Annie widened her eyes and then shot Mary a look, letting her know that she had something coming to her for letting out the secret. Mary shook her head and mouthed, “I didn’t say anything.”
Annie knitted her brows. “Tell you what you already know? What is it that everyone knows before I tell them, Grandmother?” Annie decided to play along to get Grandmother’s goat.
Grandmother cleared her throat. “You’ve been really tired lately. You cry at the drop of a hat, and let’s see, I think you’ve gained a few pounds.” Her eyes settled on Annie’s belly.
Annie straightened her posture. “Grandmother Lilly, nothing can get by you, can it?”
“Nope, and don’t even try. When’s the baby due?”
“Baby!” Milly said, jumping up and almost dumping poor Ashton to the ground.
“Dear Lord, Milly, where’ve you been?” Grandmother furrowed her brows.
“I didn’t catch it, but now I get it. You’re having another baby.” Milly ran over to Jack and hugged him, then made her way to Annie.
After the commotion of the announcement drifted back to normalcy, everyone started handing out suggestions for baby names. Grandmother Cora felt her mother’s name would be suitable if it was a girl, and Polly offered a male version of Robert—Roberta.
Milly held her hand up in protest. “Nope, I got it. Jacanna.”
The entire group at once yelled, “Jacanna?”
Milly heaved her shoulders up and down. “You know. Jac … anna,” she said enunciating each syllable, to clearly show it was part of Jack’s and Annie’s names.
Grandmother didn’t hold back. “That’s the most ridiculous name I’ve ever heard. They are most certainly not going to name her that.”
Annie bit down on her lip. Things were beginning to heat up.
Jack wrapped his arm around Annie, pulling her close. “Should we let them know we already picked out a name?”
“No.”
Jack pursed his lips. “I thought we settled on Carolina?” he whispered.
Annie’s eyes twinkled as she lovingly smiled at him. “We did, but if we tell them the name, then they’ll know we’re having a girl. And I want to wrap this Christmas Eve celebration up.” Annie cracked a smile, while playfully nudging him.
Jack tossed his head back and roared with laughter. “I see you’ve met my family, huh?” He leaned in and kissed her. “I love you, Mrs. Powell.”
“Love you more,” she said, holding him with one arm, while resting her other hand on her belly. “And, just so you know, I adore your family.”
Jack’s eyes moved from one set of couples to another as he watched them decipher the news. It was traveling through the crowd like wild fire. “We have a great family. They’re not perfect, but when the chips are down, they come out in full force. That’s what families do.”
Annie nodded. “I’m so thankful to have them all in Ashton’s and soon, Carolina’s life.”
“Oh, look, Grandmother is calling for me. I think they’re ready to go home.” Jack pulled away from Annie and headed over to both Lilly and Patty.
* * *
Snuggled in the crux of his arm, Annie closed her eyes and listened to the sounds the dark house made at night—the occasional thumping of ice being made in the freezer, the humming of the heater as it began to wind up. She could hear the trees softly swaying in the December night breeze, along with an occasional hoot from a nearby owl. And if she listened really hard, she could hear sounds of little marsh birds and insects, which seemed to be the most vocal at night. And soon, with the contentment of being in the arms of the man she loved, Annie drifted off to sleep.
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Letter From Debbie
Thank you so much for reading Sweet Carolina, book three of the Charleston Harbor Novels. I really hope you enjoyed it.
If you did enjoy Sweet Carolina, I’d love it if you’d write a review. It helps to get the word out about my books to readers. So, thank you in advance for helping me do that.
If you’re looking for my other books, please follow this link:
https://www.authordebbiewhite.com/books/
Happy reading!
Debbie
Books By Debbie White
Romance Across State Lines
Texas Twosome
Kansas Kissed
California Crush
Oregon Obsession
Romantic Destinations
Finding Mrs. Right
Holding on to Mrs. Right
Cherishing Mrs. Right
Charleston Harbor Novels
Sweet Indulgence
Sweet Magnolia
Sweet Carolina
Others
Perfect Pitch
Ties That Bind
Passport To Happiness
The Missing ingredient
The Salty Dog
The Pet palace
Billionaire Auction
Billionaire’s Dilemma
Coaching the Sub
Christmas Romance – Short Stories
Charleston Harbor Novels 1-3 Page 44