Her Name Was Annie by Beth Rinyu (the little red hen read aloud txt) 📕

his thick wavy ginger colored hair and then down the razor stubble on his face. It was evident that his nerves were getting the best of him, then it finally dawned on me why. He was the agent Jack had following Kara.

A broad smile broke out on my face as I tried to mask the inner turmoil I was feeling over the whole situation. Jack wouldn’t be too happy to find out about this. More importantly, what if he and Kara did become serious? Would she live her life like I had, being second to a career and putting herself and her family in danger because of it? Now I was just getting way too ahead of myself.

“So, did you two meet at school?” I asked, feigning naivety. They both looked at each other, trying to come up with an answer.

“Yes, we—” Kara started.

“I was actually the agent your husband…I mean, ex-husband had following Kara.” Ian interrupted. At least he was honest and didn’t make Kara do the explaining.

“Oh.” I nodded and forced a smile.

“It really was funny, Mom. At first I hated the idea that Dad had someone following me, so I was…a bitch,” Kara admitted. “But once I got to know Ian, he was really cool.”

“Oh.” I nodded once again with the same stupid faux smile on my face.

“Looks like she’s taking after her mother, falling for someone in the FBI,” my dad chimed in.

“Pop!” Kara scolded my father with her eyes for indicating that she may be falling for this guy.

I let out a nervous laugh. “No, Dad. Jack and I were together long before he ever became an FBI agent.” Truth was if I had met Jack once he was settled in his career, I may have not been so apt to seek out a relationship with him, knowing the time and danger the job entailed.

“Well, maybe Kara’s falling for someone who reminds her of her dad, then.”

“Pop!” Kara exclaimed through clenched teeth. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered to Ian.

“Maybe if you had done the same, you’d be married to a doctor,” my father added, taking a swipe at Jack.

“You can’t help who you fall for, Dad.”

“No, I guess you can’t,” he muttered.

“So, Ian, how long have you been working for the agency?” I asked.

“Just about a year, ma’am.” Ma’am? Either this guy was a major suck-up or maybe he actually did have some manners, a stark difference from Kara’s boyfriends in the past. “I served in the Marines right out of high school for four years and started some online college courses during that time. When I got out, I finished up the two years I had left for my bachelor’s degree, and I was lucky enough to land this job right after.”

“Wow, that’s impressive. If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you?”

Kara widened her eyes at me, and I mirrored her reaction back at her.

“I’ll be twenty-five in March.”

I nodded. Kara would be twenty-two in May, so that was a little over three years age difference between the two of them—not too bad. He was everything a mother could ask for in a boyfriend for her daughter: polite, well-spoken, with his life pretty much on track, and an added bonus—handsome. I should have been ready to pick out wedding dresses with her, but I saw so much of Jack and me from all those years ago in the two of them, and it scared me. Not to mention, Jack would probably have a fit when he found out. “You work with Jack?” I asked.

“Actually, he’s my boss.”

“Not really…” Kara began.

“Yeah, he is, Kara.”

I liked that he was upfront and respected Jack enough to be a little nervous about dating his daughter. “Well, that’s something you guys are going to have to talk to your dad about. But I’m very happy to meet you, Ian.”

The apprehension that was plastered over his face when he first walked in seemed to fade once he realized I was okay with it. Not that I really was, but like I had told my father, you can’t help who you fall for. If Kara eventually did end up taking things further with him, then I’d support their relationship. Jack was a different story, but the two of them would have to face that on their own.

Over dessert I learned a little more about Ian and his family. I also noticed the spark in Kara’s eyes when she looked at him. My mother’s intuition had told me that he was either going to be the first guy to break my daughter’s heart or the first one she’d fall in love with. Whatever the case, I’d be there for her, supporting her all the way. I finished cleaning up the kitchen while Kara and Ian drove my father home, and was just about to head upstairs to bed when Kara returned.

“Ian said to tell you good night. He has to be up early for work tomorrow.”

“Oh. Wow, seems weird that you’re mentioning a guy you’re interested in and work in the same sentence.”

“Very funny, Mom!” Kara rolled her eyes. “So, what did you think of him?” She leaned against the kitchen counter and crossed her arms, waiting eagerly for my reply.

“I think he’s a really nice guy.” A broad smile stretched across her face. “But…”

“Really, Mom?” She pouted.

I held up my finger for her to let me finish. “Just hear me out. I’m not going to tell you who you can or cannot date. You’re an adult, and I trust your judgment. I just want you to know the career he’s chosen may be a little hard if you were to pursue this relationship and take things further in the future.”

“You mean like get married? Geeze, Mom, I’ve known him for less than a month.”

“I know that, Kara, but sometimes people fall hard for one another fast, and I just want you to know what you’re in store for if you do.” I finished drying the pan on the stove