Charleston Harbor Novels: Books 1 - 3

by Debbie White

  “That was a close call.” Annie heaved her shoulders as she breathed heavily.

  “What was that all about?” Jack asked as he opened the car door for Annie.

  Annie relaxed her shoulders, slumping over just a bit. The corners of her mouth turned down as she lowered her head. “It’s a long story.”

  Jack reached out and lifted her chin. “How about a cup of coffee and a cupcake?” His eyes twinkled.

  Chapter 6

  “First of all, thank you for your dad’s service to this country. If he were here, I’d shake his hand. This town is full of military heritage.”

  “Yes, he graduated with honors from The Citadel. He always said he was born to serve.” Annie blinked back the tears trying to roll down her cheek.

  “Your family must be very proud. You mentioned he died in a car accident.”

  “Yes. He had two tours in Afghanistan and came home unscathed, only to be killed by a drunk driver.” Annie lowered her gaze to the cupcake, picked it up, and peeled back the paper liner.

  “That’s terrible,” he whispered.

  “I feel bad for my grandmother. It’s not right to bury your children.”

  “Indeed.”

  She crossed her legs at the ankles, one foot juddering rapidly as she eyed the cupcake. Finally, she brought the chocolate delight to her mouth.

  Jack leaned back in his chair and studied her face. She quickly grabbed a napkin. “What? Do I have crumbs all over my face?”

  He laughed. “No, I was just thinking about Lilly and Patty. I know they only want the best for you. If I had a daughter or a granddaughter even, I’d want the same. But I can’t help but think there is something you’re not telling me,” he said, peering at her through half closed lids.

  She drew in a taste of her coffee, wiping the dribble that escaped her mouth with the nearby napkin. “My family is quite wealthy, but you wouldn’t know it because I rather live a more simple life. But, Mary and I are going to inherit quite a bit someday. Hopefully, a long time from now, but in the interim, my father had set up a trust account, and it’s coming due soon. They’re just concerned that someone might use me for my money.”

  “Ah, I see.” He took a bite of his chocolate salted caramel cupcake. “This flavor is so satisfying. It’s like sweet and salty all in one.” He smiled.

  “I’m going to be a spinster my entire life.” Annie slumped back in her chair.

  Jack laughed. “No, you won’t. But, you might have to be firmer with your grandmother and auntie. I tell you what. Would they enjoy a boat ride out to the island? We could do another picnic. They could get to know me and see that I’m not that bad after all. In fact, that little piece of land we own is worth quite a bit, not to mention the family business.” He reached out and patted her hand.

  “It should never be about someone’s financial worth. It should be more about how they treat their fellow man, what’s in their heart,” Annie said, lowering her tone.

  “Old people can be set in their ways, judgmental. But, it’s up to our generation to show them the errors of their ways.” Jack laced his fingers with hers.

  Annie took in a deep breath through her nostrils and let it out slowly. He had a point. It was time to break the mold and throw off the shackles of prejudice in every form. “Okay, let’s do it. What day?” Annie said with a hint of gleam in her eyes..

  Convincing her grandmother and auntie would prove to be a little more challenging than she’d first thought, but the rebel in her wouldn’t let her give up. Some things were worth fighting for, and Jack was one of them.

  “Please, Grandma Lilly. It will be so much fun. Jack is a great driver, and his boat is very comfortable. It would mean so much to me.”

  “I don’t know. I haven’t been on a boat in ages.” Lilly turned to Patty. “Any objections?”

  “No, I’m keen on the idea.” Patty smiled.

  “Thank you, Auntie Patty.” Annie gave her a big hug.

  “What about me?”

  Annie pursed her lips and cocked her head to the left. She took the few steps over to Grandma Lilly’s chair, wrapped her arms around her shoulders, and squeezed her. “I love you, Grandma Lilly. In all of your grumpiness, too.”

  Grandma Lilly made a humph noise.

  Annie laughed. “Okay, so we’re all set. We’ll come by Sunday at around ten o’clock. We’ll have you back in time for your two o’clock nap … I mean tea time.” Annie’s eyes twinkled.

  Chapter 7

  After a long day at Sweet Indulgence, Annie and Buffy headed home. It was a beautiful afternoon with just a hint of coolness in the air. Suddenly Annie’s stride came to a halt. She looked over her shoulder only to find Buffy rolling in something.

  Annie tugged on her leash. “Buffy, what are you doing?” She leaned over and peered at the area getting a whiff of an awful foul smell. “Oh, Buffy! Now you’re going to need a bath.”

  A car slowly passed them, stopping suddenly. A man dropped the window down and peered out.

  “Jack!”

  “Hi. Need a lift?” He smiled.

  “I’m almost home, silly. Besides, you wouldn’t want Ms. Stinky in your car. She found something disgusting and rolled in it.”

  Jack pulled his head back and laughed. “I can help.”

  A car honked at Jack. He pulled in his head and then pulled the car over to the curb. The other car quickly raced by, spraying her with water from the recent rain. She glared at the car as it sped past.

  “Now two of us will need baths,” Annie said disgustedly.

  “Hop in. I don’t care if you’re stinky,” Jack said.

  “Not me—Buffy.”

  “I know, silly. Get in.”

  Annie climbed in the passenger seat after settling Buffy into the back seat.

  “Wow, she’s ripe. What the heck did she roll in?” Jack asked as he turned on the air conditioner full blast and recycled the air.

  “It looked like rotten fruit, or …”

  “Don’t say it. Let’s just stick with fruit as the answer,” Jack said.

  While Annie ran the bathwater for Buffy, Jack helped by taking off her collar. Side by side, the two of them scrubbed, rinsed, and repeated as Buffy stood looking like a drowned rat.

  “Oh, she’s cold. She’s shivering,” Jack said, wrapping her in a fluffy towel.

  “Bring her in the bedroom. I’ll use the blow dryer on her.”

  Jack held Buffy while Annie blew dry her coat. “Does she like to be brushed?” Jack asked.

  “She tolerates it,” Annie said.

  “This calls for a glass of wine,” Jack said, looking down at his grimy and wet clothes.

  Annie poured two glasses of merlot. Motioning to her couch, she invited him to sit. “I’m sorry you got so dirty.”

  “No worries. I’m glad to help. I hope she enjoys being clean,” he said.

  “I’m glad we ran into each other,” Annie said, smiling.

  “Well, I stopped by the bakery first and you’d already closed. I figured you were on your way home.”

  “Ah, so you planned it,” Annie said as she leaned into him, hitting his shoulder.

  “How about I take you out for a bite to eat?” Jack asked, taking a sip of his wine.

  “Nah, let’s stay in. Do you like ramen? I lived on that stuff while I was in college and I still like it,” Annie said, getting up from the couch and crossing over to the kitchen.

  Ramen made everything better, especially on a cool evening such as this. After they finished dinner, she poured their second glass of merlot, dimmed all the lights, and switched on the television. With Buffy curled up in her bed, exhausted from chewing her bone after her bath, Annie and Jack cuddled on the sofa, proud of their accomplishments.

  They were laughing at the show, Funniest Home Videos, when her phone began to dance all over the glass coffee table. She quickly reached for the vibrating phone.

  “We’d like to have you over for supper. Some financial papers came that we n
eed to discuss.”

  “What kind of paperwork?” Annie covered the phone and mouthed, “Grandmother” to Jack.

  Jack raised his finger to his mouth, showing her he’d be closemouthed during the conversation.

  “I have a very busy schedule. I’m trying to coordinate something with the Vickie and the girls and Jack.”

  “Jack Powell?”

  “Yes.” Annie dared her to say anything about it.

  “When can we expect you?” Grandma Lilly said, not missing a beat.

  Annie sighed into the receiver. “I’ll stop by tomorrow.”

  “Everything okay?” Jack asked.

  “Yes. I have to read over some paperwork that came in regarding my inheritance.”

  “Oh.” Jack set his glass down. “Maybe I should be going, then.”

  “No, you don’t need to go. Please stay.”

  Jack nodded. “Alright.”

  They continued to laugh at the crazy stunts on the show and soon Annie couldn’t even remember the conversation she’d had with her grandmother. After the show, Annie walked Jack to the door. “Thanks again for helping me. Giving her a bath can be such an ordeal.”

  “You’re welcome. And thanks for dinner … and the wine.” He winked.

  “Ramen and merlot, the dinner of champions.”

  Jack reached out and gently stroked her arm. “I had a great time tonight. It was just the sort of evening I like to spend.”

  “Eating ramen and drinking wine?”

  “That, and …” He pulled her into his arms. “And this.” His mouth met hers in a soft kiss. She dropped her arms by her side. His sweet warm breath lingered just above her lips. He stepped back, brushing his hand through his hair.

  “Hey, you can come back anytime to help me give Buffy a bath,” she said with a twinkle in her eyes.

  “As long as you serve me ramen and merlot.” He gave her a quick peck and then he was gone.

  Annie tossed the document back onto the table. “If I’m reading this correctly, it looks like I’m inheriting the last of the money. What about Mary?”

  “Well, she is to get her share on her twenty-sixth birthday as well, but they’ve provided for her handsomely as they did you in the interim.”

  Annie nodded.

  “And of course, the house is in both of your names after we’re both gone,” Grandmother Lilly said.

  “I don’t want to talk about that right now. You’re not going anywhere.” Annie rapped her fingers on the table.

  “What are you going to do with that large amount of money?” Auntie Patty asked.

  “I don’t really know. I’ll see a financial advisor and discuss the possibilities. I’ve always wanted to own a house.”

  “But you’ll get this house when we’re gone,” Grandma Lilly blurted out. “It must stay in the family forever.”

  “We won’t sell it, I promise. Maybe Mary will enjoy living here. I think I’ll take some of the money and expand my business. Open a second cupcakery in Dewees Island, perhaps, or even in Summerville.

  “Child, you have a lot of ambition, and that’s great, but we’d like to see you settle down, too,” Grandma Lilly said.

  Annie slapped her hands to her hips. “I don’t need a man in my life to make me successful, or whole, or however you two old ladies think I should feel. I want to live my life the way I want to, and you need to stop meddling.” Annie was surprised by her temper and softened her face. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”

  “Or call us old ladies?” Auntie Patty said, turning her back on Annie.

  “I apologize for the outburst. I don’t mean any disrespect,” Annie said, feeling badly about her eruption.

  “Not many young women at the age of twenty-six have as much going for them as you do. You will be worth a lot of money, and soon. This Jack Powell fellow may not be worthy of you.” Grandma Lilly lifted her chin and shrugged her shoulders, turning away from Annie before she could answer her face-to-face.

  “Grandma … that’s not fair. You have refused to even get to know him. He wanted to take you on a boat ride, get to know you guys. Please.” A tear rolled down Annie’s cheek.

  “Okay, we’ll go on the boat ride, but nothing more,” Grandma Lilly spewed.Chapter Eight

  “Are you nervous?” Jack asked Annie on the drive over to pick up her grandmother and auntie.

  “No. Well, yes, a little,” she squeaked out.

  “It’s going to be all right. I can handle myself, and I can certainly handle two seventy-something-year-olds.” He winked.

  Annie heaved her shoulders up and down and let out a long sigh. “I sure hope so. You won’t be the first guy they’ve chased away.” She poked out her bottom lip.

  “Auntie Patty, grab your sunhat,” Annie said, pointing to the bright yellow hat sitting on the table.

  “Jack, be a dear and fetch the picnic basket. It’s in the kitchen,” Grandma Lilly said.

  Annie shrugged her shoulders at Jack.

  “This is pretty hefty. What’s in here?” He moved the basket up and down in his hand.

  “I made pimento cheese sandwiches, potato salad, and brownies,” Grandma Lilly said.

  “Sounds delicious.” He gave Annie another wink.

  Annie blushed. “Okay, let’s go.”

  The drive out to the dock was fairly quiet. Every now and then, one of the older ladies would point out something along the way, and either Jack or Annie would comment. Once they arrived, Jack quickly opened the driver’s side back door and helped out Auntie Patty. Annie watched him as he gently helped her out as she extended her own hand to Grandma Lilly. Auntie Patty quickly laced her arm with Jack’s while he juggled the picnic basket in the other.

  One by one, Jack and Annie helped get the old women in the boat and settled. Each time the boat bounced or hit a wave, the women shrieked. Annie smiled when she witnessed Auntie Patty wiping the mist from the light spray that shot overboard off her grandmother's cheeks.

  “Look, they’re smiling.” Annie squeezed Jack’s arm.

  “Something about being in the fresh air and open water does that to people.”

  “Even crotchety old women?” Annie smiled.

  “Even them.” He playfully knocked shoulders with Annie.

  Jack jumped off the boat and quickly tied her to the wooden dock. He helped Annie out first, and then one by one, they helped the old women out.

  “Now, be careful, there is a bit of a hill,” Jack cautioned as he guided Grandmother Lilly.

  Annie loved Jack’s patience with her grandmother and auntie. They could be such a pain in the butt. Once they got to the old and worn picnic table, both of the older women were breathing hard.

  “Take a moment and catch your breath,” Annie said.

  “I think that’s the most I’ve hiked in a long time,” Auntie Patty said with a raspy voice.

  “Grandma Lilly, are you all right?” Annie sat down between them as she watched them with concern.

  “Yes, dear. Just enjoying the beautiful view.” She patted Annie’s leg. “How’d you find this place?” Grandma Lilly asked Jack.

  “This has been in my family for a very long time. I come here often.” He smiled toward Annie.

  Grandma Lilly glanced back and forth between the two, watching them flirt silently. “I see. Well, is anyone hungry?”

  After a filling lunch, Jack and Annie left them and walked around. Once out of their view, she laced her arm in his. They walked silently, enjoying the sounds of nature when the sound of a snapping twig startled them. Jack caught Annie as she stumbled slightly, causing her to giggle.

  Jack reached up and pushed her hair back and studied her face. He raised his fingers and caressed her cheek before gently guiding them down her mouth. Her stomach tightened in anticipation of what came next.

  She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth and waited for more. He tilted her chin and laid a soft, wet kiss on her lips, his tongue dipping in between the seams of her mouth. Annie leaned
in harder, deeper, and wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him there. They kissed for a few moments when they heard the sounds of rustling leaves.

  “Grandma!” Annie shouted.

  Annie rushed toward her grandmother. “You shouldn’t have walked here by yourself. You could have fallen, or worse.” Annie looked back at Jack and winced.

  “We’re getting tired. It was a lovely day, but we’re worn out.”

  “Okay, let’s get these adventurous women back to their house.” Jack took one of Lilly’s arms, and Annie had the other.

  He pulled up in front of the cigar shop and cut the engine. He turned toward Annie, putting his arm on the steering wheel. “I think they had a great time.”

  “Oh, yes, they sure did. I think they’ll sleep just fine tonight.” She locked her eyes onto his.

  “When I spend a day outdoors, I sleep like a baby,” Jack said.

  “That and the glass or two of wine or scotch will have them snoring.” Annie laughed at the vision of her grandmother and auntie sleeping with eye covers on and snoring.

  “I think they liked me.” Jack nodded.

  Annie smiled. “I think so. I’ll hear more about it during my next Sunday dinner.”

  “I’m already thinking of things I can do to win them over. Do you think they’d enjoy meeting my family?”

  Annie twirled her finger around the ends of her hair and gave a little shrug. “I know I’d like to meet them.”

  Jack slapped the steering wheel. “Why, of course. I’ll set something up, but I have to warn you. My family is crazy.”

  Jack opened the car door and jogged to the passenger side, helping Annie out. He walked her to the door, and they stood holding hands.

  “I really had a good time today. I’m not just saying that either. My family is very important to me, and I know yours is to you as well.” He pulled her toward him.