Firefly Duet: New Beginnings and Lasting Love

by Becca Maxton

  “Jim Mannis has no idea the mess he’s dragging with him to Colorado. Poor guy.” Sofia stared at the ceiling.

  “There’s no poor guy about it. You are not a mess. Believe me, he’s probably just like my father, and loves this. Savior complex and all.” Delia grabbed her phone from her purse. “We don’t have much time. Let’s finish packing so we can give you a proper margarita send off.”

  Twenty-five minutes later, Sofia’s two suitcases, camera bag, and purse were stacked by the door. She followed the sound of the blender to the kitchen.

  “All packed,” Sofia said.

  Picking up two glasses and the pitcher of margaritas, Delia came around the counter and nudged her. “Let’s sit on the floor by your half boarded up window and look at the city until your ride shows up.”

  The view from Sofia’s apartment was ordinary and nothing compared to her friend’s high-rise Manhattan spread. For all Delia’s attention-seeking on Broadway, she kept surprisingly discreet about her fame. She saved all her energy for the audience. And for being the best friend a woman could ask for since the fourth grade.

  Flopping down on the cream-colored carpet, Sofia leaned her back against the couch. “What am I going to do without you for the next few weeks?”

  “Tell me about Officer Mannis.” Delia smiled over the rim of her glass. “What’s he like?”

  She contemplated how to best describe Jim. Handsome? Tall? “He’s formidable,” she began tentatively. “Maybe six-four and muscles.” She flexed her good arm. “He’s confident,” she added gaining some momentum, “and he kind of has this grin, as if he knows what’s going to happen before anyone else does.” She paused, taking several gulps of a drink that tasted like straight tequila.

  “Oh, really now? Tell me the part you’re not telling me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Your neck is all blotchy and red. I know what that means. Spill it. I take it he’s good-looking.”

  Sofia ran her fingers through the carpet, pulling it up in tufts. “I guess you could say that.”

  “I am so checking this guy out when he gets here.” Delia keeled over dramatically on her side and slapped the floor.

  “Don’t say anything embarrassing.”

  “No worries. I’m just going to make sure he’s properly prepared to take care of my girl.”

  An hour and more margaritas later, the intercom buzzed. Delia beat her to the door and pressed the button. “Hello, this is Florence Nightingale, how may I help you?”

  “It’s Jim Mannis. Sofia? Is that you?”

  Sofia swatted at Delia’s arm and gently shoved her aside. “Hi, I’ll be down in just a minute.”

  “I’ll come up and help carry your luggage.”

  Delia put the back of her hand to her forehead. “Why, I do declare, Officer, that would be right kindly of you.”

  “Shhhh!” Sofia laughed, forgetting to let go of the button.

  “What was that?” Jim asked.

  “Nothing. Thank you.” She pressed the button long enough to give him time to enter the building and then pointed at Delia with a smirk. “You, babe, are a little bit drunk.”

  “Oh, and you aren’t?”

  “I stopped after one drink. Why don’t you go find your purse and shoes? I can get you a cab home.”

  “Right.” Delia licked her lips and headed down the hall toward the bedroom.

  A minute later, Sofia opened the door at Jim’s knock. “Come in.” She stepped aside so he could enter.

  “The driver got to my place a little early, so if you need a few more minutes…” His glance slid past her toward the hallway.

  “This must be Officer Mannis.” Delia used the wall for balance as she hopped, trying to put her shoe on. Finally successful, she sauntered over and offered a hand. “Hi, I’m Delia.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Jim answered.

  “It’s nice to meet you. I’m very glad you are taking care of the girl. Our girl. My girl.”

  Sofia cleared her throat, shaking Delia out of staring with a goofy grin.

  “I’m Jack Kincaid’s daughter.”

  “I think very highly of your father. He’s a good man.” Jim walked back toward the door, turning as Delia shimmied her shoulders and mouthed he’s hot! Sofia glanced at Jim and pressed her lips together.

  “Okay, then. I’ll just take your suitcases to the car and let you ladies say goodbye.”

  Sofia put her head back, watching out the window as the driver headed to LaGuardia. The light from Jim’s phone lit up the backseat and eventually roused her curiosity. “Is everything okay with our flight?”

  He didn’t look up. “Yep. Just checking the weather at the other end. No wind. We should have a smooth trip.”

  “How long is the flight?

  “A little over four hours. From there, we’ll rent a car. It’s another hour and half drive to Ashnee Valley. We should get to my dad’s place,” he rocked his head to the side, “around seven in the morning. That doesn’t take into account the time change. It’s going to be a long night. Sorry.”

  “That’s okay. I appreciate everything you’re doing. I just hope I’m not too big a burden on you or your family.”

  His eyes settled directly on hers. “Let’s make a deal. There is no burden, okay?”

  “Delia says men like her dad, and you, enjoy this sort of thing because of a savior complex.” Sofia grinned.

  His hoot of laughter drew a glance in the rear-view mirror from the driver. “I’m military and a cop, honey. Of course, I have a savior complex.”

  His endearment, honey, didn’t mean anything. Still, the fact that it made her pulse speed up preoccupied her – during their arrival at the airport, through the baggage and security check, and when boarding the plane.

  “We’re in row four A and B. Are you okay with the window?” Jim asked. “The aisle gives me a little more leg room.”

  “We’re flying first class?” Her voice lifted in surprise as she slid over and shoved her camera bag and purse under the seat in front of her.

  “You bet. This trip is on Nader’s dime.”

  After takeoff and the plane’s reaching thirty-thousand feet according to the pilot’s announcement, she felt suspended in time. Caught mid-air between her past and an unknown future, only the present moment remained. She glanced at Jim’s profile. With his eyes closed, she could study his five o’clock shadow and full lips. He had the perfect nose for a man, not too big, not crooked. Great eyebrows. Sofia jerked her head back, when he opened one eye peeking at her. Pulling her purse from under the seat, she dug through it, hoping it took attention from the fact she was checking him out. “Were you sleeping?”

  He shifted, sitting up as the flight attendant headed down the aisle, handing out bags of peanuts. “Not really.”

  “Good. Because maybe we should talk and get to know each other.” She swore he groaned, then tried to play if off by stretching his arms out in front of him.

  “Sure. How about twenty questions?”

  She scrunched her nose. “Like the game, where you guess what the other person is thinking?”

  “Oh, right. Okay, no, not exactly the game. Instead, we each ask the other person twenty questions.” Opening the small bag of peanuts the flight attendant gave him, he leaned his head back and poured the contents in his mouth.

  She considered his idea and opened her bag of nuts. “What if there’s a question one of us doesn’t want to answer?”

  “What do you mean, like, can you take a pass?”

  “Exactly. Say I ask you a question…” she waved her hand in the air “…and you’re too timid to answer.” She stared straight ahead and popped another peanut in her mouth, snickering with a glance his direction when he coughed.

  “You’re worried about me being shy?” His eyes widened as he spoke. “Okay, we each get one pass if there’s a question with a topic that’s off limits. I’ll start. What’s your favorite color?”

  She laughed.
“Yellow. Okay, my turn. What’s yours?”

  “Pass,” he said with a grin. “It’s blue.”

  “Very cute. Your turn again.”

  The game progressed through a series of tame questions in which she learned his favorite sport, football. Animal he thought sexiest, cheetah. Age, thirty-six, seven years older than she. Best book, Of Mice and Men. And somehow not-so-surprising favorite band, Van Halen.

  “How old were you when you had your first kiss?”

  “Eleven.” Sofia answered. “You?”

  “Seven.”

  “No way. Do you have any tattoos?”

  “Yes, this is one of them.” He pushed his sleeve up revealing a tree-of-life. “So, have you ever been in love?”

  She pulled her chin back. “Wow, that’s a serious question. No. How about you?”

  He shook his head. “Love, no. Lust, yes.”

  “Mmm, I hear you.” Her cheeks warmed. “Number of siblings?”

  “Two. I have a sister named Kai.”

  “And…?” She asked when he didn’t continue.

  He took a swallow of his drink and set it back on the tray in front of him. “Pass.”

  “For real? As in, you aren’t going to say if you have another brother or sister?”

  “Brother.”

  She didn’t press for more detail. “So if you could live your life again, knowing what you do now, what would you change?” She set her hand on his arm. “Oops, it’s your turn. You go.”

  “Okay, would you rather be married with kids or have ten million dollars?”

  She chewed her bottom lip, her eyes meeting his for a second. “I guess I should make sure my parents have at least one grandchild … I’m their only chance now.” She lifted her hand from his arm. “Pass.”

  “Stupid question. Sorry.”

  She offered a quick smile. “No, it wasn’t. It’s all right.”

  “I want go back to your question, about what I’d change if I could do things over.”

  “All right.”

  “I’d have had the courage to stay near my family after my mother died. I wouldn’t have left…for so long. It sure as hell would make going back easier now.”

  Chapter 4

  Colorado

  The sky turned from dark to soft pink to brilliant blue as Jim drove them toward Ashnee Valley.

  “Let’s stop for coffee,” he said. “We can have breakfast when we reach the house. We gained a couple hours back with the time difference. My dad is up early most days, but not this early and I’d rather not wake him.”

  “Coffee sounds good. So, that’s who we’re staying with, your dad?”

  “I’m planning for you to stay with him. He has a spare bedroom and he’d enjoy the company. My sister’s house is full of kids, so that’s out. And I’ll be occupied a lot of the time. Plus, in a couple more weeks Rafe will be living with me too.”

  “Who’s Rafe?”

  “Army buddy. Actually, he’s more than that. I met him when I was still in high school. He’s about fourteen years older than me, something like that. He lived in Ashnee Valley for a summer doing some work for Dad. Things were a little rough then.” Jim shrugged. “He helped me get my shit together. Find direction. Join the Army. Anyway, it would be pretty boring hanging out alone at my house.”

  “Oh.”

  He glanced at her. “Is that okay?”

  “Of course. That sounds perfect. I really appreciate everything…” Darn her voice that wavered and faded out as she turned to look out the window.

  “I’ll be around,” he continued. “The house I’m moving into is only about fifteen minutes from Dad’s. It could be fun for you. He has chickens, a couple pigs, and an ancient horse. Besides all the cattle. Have you ever been around animals?”

  “Not unless pigeons count.”

  He chuckled. “You’ll see some cool birds like hawks, falcons, and eagles. You said you’re a photographer. I bet you can take pictures of all sorts of wildlife while you’re here.” She perked up a little at his suggestion, offering him a small smile.

  After they made a short stop and were on the road another hour, Jim made a turn and drove under the wooden arch to the Mannis ranch. Sofia studied the small home straight ahead, the barns to the left, and the pasture dotted with cows to the right. She gave Jim a curious look when he parked next to a vehicle that appeared a cross between an old milk truck and a very small ambulance.

  “That mess belongs to Leo, my sister, Kai’s, husband. He’s a nurse. He and my sister both work at a clinic in town and believe it or not, he makes house calls. Mostly, he likes the fact there is a freezer in it where he keeps ice cream bars to give to kids.” Jim shut off the engine, then came around to open her door. “He’s eccentric.”

  “He sounds nice.” Sofia stepped out of the car and took a deep breath.

  “Don’t worry, everybody is looking forward to meeting you.” With his hand on the small of her back, he directed her up five steps to a side entrance into the house.

  The kitchen asserted itself as cheery, with a bright yellow-and-red-flowered tablecloth on a small kitchen table. Matching half-curtains hung over the windows. An old-style refrigerator was deep crimson. Plenty of people in New York would pay a fortune for something as unique as a red vintage appliance.

  Turning from the sink, a woman Sofia guessed must be Jim’s sister wiped her hands on a dishtowel. She grinned, made her way to Jim, and gave him a hug. “I’m so glad you’re home. Dad. Leo. They’re here,” she called. “And you must be Sofia. You’re so pretty. Aw, look at your wrist. Can I give you a hug?” Kai didn’t wait for an answer before pulling her in.

  “Kai, calm down.” Jim shook his head and smiled as the swinging door to the kitchen opened. He introduced her next to Leo, who had to be six-seven at least. He made Jim look small by comparison. An image of Leo squeezing himself into the strange little truck outside almost made Sofia laugh out loud. She focused her attention on Jim’s father for his introduction.

  “Sofia, this is my father, Ben Mannis. Dad, this is Sofia Russo.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Mannis.”

  “You can call me Ben,” Jim’s father said. “After all, we’re going to be living together. Do you cook?” He rubbed his hands together. “I sure hope so. I especially like pie.”

  “Yes… Of course…” She lifted her wrist. “I might be slow about it, but I’d be happy to do some baking.”

  Kai playfully swatted her dad with a dishtowel and put her arm around Sofia’s shoulders protectively. “That’s enough. Leave us for a moment.” She shooed the men out of the room. “Don’t mind them, Sofia. All Mannis men are terrible teases, especially Dad.” She pulled out a kitchen chair for Sofia and sat down too. “I’m so glad Jim is home for good this time. And it’s so nice you’re visiting. Are you glad you’re here?” Kai clasped her hands on the table, rubbing one thumb continuously over the other. “That’s a silly question. You just got here, so who knows. Well, you will be. I hope. Or, maybe not. I’m not sure.”

  A tiny laugh sounding more like a contained sneeze escaped Sofia’s throat.

  “God, I don’t know why I’m acting so nervous.” Kai burst out laughing.

  “I’m nervous too,” Sofia said after her own laughter slowed. “This all came about so fast. I feel overwhelmed at the moment. I’m sorry.”

  Kai reached over and squeezed Sofia’s hand. “Don’t apologize. Jim filled us in a little and we’re here to help. Let’s have some breakfast and get you settled. I bet a long nap sounds good. There will be plenty to talk about and show you later.”

  After breakfast, Sofia opted for staying to chat with Kai as she cleaned up the kitchen. She couldn’t offer much beyond a lame attempt at one-handed dish drying, which Kai insisted she found helpful. She tried to avoid glancing at Jim out the kitchen window as he and Leo stood in the driveway talking. The western backdrop fit the man. He took off his hat occasionally to shoo away bugs. When the men turned and Jim smi
led her direction through the window, heat crept up her neck. Well aware of Kai observing, she accelerated her drying technique on the dish in front of her.

  “Jim told us about the robbery. He mentioned you had a brother who passed away recently. I’m so sorry. I can’t imagine how hard that is.”

  Sofia put a plate on the counter and dabbed at it with a dishtowel to dry it. “Thank you.” She inhaled, pain scouring her heart before exhaling.

  I will never be Anthony’s big sister again. The way Kai is to Jim.

  Leo came in the back door, stopping to kiss his wife on the forehead. A moment later, Jim followed. “Sofia, do you want to join me in the living room?”

  “Sure, I’ll be there in just a minute.” She stood next to Kai in front of the sink. “I appreciate your dad letting me stay here. I’m kind of a card-carrying damsel in distress.” She glanced Kai’s direction, detecting a hint of a smile before Kai’s head shot up at a black pickup truck skidding to a stop in front of the house.

  “Oh, no.” Kai turned off the water and quickly dried her hands. “This doesn’t happen often but when it does, it can be ugly. My brother Jett is here. It’s better if you go in the living room now.”

  Jim’s sister ushered her through the swinging door to the living room, signaling for Leo to follow her back to the kitchen. Sofia joined Jim on the couch, not interrupting the discussion he and his father were having about a football game coming up later on TV. Without breaking conversation, Jim put his arm on the back of the couch behind her and gave her shoulder a pat.

  A deep male voice carried from the kitchen, followed by the bang of the screen door.

  “You can’t keep me from seeing Dad.”

  Sofia was accustomed to photographing good-looking actors in her line of work, but none as naturally handsome as the man who entered the living room. He was a leaner version of Jim, over six feet, she’d guess, with chiseled facial features, including incredible cheekbones. The photographer in her visualized a series of black and white photos. She imagined the figure before her on one of the giant digital screens in the city advertising jeans or cologne. Even his name implied a fast-paced image. Jett.