by Debbie White
“This is the last one.” Jessica held up her glass before taking another sip.
“Ladies,” Vicky said, coming up behind the group.
“Oh, Vicky, your wedding was beautiful. We’re so happy that we could be part of your special day,” Jessica said, sounding a little emotional and maybe a little tipsy.
“Yup, from the ceremony to the reception, it was great,” Cassie said.
“I guess we’ll be planning baby showers next,” Vicky said.
Vicky quickly came over to Annie once she realized what she’d said. She took her by the hand and forced her to come with her. She pulled her through the group and took her aside. “Listen, I didn’t mean to exclude you. You know you’re going to get married. Maybe to Jack even. When the time is right, you’ll know. And honey, your wedding will be the most beautiful of all.” She pulled her close for a hug.
A tear rolled down Annie’s face. She quickly wiped it away. The champagne had her feeling a bit emotional. “I really like Jack. I think maybe he could be the one.”
Vicky held her shoulders and focused on Annie’s eyes. “Go with your gut. Don’t let him get away if he’s the one.”
Annie nodded.
“Okay, girls, I’m off to be with my hubby. Thanks again for your contribution. We’ll get together after the honeymoon.” Vicky gave kisses to all the girls and nodded to the husbands and guests. She went to Jack and leaned over, whispering in his ear as Annie watched on. Vicky kissed him on the cheek and then brushed by them all in her wedding dress, picking up the hem as she made her way across the room to her new husband.
“Well, I guess we’ll call it a night,” Cassie said.
“I’m right behind you,” Jessica said.
“Drive safely,” Annie called out.
“Your friends love you,” Jack said.
“I love them, too.”
“Aren’t you curious what Vicky said to me?” Jack asked.
“Sort of.”
“She told me that if I knew what was good for me, I wouldn’t let you get away.”
Annie raised her brows and bit down on her bottom lip.
“And do you know what I said to her?” Jack said.
Annie shook her head, still holding her bottom lip between her teeth.
“I told her I had no intention of ever letting that happen.”
She tried to say his name, but he devoured her mouth and muffled her voice. She opened her mouth across his, her soft tongue lashing his. After a few seconds, he pulled away. He brushed his hand through his dark wavy hair and looked off into a dimly lit room that once held a lot of people. Now, only a handful of couples lingered, making him aware the evening would soon be over.
“Jack, take me home.”
Jack picked up Annie’s hand and laced his fingers with hers. “Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
Annie nodded.
Chapter 25
Annie pulled down the apron from the hook and tossed it over her head, securing it tightly around her waist. She needed something to distract her, and baking cupcakes hopefully would be the diversion she so needed.
“I’m keeping notes. So a few months ago it was chocolate salted caramel, and then we had strawberry shortcake. What’s the new flavor of the season now?” Annie stepped up on the stool and grabbed a new bag of cake flour.
“Pumpkin cheesecake,” Betsy replied. “Everything pumpkin is all the rage.”
Annie nodded. “Pumpkin this, pumpkin that.”
The two women worked in unison, each one moving around the kitchen and mixing up cupcake batter. Who said two women can’t work in a kitchen together? Annie thought back to when she hired Betsy. “How’s Rebecca working out?”
“She’s doing great. She asks about you all the time. Her infectious smile draws the customers right in, and soon they’re coming back for more.”
“It seems weird not to come in here more often. You and Morgan have done a wonderful job in making sure the cupcakes are baked and ready for purchase.”
The aroma of cupcakes baking made Annie’s tummy growl, not to mention making the shop smell amazing.
“These pumpkin spice cupcakes smell so good,” Annie said, leaning over and drawing in a whiff.
The bell jingled from the door, and Betsy looked over her shoulder. “It’s Jack,” she whispered.
Annie wiped her hands on her apron and rushed to the glass display case. “Hey,” she said, a warm smile spreading across her face.
“Hello. Wow, something smells delicious.”
“Pumpkin spice, our new flavor. Everything okay?”
“Yup. I only have a minute, but I wanted to see your smiling Irish eyes before I headed to the airport.”
Annie walked around the long display case and into his arms. She pulled back slightly, looking up at him. “You’re so sweet, Jack Powell. How’d I ever get so lucky?”
He planted a kiss on her lips, taking her by surprise. He held her back briefly. “I think I’m the lucky one.”
She raised up on her tiptoes and kissed him. She dropped back down, now flat on the ground. She grabbed his hand with hers. “Come on, I’ll get you a cupcake for the road.”
“Hello, Betsy,” Jack said.
“Hello to you, Jack.”
Betsy quickly iced a pumpkin spice cupcake and handed it to him. He blinked twice and glanced over to Annie then back to Betsy. “How’d you know?”
Betsy chuckled. “Just a hunch.” She winked at Annie.
Annie mouthed “Thank you” to Betsy and then laced her arm with Jack’s. “I’ll walk you out.”
“How’s your Grandmother doing?”
“She’s doing fine. You’d be hard pressed to tell she’d ever been in the hospital, or had a minor inury.She’s back to barking out orders at poor Auntie Patty.”
Jack threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Your grandmother, she’s a character.”
“By the way, she wants us to come over for dinner.”
“Jeremy and Mary, too?”
“She asked them, but Mary was quick on the ball. She said she and Jeremy had other plans.”
“Well, you need to learn how to think fast like Mary.” Jack leaned over and lightly brushed the top of her head with his lips.
“Seems so.” She placed her hand on his arm and left it there.
“My parents have been bugging me about another dinner, too.” He placed his hand on top of hers.
“I like having dinner with them. Just tell me when. I know Grandmother and Auntie Patty would like to see them again also.”
“Oh?”
“I hear about that every so often as well,” she said, smirking.
“Well, she always makes a big deal for my birthday and since it’s on Halloween …”
“Halloween is your birthday?” Annie asked in surprise.
“She would like to have a party,” Jack said, finishing his sentence.
“I had no idea you were an October birthday. Let’s see, that’s Scorpio? How old are you going to be?” Annie said, fishing for details.
“The big three oh. And you?”
“Twenty-seven on May twelth.”
“Are we compatible?”
“What do you mean?” Annie said, furrowing her brows.
“You know how they say certain signs are more compatible than others?”
“I don’t care what any silly horoscope says. We’re more than compatible.” Annie reached up and pulled him down for a kiss.
“Hey, watch the merchandise,” he said, holding out the cupcake.
Annie reached over and dabbed a bit of the cheesecake icing on her finger and then licked it.
Jack pulled her in for a deep kiss. “More of that later.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m late.” He ran out the door. A wide smile crossed her face.
“He’s a charmer, isn’t he,” Betsy said.
Annie whirled around. “Yup, he is. I can’t get enough of him. And when he stops by and surprises me, it’s the most
wonderful moment.” She crossed her arms and hugged herself.
“Do you love him?” Betsy asked.
Annie knitted her brows together. “Love. Now that’s a deep subject, and I think we have cupcakes to ice.” Annie walked back toward the kitchen, a broad smile spread across her face.
Chapter 26
Fall moved in as summer crept out, bringing with it cooler temperatures and lower humidity. A welcome change as far as Annie was concerned. All the storefront windows, including the cupcakery’s, were decorated with fall foliage and everything pumpkin.
“I love the window, Rebecca,” Annie said when she came into the shop to surprise her.
“Annie!”
Annie embraced Rebecca. “The stenciling is so nice. You’re very artistic.”
“Thank you,” she said bashfully.
“Have you tried one of the pumpkin spice cupcakes?” Annie asked.
“Yes, twice,” Rebecca said, giggling.
“Buffy and I are taking a nice long walk and enjoying this beautiful day.”
Rebecca smiled down at the dog. “Enjoy your day off.”
Annie put out her hand to open the door but stopped. She turned toward Rebecca. “Rebecca, how are things here?”
“Good, Annie, very good. Why do you ask?”
“I just want to make sure you’re happy.”
“I’m pretty busy with school and the food truck. I’ll be happy for the day when I can just concentrate on life and not studying.”
“Oh, Rebecca, dear. Be careful what you wish for. It’s great to be young. Enjoy it while you can. Soon enough you’ll be saddled with bills, careers, boyfriends, and all the adult stuff I have to deal with.”
Buffy let out a bark. Annie lowered her gaze. “Okay, don’t be so impatient. Bye, Rebecca,” she said as she pushed open the door.
Annie crossed the street and walked a couple of blocks to the Waterfront Park. She gazed over toward the pier where many people had gathered—older people, younger people, and of course, lovers holding hands. She continued walking, settling on a bench near the famous Pineapple Fountain. The splashing of water as it hit the basin of the fountain added lyrical notes to the stillness of the late afternoon. A few children’s laughter could be heard in the distance. Buffy found a spot and laid down, content watching the passersby as Annie did. Annie pulled her sweater closed and buttoned it. After a few minutes of people watching, Annie stood. “Time to head home, Buffy.”
Annie smiled at everyone she passed and stopped for the few who asked if they could pet Buffy. What would normally take about twenty minutes took almost thirty, but Annie wasn’t in any hurry. She loved her new freedom.
“A cup of hot tea for me and some puppy chow for you,” Annie said as she got out Buffy’s food.
While Buffy ate, Annie heated her water in the microwave. She opened the pantry and peered at the shelf. She reached for the Moroccan spice tea and at the last minute some crackers. It would be a light dinner tonight. She opened the fridge and grabbed some cheese and olives.
Annie made up a plate with her items, and along with her mug of hot tea, made her way into the living room. She’d just settled down on the couch to watch a little television she’d pre-recorded earlier when her phone rang.
“Hello,” she said.
“What are you doing?” Mary said.
“Eating and watching Dancing with the Stars. What’s up?”
“Grandmother is driving me crazy.”
Annie laughed. “Barking out more orders, is she?”
“I’m telling you. First, she wants her foot elevated, then she doesn’t. Then she asks me to get her a cup of tea, only to tell me it’s too hot and to fetch her some ice. It goes on like that from the time I get home until the time I go to bed.”
“Think about poor Auntie Patty. She has Grandma duty when you’re at work.”
“I know. I’ll just be glad when she can get up and get her own things.”
“It has to be rough on her as well. Just think about it. She went from being independent to dependent, overnight.”
“Well, if she hadn’t gotten up on that ladder—”
“I know,” Annie said, interrupting her.
“I’m just frustrated. Then there is Jeremy.”
“What’s going on with him?”
“We just had our first fight.”
“Over what?”
“He wants me to move with him.”
Annie leaned forward on the couch. “Move with him to where? I thought he liked it here.”
“He did, but now he says it’s boring here. He’s ready to go back to Italy.”
“What did you tell him?” Annie said.
“I told him I couldn’t. I told him Grandmother and Auntie Patty needed me.”
“Well, they could—”
“And you. I told him you needed me, too.”
“Whoa, wait a minute.” Annie furrowed her brows as she made sense of what Mary said.
“I don’t want to leave Charleston. I missed it while I was gone. Oh sure, living in Italy was great and all, but I like it here.”
“Why didn’t you just tell him the truth instead of making all of us the scapegoat?”
“I guess because we don’t really have a strong relationship. I guess because maybe I want him to go.”
Annie gasped. “I thought you cared about him, that the sun rose and set on him. Now, you’re telling me you want him to go?”
“Let’s just say I’ve grown up a lot since then.”
“Please. Since about three months ago?” Annie laughed into the phone.
“Annie McPherson, don’t play with me. I need your help.”
“My help?”
“I need you to help me convince him to leave.”
“It doesn’t sound like he needs much convincing if he’s asked you to go with him. Just tell him bye bye,” Annie said.
“I told him I’d think about it.”
“Okay, let me get this straight. You told him all the reasons you couldn’t go with him, but then you told him you’d think about it?”
“He’s hard to resist.”
“Mary McPherson. See? I can use your whole name, too. What did he do? Kiss you and make you forget what you really wanted?”
“Something like that.”
“Okay, first of all, you can’t be persuaded by a kiss, no matter how good it is.” Annie frowned at her own contradictory words.
“I told him that I’d give him my answer by Saturday night.”
Annie’s eyes darted around the room. “So, we have exactly three days to figure something out.”
Chapter 27
Annie moved across the small room and answered the door. “Hi. I’ll just grab my things. Come on in.” She opened the door wider for him.
Buffy ran up, wagging her tail. “Hey, girl how ya doing?” Jack patted her on the head.
“She thinks she is going for a walk.” Annie laughed.
“Maybe tonight after I bring Mommy home.” Jack blushed at the tone of his baby talk.
Annie smiled. “Okay, let’s go get dinner.”
“What an excellent idea, dear,” Grandmother said, staring at all the little cartons of food.
“Chinese food just sounded good.” Annie picked up her chopsticks.
“So, Jack, how’ve you been?” Auntie Patty asked.
“Good. Busy. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, tourists come to Charleston.”
He had that right. In the springtime, they came for the festivals. In the summertime, for the beach, and in the fall, they came for the cooler temperatures, ghost walks, and more festivals. Holidays were always busy as they frequented the open markets and shops in the historic downtown area, or shopped at one of the many malls.
“How are your folks?” Patty inquired.
“Doing well, thanks for asking.” Jack winked at Annie from across the table.
“Jack was just telling me that it’s his birthday on the thirty-first.”
&nb
sp; “Oh, how nice, a Halloween birthday,” Patty said, trying her best to use the chopsticks.
“In fact, my folks want to throw me a party. I’m afraid it’s grown from a family dinner to an all-out costume party. I’d like it if you both would attend.” Jack’s eyes journeyed from Lilly then to Patty.
“It’s been ages since I dressed up for a costume party,” Lilly said, pouring a cup of the Chinese tea Annie had fixed earlier.
“It sounds like a lot of fun. Count us in,” Patty said. She opened her mouth to receive a piece of sweet and sour chicken and dropped it onto her plate. She tossed the chopsticks to the side and picked up her fork. “I’ll starve if I have to use these things.” She stabbed the piece of chicken with her fork and ate it.
“Patty never did learn how to use them,” Grandmother said, picking up rice with hers.
“Show off,” Patty pouted.
“Now, you two, settle down,” Annie said teasingly.
“Are Mary and Jeremy coming to the party?” Patty wondered.
Annie cleared her throat. “Well, there’s a little problem where Jeremy is concerned.”
“What kind of problem?” Grandmother Lilly said, raising her brows.
“He wants Mary to move with him, and she doesn’t want to go.”
“When did that happen?” Jack asked.
“I just found out the other day. She has to give him her answer by Saturday.”
“She’s not contemplating going, is she?” Patty said.
“No, she wants to break up with him. She’s seen the error of her ways.”
“I rather liked him and his man bun,” Patty said.
“Of course, you did,” Lilly said, frowning.
“Anyway, I’m to help her devise a plan, but I haven’t been able to completely develop one, except for her just to tell him no.”
“Excuse me for butting in, but that is exactly what she should tell him. Just be truthful.” Jack reached for the carton of fried rice.
“I know. That’s what I thought as well, but Mary is worried he might get upset.”
“Upset how? Like scream and yell or like raise a hand to her?” Lilly exclaimed in concern.