Blood Ties - A Magnolia Novel

by Ashley Fontainne

  Lunch arrived, delivered by the hands of the enamored waiter, who fawned over Karina like she was the Queen of England. It was hysterical. He finally slunk away after assurances from Karina that no, she didn’t need any more water, or salsa, or chips, napkins, etc. LiAnn kept her laughter inside by filling her mouth with a hefty bite of burrito.

  “This has been so much fun! Dressing you, helping you pick out clothes, it’s like playing with a life-sized Barbie. Just one with bigger boobs,” Karina teased, in between mouthfuls of her vegetarian taco. “You need to wear the black dress with those killer heels. Minimal jewelry. Hair loose and down your back. I guarantee your date will melt, and it won’t be just from the God-awful heat.”

  LiAnn almost choked on her chip. “Karina!”

  “Sorry Mom, but it’s the truth! I think you’ve forgotten how stunning you are after all these years of hiding your assets under boring white cotton and khaki slacks. So, spill. I want to know more about Jimmy.”

  LiAnn wiped her lips and shrugged. “Not much to tell, really. In his seventies, I think. Just a guess though. He is a widower, not sure about kids. Didn’t mention any, and you know, if you have them, you talk about them. He’s a retired teacher who happens to be a fantastic painter. Oh, you will love his work. Wait until you see it. He’s a gentleman, full of old school charm. That’s really all I know at this point.”

  Karina’s eyes lit up with amusement. “He must be quite the charmer if you agreed to go on a date with him so soon. So, just dinner? Then what? Movie? Bowling? A private painting class with your body as the canvas?”

  LiAnn rolled her eyes. “Just dinner. I’m taking things slow, unlike you.”

  Karina immediately blushed but didn’t respond. Instead, she just smiled and shoved a huge forkful of food into her mouth.

  LiAnn finished tousling her hair, grimacing at the reflection in the mirror. She stared at the black heels sitting on the edge of the bed, waiting for her to slide them on. Cramming her feet inside them, and then trying to walk, was going to be a joke. A huff of irritated air left her lungs.

  She shouldn’t have let Karina talk her into buying them. How sexy would falling flat on her face inside the restaurant be? Instead of putting them on, she turned back to the mirror and fiddled with her earrings. Karina was right about the little black dress. It hugged all her curves in all the right places, and the black material hid her flaws quite well. LiAnn reached down and grabbed the red lipstick tube on the desk, wincing when she noticed her hands shook. She forced them to stop so she could touch up her lips without looking like the Joker.

  Breathe, woman! It’s just dinner.

  A loud knock at the door made LiAnn jump, causing her to drop the tube onto the floor. Bending down to retrieve it, she yelled, “Come on in.”

  The door opened and Karina sauntered inside. LiAnn gasped. Her beautiful child was wearing a pair of jeans so tight, sitting down would be impossible without cutting her in half. The new pair of dark brown calfskin cowboy boots gleamed. Karina topped off her date attire with a low cut, white halter shirt completely open in the back, tied around her neck, the straps flowing in loose waves down her back. Her raven black hair pulled back, exposing her long, graceful neck. It hung down in soft curls behind her. Karina looked beyond stunning.

  “You actually plan on dancing in that? How? Can you even breathe? Aren’t you afraid something will pop out while bustin’ a move?”

  Karina laughed as she twirled around, showing off the entire look. “Uh, you’ve seen my date. He’s a hunk. A young hunk. I wanted to make sure his eyes stayed on me tonight. I’m going to be competing with twenty-something’s shaking their groove things, remember?”

  LiAnn shook her head. “Oh, you won’t have to worry. All eyes will be on you tonight. Poor Bo might be forced to fight other wolves off.”

  “Good, then that means I accomplished what I set out to do!” Karina replied, beaming. “But enough about me. Look at you! Holy Hotness, Batman! Maybe you should change. Don’t want your first date to be at the hospital. You know, because old Jimmy had a heart attack after you walk in, looking like dessert in a black dress. Oh, put the shoes on! I want to see the full package before I leave for my date.”

  LiAnn’s cheeks inflamed as she waved off Karina’s compliment with a shaky hand. She turned and stared at the heels of torture and grimaced. “Okay, okay, give me a minute to work up my nerve. I’m afraid I’ll fall over.”

  “You won’t,” Karina replied, moving across the floor. She yanked the shoes off the bed and held them out to LiAnn. With reluctance, LiAnn took them and flopped down on the edge of the mattress. LiAnn stifled a groan of irritation as she crammed her toes inside. She reached out her hand to Karina to help stand.

  “Yeow, Mom. You’re as tall as I am now! Oh yeah, Jimmy will have a heart attack for sure. But, just in case his ticker is strong, I brought you a present.”

  LiAnn blanched when she looked down at what Karina held in her other hand. “Seriously?”

  Karina grinned wickedly at her. In a flash, she yanked LiAnn’s purse from the bed and slid the pack of condoms inside. “Yes, seriously. Always be prepared, right? Don’t want a baby brother or sister at this stage in my life. I like being the only child.”

  “Menopause took care of that problem years ago…”

  “Duh, Mom. Like I don’t remember all the times you froze me out of the house. However, there are other things–uglier, nasty things besides children–you need protection from. Best to be prepared.”

  “Sure you can spare them? I mean, won’t you need them tonight?” LiAnn shot back, eager to take a dig at Karina.

  “Believe me, Bo is beyond prepared. Probably has a case of them in his truck.”

  Before LiAnn could say anything, Ranger started barking. From the living room, her father yelled, “Bo’s here. Karina, where’s Ranger’s leash?”

  In a flash, Karina swiped an air kiss near her mom’s ear. “Have a good time, Mom. I know I will.”

  20

  First Date Jitters

  LiAnn sat inside the car, frayed nerves keeping her fingers from opening the door. She watched people walk in and out of the front entrance, wondering why she was having such difficulty breathing. Glancing at her watch and noticing it was seven on the dot, LiAnn’s heart rate spiked. Jimmy had arrived ten minutes prior and was probably sipping a cold drink, wondering if she stood him up or not, or was just being fashionably late. LiAnn was doing neither, only trying to corral her nerves to a manageable level.

  She took a deep breath, grabbed her purse, yanked out the pack of condoms, and stared at them. Her daughter, ever the prankster. What kind of child gives her mother a package of condoms?

  A lovable, crazy one.

  Clutching the package in her hand, LiAnn opened the door and stepped out into the brick-oven heat. After locking the car, she concentrated on taking small steps so she didn’t fall as she walked to the entrance. LiAnn looked around, thankful no one was outside and deposited the gift from her child in the garbage by the front door. Once inside, LiAnn’s nerves settled a bit as the rush of cold air slammed into her.

  “Good evening. Welcome to Bella’s Place. Party of one?”

  “I’m..uh, no. Meeting someone. Jimmy Calhoun?”

  The waiter’s broad smile was faker than the faux decor of an Italian villa. “Ah, Mr. Calhoun! He is in the back at his favorite table. This way please.”

  She followed, trying to concentrate on the ambiance rather than her nerves. They wound their way through the intimate tables until they reached the back of the restaurant. LiAnn was surprised how few people were seated. She wondered if the food was any good or not. Jimmy spotted them, smiled, stood and pulled out her chair. The waiter disappeared, and LiAnn’s throat went dry. Jimmy’s eyes took in every inch of her, the look reflecting back from them was more than approval.

  “Good evening. Pardon me for gawking, but you’re simply gorgeous. A true beauty, you are.”

  “Thank you,�
�� LiAnn replied, trying not to stutter. Jimmy looked great himself. Dressed to perfection in a soft gray suit, topped off with a vibrant blue tie and silver cufflinks with sapphires in the middle of each one. “You clean up nice, too. This is a different look. No paint spatter.”

  Jimmy smiled, warm and inviting. It almost irked LiAnn, because he didn’t seem nervous at all, and she was a mess on the inside. She tried to cut herself some slack. After all, it had been over fifteen years since she’d been on a date, so of course she was nervous.

  Jimmy’s eyes never left LiAnn’s as he reached out and took her hand. He brought it up to his lips, just as he’d done in the art room, only this time he did plant a delicate kiss on it. “I hope it’s not too bold of me, but I ordered for us already. I didn’t wish to be interrupted by pesky questions from the staff. Roasted chicken with mushroom cream sauce and Ecco Domini Pinot Grigio. Tiramisu for dessert. Asked them to bring dinner to the table at precisely eight o’clock. It will give us time to get better acquainted before we dine.”

  LiAnn stiffened. Unaccustomed to not only someone taking complete and total control, or having enough interest to plan ahead, anticipating every want or need, words escaped her. Jimmy took her silence as disapproval. He let go of her hand, a wounded look flashed across his face.

  LiAnn found her voice. “Oh, no, I’m just…sorry. I’m nervous. Not used to someone fawning over me. Though nice, it’s kind of odd. Remember, I’m a SoCal girl, used to doing things for myself. I forget I’m in the South now, where manners, grace, and charm still flourish. The dinner choice sounds wonderful. Thank you.”

  Jimmy settled back in his seat, a look of relief on his face. She needed to relax, and the only way she knew how was to allow the brash, cocky cop to take over. Treat the evening as a fact-gathering mission. Learn more about the man seated next to her from an investigative standpoint, rather than a personal one. The second the decision was made, LiAnn’s tight muscles relaxed.

  “I’m relieved to know I’m not the only one who’s nervous. You should have seen me getting ready earlier. Increased perspiration caused me to change shirts twice.”

  “You certainly hide your worries well, Jimmy. I would never have guessed you were anything but calm.”

  Jimmy smiled then cleared his throat several times. “How about we start this evening off by examining a few items, shall we? Should help ease both our minds, I believe.”

  Intrigued, LiAnn nodded in agreement.

  “Good. Okay, first things first. We aren’t naive, young things searching for a life partner. Starting on our journey, wondering where it will take us. We aren’t doe-eyed individuals eager to find the one to start and raise a family with. We’ve been down that path already. Lived our lives to the fullest. At this stage, we’ve both experienced, at least once, great love. Am I on target so far?”

  LiAnn couldn’t help but smile. Brash honesty. She liked the openness but wasn’t too fond of the veiled remarks about their ages. She wasn’t even sixty yet. “General vicinity, I believe.”

  Jimmy took a deep breath then continued. “I loved my wife. Her death haunts me every day, even after all these years. I made peace a long time ago and learned how to live in a strange, new world without her. Never sought out new companionship. The need, the want, was never there. I fulfilled my loneliness, the emptiness inside, by volunteering at The Magnolia. Teaching art, reading, sharing creativity with others, allowed me to be happy. No, not happy. Content. I settled for contentment. But after meeting you, and the feelings you brought to the surface, ones I thought were lost forever, I don’t want to be content anymore. I want to live, laugh, enjoy life again. With someone who makes my heart skip a beat before it beats for the last time. I believe that someone is you.”

  Unsure what the appropriate response should be, LiAnn took a sip of water. She wished the wine was available. What Jimmy just said to her made her own heart flutter, but not in a good way. His words were probably the sweetest, most genuine compliment she’d ever received. Bar none. It should have made her giddy with excitement or swoon as she clutched her chest in one of those movie “Awwww” moments. Instead of feeling all sentimental and gooey, the prevailing emotion in LiAnn’s head was awkwardness.

  While preparing for the date earlier, her mind spun with all sort of scenarios about how the evening might turn out. One scene even included the evening ending at Jimmy’s house after dinner. After all, LiAnn was attracted to him, and it had been a really long time since she’d been with anyone. A really long time. So long, in fact, she worried dust bunnies would fly out of her crotch if things turned amorous. LiAnn had been prepared for the Lothario/Casanova version, one ready to seduce and charm her into the sack. Surface level attraction, plain and simple, was what LiAnn assumed tonight would be all about. What Jimmy delivered seemed like a marriage proposal of sorts, and it made her uncomfortable.

  “Jimmy, I think you went beyond an examination and just performed a full dissection. I appreciate your honesty, so I will reciprocate. I’m just here to have a nice dinner with a man I find incredibly artistic and charming. Am I attracted to you? Yes, but your charm isn’t the only reason I decided to join you tonight. My daughter insisted I put my past behind me and move on, and I am finally ready to do so but plan on taking things slow. Snail-paced slow. My father would call it courting. What you just said does not fall into the category of slow. At all. Maybe it’s me, being overly cautious. But honestly, what you said made me wonder if you think we both have one foot in the grave already. I don’t view myself, or you, that way at all.”

  “I didn’t mean for it…wow, guess my dating skills are rusty. Haven’t been on one in a very long time. I was just trying to express my thoughts, which it seems, I failed at. Miserably. Allow me to try again?”

  Despite the strange situation, LiAnn couldn’t help but smile. At least Jimmy was trying to be honest even if it was a bit overbearing. “Of course.”

  Jimmy graced LiAnn with a sheepish grin as he cleared his throat. “What I meant to express was you intrigue me, LiAnn Tuck. Not just because of your beauty, or the fact you are a retired policewoman, which, by the way, is a first for me. I’ve never known one personally before. I enjoy your company and would like to get to know you better. I’m not looking for anything but pleasurable companionship. If that means a good friend only, fine. If it develops beyond that, even better. I have no expectations on my end. I was trying to say I wasn’t looking for a replacement mate, or someone to have children with. There, better?”

  “Much. That’s how I feel. To the letter.”

  “Good! Now the air is cleared, so let’s simply talk. Get to know each other. After all, isn’t that why we’re here?”

  LiAnn relaxed her stiff shoulders, nodding in agreement. “Yes, it is, and the best way I know how to accomplish that is to ask questions. I’ll go first. You haven’t mentioned anything about children. Do you have any?”

  A look of sadness swam behind his dark brown eyes. He didn’t need to respond because LiAnn could tell his answer would be no.

  “Afraid not. My wife and I never got around to it. We were both busy with our careers, kept thinking we would one day, but the day came too late. By the time we were ready, financially and emotionally, her body wasn’t.”

  A twinge of sadness poked in LiAnn’s chest. No wonder the man was so lonely! The thought of no Karina in her life made LiAnn’s heart ache. “I’m so sorry. That must have been difficult.”

  “It was, but we learned to deal with it. Filled the void with charity work, lots of vacations and our friends. So, what about you? I’ve heard you mention your daughter, but any other children?”

  “No, Karina is my only child. It seems to be a trend in my family. I was an only child, and so are both of my parents.”

  “Mr. and Mrs. Tuck are fine, fine people. The ladies of The Magnolia love your mother’s quilting class. Ever since Mr. Pickard moved in, your father hasn’t let a week go by without coming to visit at least twice. They seem to h
ave quite a bond.”

  “Yes, they sure do. They grew up together. Mr. Pickard even ran Pop’s farm for years while he lived in Los Angeles. They are more like brothers, rather than just friends.”

  “Such bonds are a rarity in the world today. I have my share of friends, but no one I would consider myself extremely close to. You?”

  LiAnn let out a small laugh. “Nope. My daughter is my best friend. Oh, that sounds sort of strange saying it out loud, but it’s the truth. I had her so young, I was still somewhat of a child myself. We act more like sisters than mother and daughter. Plus, the hours I worked didn’t really allow me much time to socialize.”

  Jimmy smiled, motioning for the waiter with a slight flick of his hand. In seconds, the man returned with a bottle of wine. Once their glasses were full and the waiter gone, Jimmy held up his glass. LiAnn did the same. “A toast to the bonds of family. May they never break.”

  They clinked glasses and each took a drink. The wine was crisp and refreshing, just what LiAnn needed. “How long have you been a volunteer at The Magnolia?”

  “Coming up on four years. Once I retired, I had to find something to occupy my time with. Keep the mind fresh, the fingers nimble. Help release the creativity and zest for youth in others. However, I’m considering giving up my Saturday reading visits. My vision isn’t what it used to be, and recently, I’ve been suffering from severe headaches afterward. I think the strain of trying to see is too much. I suggested to the staff they purchase audio books to play instead.”

  “Though I hate to hear about your vision issues, I’m glad it hasn’t seemed to affect your painting. You are very gifted. Unlike me. Now, my daughter is a different story. Karina’s paintings are beautiful. Her artistic capabilities came from her father. I believe I have talked her into coming to your next class tomorrow, so you will get to see for yourself.”

  Jimmy beamed. “Lovely! I can’t wait to meet her.”