. “He’s not here yet, but I’m the owner if you need some advice.” Celia said.

  “No. I do a talk radio program on the local radio station and I wanted him to come on. It isn’t every
day you hear a story about a man knowing what flowers mean. And I think my listeners would love a male perspective.” She handed Celia a business card. “Give him this.”

  “Will do.” Celia took the card and walked back into the shop.

  Sam was waiting in the dark room watching out the window. “What did she want?”

  Celia handed him the card.

  “Local celebrity.” Celia smiled wanting the same response from Sam, but he stood with a stone face.

  *

  I’ve messed up was all Sam could think when Celia handed him the business card. Her words “local celebrity” didn’t sit well in his stomach and he could tell she was trying to read his reactions. Only he wasn’t good at hiding them from her. He was an actor for goodness sakes, but like Bianca, Celia was able to read the real Sam.

  “I can’t do a radio show.” Sam tried to play it off.

  “Yes you will.” Celia was printing off Map Quest directions to get to the hospital. He never used her directions, he kept his Garmin under wraps.

  “A…no I won’t.” Sam didn’t like the sound of Celia’s voice.

  “It would be great for business. All you have to do is talk about flowers for a hour or so and mention the shop.” Celia pleaded with Sam. “I really could use the exposure. Advertising is so expensive and I have little resources for that.”

  It took everything in Sam for him to not offer her all the money she wanted. It did him no good just sitting around in the bank.

  “Just give her a call and see what she has to offer.” Celia continued to look at Sam in a way it was hard for him to say no.

  He took the card. “Only for you Celia—because you gave me a chance.”

  Sam wanted to get out of the shop and start his day. He didn’t have a good feeling about this even though he knew it was something very important to Celia.

  *

  What in the world am I about to do, Sam questioned his decision on taking the card and promising

  He dialed the number, wishing he had been honest with Celia from the beginning about who he really was, but she would never understand him or his motives. She was sheltered in this town and he didn’t want to take that away from her. Sam tried to picture Celia in his life in Los Angeles and it wasn’t a natural fit.

  With each ring, he almost hung up the phone. The last ring, his finger was on the red button, just push it. He wanted to push it.

  “Hello 91.9 FM?”

  “Hi.” Sam was at a loss for words. If they weren’t scripted or memorized, he was lost. “This is Sam Reynolds and I received a business card from my employer Celia Briggs.”

  “Yes. I am so glad you called.” The lady at the other end of the phone was squealing in his ear. “One of my friends is dating the mayor, and he gave her some flowers. She told me the meaning of the flowers, and the story about you—I just knew I needed to have you on as a guest.” The lady went on and on about how she wanted Sam to come on the garden show and talk about flowers and put a male perspective on it. Even making it a monthly paying gig.

  “I have one request.” Sam was trying to think of the best way to help Celia get the word out about the shop.

  “Sure.”

  “I want Celia Briggs to have a monthly guest spot too and she gets to advertise her shop.” Sam knew it was a big expectation. He would do it even if she only picked one of his two requests.

  “I’ll tell you what, if you have a good response, I will give her a guest spot. If you come back, I will give her another guest spot. If her guest spot becomes popular, I will give her a monthly spot on Sunday mornings.”

  “Deal.” Sam hung up the phone happy with the deal he just made. Now he had to talk Celia into it.

  The hospital drive was just what Sam needed to get back on track. He no longer found himself looking in the rear view mirror to see if the paparazzi was following. He was no longer obsessed with his Blackberry. He used to check it religiously to make sure the arrows in the top right corner were continuously moving. He no longer made every second of his day in remembrance of Bianca.

  Sam grabbed the big yellow smiley face mug with the white daisies and dozen yellow roses sticking out of the top. He knew this would make any kid feel better.

  “Room 230?” Sam questioned the receptionist who point in the direction of an elevator.

  The door was shut. He tapped lightly so he wouldn’t disturb the child. He opened the door and quietly walked over to the bed. There she laid, as still as the night. He could tell it wasn’t a child. If he hadn’t known better, he could’ve mistaken her for Bianca. The turban was hot pink as Bianca’s was, she was pale and thin.

  He stood with his mouth open unable to put the flowers next to the bed.

  “Can I help you?” Her words were almost a whisper.

  Sam was taken back. He rushed out of the room with the smiling bug vase still in hand. The child in the waiting room was playing with cars underneath all the adult chatter.

  “Here. These are for you.” Sam ripped the card off the flowers and bolted out before the child could refuse or anyone could catch him.

  “What did you just do?” Sam beat the stirring wheel with the palm of his hands. He gripped it so tight he felt the blood rush up his arms. “Who sent that women yellow roses? What does she have to be joyful about?”

  Bianca loved the yellow rose. She always said “only one yellow.” She would put it in the middle of an arrangement for the meaning of joy.

  Sam had to get out of there. The wounds were still too fresh.

  *

  “Are you okay?” Celia watched Sam stomp into the shop. She hadn’t known him long, but she could tell by his mannerisms he was not the Sam she has begun to know.

  “Fine.” Sam walked past her and picked up the rest of the deliveries for the day.

  “Sure about that?” Celia stopped clipping the orange fall lilies.

  “I said fine.” Sam didn’t look back. He used his foot to catch the corner of the door to slam it behind him.

  She didn’t get a chance to ask him to have dinner with her and her father. She didn’t even get a chance to ask if he called the radio station. She could call the diner and have Mamie give him a message. Celia realized she didn’t have a number for him.

  “Cee.” Marty yelled out. “What did you do to Sam?”

  Celia felt her father’s stare as she put the finishing touches on her Autumn Accent Boutique. “He walked in mad.” Celia held the creation up in the natural light to make sure there weren’t any holes. Her soul smiled. “Perfect.”

  “What do you mean?” Marty continued to press Celia about Sam.

  “Dad, I don’t know. I asked him if he was okay. He said fine and got the deliveries and left.” Celia placed the arrangement in the holding freezer. “This one can be delivered on your way home after dinner.”

  “I’m not staying for dinner. Didn’t I tell you?” Marty questioned.

  “What do you mean?” Celia turned on her heels. His father had never cancelled on dinner and it made Celia fear he was slipping back into depression. “See this is exactly why I didn’t want to hire another deliverer. It keeps you going.”

  “It’s nothing like that. I am going to be having dinner with some friends.” Marty opened the freezer door to get the arrangement. Marty admired the flowers. “You’ve outdone yourself this time.”

  “Who are you meeting?” Celia wasn’t falling for his compliments. With a curious eye, Celia watched her father take a few dog treats from the jar and threw them to Charlie.

  “Celia, I’m a grown man. I have friends. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He reached over and kissed her on the forehead.

  Celia had cooked pork chops for three and no one was there to eat with her.

  “Charlie there’s only one thing to do. Pack all this up and take it over to Sam’s.” Charlie’s ears perked up. She wasn’t going to waste a good meal.

  Celia decided to park along the diner so not to run into Mamie. As far as she knew, Mamie didn’t t
ell anyone about running into each other the other night.

  Charlie sniffed the crack along the bottom of Sam’s door causing his tail to wag ferociously. “Down, boy.” Celia smiled knowing exactly how he felt. She balanced the food in one hand and knocked with the other.

  Sam answered the door in a pair of jeans and grey tee shirt. Celia sighed, he looked much more natural in the tee instead of the plaid shirt. She tried to focus on his face and not be so obvious looking at his muscular arms. She noticed how extremely tan he was.

  “Celia.” Sam opened the door only for Charlie to jump on the bed and lay down. “Charlie.”

  Sam smile made Celia’s knees buckle. Get control of yourself, Celia smiled back.

  “My father had dinner plans with some friends and I wasn’t going to let these pork chops go to waste.” She held the food up under his nose to make sure he let her in.

  “Oh thanks.” Sam took the food. He peeked under the tin foil. “There is a lot of food here.”

  “Yes, I made enough for three.” Celia was hoping he would invite her in. “I didn’t want to eat alone. I was hoping we could eat together.”

  “I’m not really good company tonight.” He handed the food back to her, but she didn’t take it.

  “No, you need to eat and I will grab something else.” Celia peeked in at Charlie. Lucky dog, she envied him. “Come on boy.” Charlie bounded off the beds towards the door. “Have a good night, Sam.”

  Celia could feel his eyes burning in the back of her head as she clunked down the steps. Normally she wouldn’t walk so heavy, but her heart was sitting in her shoes.

  “Celia, wait.” Sam called out.

  “Yes?” Celia’s eyes bugged with anticipation.

  “Thank you.” He nodded his head. Celia’s heart fell again. She thought he was asking her back up, but he didn’t. She heard the door shut just as she reached the last step.

  You’re silly, Celia was bartering with herself. You’re thirty-two years old, she thought. She looked at Charlie, “You should be a cat.” She never imagined being single or even being single with her father.