Welcome to Charming
The California sun beat down on me making my fair skin burn. Looking up I sigh not seeing a cloud in the sky something I am not use to. Growing up in England and later Ireland made me sensitive to the sun Please just one cloud Please. I'm brought out of my thoughts by a loud honking sound. I move my eyes to the yellow taxi in front of me, a man getting out the driver's door.
"You need a ride somewhere?"
"Oh umm…yes please I'm headed to…" I hold up one finger while I dig through my purse looking for the scrapped paper. O' course it goes to the bottom of this damn purse. I feel my fingers wrap around the crumpled paper
"Ah there's the little bugger…I am going to Charming, The Charming Inn to be exact." I shoulder my bag as I look at the man with a smile.
"Okay I can do that, is this all your luggage?" The man grabs my small duffle bag. I nod my head feeling sheepish I didn't have time to pack anything else.
I go ahead and get into the back seat and settle into the leather seats. I know I've just spent hours sitting on a cramped plane but I'm exhausted. Don't think about it now ol' girl. You're safe , you're away.
The cab ride is quiet the first few minutes nothing awkward just quiet… so peaceful.
"You have an accent where are you from"….well it was.
"I come from a small village just outside Belfast Ireland. The accent is British though I grew up there till 'bout…8 years ago I think it is now. First time to the states I'm a bit anxious 'bout this."
"That's cool I went England once of course a long time ago. The weather is definitely different. Are you here on business?"
I look out the window and my voice automatically gets quiet, my eyes misty.
"You could say that…"
The rest of the cab ride is quiet and I relish in it. I see the sign Welcome to Charming, I release a deep breath. Unfamiliar territory… this is not my forte.
We pull up outside a small quaint inn and the taxi driver pulls to a stop and gets out of the door. I take a just a tad little longer. I release my Celtic Cross that I always wear around my neck, my nails have dug into my palm just showing my nerves. I get out of the cab finally and pay the man thanking him.
I haul my duffel with me into the hotel walking up to the desk. No one's around so I go ahead a ding the bell, just seconds after an older lady comes scurrying out the back room. She's short, shorter than me which is saying something, but she has a wide smile that's so welcoming. More welcoming than the Charming Welcome sign. I can't help but smile back at her, it's hard not to.
"Hello dear how can I help you?"
"Yes I believe my friend called and made a reservation for me… Annabelle Greer."
The older lady puts on her reading glasses and looks down at her book. I take a peek as well trying to see the names of any other guests. A precaution of course. O' Lord does she really need to look I'm the only name come on….manners Annabelle, manners. I pull my eyes a way and focus back on the older lady.
"Ahh yes here you are…now I see it doesn't have a check out date"
"Oh um yes, sorry I haven't figured that out either. Is it okay if I just pay a day to day?"
The lady looks hesitant but I watch her face relax.
"Yes that will be fine dear. My name is Ms. Celia. Here is a key your door and it will be just up those stairs around the bannister at the end of the hall.
"Thank you very much Ms. Celia, you're so kind."
I grab my small duffle bag and head up the stairs. Once I reach the room I turn the key but the door wouldn't budge. I tried two more times before I turned to the side finally using my hip to open it. Finally! I roll my eyes I'm just tired with jetlag. I look around the room seeing the flower wall paper, flower bed spread, flower curtains, and flowers. This just isn't right. I walk in and toss my duffel on the iron bed it squeaking with the slight pressure. I take a seat and just relax. What are you doing? You're crazy coming out here unannounced. He's not going to be too happy to see me. It's been 7 years things change. What if he found someone else?
"Ugh…I'm going crazy"
I get up from the bed and go into the bathroom I take a look in the mirror. Flaming red hair, freckles, and dark hazel. I go back out to the bedroom and look out the windows its sunset. I look down at my short athletic body. I'm wearing sweats and a short sleeved navy t-shirt. Yes this will be fine, for tonight. With that I push my duffel off the bed and crash there myself letting my body sink into the creaking iron bed and letting darkness take over. You'll see him tomorrow. See him tomorrow.
The next day I wake up feeling a little more refreshed. I look around the room hoping to find a clock. Seriously? Nothing, not even a flower clock. I go to reach in my purse before I remember that I don't have a cellphone anymore deciding to just go with it I go through my usual morning routine. Making note that I need to still buy shampoo and all that wonderful stuff.
I dress in a green, black and red plaid shirt with a pair of jeans, pulling on combat boots over the jeans. I let my hair fall down to my lower back in curly waves, I don't even try to detangle the knots. I take one look in the mirror regretting that I can't make myself more presentable. This isn't how I thought seeing him after 7 years would go, can't even make myself dolled up for him.
I smile because he used to always love having me dolled up greeting him at the door, with a home cooked meal and a shot of whiskey to get the night goin. It was perfect.
I grab my purse, walk out the door making sure to close and lock it behind me. I walk downstairs and see Ms. Celia sitting at a table with a cup of coffee and pastries.
"Good Mornin' Ms. Celia"
"I think you mean Good Afternoon dear. Come have some breakfast I left some out for you."
"Oh thank you so much I hadn't meant to sleep in so late! Thank you." I take a seat across from her and I look around for tea but decide to just pour myself some coffee and pastries.
"Where are you from exactly?"
"A small village outside Belfast Ireland, I've only lived there about close to 8 years. I grew up in England, given the accent. I've picked up Irish sayings though. "
"Oh how lovely! My late husband and I wanted to go travel there."
"I'm sorry about your husband"
"Oh it's alright he went with peace. " She adds a little chuckle at the end making me think she's laughing at some memories with her husband.
"How old are you young lady?"
"I'm 26."
"Well you're blessed with young looks you don't look a day over 18." I smile at her a blush heating my cheeks.
"Thank you ma'm it's a blessing and a cruse I admit."
We are both quiet after that, I finish my breakfast quick I was famished, but not too quick my mum raised me with the right table manners. Eat it even if you don't want it. I let a small smile cross as I think of my mum, I missed her so much these last few years. I reach into my purse and grab that crumpled piece of paper again.
"Umm Ms. Celia could you give me directions to Teller-Morrow" I watch as the older lady tenses up and when she looks at me her mouth is in a straight line.
"What business you got that is sending you there?"
"Pardon?" I'm in shock at how tense her words are, but a little irritated about the rudeness.
"You don't have a car, why do you need to go to the mechanic shop?"
"An old friend of mine works there, and I'm sorry to be rude but it's my private business." I shoot a glare at the lady not liking the way she is trying to pry into my private affairs.
"I'm sorry honey, but the people who work there have had a lot of trouble…dangerous trouble."
"hmmm well if you could still point me in the direction."
"If you go out the door take a left and it'll be a few blocks down. It's across the street. "
"Thank you, and thank you for saving the breakfast."
I stand up leaving then, just anxious to get out of there and go see him. Lord Filip you would think after that disaster you would have gotten out of all this mess. Oh Lord love, why are you still in danger.
The walk is farther than I thought it would be but I enjoy the peacefulness of the town. Ahhh here we go.
I walk through the entrance and I take in my surroundings. I take note of the busy mechanics, the couple of motorcycles, a few cars around the lot, there's a big building to my left, but as I stare a head I can see movement behind the blinds. Best go there, it looks like an office. I look to the building next to me not quite understanding why it's there but not giving it a second thought.
I reach the office and I walk in seeing an older lady sitting behind the desk fiddling with paper work. Someone is obviously not handling getting older, she dresses younger than me. Stop seriously you've been so catty since…well the warning.
"How can I help you?" I shake out of my thoughts and I look at her catching her cold calculating eyes.
"Does Filip Telford work here?" I ask finding my voice, speaking a name that always brings pain but so much love to my heart. I watch as the older lady freezes and gives me the once over. I look right back at her straitening my back, not wanting this woman to see how she intimidated me.
"And just what do you need to see him for?"
"No offense to you but I don't think it's your business."
"Honey, anything to do with the men who work here is my business. You from overseas?"
"Yes I'm from a small village outside Belfast Ireland." The lady squints her eyes at me taking a step closer.
"You're lying to me. You don't have an Irish accent."
"Most people who grow up in England don't have an Irish accent, I didn't realize moving to a different country meant you had to change your accent as well."
She's looking at me with a cold stare. I won't admit it out loud but a woman who stands at least 6 inches taller than me puts a little fear in me.
"Don't get cheeky with my missy. I want you to tell me right now you have with Filip Telford."
"This was a mistake."
I turn to leave but apparently she had other ideas I'm hardly 3 steps out the door, before I feel a hand on my arm spinning me around.
"Are you with the IRA? Did Jimmy O send you?" Her voice is lowered to a deadly whisper. I close my eyes at the mention of that wretched name. I open my eyes and look her dead in the eyes.
"No Jimmy did not send me here. Please don't ever-"
My sentence is cut short by the sound of revving motorcycles. The older lady looks over my shoulder but keeps a firm grasp on my arm. I don't turn around not even when the revving stopped, although I'm so curious and nervous. Curiosity killed the cat though.
"Something wrong Gemma? Croweater giving you problems?" I hear a loud voice behind me.
I roll my eyes at the mention of a croweater. Do I look like one of them? Gemma, whom I figure is the woman I talked to, turns me around and I see a group of men all wearing kuttes , looking very rough and tough standing there.
"Nope, not a crow eater. Little missy here tells me she's-"
"Annabelle?"
Hearing my name slide off his tongue in that Scottish accent still sends shivers down my spine. I spot him immediately 7 years later and his hair has grown some gray and he's put a little weight on in old age but he's still as handsome as ever to me.
"Filip."
It's not even a second before he starts moving toward me, I tug my arm free from the grasp Gemma has on me, moving towards him as well. We meet in the middle and I stop just short of touching him. I watch as he moves his sunglasses up on his forehead his dark eyes moving up my form before meeting my eyes. Next thing I know I'm wrapped up in his arms my head in the crook of his neck inhaling his familiar scent. I can feel him turn his head into my neck and hear him let out a deep sigh.
"Hi love." I whisper in his ear causing him to pull back only a little bit still holding me.
"When-wha-what are yer doin her'?" His dark eyes meet mine and I know he can see through me still, he knows there has to be something wrong.
"I'm sorry to come unannounced but I had to get out of Ireland. I've landed myself into some trouble."
"What are you talking about?"
"Jimmy O he's looking for me. I was tipped off and told to get out of there."
I watch has his eyes darken at the mention of the man who caused him so much pain. His grip tightens around me, and he opens his mouth to say something but he's cut off by a strong male voice.
"Hey Chibs everything okay, brother?"
We both turn to look at the person who was speaking. A tall man with longish blonde hair, and beautiful blue eyes. Cute, but I like the tall dark and handsome. I look up at Filip waiting for him to give an answer but he looks down at me, I just stare right back giving him a nod before he looks back at the group of men and Gemma.
"Boys I uhm.. I'd like yer ta meet Annabelle….well she's me ol' lady." He lets out a deep sigh when he finishes the sentence. I look as everyone's faces turns to one of surprise. Still keeping me in the dark, I knew this when I got involved though.
