by Gerri Hill
“You mean besides clean it?”
Annie laughed. “Yeah, Matt was a bit of a slob, wasn’t he?”
Jordan nodded. “His things, well, I took them to my parents’ house. Mom’s not ready to part with them yet. His clothes have all gone to Goodwill. And I rearranged the living room to open up the view a bit more.”
“I’ve only been here a couple of times. It looks nice.”
“Oh, yeah? Were you one of the girls my parents had to entertain while Matt played on the water?”
“No. Matt had a party out here the last two summers. We’d close the store early on a Sunday and he’d bring in food from the restaurant. And a margarita machine,” she added with a smile.
“Most of them aren’t even old enough to drink.”
“Yeah. Matt didn’t really care.”
“So are you saying I need to do the same thing?”
“If you want them to like you, you should.”
Jordan laughed. “That’s all it’ll take? A margarita machine?”
“Well, they’re still not over the whole punch-clock thing. It might take more than that,” she teased.
Jordan wrapped up the pizza for her while Annie leaned against the counter, watching her. The kitchen was neat and tidy…spotless, actually. She’d learned in the last month that Jordan was a neat freak. Apparently, that didn’t only pertain to the office.
“Here you go,” Jordan said.
Annie took the pizza. “Thanks. I hope I make it home with them.” She laughed. “Maybe it’s only my imagination, but I’ve been ravenous lately.”
Jordan’s eyes swept over her body, and Annie felt an odd flutter in her stomach as Jordan’s gaze settled on her face again.
“You’re thin, small frame. You probably won’t gain much weight,” Jordan said.
“You think not? I hope you’re right. I hope I take after my mother in that regard. She stayed thin during her pregnancy too.” Annie laughed. “I’ve already had visions of my toes swelling up like Vienna sausages.”
Jordan laughed too. “Do you have sisters to compare it to?”
Annie shook her head. “No. There’s only me. Not for lack of trying, my dad likes to say.”
“Well, if you’re their only child, they won’t turn their backs on you.”
“Oh, I know. But do I want to put up with hell for nine months?” she said with a laugh. “Thank you, Jordan. For letting me come out here uninvited. It’s been stress-free and I feel so much better.”
“You’re welcome.” Jordan led her to the door, then paused before opening it. “You know, I’ve got room here.”
“Room?”
“If you want to stay here,” Jordan clarified. “Instead of the Surf Court Motel.”
Annie laughed at her reference to the old condemned motel. “I appreciate the offer, but I couldn’t possibly impose on you like that.”
Jordan’s expression turned serious. “I wouldn’t have offered if it was going to be an imposition,” she said. “There’s an extra bedroom and bath that I’m not using. Besides, when I head back to Chicago, maybe you could rent the place from my parents or something.”
Annie was stunned by her offer. “Are you sure?”
Jordan nodded. “We get along fine. I like you. It would be nice to have someone to share dinner with.”
“We also work together,” Annie said. “Is that too much?”
“Well, since you’re the office manager and things are running smoothly, I’m only going to pop in from time to time. And when you start back to college, we’ll have to hire someone else anyway.”
“You’re really going to stay through summer?”
“I took a leave of absence. I think my job is safe if I head back by September. When do classes start for you?”
“Last week in August.”
“Perfect. We’ll hire someone the first of August and you can train them,” Jordan said. “Provided my father will go for that.”
“What do you mean?”
“Family business. He’s not big on outsiders running things. That’s why he’s at the restaurant as much as he is.”
They stepped out onto the porch and Jordan turned the light off as moths were buzzing around their heads.
“Smells like rain,” Annie noted. “I love spring storms.”
“First week in June…can we still say spring?”
“Yes. We don’t want to rush summer.” Annie turned to her. “I can’t believe it’s been six weeks since Matt’s been gone. Six weeks tomorrow.”
“I know. And the world just keeps on turning, doesn’t it?” Jordan shoved her hands into the pockets of her shorts. “My offer is genuine, Annie. You’re welcome to stay here.”
Annie tried to catch her eyes in the shadows but couldn’t. She was surprised at how easy it was to answer her.
“I accept.”
Chapter Ten
Jordan nodded at a couple of waitresses as she slipped back into the kitchen. It was barely five and the dinner rush had not yet started. Still, her father was busy with his fish and her mother was tapping on the computer that held the online orders.
“Hey, Mom,” she said as she leaned against the counter.
Her mother stared at her. “What happened to you?”
Jordan raised her eyebrows questioningly.
Her mother swept her hand toward her. “Did you rob a clothing store?”
Jordan laughed. “It probably would have been less stressful than my shopping trip to the mall.” She absolutely hated shopping. It was one reason all her business suits were practically the same. All she did was mix and match and change blouses. Most of her clothes she ordered without stepping foot inside a store.
“You knew you would be staying here this summer. You should have brought more clothes.”
“Yes, well, I don’t have a lot of clothes that would be appropriate for Rockport,” she said. “Annie told me I was way overdressed for Fat Larry’s.” Of course, she knew she was. Rockport was summertime casual, for residents and tourists alike. She, however, had dressed as if she was heading up to her high-rise office in Chicago, ready to do battle for multimillion-dollar accounts.
“Well, you look nice,” her mother said. “Did you come for dinner?”
“I thought we could visit before the rush,” she said. “Do you have time?”
“Yes. Grab us some tea. I’ll have Brenda take over the orders.”
Jordan had just sat down with their drinks when someone brought over a basket of freshly baked onion and garlic biscuits. They were still glistening with melted butter and she reached for one.
“Thanks,” she said before taking a bite. “God, that’s sinful.”
“Aren’t they?”
“You want one?” she asked her mother.
“No. You know I don’t eat anything from here.”
“I know. And after all these years, Dad still has an appetite for fish. If I had to cook it every single day, I’d never touch it.”
Her mother took a sip from her tea. “Are things okay at the store?”
“Yes. Fine.” Jordan licked her fingers, then wiped them on a napkin. “The hardest part is getting a handle on the inventory and making sure orders are placed. I’m sure Matt had a system, but I can’t seem to find it.”
Her mother smiled at the mention of Matt’s name and Jordan wondered if her mother was getting past her constant grieving. Normally, a mention of his name brought a shadow of sadness to her face, not a smile.
“Your father used to say the same thing,” she said. “I think that’s one reason he was so pleased you were willing to take over. He didn’t have a clue as to what Matt’s system was.”
“Annie’s been a big help,” Jordan said. “She would make a good permanent manager. But since she’s about through with college, I guess she’s pretty much set on teaching.”
“Matt always spoke highly of her. I’m glad she’s helping you out.”
Jordan nodded. “Speaking of that, I wanted to return
the favor,” she said. “So I offered for her to move in at Pelican’s Landing.”
Her mother’s eyes widened. “Move in? Why?”
“She lives at home with her parents.”
“And?”
“Well, and she’s kinda pregnant and it’s not sitting too well with her mother. So…”
Her mother leaned closer. “How is someone kinda pregnant?”
Jordan shrugged. “Annie uses that word. I guess it’s become habit. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I offered her a place to stay. That’s okay, isn’t it?”
Her mother wiped a droplet of water from her glass. “Of course, Jordan. Treat the house like it’s your own. But she’s okay with…well, with everything?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, does she know you’re…gay?” she asked, the last word barely more than a whisper.
Jordan smiled. “Yeah, she knows. It’s not contagious. I think she’ll be safe.”
Her mother blushed. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. But I know Clara. She’s not going to—”
“Who’s Clara?”
“Annie’s mother.”
“Annie’s twenty-nine years old, Mom. I don’t think she has to get her mother’s approval.”
“I know. I just don’t want to get into the middle of a family tiff.”
“That’s none of our business,” she said quickly. “Annie told me she was going to have to find a place to live so I offered the spare bedroom. It’s no big deal. I just wanted to let you know.”
Actually, it was a big deal. She’d surprised herself with the offer. She’d always lived alone. She was used to her own routine, used to her own company…used to being alone. But, hell, she liked Annie. They got along well and she thought of Annie as more of a friend than an employee.
“What will happen when you leave?”
Jordan shrugged. “Maybe she can rent it from you.”
Her mother sighed. “I don’t know, Jordan. I doubt your father will want someone living there who is not family. You know how he is.”
“I know. But he’s going to have the same problem with Fat Larry’s. He’s going to have to trust someone who isn’t family. I can stay through August, then I’ll have to head back. They won’t hold my job forever.”
“I thought you took a leave of absence.”
“I did. But it’s not indefinite, Mom.”
Truth was, her being away from her job was giving an opening to Antonio, her assistant. He was ambitious and had made no effort to hide the fact that he wanted to move up in the company. What better way to prove himself? She was gone and he had yet to even call her. She’d voiced her concern to Peter, but he had assured her that her job was safe. Antonio was good, she’d give him that. But his personality was a bit abrasive, a point that wasn’t lost on Peter.
“Well, we trust you, Jordan. Whatever you think is best, we’ll go along with it.”
“Thank you.” Jordan reached for another biscuit. “How well do you know Annie?”
“Just from the store, really. Even though she and Matt were in the same grade, I don’t recall her hanging out with him and his friends. Do you?”
Jordan shook her head. “No. But then I was older.”
They were silent for a moment, then her mother reached out her hand and captured Jordan’s. “Have I told you lately how glad I am that you’re here?”
Jordan smiled. “I’m glad I’m here too.” Then her smile faded. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t around much before. I got used to…staying away, I guess.”
Her mother nodded. “Yes, you did. And I’m sorry for my part in that.”
Jordan squeezed her hand. “We can’t get those years back, Mom, but maybe going forward, I can spend more time here.”
“We’d like that.” Her mother released her hand. “Now, I better get back to work before your father comes looking for me.” She paused. “Are you staying for dinner?”
“I was. But after two of these, I better skip fried food. I need to go to the grocery store anyway. I’ll pick something up.”
Her mother leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Jordan. I don’t say it nearly enough.”
Jordan felt her eyes dampen with tears. “I love you too.”
Chapter Eleven
Annie threw up her hands in frustration. “What do you want me to do? You’re embarrassed to have me living here, yet you don’t want me to move out.”
“Not move in with a complete stranger,” her mother said loudly.
“Jordan is not a stranger,” Annie said as she piled more clothes into her bag.
“She’s a stranger to me.”
“Lucky for you, you’re not the one moving in with her,” Annie shot back. They’d been arguing over this for the past two days.
“I just don’t understand you. Getting pregnant in the first place,” her mother said with a shake of her head. “That’s just—”
Annie held up her hand, stopping her mother. “Please. We’ve been over this. I know you’re disappointed in me. I’m disappointed in me too,” she said. “But continuing to hash it over will not change anything. So for both of our sanities, I think it’s best that I don’t live here.” She squared her shoulders, weary of this conversation. “Jordan was kind enough to offer me a place to live. She’s not going to charge me rent. I’ll help with the groceries, that’s it. So you don’t need to worry about me.”
“Of course I’ll worry about you. I don’t know this woman, but I know of her,” she said.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“You have no business living with her. That’s what that means.”
Annie laughed, finally realizing what her mother was trying to say. “You mean because she’s a lesbian?”
“So the rumors are true then?”
“Yes.”
“Then why would you live with her?”
Annie paused. “I like her. She’s nice. We get along great.” She shrugged. “And like I said, she’s not charging me rent.”
“Maybe because she expects you to pay in other ways,” her mother said quietly.
Annie stared at her. “Seriously? That’s what you’re worried about?”
“You don’t know her. She might—”
“Mom, you know her parents. You knew Matt. They’re good people. Jordan is too. Now quit being ridiculous about it.”
“I think we should at least meet her first.”
Annie laughed and shook her head. “Why would I subject Jordan to that?” She went to her mother and took both of her hands in her own. “Mom, I’m twenty-nine years old. I can handle this. And while I appreciate all you and Dad have done for me, it’s time I moved out. Getting pregnant was not something I ever expected. But it’s my problem, not yours.”
“Annie, we’d never—”
“I know you wouldn’t. But it’s time. I need to do this, Mom. I need some semblance of independence. I’m working full time this summer. I’ll be able to save a lot of money so that I can afford something on my own next year.”
“So you and…your baby will live in a cheap apartment or something? Is that what you’re striving for? You haven’t even told us who the father is. Have you told him? Is he not going to help with this?” Her mother stared at her. “Do you even know who the father is?”
Annie looked away. “Of course I know who the father is.”
“And?”
“And what? I’m handling it, Mom,” she said, refusing to fight with her anymore. “Now, let me finish.”
Her mother turned and walked away without another word, and Annie let out a sigh. Was she making a mistake by leaving the security of her parents’ house? Even though her mother obviously wasn’t happy with the situation, she would never kick her out. Would it be better to stay here until she had the baby?
She shook her head. She couldn’t take another eight months of this. She knew her mother too well. Snide remarks would slip out, whether consciously or not. And then there would be
the constant mention of Derrick and getting back with him. That in itself was enough to convince her to leave.
She paused, rubbing her hand across her belly. She didn’t really feel any different. Well, other than being sick nearly every morning. But shouldn’t she feel different? She wondered how soon it would be before she started showing. She hadn’t told Suzanne yet. Because once she told Suzanne, Derrick would find out. Actually, she was surprised Derrick didn’t already know. Unless her mother was simply too embarrassed by her pregnancy to tell Derrick’s mother.
She stared up at the ceiling, then closed her eyes. What was she going to do? Eventually, she’d have to tell someone who the father was. Should she tell Jordan? Matt’s parents? Would they even believe her?
She wiped impatiently at a tear that had fallen. Now was no time to start feeling sorry for herself. She had too much to do. Once she got settled in at Pelican’s Landing, the first thing she had to do was find a doctor. Even though she’d gone through pregnancies with Macy and Suzanne, she knew very little about it. That was about to change.
Chapter Twelve
“So she’d heard rumors, huh?” Jordan flipped the chicken over and turned the gas grill down.
“Yes. And when I told her you weren’t charging me rent, she said that was because you expected me to pay in other ways.”
Jordan laughed. “Well, sure. I expect you to cook.”
Annie pointed at the grill. “You seem to be doing a good job,” she said.
“I’m afraid this is it,” she said. “I’ve done steaks, pork chops, chicken and even portabella mushrooms and squash. Other than that, I’m afraid anything else would have to come out of a box or a can.” She smiled. “Well, I can do baked potatoes.”
“Yes. I saw them in the oven,” Annie said.
She added more wine to her glass, then looked at Annie apologetically as she watched. “Sorry. Would you rather I didn’t drink wine?”
Annie shook her head. “I don’t mind. Besides, I’m the one who’s pregnant, not you.”
“Yeah. Thank God.” Annie had a thoughtful expression on her face, and Jordan arched an eyebrow questioningly.
Annie tilted her head. “When did you know you were gay?”