Bloodlines by Dinah McCall Page B

down at the table while Anna assembled their refreshments. At first Olivia’s focus was on the joy of being with her Nanna, so she didn’t notice the oddities of Anna’s behavior. But when Anna poured tea in two glasses, then put the ice cubes in a bowl and set them on the table, Olivia blinked.
    She looked up at Anna and started to laugh, then realized Anna had not meant it as a joke. Breath caught at the back of her throat, leaving her momentarily speechless; then, without comment, she took a couple of ice cubes from the bowl and put them in her glass, before adding some to Anna’s. The tinkle and crackof the cold ice as it hit the warm tea was familiar, but the panic in the pit of her stomach was not. Something was wrong here, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was.
    As she continued to watch, Anna took a box out of the pantry and set it on the table next to the bowl of melting ice.
    â€œThey’re not homemade, but they’re tasty enough,” she said. “I’ll get us some napkins and we’ll be all set.”
    Olivia stared in disbelief at the box of steel-wool soap pads and struggled to breathe around the knot in the back of her throat.
    â€œNanna…”
    Anna turned. The smile on her face was genuine, but the confusion in her eyes didn’t belong.
    â€œAren’t you hungry, dear? If the cookies don’t tempt you, I could make us some sandwiches. Yes…that would be good. A sandwich. Maybe some chips. You like chips, don’t you?”
    Olivia got up and put her arms around Anna.
    â€œDon’t,” she said gently. “It’s all right, Nanna. I’m not hungry. Now come sit down and have some tea with me.”
    At the simple request, the confusion in Anna Walden’s expression disappeared.
    â€œYes…tea. And you can tell me about your vacation.”
    Olivia pulled out a chair and seated Anna at the table, then took the chair next to her. She put the tea in front of Anna, then set the box of steel-wool padson a chair out of sight. Her fingers were trembling as she laid her hands in her lap. Her heart was hammering inside her chest, but she made herself stay calm.
    Anna stared at the glass of tea, then took a tentative sip.
    â€œIt’s tea…isn’t it?” she said, then took another sip and smiled. “Yes. It’s tea. Good tea. Sweet tea, just like we like it. Thank you, darling. You always were so thoughtful.”
    Olivia’s eyes welled with tears.
    â€œYou’re welcome, Nanna.” Then she took a deep breath. “You know, it’s been ages since you’ve come for a visit. Why don’t you pack a bag and come stay with Grampy and me for a few days.”
    Anna’s eyes widened; then the confusion returned.
    â€œLeave? Oh no, dear. I couldn’t do that.”
    â€œBut why, Nanna? You’re just here all day by yourself, and Grampy and I would love to have you. Besides…there’s the possibility that the media will start hounding you about the years you worked for us, and you’d be sheltered from that at our house.”
    Anna frowned. “I won’t talk to them. I wouldn’t tell them anything, I promise. I don’t want to leave.” Then her voice faltered. “It’s been too long since I was there. I wouldn’t know where anything was.”
    Olivia could tell that her insistence wasn’t doing anything but agitating Anna further, and she couldn’t bear to be the one to cause her Nanna any distress. Still, the sadness of what she was seeing overwhelmed her. Before she could stop herself, she was out of her chair and down on her knees in front of Anna. Shewrapped her arms around Anna’s waist and laid her head in the old woman’s lap.
    â€œIt’s okay, Nanna. You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. If you want to stay here, then you can stay here. And don’t worry about reporters. Grampy and I