by Debbie White
“Too long.” He moved back in, pushing her hair away from her face, kissing her cheek then her mouth.
It was true. It was like riding a bike. But like riding a bike with the training wheels on. Wobbly at first, a bit scared and tense you might fall but soon sailing down the sidewalk with the breeze blowing in your face, and a smile brightly lighting the way.
The love she felt for him was as big and strong, faithful, and committed as the day she said I do. And nothing they’d been through or would go through would deter her from her continued love and support.
Chapter 15
Leaning up against the counter, Annie drank the last of her coffee, trying to calm her nerves. Her first day back at the bakery , and it was leaving her a bit anxious. She was aware Jack was more than capable of taking care of the children, and with Grandmother and Auntie nearby, it comforted her even more, even though sometimes they behaved as children themselves. Shaking the last image of her elderly relatives behaving badly, she rinsed out her cup.
“You’ll be fine. We’ll be fine,” Jack said.
She raised her brows.
“I can tell you’re overthinking this going back to work thing.”
She let out a long breath. “You know me so well, Jack Powell.”
“Call whenever you want if it’ll ease your mind,” he said, slipping his hands around her waist and pulling her close.
Thank you, she mouthed.
He gave her a quick kiss before Ashton came running up behind them.
“Once he starts school in the fall, I’ll feel much better about all of this.” She ruffled up his hair, making him laugh.
“I’m hoping I’ll be back to work by then,” Jack said.
“Oh, of course. I know this is just temporary,” Annie said, agreeing with him.
“I’ll have dinner all ready for you when you get home. I have a therapist appointment today. Lilly and Patty are going with us. It should be very entertaining.” Jack chuckled.
“I wanted to go with you,” Annie said.
“Next time. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to go with me.”
“I better get going. The commute traffic will be awful.”
The bell chimed when Annie entered the bakery. It all felt so foreign to her. It’d been months since she’d stepped foot inside. She flicked on the lights and made her way toward the kitchen. She was early, giving her a chance to look around. Everything seemed to be in order, but the feeling of being out of place came crashing in, making her hands sweat. She put up her things, washed her hands, and slid the apron over her neck. When the bell chimed again, she saw a familiar face.
“Peter!” She rushed to him, hugging his neck.
“Annie! So good to see you again.”
She let out a quick breath. Crossing her arms, she whirled around. “Everything seems the same, yet feels different.” She turned back around to face him. “You know what I mean?” She shrugged.
“I do. Like you’re having an out-of-body experience?” He crossed to the sink to wash his hands.
“I guess you could say that,” she said.
“It’ll all come back to you. It’s like riding—”
“A bike,” she said, finishing the sentence for him, recalling her romantic evening with Jack.
“Yes, exactly.”
“So, what are we making today. And who is coming in to help us?”
Peter gave her the rundown on all the changes Sweet Indulgence had been though. When she made him manager, it was the best thing she ever did. He ran the place like it was his own. They’d lost some good employees over the course of the year or two. Rebecca worked at her family’s restaurant the Black-Eyed Pea, Morgan went on to graduate school and left South Carolina, and when Betsy and Charles tied the knot, they retired and were traveling the globe.
“What about Toby and Keith?” Annie asked.
“What can I say about the duo. They got girlfriends, and soon they were working less and less.”
“I cannot figure that out. When a guy gets a girlfriend, they need money. Why work less?” Annie asked.
“I have no clue. I guess that’s why I’m single. Right now, I’m the only full-time employee,” Peter said as he moved to the cabinets.
“I remember those days,” she said, helping him retrieve the dry ingredients.
“I have two college students who work four hours each, four days a week.”
“That doesn’t give you much time off.”
“I don’t have much of a social life. It’s all good.”
“Put me on the schedule for five hours Monday through Friday to start. I need the weekends off.”
“Are you sure? You’re just coming back. Maybe take it slow. And it’s the busiest time of the year for us— besides Valentine’s.”
“Okay. How about four?” she said, acknowledging she may be a bit eager.
“Sounds good. And if I need you in a pinch, I’ll see if you can work more. By the way, how is Jack doing?” He lifted a large bag of flour and put it up on the stainless counter.
“He’s doing great. I’m very happy with his progress. He still has a way to go, but he’s being much more positive, so I’m hopeful. Thanks for asking.”
“Do you think he’ll be back in the wood design business again?”
“He wants to, but I just don’t know.”
“Many people with far more disability go on to accomplish so much. I wouldn’t count it out.”
“I don’t disagree with you at all. I hope it’s just temporary, and he gets back doing what he loves. I know it’s important to feel useful and do something you love.” The volume in her tone dropped as she spoke the words, wishing she could take a few of them back. They were too revealing.
“Hey, is that regret I hear in your voice?” Peter laughed it off and went to work adding ingredients into the powerful mixers.
“I love being Ashton and Carolina’s mom and Jack’s wife. It’s the best thing that ever happened to me. Besides Sweet Indulgence.”
“I know this was your baby,” he said, not looking at her while he worked.
“Yes, but even babies are put to bed, eventually.” She lifted her shoulders.
“We’re making chocolate, vanilla, and spice today.” He pushed over the recipe card for her to read.
“Ahh! Some of my favorites are still going strong. Caramel sea salt, Black Forest, and cream cheese frostings.” She winked.
“It’s the holidays. We’ll be adding a bunch in over the next couple of weeks.”
“Oh, that reminds me. We’re having a get-together over at the house on the twenty-fourth. Please come.”
“You’re planning a party and going back to work. You’re a brave soul.”
“Actually, Jack is planning it. It’s giving him something to do. We went and picked out the tree last week. Of course, it was with incident.” She followed along the recipe card with her finger, then searched the table for the baking soda.
“What sort of incident?” Peter asked.
“Grandmother face-planted with a tree.”
“Is she all right?”
“Yes. Just a hurt ego and a bruised hip.”
“Hate to end the chitchat, but we have cupcakes to bake. They should be cooled and ready to ice by the time Chrissy gets here.”
“Chrissy?”
“She’s a College of Charleston student. So far, she’s been very reliable.”
They worked the next couple of hours mixing up batter, filling cupcake pans, and baking. The aroma of warm, delightful treats waffled through the kitchen, making the fond memories of how it all started surface. Peter insisted she take a break and put her feet up. She didn’t argue with him. Her dogs were barking and barking loudly. She wandered over to a table in the corner, bringing her lunch Jack had prepared. How they’d reversed roles amazed her. And so quickly. She nibbled on the cheese and crackers and celery sticks and washed it down with water. A few people trickled in, purchasing cupcakes prominently displayed, a
nd she overheard Peter taking a special order too. When a blonde girl came bouncing through the door, Annie thought she was a customer until she headed around the counter to the kitchen. She could hear Peter and the girl chatting. Must be Chrissy, she assumed. Gathering up her lunch and moving toward the laughter, she stood in the doorway and waited for her introduction.
While Chrissy iced the cupcakes, Peter took his much-earned break. Annie took that moment to tell him something he had to have known all along.
“She’s a cutie, and she likes you.”
“What?” He looked over Annie’s shoulder toward Chrissy.
“Yes. Trust me. And if you don’t want to mess it up, you best do a better job at learning women’s hints and flirts. ’Cuz she, my friend, was flirting big time.” Annie patted his arm.
Shaking his head, he looked down at the ground. “I don’t have a lot of experience.”
“And some girls like that. Just sayin’…”
“Annie. You’re making me blush,” he said.
“And some girls like that too.” She slapped him on the back. “Got get ’em, tiger.”
Thank goodness for cruise control. Exhausted, Annie headed home after her first day back after being gone for over two years. Oh sure, she’d kept an eye on the financial side of the business, but even then, she let Peter make hiring and firing decisions. Being a silent partner had its perks, but she did enjoy rolling up her sleeves and getting back to work.
The kids were so excited to see her, she could barely get inside the house before the squealing began, followed by all-out laughter. Jack stood back with arms crossed, smiling.
“How was your first day?”
“Great. I’m tired, but it was so nice to see the place and be part of it again.”
“Dinner is ready. Why don’t you get into something comfortable and come join us?” He moved toward the kitchen.
“It smells divine,” she said as she traveled down the hall, both kids in tow.
Plates heaping with spaghetti and meatballs sat waiting for her. He even remembered the wine.
“Jack, you outdid yourself.” She pulled out a chair and sat.
“After my appointment, we went shopping. Lilly and Patty helped me, and I think I got everything for the party.”
“You’ve been quite busy too.” She dug into the pasta and swirled it on her fork.
“We got the tree,” Ashton said in between slurps of pasta.
Annie looked over to the corner where they always placed the Christmas tree. Turning back around, she beamed. “Yeah. Now we can decorate it.”
“We’ll do it tomorrow. You eat and relax,” Jack said.
“But I love to decorate the tree and house for the holidays,” she said, her tone dropping a few levels, showing her disappointment.
“Is the bakery open on Christmas Eve?”
“You know I didn’t ask. I did invite Peter to the party. He didn’t say anything about the shop's hours.”
“Well, as the boss, you could close it for the day. I’m sure the employees would love a day off.”
“True, but if memory serves me, Christmas Eve is a busy time. People are buying last-minute dessert items for the holiday and also for gift giving.”
“Ask Peter tomorrow, and then let me know the game plan. Lilly and Patty are standing by to help me make all the food.”
“What sort of things are you having?” It felt strange to ask Jack this question. She’d always been the planner.
“Chips and salsa, veggie tray and dip, chicken wings, chili…and I’m forgetting something else—oh and cheese and crackers. Gotta have cheese and crackers with our wine.” He winked.
“Sounds good. What about some dry salami? That goes well with the cheese and crackers,” she said.
“Got it. I guess I was forgetting a couple of things. We also got stuff to make cookies. The kids and I are going to do that tomorrow and the next day. With Lilly and Patty’s help, of course.”
Annie sat back. Everything was going so well. Isn’t that what she wanted? For Jack to be productive, feel useful, and let her go back to work while he healed?
Then why did she feel so left out?
Chapter 16
Each day at the bakery, Annie gave one hundred percent. Each night, Jack gave one hundred and ten percent. At least in her mind he was giving more. As he got into the routine, not only did he have dinner ready, but the house was clean, the laundry done, oh, and the house was decorated for Christmas. Granted, he didn’t have her crafty touch to decorating, but he definitely got an A for effort.
“Jack, honey. You’re doing so much. You must be as tired as I am. Maybe even more so.” With her eyelids hooding over her eyes, she tasted the homemade chili.
“I’m keeping busy, and that’s a good thing. The therapist—”
Annie’s eyes flew open. “Jack…you were supposed to tell me when the next appointment was.” She set her spoon down, giving him a scornful look.
“First of all, stop throwing the daggers at me. It’s okay that you’re not accompanying me to them.”
“I want to show I’m supportive,” she said, pouting.
“You are supportive.” He slid out his chair and came around to her side of the table.
“I feel like everything has changed. I’m on a merry-go-round and can’t get off.” She lowered her gaze.
Lifting her chin with his finger, he tilted her head, his eyes never wavering from hers. “I feel like that sometimes, too, but we’re making it work. We have a great support system here. The operative word being system. Lilly, Patty, Mary, Mom and Dad, everyone. They’re here to help us.”
“I know they are. It’s just that I’m usually the one helping.”
“Stop the pity party right now, Annie Powell. I’m the one who was injured.” His loving tone turned harsh.
Man, did those words hit her in the head like a brick. He was right. So what if her little consistent world had changed. His changed in ways she’d never know. Get a grip, Annie, she could hear Grandmother say. Life isn’t fair, she’d say. A tear bobbled on her bottom lid, eventually dropping down her cheek.
“I’m sorry, Jack. You’re right. I’m feeling sorry for myself, and that’s not cool. From now on, there’ll be no more pity parties here. Only the best Christmas Eve celebration ever.” She leaped to her feet and wrapped her arms around his neck. Leaning back so she could see all of his face, she paused. Saving the best for last was something she loved doing.
“Jack, you keep me grounded. I can’t imagine my life without you or the children. You’ve given us a beautiful home and a wonderful life. I love you.” She moved her lips to his, pressing softly at first, then with more emotion, setting another kiss for the records.
“Mommy and Daddy are kissing,” Ashton sang out.
While still holding on to the last seconds of the kiss, Annie and Jack started chuckling. Pulling back, he kissed her nose then rushed over to Ashton.
“Yes, Daddy was kissing Mommy. Her lips taste yummy.” He looked up and winked at Annie.
And just like that, they went from down in the dumps to flying high. A roller coaster, a merry-go-round, whatever you wanted to name it. Life was full of ups and downs, and the Powells were no different. But if Annie knew one thing for sure, they’d recover from all the lows, and soon, sunny days with blue skies would be their mantra. Forever.
The kids had saved a few ornaments for Annie to place on the tree. The tree they’d picked up while she was at work. The one they’d found before Grandmother had her little accident. She was surprised to find out it was still there. Jack later confided that he’d hid it among some trees, making it difficult to see. In all of the commotion of Grandmother’s accident, she didn’t even realize he’d done that.
A few of the plastic containers were still unpacked with holiday decorations. Annie chose a few and set them around. It made her feel like part of the celebration. And even with the sorest feet, she stood at the counter and made cookies with Ashton. Wasn�
�t that being a parent? You roll up your sleeves, make a cup of coffee, and you dig in, doing what is important for the child. It built memories, and Annie was all about that, recalling the time capsule she and Jack buried near the magnolia tree.
After the kitchen was closed for the night and the kids were snuggled in their beds, Jack and Annie snuggled on the couch.
“I love Christmastime, especially with the children,” she said, leaning back into his arm.
“Yup. It’s the best.” He reached his left arm around her.
Reaching down, she rested her hand on his stub, feeling the ace bandage under her fingertips.
“Everything is ready for the big party, except for the wood,” he said, staring straight ahead at the flickering flames in the fireplace.
“I’m going to help with that tomorrow. I’ll get Grandmother to keep an eye on the kids.”
“I have Danny and Mary coming tomorrow. While he and I chop, she’s going to watch the kids.”
“Oh,” she said tersely.
“Annie,” he sang, giving her the look.
“No, I’m not jealous. I’m glad they’re helping you.” Turning, she faced him. “I may just be a tad bit jealous.” She held her fingers apart, showing him. “But then I quickly dismissed it. This is good. This is good.” She leaned back into his arms.
He played with the ends of her hair. “Good because family is part of our support system. Just repeat after me.” He chuckled.
Annie playfully slapped his leg. “Yes, Jack, I got it.”
“But just so don’t feel completely left out, I will need some help with the food. I think it’s too much on Lilly and Patty, after all.”
“Do you think they’re feeling all right?”
“I think so. It’s their age, Annie. It’s creeping up on them. They get winded easily, take longer naps, aren’t eating quite as much as they used to. It’s all about the slowing down process of the elderly. It’s happening with my grandparents too. They’re coming to the party, but I bet all of them will be napping in the cottage before the night is through.” He let out a snicker.
