by Aubree Lane
Brittany was exhausted. The emotional stress of running away and into an uncertain future was enough to confuse anyone, but had her new niece said Annie’s husband was gay?
That thought disappeared the moment she saw Terence whisk their baby boy out of Annie’s arms and plant a wet juicy one on her sister’s waiting lips. Annie slipped her arms around her husband’s trim waist and their love and lust was on display for all to see.
Their baby did not appreciate being left out and wailed at the indignity of being tucked football style in his father’s arms.
“Max cries all the time,” Erika informed her as she pulled her new best-bud down the front steps. “You should invest in a good set of ear plugs if you plan on staying with us.”
That was exactly what Britt wanted to do, but now she saw what a huge imposition she was foisting upon this family. She had to find a job quick. In the meantime, maybe Annie and Terence would appreciate a bit of free babysitting. Brittany was good with kids and animals. Winning Max over just became priority number one.
Erika and Britt drew closer to the couple.
Nervous sweat trickled down her chest and soaked her armpits. Not knowing how her sister was going to react, Brittany braced herself and anxiously cleared her throat. “Hey, sis.”
Annie and Terence broke apart. Annie’s head turned towards the sound of Britt’s voice. Recognition set in and her expression was priceless.
“Brittany? Is that you?” She raced to embrace her little sister. Annie grabbed Brittany’s chin and petted her cheeks, as she searched every nuance of her face. “I can’t believe you’re here.” A million questions tumbled out. “How’s Mom and your father? When did you get in? How long are you staying? How are―” Her inquiry stopped when reality seeped in. The smile fell. “Are you okay? Did something happen?”
Relief flowed through Brittany’s body. Even though she hadn’t been around for years, her sister still cared. She was also the only person on the entire planet who understood what it was like to live with their parents. “You know Mom and Dad,” Britt began lamely. “Something always happens.” The comfort that Annie offered was desperately needed. Out of nowhere, tears burned her eyes. Brittany gasped and tried to choke back the sobs that threatened to dampen their happy reunion.
Annie pressed Brittany’s head tenderly to her shoulder, and the dam broke.
Brittany sobbed for about five minutes before Terence touched her arm. “Breakfast is almost ready. Come inside and eat.” He turned to the boy on the street. “Hey kid! Put yourself to use and get that cart in the garage. Then join us. You can’t live on Annie’s coffee alone.”
For the first time Brittany noticed the hot, scruffy blond, dressed in a sleeveless muscle tee and brightly colored board shorts.
“Thanks, Mr. Javier,” the young man called out as he heaved the cart up the driveway.
“I wish you would call me Terence,” Brittany’s brother-in-law hollered back.
A smile beamed across the boy’s handsome face. “As soon as you start calling me Grady.”
Both men grinned at what was obviously a regular exchange. Terence herded the ladies inside. When they passed the porch swing, he scooped up the mug Erika and Brittany left swaying and slopping out all over the cushions.
An Areca Palm tree decorated with small ornaments stood in the corner of the living room. Brittany stopped and halted everyone’s progress. “Is this your Christmas tree?”
Erika smiled proudly. “It was my idea. Don’t you love it?”
In Brittany’s eyes, it was a great alternative to the standard holiday evergreen. It was beautiful, and it saved a fir tree from being harvested, only to be carelessly discarded a few weeks later. The sparkling ornaments complimented the tender fronds. They didn’t overpower or make it droop under their weight. Curious about the decorations, she stepped closer. They appeared to be made of glass, but they had to be extremely light. Brittany reached out and touched one.
“Be careful,” Erika warned, “they’re very delicate and are a bugger to make.”
She turned and found Annie’s arms wrapped around Erika’s smaller frame.
“They’re paper, painted to look like stained-glass,” Annie announced proudly. “Erika came up with the idea, and together we figured out a way to make them.” She kissed the young girl’s forehead and squeezed a little tighter. “It took this girl two weeks to complete the project. She wouldn’t let anyone help her. I’m very proud.”
“I’m going to make a bunch more and sell them,” Erika chimed in brightly. “I probably won’t make much of a profit this season, but whatever I’m not able to sell this year, I’ll save for next Christmas.”
Terence stepped forward and rubbed his daughter’s head affectionately. Max had quieted down and was calmly sucking his thumb.
The image they presented was of a quintessential family unit. Brittany took a second to commit the moment to memory. She prayed it was an honest representation of their home life. Her sister had been through a lot and deserved some happiness. Brittany also prayed she wouldn’t do anything to disrupt it.
“The bacon is ready and the pancakes will be up in ten,” Terence announced before heading towards the kitchen.
Erika snapped her fingers. “I forgot the coffee Dad made me. I’ll be right back.” She broke out of Annie’s hug and bolted for the door.
• • •
“You’re what?” Annie called after her, but Erika was gone.
The sisters were alone for the first time. Annie’s eyes filled with compassion. “Would you like to tell me about it?”
Brittany looked at the ceiling. She didn’t know how to express the years of tyranny, the unrealistic expectations, and over the top consequences she lived under. How could she tell Annie it wasn’t just her father, but also their mother? Annie always blamed Dad, but Mom was just as guilty, and what she suffered was worse than anything she recalled Annie having to face.
Grady opened the front door. Six oversized coffee pumps wobbled in his arms. The interruption saved her from having to respond to her sister’s question. Momentarily letting go of the hurt and sadness, Britt rushed over to the young man with the windswept hair and easy smile. “Hi, I’m Brittany. Let me help you with those.”
Business had been good. The containers were light and empty. Annie’s abrupt career change was baffling, but seeing her new family and the content look on her face, she knew her sister had found her happy ever after.
Grady’s twinkling green eyes gazed down at her. They were breathtaking. Taken off guard, Britt accidentally dropped one of the containers. It landed on Grady’s sandaled foot and his joyful expression grimaced in pain.
“I am so sorry,” she exclaimed, and rushed to retrieve the container off Grady’s aching toes. Grady went down with her and the top of her head bashed against his chin.
The boy grunted.
Brittany took a few giant steps back and wondered if she should apologize again or simply stay well away from the man.
Annie came to the rescue. “Let me take care of those while you two go in the kitchen.” She grabbed all the pumps and gave Grady a friendly nudge. “Go on and eat.”
The boy rubbed his chin and limped towards the breakfast area. When Brittany failed to follow, he held out his hand. “Come on. Mr. Javier gets mad if we don’t eat his food while it’s hot.”
Britt laced her fingers through his and allowed the bright-eyed blond to lead the way. “I’m so sorry,” she repeated. “Are you sure you want me this close?”
A sexy grin sparked across his gorgeous face. “I’m positive.”
Annie chuckled behind them. “Grady is the neighborhood flirt and Erika is totally devastated because he doesn’t flirt with her.”
Grady glanced over his shoulder. “Have you met your husband? He would kick my ass.” Then he whispered in Brittany’s ear, “Besides, you don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
Everyone was trying hard to make her feel at home. Annie seemed happy she was here, so Brit
tany decided it was time to relax. They joined the rest of the family, and her curiosity about the boy got the best of her. She nudged Grady’s shoulder. “Sounds like you eat here a lot.”
His green eyes sparkled. “They’ve kind of adopted me. My parents passed away last year, so I’m all by myself across the street. I don’t know what I’d do without them.” Grady pulled her up next to the counter and grabbed a strip of bacon.
Terence whacked his hand with a spatula. “Mind your manners.” He set the plate in front of Brittany. “Company first.”
Brittany reached for a piece. Before she had her hands on the crispy goodness, Annie pushed the platter back in front of Grady. “Brittany is not company, she’s family.”
Grady squared his shoulders proudly and snatched a slice.
Terence whacked his hand again and the bacon fell back onto the dish. “Tomorrow she’s family, today she’s company.”
Erika whisked it away from all of them. “Stop smacking Grady like that, Dad. You’ll hurt him.” The platter arrived at its final destination on the dinette set several feet away. Erika plopped down in a chair and shoved three pieces in her mouth. “And for the record,” she mumbled. “They’re both family.”
Brittany held her breath. A family fight already and it was all because of her. It took a moment before she realized they were only teasing each other. Back home, no one ever laughed or joked, and no one dared talk back to her father. Not even Mom.
In less than fifteen minutes, she finally understood what being a family was all about. Love, loyalty, and a lot of laughing. She knew with every ounce of her being that coming to Hawaii was the right move. Brittany faced another dilemma. She possessed a sense of humor, but she never used it inside the family. There was a fine line between joking and being insulting. That line was crossed all the time with her beach buddies, but she didn’t want to say anything she might regret her very first day in Hawaii. Britt decided her best course of action was to start slowly. Sliding off the stool, she joined Erika at the table. “Three pieces of bacon,” she stated. “Well, I guess that’s better than two.”
Erika cocked her head. “Yeah, it’s bacon!”
Brittany shifted her eyes down towards her backside and gave her niece a little hint. “You know, number two...”
Erika’s brows scrunched together.
“Number one and number two,” Brittany explained, hopefully.
The girl shook her head. Her face a total blank.
Grady turned his stool around. “I guess you have to be a boy to get that one. She’s talking about poop, Erika.” His little snicker turned into a full-bodied laugh. “Number one is pee and number two is poop. Bacon is better than poop.”
Erika held her stony expression and picked up another piece. “Yeah. It’s bacon.”
Her new niece had sarcasm down pat.
Annie placed an understanding hand on Brittany’s shoulder. “It’s okay, and even when we are fighting, it’s still okay.” She leaned down and placed a quick kiss on Brittany’s cheek. “You’ll get used to us.”
Brittany wasn’t so sure. She had emerged out of a dark hole and into the light. Her eyes were adjusting, but she felt disoriented and unsure of herself. “Are you sure it’s okay I’m here? I know it’s a huge inconvenience.”
Annie shot her husband a sly smile.
Terence explained, “In this house, we welcome inconveniences. If Annie hadn’t barged into our lives a few years back, we wouldn’t be the family we are today.”
Max, strapped securely in his highchair, decided it was time to weigh in and wail.
Grady went over and released the boy from his bonds. Lifting him in the air, he cooed, “Hey, big boy. You settle down, breakfast is coming.”
Terence flipped a pancake onto a plate. “Here kid, feed him.”
“Sure thing, Mr. Javier.” Grady sat down at the table and placed Max in his lap. Chubby little fingers reached out and grabbed the pancake. Grady quickly snatched it away and tore it into little pieces before placing the plate back in front of him. The boy nibbled, drooled, and mashed the pancake into a million more pieces.
The kid from across the street threw out an idea. “There’s plenty of room at my place. I have two extra bedrooms. Brittany is welcome to one of them. It’s going to be a bit tight in here with another body.”
Annie pointed a menacing finger in Grady’s direction. “That is my baby sister we’re talking about, mister. Exactly what are your intentions?”
Brittany pulled Annie’s finger away from Grady’s face and giggled. “I may be your baby sister, but I’m perfectly capable of making decisions for myself. I’m eighteen. I got this.”
Annie’s eyes narrowed, but she backed off. “Fine, but you are always welcome here.” She leveled a glare at Grady. “I got my eye on you, kid.”
Brittany nudged Annie away and addressed Grady. “I need time to get reacquainted with my sister and her family. I’ll be fine here, even if I have to sleep on the floor.” Terence placed four pancakes in front of her. She grabbed the syrup and poured it over the top. “I also need to find a job. Maybe, when I’m able to pay rent, we’ll readdress being roommates, but for now, this is where I want to be.” She took a bite. The pancakes were fluffy, with a hint of vanilla. The added touch made them extra special. They were without a doubt the best pancakes she ever tasted. “Oh my God! I think my mouth just had an orgasm.” Shocked at the inappropriate words which tumbled out, Brittany’s eyes flew wide and she covered her mouth with her hands.
Everyone stared at her, but not a word was spoken. Terence’s coffee mug was paused in midair. Annie’s head was cocked and her eyes were questioning. Grady’s lips were pressed tightly together as he suppressed a chuckle, and Erika’s mouth hung agape.
The entire household went silent.
Erika finally blinked. “Oh man,” she laughed. “This is going to be fun.”
The rest of the fictitious tension dissipated and everyone broke into smiles. Annie and Terence joined the family at the table. Brittany studied their faces. They weren’t shocked or angry, but she was still remorseful. “Sorry, I’ll try to watch my mouth.”
Erika repeated her previous statement. “Oh man, this is going to be fun.”
Brittany looked to her sister for clarification. “What is she talking about?”
Annie patted her hand. “Sorry. That’s something you’ll have to discover all on your own.”
Terence passed Brittany a bowl of fruit. “Welcome to the family.”
2
Immediately after breakfast, Terence went out to purchase an inflatable bed for Brittany to sleep on. Erika took Brittany down to the beach to show her around and meet some of the locals. Grady cleaned up the kitchen while Annie put Max down for his nap.
Just as Grady wiped the crumbs off the counter and into the trash, Annie walked in and sat across from him. No matter how mature the boy tried to act, Terence was right, he was still just a kid. Losing both his parents in a horrible boating accident, only a year ago, left him lost. Grady used to work with Terence on his sideline tourist excursion boat named after Erika, but after the accident, Grady hadn’t been able to go back out on the water. Now he helped Annie with her Jamoka Jack Coffee Cart, but it didn’t pay nearly as well.
“That was sweet of you to offer Brittany a room. It must get lonely over there,” Annie said.
Grady shook off her concern. “I just wanted to show my thanks for everything you and Mr. Javier have done for me.” He leaned across the counter and grinned. “Besides, she’s pretty cute.”
Annie playfully slapped his hand, and her voice turned soft and comforting. “She is cute, but you don’t fool me for a minute. You are a lonely young man and that’s why we see girl after girl doing the walk of shame out your front door almost every morning.” She gripped his hand tight. “But it doesn’t help, does it?”
Grady pulled away and his eyes brimmed with tears. “Don’t get serious on me, Mrs. J. I’ll be fine.”
&nbs
p; Mrs. J? Grady never called her that anymore. Annie knew she was pushing too hard, but there were things which needed to be said. “I’d like you to go back to school. If you worked on the Erika Rose, you would be able to afford it.”
Grady shook his head. “I can’t do that.”
She looked into the boy’s eyes and wondered if he would ever truly be fine again. It was difficult, but she let it go. “Just think about it, okay? The Coffee Cart isn’t going to get you ahead.”
Grady wiped a tear off onto his sleeve. “Then why do you do it?”
Annie had been asking herself the same question. At first, it kept her busy. Leaving her thriving design business in San Diego left a hole inside her. She found great contentment here with Terence and Erika, but she wasn’t used to not having anything to do. The Coffee Cart filled that void. With Max’s arrival, life changed, and she found herself busier than she ever wanted to be. She knew she kept the Cart alive to keep Grady afloat and to appease her growing clientele. Grady usually worked the Sunday through Thursday shifts while she took Friday and Saturday.
An idea occurred to her and Annie saw a way out of the Coffee Cart completely. Brittany needed a job. If she was interested, Annie would gladly turn the little business over to her and Grady, and let them run it as they saw fit.
Grady interrupted her thoughts. “I’ve been thinking. Business is really good, but we should expand. The early morning crowds keep asking me to come back and be available later on when they need their ten a.m. pick-me-up. More than that, some of them have been asking to buy into the franchise.” He grabbed Annie’s hand. “Isn’t that an awesome idea, Annie? We could let others do the daily grind while we rake in the cash.”
Annie narrowed her eyes and studied Grady’s face. Maybe the boy was more of a man than she thought. Her mind raced through the numbers as she estimated how much money it would cost to develop a franchise. It was a lot, but she still had a little nest egg left over from the sale of Annie H. Designs. Annie rubbed her chin at the prospect. It would be a huge undertaking, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to take it on with Max so little. She also wanted to have another child someday, but Grady’s idea intrigued her. Larry had Erika’s college fund well in hand. They didn’t have to worry about her, but their own children were another matter. Terence ran two successful businesses. They could probably swing it without her nest egg, and she felt Grady’s idea warranted further investigation.
