Charleston Harbor Novels: Books 1 - 3

by Debbie White

  “I love the paint color; it’s so …”Jack stopped without finishing his sentence.

  “Boyish?” Annie suggested, finishing his sentence.

  The room had been painted blue. Keeping with the jungle theme they’d chosen, there was also a large mural on one wall depicting a tree and animals that seemed to come to life, matching his comforter and bumper pad in the crib. Jack carefully lifted Ashton out of the carrier and gently lay him into the new cradle.

  Annie got a kick out of how controlled and perceptive Jack became in the mission of lifting Ashton out of the carrier. His tongue slipped out of his mouth as he concentrated on his every move. He even grunted a little as he lifted the little guy out.

  “He won’t break, Jack,” Annie said as she watched this very robot-like behavior from Jack.

  Except for one sudden moment when Ashton’s hands flew up to the face, he fell back asleep, and Jack and Annie quietly tiptoed out of the room.

  “I thought we weren’t going to tiptoe,” Jack whispered.

  Annie shrugged her shoulders and poked out her bottom lip. “I changed my mind.”

  Jack put his arm around her and pulled her close. “And anytime my baby wants to change her mind, that’s okay with me.” He nuzzled her ear with his mouth.

  “Okay, where’s my phone? I’m calling Grandmother!”

  Like most new parents, Jack and Annie had many sleepless nights. Going on as little as three hours of sleep, Annie found the comfy rocking chair in Ashton’s nursery a suitable replacement for her bed. Not really, but when you were holding a bundle of joy like Ashton, all reasonable expectations flew out the window.

  Jack poked his head inside Ashton’s room. “Good morning,” he said, his eyes immediately moving to Ashton.

  “Good morning. Another rough night,” she said as she rocked him.

  “He was doing so well, too,” Jack said, stepping inside the space and crossing toward them both.

  “I know. He’s drinking more ounces. I do believe he’s having a growth spurt.”

  Jack nodded. “He’s our growing boy.” He slid his hand up and down the baby’s torso.

  “Can you hold him? I have to go to the bathroom,” she said, standing up and handing over Ashton.

  Jack began to rock him in his arms while Annie dashed to the bathroom. While Annie finished up, she could hear Jack singing to Ashton. She turned the water off, straining her ears so she could hear clearer. A wide smile crossed her face as she listened to some made-up song Jack sang and his substituted hums when he couldn’t think of a word quickly enough.

  Annie back stepped into the room and held out her arms. “Okay, thanks. I can take over now.”

  “No, why don’t you go get a cup of coffee, a glass of juice, take a shower, or do something for yourself? I have this,” he said, repositioning Ashton in his arms.

  “You don’t have to ask me twice,” she said, leaning over and kissing Ashton on the cheek then turning her warm kisses to Jack. “Love you both,” she said, moving backward.

  Annie quickly made her way to the kitchen, where she made herself a cup of coffee. It’d been the first time in a while since she’d enjoyed a hot cup of coffee without either a big belly or holding a baby. She limited how much caffeine she drank, anyway, due to the breastfeeding. She didn’t realize how much she missed the taste of a good cup of coffee.

  After her coffee, she took a fifteen-minute shower. She must have let the water run over her face and down her body a good five minutes. She washed her hair not just once, but twice, and she even let the cream rinse stay on a little longer. She took her time combing out her hair, and then she put on a pair of real pants and a shirt, not just a clean nightgown and housecoat. She even spritzed on some cologne and dabbed a little lipstick on. She actually felt human for the first time in about three weeks.

  She peered into Ashton’s room. Jack had rocked the baby to sleep in the wooden chair, and apparently, had rocked himself right to sleep as well. A soft but steady snore escaped his lips. She quietly walked over and leaned down, tapping him once before taking Ashton out of his arms.

  His eyes immediately opened. “Huh, what?” he said a bit confused.

  “It’s just me. Thanks for looking out for him. I feel like a new person,” she said, taking the baby and placing him in his cradle. “Come on,” she said, reaching her hand out to Jack.

  Jack rose from the chair and held her hand. Annie squeezed his hand as they crept out of the room. Once out in the hallway, Annie let go of his hand and hugged him.

  “What’s that for?”

  “I love you so much. We’re going to get through this. One more week and he’ll be a month old. I think it’ll be the turning point for us.”

  “Let’s take advantage of him sleeping. I have something I want to show you.”

  Annie took a few steps away from the room and then stopped.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “I don’t really know. I feel a bit of anxiety,” Annie said, knitting her brows together.

  “You’ve been spending way too much time in there and with him. You have to let me help more.”

  Annie nodded. “I know, but it’s just so hard to give up my motherhood right now.”

  “You’re not giving up your motherhood, Annie. You’d never give that up. You’re letting me … hello … the daddy, help more.” Jack lowered his head so he could focus on her eyes.

  “Okay, I’ll try. What is it you that you wanted to show me?”

  Jack showed her the diagram for the layout for his new shop. His dad had given him one of the garages they owned. It was in a perfect location, was gated for security, and the best part, there would be no rent to pay—a deal too good to pass up.

  Annie tried to focus on the schematic, but her mind kept floating to the nursery.

  “Did you hear that?” she said suddenly.

  Jack cocked his head to listen. “No, what did you hear?”

  “I thought I heard Ashton cry.”

  “Annie, if he cried, we’d hear him. The nursery is just down the hall.”

  They’d made a conscious decision to use the extra room down the hall on the first floor as the nursery. Neither of them was ready to move Ashton to one of the kid rooms located upstairs. “He’s so little. I want him closer to us,” she recalled saying.

  Jack sighed. “I think you need to talk to someone, Annie. I don’t know if this is normal. You can’t even walk away a little from his room without panicking.”

  Annie averted her eyes from him, and instead, looked at the table and began to fiddle with the corner of his diagram. “I’ll be all right. Just give me a little more time. He’s so little and precious. I can’t bear to be too far from him.”

  Jack pulled her into his arms and hugged her tightly. Annie could feel his concern through his touch. Tears began to form. She quickly swept them away, staring off into space.

  Milly had agreed to watch Ashton. She’d taken care of Crystal, Richard and Diane’s little girl, until she’d started pre-kindergarten, and she still provided after school care for her. Annie’s only concern now was if Milly could handle taking care of a baby, since it had been a while.

  “Now, everything you need is in the diaper bag,” Annie said, pulling things out one by one.

  “Yes, dear, we’ve been over this a few times. And I have your cell number programmed as well as 9-1-1.”

  “I’m sorry, Milly. It’s just my first day back to work, and I’m feeling a bit …”

  Milly wrapped her arms around Annie. “I get it. You’re feeling a bit blue. But think about all the moms who have to take their children to strangers. Little Ashton gets to stay with Nana,” she said, gazing over at Ashton.

  Ashton kicked a few times, causing the toys attached to his carrier to move and make noise. Then he kicked some more after he realized he was the one making the movement. A small giggle escaped his mouth.

  “Look, he’s smiling. He’s happy about being here with Nana.” Milly reached dow
n and tugged at his foot.

  “Okay, I’m leaving now,” Annie said, leaning down to kiss Ashton on the cheek.

  “Have a great day,” Milly said, walking her to the front door.

  “I’ll try. I’m only working until two o’clock. I should be here by two thirty.”

  “If you have any errands to run, do them. We’ll be right here waiting for you,” Milly said, reaching down and lifting Ashton out of his carrier.

  Annie tipped her head. “Bye,” she said, waving goodbye.

  Annie got in her car and drove to the bakery. Her thoughts kept flipping back to Milly and all the things she’d packed in the diaper bag. “Diapers, check. Bottles, check. Pacifier, check. Extra clothes, check.” Annie sighed. She pulled into the parking lot and soon entered her shop. She flipped on the lights and began heating up the ovens, gathering supplies, and filling the register with funds from the safe. Before long, she was joined by Betsy.

  “Annie!” Betsy hugged her strongly and then stepped back. “It’s so good to see you.” A smile crossed her face.

  “It’s good to be back … I think,” Annie said quietly.

  “He’s in great hands, Annie. Listen, why don’t you help me in the kitchen?” Betsy took off around the counter, tossing her purse behind the cabinet door and grabbing her apron off the hook. Annie followed her.

  Betsy picked up the clipboard and flipped the pages. “Today, we’re making holiday cupcakes. Can you believe it’s October already?” Betsy crossed over to the large metal shelves and began pulling bags of sugar, flour, and other ingredients.

  Annie watched on. “Jack’s birthday is at the end of this month,” Annie said, shaking her head.

  “Are you going to throw him a party?”

  “I don’t know, I really haven’t had a chance to think about it,” Annie said, lifting the mixer heads and popping in the beaters.

  “It’s my favorite time of the year. Fall.” Betsy smiled.

  “Mine, too. Well, I also love spring. And I love summer, but only when we’re in Lady Powell, or visiting the beach.”

  “Or sitting under that gorgeous magnolia tree,” Betsy said, nodding.

  “Yes, that, too.” Annie walked around the counter and gazed at the recipes Betsy would be preparing. “Pumpkin Swirl, one of the customers’ favorites.”

  “Everything pumpkin,” they both said at the same time, and then laughed loudly.

  “You know, I think I will have a little party for Jack. He’s been working so hard, and he’s been such a help with Ashton. He deserves recognition on his special day.”

  “There you go. I can make a cake,” Betsy said, looking up.

  “I haven’t planned a real party since …”Annie said, trailing off.

  “Your housewarming, September last year.”

  “He loves Halloween parties, and since his birthday is on the thirty-first, why not?”

  “Sounds great. He’ll love it. And Halloween is on a Saturday this year, so it’s a perfect time for a party.”

  Annie began to dump the flour and sugar mixture in the large stainless steel bowls. “By the way, how are Grandmother and Auntie? I’ve meant to visit, but I’ve been so exhausted.”

  “They’re doing okay, but since Mary moved out, I see them becoming a bit more reclusive, a bit down in the dumps.”

  “Really? Do you think it’s time for them to move to the cottage?”

  “Well …” Betsy stopped and locked eyes with Annie. “Charles and I had an idea. We wanted to discuss it with you, but since you brought them up …”

  Annie rocked back on her heels. “Okay, go ahead.”

  “What do you think about Charles and me moving in with them?”

  Chapter 2

  Annie had to hand it to Betsy and Charles. They’d come up with a better solution than any of them had. Grandmother and Auntie had grown to love them and enjoyed their company. Betsy and Charles both had experience in caring for the elderly, and the patience of a saint, to boot. If Grandmother and Auntie were on board with this idea, then Mary and Annie both agreed they’d give them their blessings.

  Annie made arrangements to meet Mary over at Grandmother and Auntie’s house. Charles and Betsy would already be there. While Annie waited for Mary, she sat in her car and pulled up pictures of Ashton on her phone. She hated to admit her lack of knowledge when it came to anything electronic. But when your camera is part of your phone, you didn’t have to be a pro. She touched his round cheeks with her fingers and smiled. Just then, Mary pulled up behind her. Annie put her phone away and stepped out of the vehicle.

  She pulled her lightweight coat together and lifted the collar. She crossed her arms and hugged them. “Brr, it’s getting cold,” she said.

  “I think we may get hit with an early winter,” Mary said, walking over to her.

  “Ready?” Annie said, nodding toward the house.

  “Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, taking the first step.

  “Well, dears, it’s so nice of you two to visit. Tea?” Lilly said with a raised brow.

  Annie nodded and then turned to Mary and smiled. She turned her attention back to Grandmother. “Yes, that would be nice.”

  Lilly followed Betsy into the kitchen, where they could hear them chatter away while they prepared the tea. Annie and Mary sat down on the couch and smiled at Charles. “Grandmother seems like she’s in a great mood. This might go over better than I thought. Where’s Auntie?”

  “She’ll be out soon. She is changing her blouse. She spilled something on it.”

  Annie tipped her head. She knew all too well that both her grandmother and auntie always dressed appropriately, and most of the time overdressed. Annie sniggered. “They’re too funny. We’re family. No need to dress up.”

  “Well, you know your grandmother and auntie,” Charles said with a twinkle in his eyes.

  Mary crossed her legs and began to pump her foot. Finally, Annie placed her hand on Mary’s knee to get her to stop. Mary then uncrossed her legs at the knees and crossed them at the ankles. Soon her foot began twitching back and forth. Annie sighed.

  “Let me see if I can help them.” Annie rose from the coach and made her way to the kitchen. Just then, the ladies came out holding trays with cups, a small ceramic pot, and a plate of butter cookies. Annie reached for the one Grandmother held. “Let me help you.”

  Annie walked behind the two ladies, and soon Auntie joined them with a freshly laundered blouse.

  “Hello, Mary. Hello, Annie,” she said in her bubbly voice.

  “Good day, Auntie,” Mary said.

  Annie smiled at her. “It’s nice to see you. I have pictures of Ashton to share,” she said, retrieving her phone to show them. They took a few minutes to look at the pictures and then Annie sat back down next to Mary.

  Charles cleared his throat. “Are you and Danny all settled into your new place, Mary?”

  “Yes, we’re very comfy.”

  “And you and Jack are working things out being new parents?” he asked, changing his focus from Mary to Annie.

  Annie nodded. “Yes, it took us a little while, but I do believe we now have a routine. And we’re so blessed to have Jack’s mother, Milly, watching him so I can go back to work.”

  “She’s a doll for helping,” Auntie said, bringing the teacup to her lips She quickly reached for a napkin to catch the dribble making its way down her chin. She let out a small giggle.

  “How would you like to have Charles and Betsy be your roommates?” Mary said, blurting out the plan without so much of a hint it was coming.

  “Well, what I think Mary is asking,” Annie began, cutting a look toward Mary, “is if you’d like to have their company all the time. Now that Mary has moved out, you have an extra room.” Annie twisted her neck, and then hid her mouth with the palm of her hand so no one could see as she stuck her tongue out at her sister.

  Lilly snorted, and Patty breathed out the breath she’d apparently been holding and gasped. “Share a room … h
ere?”

  Annie’s eyes widened when she realized what they were getting at. Charles and Betsy were not married. They didn’t care what folks did outside of their house, but there was no way in heaven or earth they’d let that go on under their roof. “Oh, that’s right. That might present a problem.” She looked over at Charles and then Betsy for help.

  “Problem solved, Lilly. We’d never think of disrespecting you or your rules. In fact, we’re a bit old-school, too.” Charles reached over and picked up Betsy’s hand and showed them the thin gold band on her finger. “We got married yesterday.”

  Annie’s jaw dropped, Mary gasped, and more loud sighs came from Lilly and Patty.

  “Congratulations, you two!” Annie leaped from the couch and ran to them, hugging them both. “This is great news,” she said, looking over her shoulder at Mary.

  Mary nodded. “Yes it is, isn’t it Grandmother and Auntie?”

  “Well, I wish you had let us in on the little secret. We would have loved to do something special for you.” Lilly lifted her chin and grunted.

  “We’ve both been married before, so a simple ceremony was all that we wanted,” Betsy said, squeezing Charles’s hand.

  “But no decision has to be made today. Think it over,” Charles said, speaking up.

  “That’s right. We’re just tossing the idea out there. With Mary living across town, and me and Jack out on the island, we’d feel better about them living here. But it’s up to you, the decision is yours and yours alone to make.” Annie wondered if the reverse psychology was working.

  As they all took in Charles and Betsy’s exciting news, they finished sipping their tea and enjoying the cookies. They talked about family stuff, Jack’s new business adventure, and of course, Ashton. After about ninety minutes, the visit came to an end. Grandmother, Auntie, Charles, and Betsy walked Mary and Annie to the front door.

  “Does this mean that Betsy won’t be working at the bakery anymore?” Patty asked.

  Annie stopped in her tracks and whirled around. “Betsy, I’ll let you answer that.”