by Debbie White
“Jack,” she started.
“I guess I already forgot about this,” he said, holding up his arm.
“You’ve managed to overcome a lot without that hand.” She nodded toward the stump.
“Chopping wood might be a bit more difficult. In fact, anything to do with wood might be. I’ve been thinking about closing up shop.”
Here was the other shoe, dropping from high elevation.
“Jack, it’s too early to say that, hon. One day at a time.”
“We need money, Annie. Income to keep this place going.” His tone hitched then lowered.
“We have some income coming in, Jack. And soon you’ll be receiving disability payments. It just takes time. We’ve been saving for a rainy day. We’ll just use some of our mad money,” she said, trying to make a joke of the terse situation.
“Mad money? That’s kind of ironic, isn’t it?” His eyes grew dark and scary, causing Annie to shiver.
“You know what I meant by that. It was our vacation money, adding stuff to the house money. Honey,” she said, reaching out to him.
Pulling away, he snickered. “So now you’re reminding me that we have to use our life’s savings to pull us out of financial despair.”
“Jack Powell. Stop it. I realize this is difficult for you. It’s difficult for all of us. I’m going back to work,” she blurted.
“When were you going to tell me that?” He crossed his arms.
“Jack, not now. The kids.” She tipped her chin toward the two with sticky syrup running down their faces.
“I’m going for a walk,” he said, storming out of the room.
Closing her eyes, she recited the ABC’s again. After she ran through them once, she ran through them again.
Chapter 13
Annie finished up cleaning the kitchen, but Jack still hadn’t returned from his walk. There were plenty of hours of daylight and even the sun decided to make an appearance, easing her mind some. She got the kids settled into playing while she made several phone calls to friends and family about a holiday party. Every time she contacted someone, they wanted to know first how he was doing, and then what could they bring to the party. By the time she’d finished making the last call, she had a confirmed list of twenty. Hopefully, that would put a smile on Jack’s face.
Four hours went by, and now she began to worry. Temperatures were dropping, and in a couple more hours, dusk would be knocking on the door. She tried to recall if he grabbed a coat before rushing out. Pacing the floors, peering out windows, she finally couldn’t wait any longer. Bundling up the children, she headed outside.
Pulling the wagon around the property, pretending they were hunting for pine cones, Annie kept one eye out for Jack. As they explored the grounds, stopping only to pick up pine cones, she finally spotted him sitting on a stump, looking out toward the marsh side of their property.
He had to have heard Carolina laughing and Ashton calling his name, but he didn’t turn around. She pulled the wagon up close, letting the lever fall to the ground.
“Jack.”
“Daddy.”
“Jack. Please.”
“It’s so pretty out here, isn’t it?” he said calmly.
Annie rushed to his side, touching his arm softly. “You’re scaring me, Jack,” she whispered.
“I’m scaring myself,” he said, then chuckled.
“It’s not funny. I love you. We love you.” She choked up.
“I’m going to start seeing the therapist again,” he announced.
“Okay. That’s good. Whatever you need,” she said.
The children were sitting in the wagon, not moving an inch. It broke her heart they were going through this too. “Would it be all right for me to go to the therapist with you?”
“I’d like that,” he said, lacing his arm with hers.
“The children are excited about Christmas. I had an idea. Let’s go find a tree. We’ll go to our favorite tree farm and pick out the best tree ever. Just like old times. It’ll be fun.”
He turned his neck toward her, his eyes watering. “I’d like that. Lights and ornaments, with the house decorated, always makes me feel good inside.”
Jack pulled the wagon back home while Annie brought up the rear. He laughed with the kids, even jogged a little, giving them a thrill as they went over bumps along the path. When they arrived back at Sweet Magnolia, the house he built with his bare hands, they ascended the stairs together, holding hands, while Ashton ran ahead. Carolina sidled Annie’s hip, snuggling against her.
“I made the phone calls. We have twenty confirmed for the party on Christmas Eve.”
“Great. Let’s go get that tree, then we can plan the menu. Maybe you could help me chop some wood, too, while Grandmother and Auntie watch the kiddos. You know, more bonding time with them.” Jack let out a small, fun-loving clatter and winked.
His chuckle made her smile. “Sure thing. Maybe Grandmother and Auntie would like to go get the tree with us. Remember last year, they were all about getting the Charlie Brown tree for their cottage.”
Annie had heard of people turning over a new leaf, but so quickly? Was this just another short-lived attempt to make her think he was all right, and that suddenly he was learning to live with his disability? She wanted to believe so.
As Annie had suspected, Grandmother and Auntie were excited about tree shopping. They headed to a place they regularly went to. A small gift store filled with one of a kind ornaments, many unique to the Lowcountry, as well as homemade baked goodies like fudge, pecan turtles, and bags of saltwater taffy adorned the shelves. Ashton’s eyes widened when he saw the pastel candies tied with colorful ribbons. Annie had decided if he were good during the hunt for the perfect tree, she’d let him pick out some candy and an ornament for the tree.
Jack set off with Ashton, leaving the girls behind. Annie didn’t care; she knew they’d eventually catch up.
“Mommy, come here,” Ashton yelled, his voice ricocheting.
Annie picked up her pace a bit but didn’t want to leave Grandmother and Auntie too far behind. She could hear them huffing and puffing as it was. She realized it was an effort for them to walk this far, so she slowed it back down a notch.
“Don’t wait for us. We’ll get there eventually,” Grandmother said, her voice catching in between breaths.
Annie made it to the area where Jack and Ashton were. The trees were already cut and tagged, leaning up against a wooden fence. Twirling one around for Annie to inspect it, she noticed he was also using his left arm to help guide the tree around.
“I like that one. Seems pretty full, has a nice place to put the star on top. Yes, let’s get that one.”
Jack held the tree firmly, stomping the trunk on the ground and giving it a good shake. A pine cone came flying off, getting Ashton’s attention and lighting up his entire face.
“For our bowl,” he said, picking it up and examining it closely.
“Yes, and it’s a nice one too.”
“Here you are,” Auntie Patty said, coming from the path.
“We found the perfect tree,” Jack said, holding it out proudly.
“And it didn’t take me looking at several. This was the first one he showed me.” Annie cocked her head, her mouth turning up at the corners as she lifted her brows.
“Help us find the perfect tree,” Grandmother said, grasping Ashton’s hand.
The three of them took off among the trees, leaving Jack and Annie behind.
“Annie, I wanted to take a moment while we’re alone.”
Annie’s puzzled look turned worried.
“No, everything is all right. I just wanted to tell you I love you with all of my heart.”
“I love you too,” she said, taking her time to get the words out.
“I needed a swift kick in the pants, and you gave it to me. I can’t sit around and feel sorry for myself. I have a family to feed.”
“Jack—”
He held up a finger. “Let me finish.�
�
She nodded.
“It’s going to be a bit tight until I can figure some things out. I know you’ve been on the fence about going back to work at the bakery. If you still want to do that, go ahead. I’ll stay home with the kids. When I have a doctor or therapist appointment, I’ll ask your grandmother or auntie to help me out, or my mom. She’s offered countless times. I want to spend more time with the children anyway, so this works…that is if you want to go back to work?”
“Jack, I don’t know what to say.”
“Just think about it. I know you miss Sweet Indulgence, and I haven’t exactly been husband of the year. Going back and rolling up your sleeves will do you good. And, it will give me time with the children.” He shrugged.
Ashton came running and smashed into Jack’s legs. “Come quick. Grandmother hurt.”
Jack let the tree fall behind him and took off running in the direction Ashton had come. Grabbing Ashton’s hand, Annie braced Carolina against her side and took after Jack. The happy moment she’d just shared with Jack drifted away, and guilty thoughts imploded her brain, wondering if the tree finding trip was too much for her elderly family members.
As Annie rounded a corner, she saw Jack bending over and helping Grandmother up. Auntie was laughing hysterically. This didn’t seem like an emergency. Grandmother brushed off her pants and shook her head. “I’m such a klutz.”
“What happened? Are you hurt?” Annie asked, eyeing Grandmother up and down.
“Just my pride. Oh, and maybe this hip,” she said, rubbing it.
“Grandmother. What happened?” Annie demanded.
“She wanted that little tree over there,” Auntie Patty said, pointing. “She was being too hardheaded to wait for you guys and decided to go in after it. She lost her balance, and in she went, face first.”
“Thanks for wounding my pride again,” Lilly said, picking out a piece of pine straw from her mouth.
“Are you sure you’re all right? Maybe we should go get an X-ray or something,” Jack said, looking for approval from Annie.
Grandmother took a step and winced. All eyes were on her. She took another, this time crying out.
“That’s it. We’re headed to the hospital to get that hip checked,” Annie said.
“I’ll go get the car and bring it down the road here.”
Jack took off running, leaving them to wait. Soon he brought the car and loaded them all up.
“What about our Christmas tree,” Ashton asked, looking back as they drove away.
“We’ll have to get it later, sweetie,” Annie said, trying to comfort him.
“I’ve ruined everything,” Lilly said.
“No, you didn’t. It’s going to be fine,” Annie said.
“I’ll tell you one thing, you gave me a laugh that I won’t soon forget,” Patty said, trying to conceal her chuckle.
“Oh, you,” Lilly said, clearly irritated with her sister. “I’m glad I entertained you.”
Jack put the pedal to the metal and got them to the hospital. A feeling of nausea overcame her when she stepped into the emergency room. The same one she visited when Jack got hurt. All the feelings of uncertainty came rushing in. She took a few breaths to ward off another fainting spell. The smells of disinfectant were powerful, and it didn’t help to settle her feeling of nausea. They got Grandmother in quickly to see a doctor and get an X-ray.
Now they’d wait for the results.
“Your grandmother is a very lucky woman. It’s not fractured, just bruised,” the doctor said.
“Great! Bruised like my ego,” Grandmother said.
“I want you to ice it, put heat on it, and take the pain pills. You should be back to yourself in a week or two. As you know, the older we get, the more time it takes to heal.”
She waved him off while shuffling to the door. “It will take more than a face-plant with a Christmas tree to bedridden me.”
“Hold up. Nurse Palmer, please get us a wheelchair. Mrs. McPherson is ready to go home.”
Grandmother started to argue with the nice doctor but realized it was a bad idea, and she’d not win the argument. So as humbly as she could, she thanked the doctor and waited for the wheelchair.
Chapter 14
“You heard the doctor, Grandmother. Must you be so hardheaded?” Annie plugged in the heating pad.
“I’m not hardheaded. I heard him just fine.” She hobbled to the kitchen.
“What is it you want from the kitchen, Lilly?” Patty asked, moving near her.
“A stiff drink.”
“I don’t think that will go well with the pain pills,” Annie said.
“Oh please. I’m a tough cookie. Didn’t you hear the doctor say that?” She pulled the cork of the amber liquid and poured a finger amount into her glass.
Annie watched as she tossed it back. Shaking her head, she gazed over to Auntie Patty. “We should make some dinner.”
“I’m not hungry,” Lilly said, getting ready to pour another ounce of scotch.
“Grandmother. Don’t.” Annie’s tone was enough for her to put the cork back in and slide it out of her reach.
“You’re such a killjoy.”
She grumbled all the way to the couch. Annie watched as she placed the now-warmed heating pad on her hip.
“I’ll have Jack bring some dinner over. I have some leftovers in the fridge.”
“Okay, dear. No hurry. Soon she’ll be snoozing, and it will sound like a locomotive in the living room.” Patty kissed Annie on the cheek.
“I don’t know how you do it, Auntie. Living with her takes the patience of a saint.”
“We’re family, Annie. You take the bad with the good.”
“Did you get Grandmother all settled in?” Jack was stirring some of the leftovers in a pan on the burner. The microwave beeped. Pulling open the door, he took out a sizzling plate. “I figured we’d have leftovers.”
“You read my mind. Would you mind taking a couple of plates over to them? Grandmother needs some nourishment in her body. Although, between the pain pills and the scotch, she’s probably already sawing logs.”
He took down two plates and began dishing up the food. “Not a problem.”
Annie covered the plates with foil. “Please remind her to alternate the heat with the ice.”
“Will do. Back in a flash.” He leaned in for a kiss.
Annie brushed her lips across his. Watching him leave, she traced her mouth with her fingers. The kiss. It was nice. It’d been a while since they’d been intimate. A warm feeling washed over her. Her man. He still had it. And she promised herself to let him know just how much.
“All is well in the cottage. Lilly was sleeping, but she woke up and seemed to have an appetite. I set them up with the food. Patty said she’d call you before they go to bed and give you an update.”
“Thank you, Jack.”
They ate in silence, but the kiss they’d shared earlier played with her emotions throughout dinner, and the little butterflies she used to get when they were first a couple came fluttering back.
It was just like old times. They tag-teamed the nightly bath routine for both children. The assembly line worked well. Jack would hand a dripping wet and giggling Ashton to Annie who’d wrap him tightly in a towel, rushing him into the bedroom. He didn’t have a bashful bone in his little body, but Annie realized the importance of giving him some privacy.
“Dry off good, then put on your pajamas,” Annie said, backing out of the room and closing the door almost until it clicked shut.
When she popped inside the bathroom, Jack was washing Carolina’s back while she splashed water.
“I can finish her up if you want to go check on number one.”
Jack moved out of the tight space, letting Annie in. She bent down at the side of the tub and began to soap up a washcloth. Could it be things were completely back to normal?
They finished the bedtime ritual, reading one of Ashton’s favorite books, then both of them took their turn kis
sing him good night. Little Carolina was already asleep. The warm bath did it every time.
Annie took her time getting ready for bed. She washed her face with the special soap she’d treated herself to, then applied a light lotion. Normally she didn’t require lotion because the humidity did a great job of keeping her skin nourished and looking youthful, but in the wintertime, it never hurt to put a little bit of moisture back into the skin. Brushing her long locks until it shined, she turned off the light and entered the bedroom, expecting to see Jack asleep. He’d been sleeping a lot lately, and she wasn’t sure if it was depression or something else. But there he was, wide-eyed, with a grin plastered ear to ear.
“Oh, I didn’t expect you to be awake.”
“I waited for you.”
Kicking the covers back, she sat on the edge of the bed with her back facing him. His hand brushed her backside, sending shivers up her spine. Removing her slippers, she slowly rolled in under the sheet, resting her head on the pillow. Pulling up on his elbow, Jack studied her. She could feel his eyes all over her, and she began to blush like some newlywed.
“You’re so beautiful,” he said, his tone low and seductive.
She swallowed hard. The rapid pinging of her heartbeat made her feel giddy. Definitely feeling like she was experiencing something new. But this was Jack. Her husband of over six years. Someone who’d she seen through many phases of his life, the ups and the downs, the good and the bad, and he made her feel as if it were their first time as husband and wife. A warm feeling traveled through her body.
“Thank you. I don’t know what I did to deserve this sort of flattery, but I like it.” She moved her head and gazed at him.
He inched closer.
She studied the shape of his mouth.
He leaned in and kissed her.
When she opened them, he’d moved away. “It’s been a long time since you’ve kissed me.”
