by Debbie White
“Why so many pairs of shoes?” Annie asked.
“Grandmother couldn’t decide between the flats, the heels, or the moccasin-style shoes,” Mary said, stepping into her wedding dress.
Annie crossed over to her and helped by zipping the back. “Okay, but couldn’t y’all put some stuff away? This is a serious tripping hazard.”
“Tripping hazard?” Grandmother blurted. “This isn’t a daycare, I resent that,” she said, tsk-tsking in disapproval.
“I didn’t mean anything derogatory by that, Grandmother. Anyone can trip over items. And we don’t need any broken hips.”
Annie turned back toward Mary. “Listen, I know we were going with the blue garter and Mom’s pearls for something borrowed.” Annie held up the string of pearls. “But, I was wondering if you’d like to wear my sapphire necklace and earrings instead, and they could be both your something blue and something borrowed. Jack and I would love for you to wear them.”
“Oh, Annie, that would be awesome,” Mary said, stepping toward her with open arms.
Annie hugged her, while holding the jewelry in her hands. She chuckled a bit and then stepped back. “Turn around and I’ll put the necklace on.”
“You look stunning, Mary,” Auntie Patty said.
“All right, let me give everyone a quick check and then we have to be going,” Annie said, working her eyes from Grandmother to Auntie and then finally back to Mary. She straightened the collar on Grandmother’s blouse, clipped a couple of stray hairs that had come down from Patty’s chignon, and then grabbing the box with Mary’s veil, she scooted everyone out the door.
Mary paced the little room the size of an oversize utility closet, which also served as her waiting room. Located in the front of the church, it meant they’d have to exit the room via a side door, and walk around to the entrance when the time came. Crystal and Ashton were given last-minute instructions. Everyone loved kids in weddings, so no matter how bad things went, it wouldn’t ruin the day.
“Mary, calm down. Everything will be all right,” Annie said in a low and soft tone.
“Is he here yet?”
Annie opened the door a crack and peered into the church. Her eyes landed on Grandmother, then Patty. Then her eyes traveled to another section where she found Rebecca, Michael, Vicky, and Scott. No Danny. “The guests are trickling in,” Annie said, keeping alarm out of her voice.
“Danny? Do you see Danny? How about his parents?”
Annie’s breath caught then she swallowed. She opened the door, once again, and peered out. More guests were arriving each minute, each second. Her eyes grew big when she saw Milly, Robert, Preston, and Susan walk in … with Danny! “Yes, Danny is here. So are his parents and Jack’s.”
Mary began to tremble and a tear escaped her lid.
“Aw, Mary, don’t cry. This is the day you’ve been waiting for. I’m so happy for you and Danny.”
“I wish Mom and Dad were here. But, we’ve been through all this before. The only thing we’re missing is Grandmother and Auntie back here.”
Annie looked around the small space. “Fortunately there is no room. We don’t need any drama today.” Her hand covered her mouth as she tried to suppress a giggle.
The girls’ ears perked up when the music began to play. “That’s the be-ready-in-five-minutes music,” Mary stammered.
Annie reached down and grabbed Ashton’s and Crystal’s hands and they exited the small room.
As the two women made their way, Annie briefly thought about how she played an important role in Mary’s wedding. It wasn’t every day that a big sister had the privilege of giving away her little sister. They stopped just before getting to the door.
Annie retrieved the little wagon decorated in white lace and hot glued flowers that Jack had set outside for them, and sat Ashton inside. She handed him the little wooden box holding the rings. She gave Crystal the bag of rose petals and gave her a quick rundown of her job. The little girl nodded that she understood.
“I love the wreath we made,” Mary said, nodding toward their creation of miniature silk flowers in an array of colors from burnt orange to yellow with a splash of green, all tied up with a beautiful satiny bow.
“I do, too.” Annie stepped toward the door and placed her ear against it. “It’s playing. The wedding march is playing.” She skipped over to Mary and quickly lowered her veil. “Ready?” Her eyes twinkled as she handed her the bouquet of burnt orange colored roses with baby’s breath and feathery ferns, all tied up with a dark green satiny ribbon.
Mary nodded.
Annie pulled open the door and motioned for Crystal to pick up the wagon handle and enter the church. The creaking sounds of bodies turning on old wooden benches and shoes making scrapping sounds, along with oohs and ahhs, did nothing to curtail their nerves. However, the two women made their way down the aisle, nodding and smiling as they followed the rose petals to the front where both the minister and Danny waited. Both of them had beads of sweat forming on their brows.
“Danny is sweating,” Mary said through gritted teeth.
“It’s a little warm in here,” Annie whispered back.
Annie passed Mary off to Danny, and then stood to the side.
Mary reached up and dabbed Danny’s brow with the hankie Grandmother had given her. He winked at her and a few sweet sounds came from the pews. Everyone loved Mary’s gesture.
Mary and Danny had written their own vows, so after each of them spoke from memory, the preacher finished by blessing the union and then announced them as husband and wife.
And … when it came time to retrieve the rings … Ashton hadn’t flung them out of the wagon like a ball. He actually handed them very nicely, and very much like a big boy to Uncle Danny. Jack and Annie were so proud.
Annie knew Mary and Danny were holding back something they’d been working on. No matter how much she’d tried to knock it out of Mary, she wouldn’t budge. “It’s a surprise,” she’d repeat over and over. So when it came time to make the toast to the newlyweds and they’d disappeared from the reception, Annie got a bit worried. Then the music started and everyone looked up when the two came dancing through the door to a song they found special. They tapped their guests on the shoulders as they passed them to join in the dance, and soon, the entire room danced to the catchy tune. It couldn’t have come off any better had each guest rehearsed it with them. The energy of the room, the spirit of the melody, and the nuance of the words sung, only intensified the moment and it would go down in the McPherson girls’ history as one of the most entertaining receptions ever.
Annie tapped her water glass to get everyone’s attention after the group dance. “I don’t know how I’ll top that, but I do want to say a few words to Mary and Danny.”
The group clapped.
“Mary,” she said, locking her gaze onto hers. “You know you are very special to me. You’re more than a sister, you’re my friend. I love you and I’m so happy for you.”
Then she turned to Danny. “And, Danny, you better take good care of her, or you’ll have to deal with the big mean sister side of me, and I don’t think you want that.” She snickered and then winked at him.
Danny tilted his chin up and down and raised his glass. He mouthed he’d do just that.
“Seriously, though, I love you both, and, Danny, welcome to the family!”
The guests erupted in cheers and clapped. Then the DJ turned up the tunes again, and everyone soon began dancing.
A slow song played and Jack grabbed Annie’s hands and pulled her willingly to the dance floor. He leaned in deep and pulled her close. “I told you it would be all right.”
Annie tilted her head back, and lowering her lids, she pulled in her bottom lip. A sigh escaped her lips. “You’re always right, Jack. Didn’t you know that?” With half-closed lids she moved in for his kiss.
“Wait.” He stopped her. “Did you say I’m always right?”
Annie stopped swaying her hips when a humph sound escaped
her lips. “Right or wrong, it’s my job to make you think you’re always right.”
“Okay, I can live with that.” He grabbed her hands and pulled her back in. “As long as you don’t lie about anything else, we’re good.” He stood his ground, searching her face for approval.
“I’d never lie to you, Jack. I just don’t ever want to fight with you.”
“Fight? No, but disagree, always.” Jack dropped a kiss on her mouth.
“Why disagree?” Annie knitted her brows.
“Because, me man, you woman. That’s the way it is.” He let out a low belly laugh.
“Jack Powell,” Annie said, shaking her head at him. Then she pulled him in and they swayed to the music as she rested her head on his shoulder, drinking in his scent that drove her absolutely wild.
Chapter 19
Annie moved on to the next big thing in her life, after all the fanfare of Mary and Danny’s wedding blew over—the holidays. And they were coming at her full speed ahead. First came Jack’s birthday. They always celebrated it, usually with some sort of party at their house. He loved to make big bonfires and have everyone sit around and tell ghost stories, and since his birthday was on Halloween, it felt like a normal thing to do.
She hadn’t really discussed it with him yet, but she thought she’d invite Danny and Mary, Vicky and Scott, and now that they’d reconnected, maybe she would throw out an invite to the pinky sisters as they were now affectionately known. And of course, Grandmother and Auntie; she would work them in to the party, and they could just stay until they got tired. That was the advantage to having them live on property.
She’d been feeling a bit tired, but who wouldn’t with all that she had going on. She’d just submitted a huge order for supplies via the internet for the bakery. Boy, Mary will be happy about me doing more online. Annie hit the submit key and leaned back. Her eyes went to the front door when she heard the commotion.
“We just had the best time,” Jack said, bringing in the cool autumn air as he shut the door. Ashton giggled and then ran to his mom, hugging her legs.
“Mommy,” Ashton cried, burying his face in her lap.
“Did you have a good time with Daddy?” She patted his back.
Ashton pulled up his head and grinned.
“Hey, I was just thinking about your birthday. What do you think about a simple cookout with a few friends, nothing too big?” Annie raised her brows and waited for Jack’s reply.
“We don’t have to do anything this year. We’ve had a few already this year and we’ve attended a few. Let’s just go out to dinner, you and me.” He sat down next to her.
Annie tilted her head and studied his face. “Seriously? No party? But it’s Halloween.”
“I know, but let’s do something different. We can ask Mary and Danny to babysit. Let’s take the boat and go to the restaurant we went to when we were dating. It’s been ages since we’ve been there, and we really haven’t broken in the new Lady Powell enough.”
Annie’s mind drifted to the old Lady Powell and how Jack loved his boat so much. They’d had a lot of good times riding the waterways. When the hurricane ripped a hole the size of a watermelon in her, Jack had to turn her into scrap metal, and now a beautiful new boat docked in her place. Lady Powell, the second.
“The weather is supposed to change from cold to balmy. I think a boat ride on the moonlit water would be delightful. I’ll call Mary right now.”
Annie wore a pair of her darkest jeans and a sleeveless blouse under a thick cable stitched sweater. She wrapped a chiffon scarf around her hair and neck, and boarded the boat. Jack had on his newest pair of jeans and a baby blue polo shirt and a lightweight windbreaker. The forecast had been correct, and it would be a very enjoyable evening for a boat ride.
Jack motored into the berth and cut the engine, while Annie held the steering wheel. He hopped out onto the dock and tied Lady Powell up. Annie turned off the idling motor and then gathered her things. Jacked extended his hand to help her out. She squeezed it slightly as she pulled herself up onto the dock. She untied the scarf from her head and moved it to her neck, tying it off in a nice fancy knot. She laced her arm in his and they walked the several feet down the dock and up the ramp that led them to the restaurant.
Once inside, the hostess seated them by the window. While they looked over the menu, they asked for a bottle of wine to be brought to them. Annie leaned over the menu and whispered, “It’s been ages since we’ve been on a date. I feel naughty almost.”
Jack closed the menu. “Keep the thought close by.” He started to say something else, but the server brought their bottle of wine. She pulled the foil wrapper off with a fancy wine tool, then popped the cork. She poured a small amount into a glass and handed it to Jack. Jack drew in a whiff through his nostrils, then twirled the glass and drew in a second smell, really drawing in the sweet bouquet, and then he tasted it. “This is very good,” he said, holding his glass out for more.
The server filled both of their glasses and then took their order.
After they ate dinner, they took their half-finished bottle of wine and headed down to the boat. But not before Jack drew Annie into his arms and kissed her so passionately she folded like a blanket in his arms. She pulled her hands up his back and raked her nails lightly, but enough to bring him to moan softly in her ear. She then pushed her hands up toward his neck and then into his hair as she deepened the kiss. Gasping they pulled apart.
“Wow, that was some kiss,” Jack said, brushing his hand through his hair.
“It must be the wine,” Annie said, breathing heavily.
“It’s the wine, it’s the date, it’s us,” he said, pulling her in for one last kiss.
Jack and Annie entered the house, holding hands to find Danny and Mary snuggled on the couch, watching the home decorating channel.
“How was dinner?” Mary said, moving out of Danny’s embrace.
“It was sooo good,” Annie purred.
“How was the boat ride?” Danny asked.
“It was sooo good,” Jack said, looking over at Annie and smiling.
“How was Ashton?” Annie said, trying to break away from Jack’s spellbinding gaze.
“He was sooo good,” Mary said, emphasizing the word like they had.
Annie and Jack belted out a laugh. “We’re sorry. It’s just been such a long time since we’ve been alone, out on a date. We really should try to do it more often. It really helps with the marriage connection,” Jack said, blushing.
Danny and Mary rose from the couch. “Anytime,” Danny said.
“Oh, by the way, Grandmother called five times tonight.” Mary said, reaching for her sweater hanging on the back of a chair.
“Is everything all right? I stopped in there before we left for dinner,” Annie said with a puzzled look on her face.
“Yes, everything is okay. They were feeling a bit lonely, so I went over there and curled their hair, and gave them each a manicure.”
“Ashton and I hung out here with Isla and Buffy,” Danny said, wrapping his arm around Mary.
Mary cuddled against his chest. “Yeah, he’s trying to see how this daddy thing works. You know, in case we want to give it a try.”
Annie’s eyes widened. “Well, I’d love to be an auntie, so anytime.”
“Just promise me you won’t be like our Auntie,” Mary said, crossing toward the front door.
“Well, Auntie isn’t so bad, it’s Grandmother,” Annie said.
“I love your grandmother,” Danny said, sticking out his chest. “She’s a hoot.”
“She is that,” Mary said, laughing.
The four walked out onto the front porch. Jack wrapped his arm around Annie and the two watched as Mary and Danny made their way toward their car. “You kids, drive safe. The roads are dark out here in the country,” Jack called.
Annie waved. “Call me tomorrow, Mary.”
They watched them drive away and then then Jack turned to Annie. “I didn’t think they’d
ever leave.”
Annie laughed. “I know.”
Jack stepped closer. The moonlight danced off the water and seemed to bounce off the grove of trees on the property. He could see a hint of it in her eyes. He drew her in for a long kiss and just as before, she folded in his arms like a big warm blanket.
Chapter 20
After Jack’s birthday, came Thanksgiving. Annie had pledged she’d host all the parties, taking some of the burden off of Milly.
Jack helped Annie insert the two large leaves into the wood table he’d built. She tossed one end of the red tablecloth to him and they stretched it out, covering the table. She immediately went to work placing the centerpiece she and Mary had made, a cornucopia filled with small lifelike gourds and silk flowers. When the two had decorated the church and made the swags and other embellishments, it got them onto the path of making more crafts. Now, even Sweet Magnolia had a big beautiful wreath hanging on its front door, as well as one at the granny cottage.
Jack opened the china cabinet door and began to retrieve the plates. Soon, each chair boasted a beautiful setting of white china rimmed in gold and complementary silverware, neatly arranged on top of matching red linen napkins. Annie stepped back and admired the table.
“Okay, so I have everything either in the oven or ready to go. The turkey is ready for the fryer after the men get here,” she said with her hands on her hips and her bottom lip pulled in.
“What else is there?” Jack asked with a bewildered look on his face.
“The turkey platter, can you get that down for me?”
Jack went to where they kept the step stool and headed for the cabinet over the refrigerator.
Robert, Preston, Jack, Richard, Danny, and Scott stood outside, huddled around the large turkey fryer. The women and children stayed inside. Ashton and his cousin Crystal played nicely on the living room floor. Even though she was older, she didn’t seem to be bothered by having to entertain him. Once Vicky and Scott came over with Jasmine, Ashton had two little girl playmates. He didn’t seem to mind either.
