Read Online The Ladybug Jinx by Tonya Kappes - Free Book Online Page A

see his eyes. But he didn’t turn around until he stopped talking.
    Being a lawyer made her good at reading people when they spoke and she could tell he was hiding. She remembered what her father said about giving Sam time.
    “I met some of your friends at The Thirsty Turtle.” Sam said. “You were right. They knew who I was.”
    “Ah, welcome to Grandberry Falls.” Celia blushed. She wished they’d leave him alone, but she knew better. “You can’t hide from anyone around here.”
    “Nope.” He took another bite. “They invited me to some hoe down.”
    “Are you going?” Celia held her breathe for a minute. If he was going, she was going to make an appearance.
    “Not sure yet.” Sam gave Charlie a taste of roast.
    “Well, we do have the carnations the city ordered, and you’ll need to deliver them to the courthouse tomorrow.” She didn’t want to leave, but had to get back and get those carnations ready to go for the morning. “I should probably go and get started on them.”
    “Tonight?” Sam asked.
    “When you own a business, it doesn’t close at five.” She winked, and stood up. “We have a big day tomorrow. Come on Charlie, let’s go and let Sam get some sleep.”
    “I’ll walk you out.” Sam picked up Charlie, which didn’t bother Charlie any.
    Celia looked across the street and waved to Mitch, Belle, Wendy, and Tommy staring at them.
    “Yep, we’ll be on the news tomorrow.” Celia laughed.
    Sam stepped back and searched the area for something. “What are you talking about?”
    “Take it easy.” Sam acted like a cat on a hot tin roof. She nodded toward the bar. “Tomorrow we will be gossip all over town.”
    Sam threw his head back and laughed. “Honey, we already are.”
    Celia’s questions about his past started to melt looking at the perfect white teeth and smiling lips.
    “See you in the morning, Celia.” Sam held the car door.
    Celia started the car and watched Sam walk up the steps to the apartment. “That was strange.” She looked over at Charlie’s big black eyes staring at her and promised, “He’s hiding from something, but what?”
    Charlie jumped in Celia’s lap and licked her face. “I like him too buddy.”

“Grief punts around joy.”
    Jareb Teague
     
    9
     
    Sam was wide awake before his alarm went off. This was the first time in months he had woken up with joy in his soul.
    He couldn’t wait to get to the shop to see Celia. He had washed her dish and knew it was a good way to break the morning ice. He enjoyed seeing her last night and craved more of it.
     “Morning, Mamie.” Sam took a seat at the bar next to the man with the cowboy hat pulled plum down to his chin. The diner was already full and alive.
    “Someone’s awful happy this morning.” Mamie smiled. She laid the paper in front of Sam and opened it to the help wanted section. “As a matter of fact, Mason Puckett here is looking for someone to muck his horses’ stall.”
    The cowboy next to Sam pushed his hat just above his brow to see what Mamie was cackling at. “You say my name?”
    “Naw, Mason. You just keep eatin’.” Mamie walked down the bar refilling all the coffee mugs.
    “Funny girl.” Sam called out trying to contain his smile. He liked Mamie. She was the first person he met in Grandberry Falls and she was the first person who helped him.
    “I’m getting use to this town. I like it here.” Sam watched Mamie pour his coffee. He still had to keep a low profile.
    After breakfast, Sam really looked at the old town. The few stores and the town’s folk made it homey. Something you don’t see anymore and no movie could reproduce a town like Grandberry Falls—no matter how much money they spend trying to do it.
    “What happened to all the leaves?” Sam yelled into the shop. “Why is the front door unlocked?”
    “Why you here so early again?” Celia yelled down from the stairs. “Come on up.”
    Sam didn’t like the front door unlocked. They maybe in a small town,