by Debbie White
Annie sat back down near Jack’s bed. “Your dad is coming to get me.” She bent over, retrieving her purse, and slipped her phone inside. “I guess he’s the only one who hasn’t tasted the juice, yet.” She smiled broadly and then reached out and slid her hand up and down his arm.
“I can’t wait to get out of this hospital bed and go home.” He dropped his head back onto the pillow.
“Soon, babe, soon.”
Annie looked up when Robert entered the hospital room. He rushed over to Jack and patted his leg. “Son, are you ok?”
“Just a little sore. I’ll be all right,” Jack answered.
“How did this happen?” Robert pulled up a chair beside the bed and sat.
“I went down to the dock to check on Lady Powell. A gust of wind knocked me right on my butt.”
“He hit his head on something and was knocked out,” Annie said, cutting in.
Robert nodded. “Well, do what the doctors tell you to do.” He stood.
Annie stood as well and leaned over the bed, kissing Jack on the forehead. “I’ll be back tomorrow to get you.” She stepped back and a slow smile quirked her face.
“Bye, babe.” His forlorn look and disappointing tone told her he wasn’t looking forward to sleeping at the hospital.
“Get some rest.” She blew him a kiss as she exited his room.
Chapter 8
“Thanks so much for picking me up, Robert.” Annie buckled her seat belt.
“No worries, glad to be of help. You sure you don’t want to come back to the house?”
Annie shook her head. “I want to go get Ashton. He’s probably confused and wondering what happened to Jack.”
Robert nodded, keeping eyes on the road. Now, the rain was coming down even heavier.
“So much for the storm passing us,” she said, peering out the window.
“Said by eight o’clock tonight, it would be moving up the coast and eventually going out to sea.”
“Those clouds look so ominous, though,” she said, stretching her neck to see them, a tone of worry in her voice.
“We aren’t out of the woods yet for tornados. That’s a real probability. Why don’t you pick up Ashton and the dogs and come back to the house?”
Annie turned her head and stared at her father-in-law. He was one of the sweetest men she’d ever met—except Jack, of course. “Okay, that sounds good,” she said, almost whispering.
Traffic came to a standstill on more than one occasion, but Robert had the patience of Job. Annie muttered a few unladylike words under her breath, but not Robert, who remained calm. He weaved in and out of cars with such ease, and never once did she hear any four-letter words from him. After a grueling ninety minutes, they pulled up to Vicky and Scott’s.
She unbuckled her seat belt. “I’ll just be a minute.” She bounded out of the car and headed to their front door.
Annie rushed to Ashton and picked him up, pecking kisses all over his face and head. “Mommy is here. I told you I’d be back.”
“How’s Jack?” Vicky asked.
“He’s doing well. Michael was the doctor on duty. Can you believe it? He said he should be good as new and discharged tomorrow. Robert, Jack’s dad, is waiting for me out in the car. We’re going to go over to their house for dinner.”
“He was a little doll. He’s so precious. I know he missed you, but he was so good,” Vicky said, stroking his little head.
“Thank you,” Annie mouthed before she leaned in and kissed her friend on the cheek.
“Yep, makes us want to have kids of our own,” Scott yelled from across the room, sitting on the overstuffed armchair with Buffy on his lap and Isla down at his feet.
Annie shook her head when she saw her lazy pooches. “I see they got comfortable pretty quickly,” she said, motioning to the dogs.
Scott chuckled. “They’re good dogs. You have a great kid and good dogs. Now, that husband of yours …” He chuckled some more.
Annie smiled. “I think you’d make great parents. And I think you should get a dog. Every child needs a pet …” she said trailing off, realizing she may have hit a delicate spot with them. Annie hoped and prayed they would succeed in adopting. Scott and Vicky could give a child everything they’d ever dreamed about, and more. “Okay, guys, thanks again. Love you both,” she said, waving to them as she made her way to the front door.
“Be careful out there. The rain is coming down in buckets,” Scott said as he approached the entryway, with Isla and Buffy following him.
“Robert is the safest driver I know, besides Jack.” She winked. Annie hightailed it out the front door, shielding little Ashton as best as she could. She opened the back seat, and the two dogs jumped in. Holding Ashton on her lap, she said, “We need to go to our house. I need to get some dry clothes, diapers, and his car seat.”
Robert pulled the car up front so Annie could stay as dry as possible.
“I’ll be as quick as I can.”
Annie grabbed the diaper bag and stuffed it with diapers, wipes, some finger foods, his sippy cup, and a bottle–just in case. She opened the drawers to his dresser and tossed a footed sleeper and another change of clothes into the bag. She sighed. “I must be forgetting something, but what?” Then it dawned on her—a phone charger. Her battery showed it was at less than twenty-five percent.
She ran out of the house and heaved herself into the front seat, breathing heavily. Grandpa held Ashton while he messed around with the steering wheel. She brushed her wet hair back with her hands. “I need to get the car seat out of my car. Can you drive around back?”
After a few minutes of struggling with the car seat, Annie finally got it out of her car and into Robert’s. Little Ashton rode in the middle with Isla and Buffy on each side. He occasionally let out a giggle, causing Annie to look back. She laughed out loud. Isla and Buffy were licking the drops of water off of him.
“Smells like wet dog in here,” Robert said, wrinkling his nose.
Robert helped by gathering the dogs and grabbing the diaper bag. Annie had Ashton. They headed inside the house. Immediately, Annie could hear music and a sudden bellow of laughter, along with chattering going on.
“This must be the place where the party is,” she said.
Robert nodded. “It’s never a dull moment around here. Throw in a hurricane, and you have to celebrate.” He held out his hand to take Annie’s jacket. She wiggled out of one arm, while she transferred Ashton to her hip, then she positioned him to the other side so she could get the other arm out.
“Annie,” Mary sang as she wrapped her arms around her and kissed Ashton.
“Mary,” Annie said with a little wariness in her voice.
“Come join the party. We have food, drink—”
“I hear. It sounds like it’s a great one. Too bad Jack isn’t here,” she said, cutting her off in a lofty tone.
Mary stepped back and eyed her sister. “We’re all sorry that Jack got hurt. This party is not about celebrating him not being here. Take a chill pill, Sis.”
Annie softened her features. A tear welled up. “I know, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bitten off your face like that. It’s been a trying few hours.” She pulled Mary back into her embrace. “I think I could use a stiff drink to mellow out.”
“Grandmother and Auntie are having a great time. They love Jack’s grandparents.”
Annie nodded. “Have you heard any news about the downtown area? I was wondering about the bakery.”
“Annie,” Milly shouted, rushing to her side and taking Ashton out of her arms, interrupting the sisters’ conversation. “My little Ashton,” she said, nuzzling his neck and blowing raspberries.
Mary stepped around Milly and placed her arm on Annie’s shoulder. “Just some flooding, but I think it’s minimal. We should be able to go check things out tomorrow. Milly is setting us all up here for the night. You’re staying the night, too, right?”
Annie nodded. “Yes, I guess so. I promised to pick up Jack tomorro
w. I guess I’ll figure out all the logistics tomorrow. But right now, someone fix me a margarita. And make it a large one!”
Annie grew tired of repeating the story about how she found Jack at the bottom of the hill, lifeless and bleeding. She’d just as soon forget about it. Ashton began to act fussy, so after feeding him and giving him a warm bath, Annie set him up in the portable crib that had belonged to Jack and his sister way back when, in Jack’s old bedroom, which was now turned into a guest room. She bid the group good night, and then taking a nice long shower, she slipped into one of Jack’s tee shirts she found in his old dresser and climbed into bed. The two large margaritas rimmed with salt relaxed her, and soon her eyes grew heavy with sleep, sweeping her away into dreamland.
She woke to a little someone screeching at the top of his lungs. She rubbed the sleep out of her eyes and focused on Ashton, who held on to the side of the crib, bouncing up and down, drooling all over the side, and laughing.
“Okay, little guy, give me a moment to clear my head.” Annie stretched and yawned and then rolled her head to the side to see the time on the clock radio that was on the side table. She pushed off the covers, and placing one foot on the floor and then the other, she made her way over to Ashton. She reached in and pulled him into her arms. She kissed his forehead. “Ready to eat breakfast?” He cooed in her arms in response.
Annie searched the closet for something to put on over her skimpy tee shirt. She found an oversize sweatshirt from Jack’s football days and a pair of even baggier sweatpants. A quick look in the mirror attached to the door caused her to scowl. “Yikes, I’m a sight for sore eyes.” She brushed her ratty hair down, and the two exited the bedroom, making their way to the kitchen.
As she approached the alcove into the kitchen area, she could hear Grandmother, Auntie, and Milly talking.
“Good morning, everyone,” she said cheerfully, making eye contact with each of them.
“Good morning, dear,” Patty said.
“How’d you sleep?” Milly asked.
Annie pulled a coffee cup off of the cup tree and poured herself a cup of coffee. With Ashton on her hip, she pulled the refrigerator door open and searched for cream and something to give him for breakfast.
“I slept well. Ashton is hungry,” she peered over the top of the refrigerator door and made eye contact with Milly.
“How about some scrambled eggs?” Milly rose from her chair and crossed over to where Annie stood.
“I can make them. That sounds good.” Annie dropped her head back inside and grabbed the carton of eggs.
“Here, let me hold him, then,” Milly said, opening her arms to accept Ashton.
Annie passed him over to his grandma and proceeded to make bacon, eggs, and cheese grits. The smell of the sizzling bacon soon had everyone up.
The lively conversation around the table brought a small secret smile to Annie’s face. Being part of this large family brought such joy, to not only her, but to Grandmother and Auntie.
Annie pulled the cup close to her lips, about to draw a sip of coffee, when the house phone rang. Robert answered it with a deep, “Hello.” Annie watched as Robert carried on a conversation with the party on the line. He then motioned for her to get the phone. “It’s Jack. He’s chomping at the bit to come home,” he said, laughing in exhilaration as he handed her the phone.
“Jack! Are you ready to come home, dear?”
“Yes, I’ve been calling your cell.”
“I’m sorry. We’re just finishing up breakfast here. Has Michael made it in to see you already?”
“Yes, and I’m cleared to resume my duties as your loving husband.”
Annie sniggered. “Okay, then let me get dressed, and we’ll come get you.”
“We’ll?”
“I had your dad bring us over, so I don’t have the car. I’ll get your dad to bring me to the hospital.”
“Okay, see you in a bit.”
Annie hung up the phone and then turned around. All eyes and ears were on her. She smiled and then brushed her hair back onto her shoulders. “That was Jack. He’s ready to come home …” she sputtered, feeling a bit embarrassed with all the attention on her right then.
Robert stood. “Okay, let’s go get him.”
“I need to get dressed first. If you all could finish feeding Ashton, I’ll run up to the room to change and get our things.” She bolted out of the room and took two stairs at a time. She pushed open the bedroom door and quickly changed.
“Now, take it easy, Jack,” Robert said, helping him into the car.
“I’m good, Dad, really,” Jack said.
Robert shook his head. “Boy, you’re so hardheaded. You must have gotten that from your mother’s side.”
Jack shot his dad a puzzled look and then broke out into a sudden and happy laugh.
Robert helped them inside, and after he left, they put Ashton in his playpen to play.
“It’s so good to be home,” Jack said, pulling Annie in for a kiss. His lips brushed against hers lightly, sending chills up her spine and the hairs on her arms to stand. He’d only been away from her for a day, but it felt like more. She kissed him back, barely gazing at his lips. After a few moments, she applied feather light pressure to let him know she enjoyed it, and didn’t want him to stop. He pulled her into his embrace tighter now, brushing his hands through her hair and rubbing her arms in an up and down motion. He held her back for a moment, gazing hard into her eyes. He dropped his voice to a whisper. “I love you, Annie.”
“I love you, too.” She moved closer, their lips once more touching. The mere presence of him caused her stomach to clench tight.
“I’ll always love you, no matter what. I hope you know that.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead.
“In sickness and health, that’s what our vows said. I will honor them until the day I die.” She gazed lovingly into his eyes.
He brushed back the strand of hair that fell across her eye and then cupped her head with his hands. He leaned in and then hesitated briefly. She inched closer toward him, taking in his sweetness. They moved in at the same time, their lips touching. She let out a soft moan when he pressed her mouth open. She accepted his hunger as she weaved her hands through his hair, holding on to him like the anchor he was to her.
Chapter 9
The hurricane spared Charleston, and except for several inches of rain, which caused some minor flooding, the city bounced back fairly quickly. The bakery, as well as several businesses along the downtown area, had lost power, which resulted in the necessity to toss out a few perishable items, but overall, Sweet Indulgence came out of the storm unscathed.
Sweet Magnolia, the Powell residence, not so much. The cleanup took several days and consisted of many downed tree limbs and some debris which had blown in from outer areas. Jack even found a fender to some car, from who knows where, stuck up high in a tree branch. Both Annie and Jack were surprised, but very happy that the magnolia where they had taken their vows still stood stately and strong. Not one single limb had come down during that storm. Unfortunately, Lady Powell suffered quite a bit of damage.
“Oh, Jack, I’m so sorry,” Annie said, nodding toward Lady Powell, whose bottom half had sunk due to a hole the size of a watermelon found on her stern.
Jack brushed his hand through his hair. “This is going to cost big bucks to fix.”
“Is it fixable?”
“I think so, but who knows? The boat shop will be able to tell us.”
“Don’t worry, Jack. If she can’t be repaired and made seaworthy, we’ll buy a new boat. Our insurance should cover that.”
“Oh, yeah, it will. It’s just that this boat has so many memories …”
Annie wrapped her arms around his waist. “I know.” She nuzzled his neck, recalling their steamy kisses and much more on that boat.
“I’ve taken this boat clear down the intercoastal waterway to Myrtle Beach and beyond.”
Annie nodded. “And we’ve had some great times in t
his boat,” she said, urging him to remember along with her.
“And fishing trips—Richard and my dad … well, we’ve been fishing from one end of this bay to the other.”
“I know, Lady Powell means the world to you. Remember when we took Grandmother and Auntie on their first trip?”
“And during some of my deepest sorrows, this boat has brought me many hours of joy and happiness.”
“Okay, I get it, Lady Powell has been there for you when no one else has, but she’s pretty special to me, too,” Annie said, clearly irritated with Jack.
Jack raised a brow and stared hard at Annie. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say someone was jealous of my relationship with her,” he said, nodding toward the boat.
Annie sputtered a word or two before she got going. “No … not … at … all. It’s just that for a second, I felt like I was attending some wake or funeral. She is a boat.”
Jack overexaggerated a gasp and his hand flew to his mouth. “Just a boat?” He let out a loud roar of laughter and then pulled her in close for a hug.
“Jack Powell, you’re messing with me.”
“You’re darn right I am. And if you’re going to make it so easy to fall into my trap, I’ll do it every time.” He kissed her forehead, then held her back and stared into her eyes. “You know I love you and Ashton more than Lady Powell, don’t you?”
Annie let her gaze fall. “Yes,” she whispered.
“Okay, then, let’s go back to the house. I have a few calls to make so we can decide the fate of the old girl. Maybe it’s time to get a new boat and make all new memories,” he said, leading the way back toward the house on the hill, Sweet Magnolia.
The huge towboat came and fetched Lady Powell out of the water. Annie stayed on the porch with Ashton and the dogs. Jack slowly made his way to the house, his head hanging low. Annie gulped the lump down in her throat, her pulse rising a bit in anticipation of what she’d say to him.
