“Ready.” Magda nodded and then proceeded to show what she could do.
Anya’s class was small this Sunday evening, with only eight of the ladies showing up. Normally she would have at least twelve and when it was a full house, fifteen. Tonight was different, though, because The Three Tenors would be performing in Bremen that evening and quite a few of her students were huge fans. Anya didn’t mind, though. A couple of the really talkative ones were among the absentees which meant she would get her students to focus better. There was nothing so distracting as a proud grandmother pulling out photos of the newest addition to the family.
By the end of her volunteer session with her seniors' group Anya was feeling good. They’d had a productive evening and were all tired, but in a good way. One by one the ladies bid her goodbye and as they filed out she waved to them then, still smiling, she turned to gather up her things.
The smile froze on her face. Through the plate glass window she saw the figure of a man walking up the pathway and although the shadows of evening had already fallen she knew exactly who that man was. It was Rafe.
What in heaven’s name was he doing here? Hadn’t she told his friend she had no desire to speak with him? Had Rafe simply ignored what she’d said?
Intent on getting out of there before he entered the building Anya grabbed her jacket and her shoulder bag but just as she turned to go a figure appeared at the door.
“Oh, Anya, I just remembered something.” Magda was shaking her head as she walked back into the room. "This is what happens to you when you get old. You forget things all the time.”
“Yes, Magda. What is it?” Anya didn’t want to sound impatient but she did want Magda out of there within the next few seconds. As she spoke she was throwing on her jacket and sliding the strap of her bag onto her shoulder, hopefully making it obvious that she needed to go.
Apparently it wasn’t obvious to Magda because, instead of quickly getting to the point, the woman walked over to one of the benches and took a seat. Then, with no sense of haste at all, she set her big handbag on her knee and began digging through it. “Now let’s see,” she mumbled. “Where did I put that thing?” She dug some more with Anya standing there, seething the whole time. Of course, Magda didn’t notice. “Ah, here it is.” She finally pulled out the prize she’d been searching for and held it up with a triumphant grin. “Got it!”
In her hand was a brochure of some sort. As soon as she saw it Anya’s spirit sank. If that brochure was what she thought it was there went her plan to disappear before Rafe got there. Magda had been planning to take a vacation for ages and she’d said she was going to ask Anya’s opinion once she’d narrowed down her choices. She wasn’t planning on going through travel brochures right now, was she?
“Magda, can we do this another…” The words were hardly out of her mouth before another shadow appeared in the doorway, this time a tall, lean figure that, despite herself, made her heart thump.
Before she could move he was walking into the room and, as if all was peachy between them, he was smiling. “Anya,” he said as he came close, “I’m glad I caught you. I didn’t realize the car was on empty until I hopped in. Then there was a line-up at the gas station. Thanks for waiting.”
Really? She’d told him not to come, that she didn’t want to see him, but he’d come anyway. And now he was thanking her for waiting for him? What kind of game was he playing?
Anya shook her head. “You don’t get it, do you? I don’t-”
“You sneaky girl. Have you been hiding this young man all this time?” Magda’s exultant crow cut her off mid-sentence. “But how could I blame you? This is a handsome one you have here. A real looker.” Then, to Anya’s surprise, she gave Rafe a look that could only be described as a leer. The woman was something else.
Rafe, on the other hand, was staring at the elderly lady with a look of confusion. Anya knew he spoke some German but Magda’s chatter was like bullets shot from a gun. He looked like he didn’t understand a word of her fast talk. And maybe that was a good thing.
“We can talk about my vacation some other time,” Magda continued. “It’s still a few months away so no rush. I’ll just leave you two love birds alone.” She gave Rafe a knowing smile even as she tucked her brochure back into her cavernous handbag. “Good choice, Anya,” she said as her smile widened. “He looks strong. Remember what we told you. Lots and lots of babies.” And then with a satisfied grin she got up, gave Rafe a friendly nod, and walked out of the room.
Rafe stared after her then turned back to Anya, a slight smile on his lips. “What was that all about?” he asked. “What was she saying about babies?”
Of course he would have caught that part. Anya shook her head. “It’s nothing,” she said. “Nothing important, anyway.” Then, just in case he’d gotten the idea that he’d successfully wormed his way back into her life, Anya folded her arms across her chest and let her gaze settle on Rafe, except it wasn’t so much a gaze as a glare.
She got straight to the point. “What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice devoid of any warmth. “Didn’t I tell you I didn’t want to see you again?”
Like she’d doused him with ice water Rafe’s brows shot up and immediately his smile vanished. “What did you say?” His voice came out in a strained whisper, like he was in shock.
She shook her head in disbelief. What kind of game was he really playing? “You heard me,” she said, her tone dismissive. “I made it very clear to Khalil that I did not wish to see you and that I would not appreciate your tracking me down. So why are you here? Don’t you take no for an answer?”
By this time the shock was gone from Rafe’s face and in its place was a look of pure anger. His brows drawn, he looked like he would gladly strangle anyone who crossed his path right at that moment.
And that made Anya even more furious. So he thought he could intimidate her into going out with him? Obviously, he didn’t know who he was dealing with.
He took a step forward and made a move like he was raising his hand. "This is crap. Look, Anya, this is all a-”
By this time he was close enough and, seeing the perfect chance, Anya grabbed his hand and dragged him forward, pitching him off balance. Quick as a flash she pulled his arm down, twisted it behind his back and shoved it up high, up between his shoulder blades, immobilizing him before he even knew what was happening.