by Debbie White
“She could tell him she met someone else,” Patty said.
“I thought about that as well, but when would she have time? She’s with him a lot.”
“I have an idea. My cousin Danny can be the decoy. He’s a total playboy so he’d jump at the chance to make some guy jealous. We’ll tell Mary about him and work out the details. I can have him bump into them somewhere and put on the playboy charm he is known for. Before you know it, Jeremy will run with his tail tucked.” Jack said.
Annie pursed her lips and nodded. “It might just work.”
Chapter 28
Annie laughed so hard when Mary told her about their little ruse. Having been on the jilted side herself before, a small part of her felt badly for Jeremy, but once Mary gave her all the details that slowly subsided.
“He said that to you?” Annie asked incredulously.
“Yup. He called me a money hungry bimbo.”
“He has a lot of nerve. Are you sure he’s gone, because if he isn’t, I’ll sic Jack on him.”
“I’m sure he’s gone. And you know what else I’m sure of?”
“What?”
“He didn’t really care about me. I think he knew I wouldn’t go with him to Italy, so that’s why he gave me the ultimatum.”
“Well, I say good riddance,” Annie said.
Mary and Annie locked eyes. The silence in the room grew until finally Annie got up from the sofa and strode toward the window. “I need to go shopping for a birthday gift for Jack and to find my costume. Want to go with me?”
“Do you think Danny will be at the party?”
Annie whirled around.
“He’s kind of cute.”
“He’s a playboy. And those were Jack’s words, not mine.”
“I’m looking for a no strings attached kind of guy.”
“Mary McPherson,” Annie said, moving toward her.
“Hey, I’m young and single. That’s what young and single people do. We date, we break up, we date some more …” she said trailing off.
Annie drew in a deep breath. “Well, I don’t know for sure if he’s going to be there, but I can ask Jack.”
Mary grabbed her crossover bag that hung on the back of the kitchen chair. “Let’s go.”
Annie gathered her things from the table and crossed to the front door. She opened it, motioning for Mary to step into the hall. Annie pulled the door shut.
“A sexy nurse or a sexy maid?”
Annie frowned. “You’re incorrigible, Mary McPherson.”
Annie dragged Mary into the bookstore. She had an idea for a birthday present for Jack. She examined the different rows, finally settling on a stack of books.
“What are you looking for?” Mary asked, pulling out random books and putting them back in.
“A book of house plans.”
“House plans? You mean as in building plans?”
Annie nodded. “Yes, he wanted to build a house on the land their family owns, but it never materialized. Maybe this will give him the push to do it.”
“Well, what makes you think he even has the desire to build if he never did it before?”
“We’ve discussed it. He just hasn’t been able to find the right design yet.” She leafed through a book and then closed it shut. “This one is perfect.”
“Now can we go to the Halloween store?”
“Let’s grab a cup of coffee. I’ll call Jack.”
They walked up to the counter and ordered two pumpkin lattes. Mary wanted hers made with almond milk. A small white mustache formed on her top lip when she drew in a taste of the brew.
Annie walked up ahead as she spoke with Jack. Mary tried to stretch her ear to hear, but it was no use.
“Okay, this is what he said. He said he’ll invite Danny, but he doesn’t want you to hold him responsible for anything he says or does.”
Mary raised her brows. “Ooh, that sounds kind of juicy.”
“You’ve been warned. He is known for loving and leaving them. You could just be another notch on his belt.”
“Annie! I’m shocked and insulted that you’d think I would give in to his sexiness.” Mary winked at her sister.
“Well, all I can say is that I’m having a hard time resisting Jack’s sexiness. It must run in the family.” Annie nudged Mary in the shoulder.
Chapter 29
Annie’s breath caught when she saw her grandmother and auntie come out with their costumes on. The flapper outfits were divine and suited them appropriately, right down to the long string of pearls and feathers they adorned.
“You wear the naughty school teacher costume very well, dear,” Patty said, nodding to Annie and causing her to blush.
“I wonder what that sister of yours is wearing?” Lilly said.
Annie gulped. She wished she didn’t know. “It’ll be a surprise, I’m sure,” she said, telling a little lie.
“Ta-da,” Mary said, stepping out from the hallway.
Lilly and Patty gasped. Annie’s brow went straight up to her hairline.
Mary twirled around. “Well?”
Lilly and Patty exchanged looks. Annie tilted her head as she looked up and down at Mary’s costume.
“I think you better grab a warm coat,” Grandmother said as she put her own on.
A slight breeze blew through, giving the night air the perfect Halloween chill. Children were already making their way up and down the sidewalks, going door-to-door, collecting candy. As the ladies made their way out of the house, Annie turned off the porch light, hoping it would dissuade children from coming up to the stoop.
Annie and Mary helped their grandmother and auntie settle in the back seat and then Mary jumped into the passenger seat upfront.
“You do like my costume, don’t you?” Mary asked.
Annie kept her eyes on the road. Children were thick on the sidewalks. “I like it.”
“You don’t love it, though.”
“It’s not that. It’s just a little skimpy.”
“Of course it is. It’s supposed to be.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll be a hit with Danny,” Annie said, staring straight ahead.
Jack answered the door dressed in regular street clothes.
“Where’s your costume?” Annie asked.
“I’m running late. I’ll get changed soon.”
Milly had decked the house with orange and black crepe paper and other festive decorations. Spooky music played in the background along with a mixture of other tunes. Bowls and trays of snacks garnished all the tables, and on the kitchen large island there was a black cauldron of witches’ brew.
“This is spiked, so be careful,” Annie said as she ladled some for her grandmother and auntie.
Milly came up behind Annie and hugged her. “You look so cute in your sexy teacher outfit.”
“Thank you,” she said, sliding her glasses up and smoothing down her red plaid skirt. She’d leave the real sexiness to Mary.
“Ladies, you remember my auntie and uncle?” Jack said as he entered the kitchen.
“Yes, why of course,” Grandmother said.
“It’s so nice to see you again,” Patty added.
“Are your grandparents coming tonight?” Annie tasted the witches’ brew and wrinkled her nose.
“They just got here. Come on, I’ll seat you with them.” Jack held out his arms to both Grandmother and Auntie. They laced their arms with his and off they went, leaving Preston and Susan Powell with Annie.
“I thought Mary had a boyfriend,” Susan said.
“They just broke up.”
“She gets over breakups fast,” Susan said with a scowl on her face.
Annie crossed the kitchen and peered out into the living room. Mary, practically sitting on Danny’s lap, laughed loudly and was clearly flirting. Annie looked back over her shoulder toward Jack’s uncle and auntie. “She’s young. What can I say?”
Annie left the kitchen and entered the living room. Her grandmother and auntie were in deep d
iscussion with Jack’s grandparents on both sides. She smiled to see them having so much fun. She casually moved across the room to Mary and Danny, her eyes settling on the bulging biceps and tattoos on his arms.
Mary withdrew her arm from Danny’s. “Hey, Annie,” she said with a grin that spelled trouble.
“Can I see you for a second?” Annie raised her brows.
Mary jumped up from the seat and took Annie by the arm and moved her out of ears’ reach of Danny. “What’s up?”
“Can you button your blouse, please?” Annie motioned to her gaping blouse that exposed the roundness of her breasts.
Mary furrowed her brows. “It’s part of the sexy nurse outfit.”
“I’m a sexy teacher, and you don’t see me exposing my body.”
“The only thing sexy about your outfit is the length of your skirt. You didn’t even wear the garter belt that came with it.”
Annie pulled Mary further away from Danny. “It’s just that we’re over here at Jack’s parents’ house. I just want you to be a little tamer, please.”
Mary pulled away from Annie’s grasp. “I’m just having fun after a major breakup that has left me sad and blue.”
“There you are,” Jack said, coming up behind her.
Annie spun around. Air whooshed from her lungs and her heart fluttered. Her eyes moved up and down as she took in Jack’s costume.
Mary rushed by Annie, almost knocking her down. She ran her hand up and down Jack’s arm. “Oh, my God. You look so hot. I mean fireman hot.”
Annie stood dumbfounded. Her stance on sexiness just went out the door. How could she pass judgment on Mary’s sexy nurse outfit when Jack came out in jeans, boots, no shirt, suspenders, and a fireman hat?
Mary ran back over to Danny and left Annie and Jack alone. He pulled her close and whispered in her ear, causing her to blush and a warm feeling run all through her veins. “If my teachers had of looked like you, I would have never learned anything.” He nuzzled her neck.
“Well, I could say the same for you. I’d call 9-1-1 all the time.” She smiled up at him.
He pulled her out of the commotion of the living room and down a dark hallway. He guided her back up against the wall. They laced their fingers as he leaned in for a deep kiss that left her breathless. Her heart quickened as he gently ran his tongue along her bottom lip. She could feel his body pressed against hers and for a few moments got lost in his embrace.
They broke apart when they heard feet shuffling toward them. “Sorry, kids. Have to use the bathroom,” Uncle Preston said.
Jack pulled Annie away from the wall. “I guess they will miss us if we don’t mingle.”
Annie stopped in her tracks. Jack turned back around and took a couple of steps toward her. She batted her lashes and gave him a sexy grin that made him squeeze her hand.
“If you keep looking at me that way, we may never leave this hallway.” He pressed a quick kiss to her mouth. “Come on,” he said, leading the way.
After a dinner of steaming beef stew and cornbread, Milly brought in the birthday cake, glowing with one candle, the number thirty. The cake with white icing had blue waves and a dock with Lady Powell anchored to it. “Not really a cake for a Halloween birthday, but it’s fitting for Jack,” Annie mused.
They sang “Happy Birthday” to him, he blew out the candles, and then the gifts came out. He received a nice fleece-lined zippered sweater, some dress shirts and neckties to go with his suits, and her grandmother and Patty surprised him with tickets for a scenic helicopter ride. Annie suddenly got cold feet when it was time to give her gift. She handed over the book she had gotten wrapped by the bookstore staff, and then returned to her seat.
Jack smiled. He gently peeled back the paper, finally exposing the book. He flipped through the pages and then closed it. He looked across the room and made eye contact with Annie.
“What is it?” his mother asked.
Jack held up the book. “A book with house plans.”
Robert crooked his neck toward Annie. “Good. Maybe now he’ll build the house.”
Jack pushed back his chair and quickly made his way to where Annie sat. He leaned over and kissed her on the top of her head. He rose up and looked around the table. “Thanks, everyone, for the nice gifts and the great party.”
Annie tugged at Jack’s suspenders. He leaned over placing his ear near her mouth. “Where’re Mary and Danny? I didn’t see them get up.”
Jack quickly stood up, his eyes darting all around the table. He took off out of the dining area. With her hands clasped on top of the table, Annie waited. Soon Jack stood by her side.
“Everything is okay. I thought for sure I’d find them in a compromising position.”
Annie swallowed down the lump that formed in her throat. “Where did you find them?”
“They’re outside, handing out candy. You should see them. They are making the kids do tricks in order to get candy.” Jack laughed.
Annie slumped forward. Jack placed his hands on her shoulders and gently massaged them. Annie heaved her shoulders up and down. She had to learn to relax. “Jack, I hope you liked the book I got you.”
“It was the perfect gift. I can’t wait for us to look through the plans.”
“Us?”
Jack pulled out a chair and sat down next to her. He took her hands into his. “Yes, us.” He circled her thumb with his as he focused on her eyes.
Annie pulled in her bottom lip. “Okay,” she said barely above a whisper.
Chapter 30
October had come in and swept Annie off her feet. She barely had a chance to catch her breath and in came November, bringing with it the holidays. She and Jack had been spending a lot of time together, cuddled on her couch sipping hot chocolate and watching Hallmark movies. She could be such a sap when it came to holiday movies.
“Are you sure you haven’t had it up to here with Hallmark movies?” She drew her hand to her neck and made a cutting action.
“Anytime I can cuddle on the couch with my baby, I’ll do it.” He pulled her onto his lap.
She circled his neck with her arms and urged him in meeting his lips with hers. She pulled back and smiled. “Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, we probably should talk about dinner plans,” Annie said, staying put on his lap.
“My family has been bugging me about it, and we’re still three weeks away.” Jack kissed the top of her nose.
“It makes sense to have it at your folk’s house. They have the larger home.”
“Someday we’ll be hosting all the dinners.” Jack ran his hand up and down her back.
“Jack, what are you saying exactly?”
“I’m saying, or should say, I’m asking you to be my wife.”
A wide smile formed on Annie’s face. “Jack, are you serious?”
“I would never joke about anything as serious as marriage.” Jack patted Annie on her bottom. “I have something.”
She moved off of his lap and snuggled close to him, her arm laced in his. Jack dug into his pocket and pulled out a black velvet box. “I had it planned differently, but you know what they say about the best-laid plans.” He opened the box.
“Oh, Jack. It’s beautiful,” Annie said, wiping away the tears that rolled down her cheek. “It’s perfect, and the way this happened is also perfect.” She held out her had as he placed the solitaire diamond on her finger.
“Annie McPherson, will you be my wife?”
“Yes! Yes,” she said, reaching up and cupping his face. “I love you, Jack. I’ve loved you for a while.”
“I have you beat. I tried to shake the feeling because it happened suddenly, but from the first day I saw you, I knew you were special. By the second time, I knew you were going to be mine.” He kissed her mouth and then withdrew.
“I hoped we would become more than just friends, but after my last breakup and yours, I wasn’t about to risk moving too fast. I just tried to enjoy every moment we spent together.”
“
But what was the defining moment when you realized this … what we have, was serious and not just some passing fad?” Jack asked as he moved his arm around her and held her tightly.
“It was the way you gingerly helped my grandmother and auntie get in and out of the car. What about you?”
“Oh, that’s easy—the day you served me a cup of coffee with my cupcake.”
Annie giggled. “I didn’t want you to leave.”
Annie flashed her ring to anyone who showed even the slightest interest. She found herself staring at it a lot. Preparations were under way for Thanksgiving, and everyone knew Christmas would come flying around the corner soon after.
She began to feel some stress closer to the holiday. Her hairbrush and shower showed signs of hair loss, and like a teenager, she broke out with pimples.
The orders for cupcakes came in by the dozen. Along with pumpkin spice, the new flavor, cranberry, and walnut with cream cheese frosting became the next most ordered flavors. They found it difficult to keep up with all the holiday madness. When Annie turned the sign to closed, she drew in a deep breath, filling her lungs to capacity and raising her shoulders as she took in the air. When she emptied her full lungs, her shoulders relaxed.
Grandmother Lilly and Auntie Patty insisted on making a dish for dinner. They were busy in the kitchen when Annie stopped by.
“Something smells wonderful,” Annie said, peering inside the oven.
“Baked mac and cheese,” Patty said.
“Jack is going to love that,” Annie said.
The timer went off, signaling to the ladies the entrée was done. Using oven mitts, Annie lifted the large glass casserole dish out of the oven.
Milly went all out for Thanksgiving dinner. The house draped in holiday splendor, including the tree all aglow with twinkling lights, greeted them as they entered the house. The heat coming from the fireplace along with the aromas of a baking turkey with all the trimmings warmed Annie’s heart and her spirit.
Jack smiled when he saw the ladies’ macaroni and cheese dish. He teasingly took it from Annie. “This is all mine,” he said.
