Authors: Fern Michaels
Annie's Rainbow (24 page)
Assuming she wanted all these wonderful dreams, could they be ripped away with one slip of the tongue? Should she confess now to certain things? Not necessarily confess, but inform Parker of the insurance investigator. No, better to keep things quiet where that matter was concerned and hope for the best. She'd been more than clear on the merger business. Did she deserve or even want this little bit of happiness? Was this all one big giant mistake on her part?
Her thoughts tortured, Annie waited for sleep to drive them away.
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Annie's eyes filled with tears as Parker slipped a lei around her neck. It was so fragrant it made her dizzy. “I'll miss you,” she said in a choked voice. “This has been the nicest two weeks of my life.”
“And mine. I'll see you in two weeks. You can show me Charleston, and if you like, we can fly to New York and see a Broadway show.”
In spite of herself, Annie laughed. “You hate New York.”
“I know, but you like Broadway. I might learn to like it with you at my side.”
“There's about as much a chance of that as me starting to like poi.”
“Is everything okay between you and Kiki now?” Parker asked.
“Yes.”
“Annie, did you really say you would only do business with Kiki?”
“Yes. I said that, and I meant it. Just like I meant it when I said the contract is only for six months and there will be no merger.”
“You really would have walked?”
“I told you, Parker, in a heartbeat.”
“Absolutely amazing. Kiki is walking around like a peacock.”
“A female peacock, right? Deservedly so. She did what you weren't able to do. I wouldn't have signed with you, Parker. I would not mix business with pleasure. We are clear on that, aren't we?” Annie had to turn away at the look she saw in Parker's eyes.
“Painfully so. I don't want you to go.”
“I don't want to go, either, but I have to. Two weeks isn't that long. Remember there are telephones, and they work from here and from Charleston.”
“You're the last one to board. Go on now before I slam this gate closed myself. Call me.”
Annie's smile was weary. “I will.”
They were all waiting outside the airport for Annie: Elmo, Tom, the two dogs, and Jane. They shouted, “Welcome home!” Rosie and Harry strained at their leashes.
“Wow! I don't think I ever had a greeting like this. I'm glad to be back. I missed all of you. Jane, it's so good to see you. Is something going on I should know about?”
“We'll talk at home. I cooked dinner,” Elmo said. “At your house. I knew you'd want to be among your own things. It's good to have you home.”
Annie bit down on her lower lip. Elmo didn't look right. How was it possible for a person to change so much in just two short weeks? Was he ill? Whatever it was, she knew she would have to wait until they were all ensconced in her kitchen with plates of food in front of them. Elmo did love family dinners with good conversation. Her own news would have to wait.
While everyone jabbered in the car about everything and nothing, Annie tussled with the dogs, trying hard not to notice the worry on Jane's face.
Thirty minutes later, Tom announced their arrival. “I swear, Annie, this is the prettiest house on the battery. I can't remember ever being this hungry.”
Annie laughed. “I guess that means you're feeling a lot better.”
“I never felt better. I'll take your bags upstairs.”
“Wash up, everyone. Dinner is warming. Table's been set. I fed the dogs before we left for the airport,” Elmo said.
“What is this?” Annie asked as she peered into the chafing dish.
“It's an oriental dish with a peanut butter base,” Elmo said.
“It took a long time to make. When something takes a long time to prepare, you know it's going to be good. Eat hearty. I made enough for an army.”
“I'm not eating anything until I know what's going on here. I'm glad you're here, Jane, but I have to wonder why, when you haven't been near this town in eight years. And you, Tom, what brought you here today of all days? Somebody say something,” Annie said.
“I'm scared, Annie. I never told my husband about that crazy episode in our lives. I don't like getting weird phone calls with heavy breathing in the middle of the night. I'm afraid when the doorbell rings. That letter was downright scary. I have a daughter I worry about as well as a husband. He's never going to understand my being stalked like this. I didn't do anything, and I'm scared out of my wits. I came here so the three of us could put our heads together and come up with a way to stop all this. I brought the letter that was sent to me. I hate to even touch it. I put it in one of those plastic bags just so I wouldn't have to handle it. Oh, this is good, Elmo,” Jane said, tasting a forkful of Chinese noodles.
“The same things that have been happening to Jane have been happening to me. I assume if you had been here, Annie, you would have gotten the same heavy-breathing telephone calls. I, too, find myself getting apprehensive when the doorbell rings. The doctors tell me my heart is finally going to give out on me, and no, there is nothing that can be done. That said, we aren't going to discuss it again. Do we understand, ladies and gentlemen?”
Annie's eyes filled. She didn't have to look at Jane to know she was teary-eyed as well. She nodded miserably.
Tom just stared at the old man. “I know of a specialist . . .”
“Been there, done that. Not another word,” Elmo said forcefully. Tom clamped his lips tight.
Harry whined softly at Annie's feet. Rosie swiped at him with one paw.
“Now tell us your news, Annie,” Elmo said, helping himself to the concoction in the chafing dish.
Annie cleared her throat. “We have a great six-month deal with Grayson Coffee. That's the good news. The bad news is, Parker asked me to marry him. We set the date for February. I ... I said yes. Parker wants a merger. I said no. He did not like a six-month contract, but he had to swallow that one. I want you to be my matron of honor, Jane, and Elmo, I want you to give me away.”
“I'd be honored, Annie. However, February is a long way away. I have to be realistic according to my doctor. He said . . . maybe as little as six months.”
“Six months!” the others said in unison.
Elmo held up his hand. “I don't care to discuss this matter. Give or take a few months on either side, possibly longer. It's the way it is. Let's move on here.”
“I'll talk to Parker. I'm not getting married unless you give me away. That's the way that is, Elmo. So there. I said yes in the heat of the moment. I'm not sure I want to get married at all. I'm terribly confused right now.”
The old man cackled. “What's the sense in waiting if you love one another?”
Annie choked up. “Business. Details. A wedding dress. Stupid stuff. Parker has a harvest to get in. Prenuptial agreements. They take
forever
.”
forever
.”
“You work on that, young woman. We need to put our heads together where this insurance fellow is concerned. Jane told me the alumni association moved back your reunion to September of this year. If you plan to go to it, you could arrange a meeting with the insurance company. Or, you could do it now if you want, since Jane is here.”
“I can't stay, Elmo. School is out, and my daughter's dance classes begin next week. I don't have the free time I used to have. I'm also behind in my commissioned paintings, plus I teach a class two nights a week..If I budget my time, I should be clear by September. I really want to go to the reunion.”
Annie felt sick to her stomach. Later, when she was alone, she would think about all of this. For Elmo's sake, it was easier to agree. “Okay,” she said. “Why did they move back the reunion date?”
“The questionnaire they sent out asked which month was preferable, and they picked this September. I guess June is a busy month for everyone. I find it hard to believe fifteen years have gone by since we got our bachelor degrees. I screwed that up, didn't I, Annie?” Jane asked fretfully.
“Not at all. If you want to go, then I'm going, too.”
“Then it's settled,” Tom said. “Let's work out a plan for what you're going to say and which insurance executive you're going to say it to. That case should have been written off the books by now. The statute of limitations should have passed by now.”
Elmo twirled his fork around the Chinese noodles on his plate. “It's the boy. He's a man now. He's bitter and angry about serving all that time in prison for something he claims he didn't do. His family has a lot of money.”
“A jury thought there was enough evidence to convict him,” Annie said coldly. “Why is he hounding
us?
”
us?
”
“Allegedly
hounding us. We don't know who's sending the letters and making the phone calls,” Elmo said.
hounding us. We don't know who's sending the letters and making the phone calls,” Elmo said.
Jane shivered. “Twelve years in prison makes for a lot of hatred, especially if the guy is as innocent as he says he is. Do we know for a pure fact that Newman eliminated everyone but us?”
“He said it. He's being very careful because we could sue him for libel and slander,” Elmo said.
“I repeat, a jury listened to the evidence and said the evidence was sufficient to convict him. We weren't even
in
Boston when he went to trial. This is just too far-fetched,” Annie said. “We'll deal with it in the morning. It was a great dinner, Elmo.”
in
Boston when he went to trial. This is just too far-fetched,” Annie said. “We'll deal with it in the morning. It was a great dinner, Elmo.”
“If it was so great, why aren't you eating?” the retired pharmacist asked sourly.
“I guess I kind of lost my appetite. It is tasty, though. I'll eat it for lunch tomorrow.”
“You always say that, then you throw it away,” Elmo grumbled as he started to clear the table.
“That's my job. You sit, Elmo, since you cooked,” Tom said.
Annie shrugged and lit a cigarette. Jane followed suit. “Want some wine or beer?” Annie asked.
“I'd like a double shot of bourbon straight up,” Jane said.
“I think I'll join you,” Annie said.
Elmo was off his chair in a minute. “I'll get the bourbon.”
“Elmo, did you bring one of the coffee bags? I can't wait to see it.”
“Got it right here. Tom said they look classy.”
“Oh, I like this,” Annie said. “What do you think, Jane? Your artist's opinion.”
“It has a good feel to it. Just the right weight paper. I'm partial to apple green no matter what. The daisy is perfect. I like the idea that it's raised, kind of puffed. Tom's right, these are-classy bags. Did you order matching takeout bags?”
“Yes, but lighter-weight paper. Tom and I kicked it around for two days and decided to go with lettering and just a spray of daisies on the lower corner.”
“I'm glad you didn't go with those plastic bags with the holes for handles. This is quality. Did you get a good deal?” Annie asked.
“Yes, he did,” Tom said. “The raffia handles were Elmo's idea. They're secure. Two pounds of coffee can be heavy. Assuming someone buys two pounds at a time. It was cheaper to get the bigger bag as opposed to two bags for two pounds.”
“You guys did good,” Annie said fingering both the shopping bag and the coffee bag. She wished she could feel more excitement. Another time, another place, and she would have been ecstatic over these latest ornaments to her business.
“By the way, Annie, Stella and her husband are going to take to the business like ducks to water. She's learning to use a computer. Another week or so and she'll master it. That was a very wise move on your part. You might want to think of managerial positions for them at some point,” Tom said.
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