Sweet Indulgence (A Charleston Harbor Novel Book 1)

by Debbie White

  “Oh, Vicky,” Annie said, spreading her arms wide.

  “Girl, it’s been way too long. It’s so good to see you.”

  “I can’t wait to hear about your wedding plans. Are you stressed yet?”

  The two gabbed as the hostess led the way toward their table.

  “I’m so stressed. But you know, my new favorite saying is, it is what it is.”

  Annie laughed. “I bet. Well, I can’t wait to come and see you two lovebirds finally tie the knot. Soon you’ll be Vicky Collins.”

  “Victoria Collins,” Vicky said with a tone of superiority.

  “I like the ring of that,” Annie said, nodding.

  Vicky fussed to Annie about how picking out the right bridesmaid dresses for Jessica, who’d just given birth and still had a few extra pounds to camouflage, as well as one to accommodate the expanding girth of Cassie’s tummy, challenged her beyond her wildest dreams.

  “I’ve selected five different dresses at three different stages of planning my wedding. I’m about to just have you as my only bridesmaid. You’re not pregnant are you?” Vicky teased as she poked at her salad.

  “No, I’m not pregnant. I’m hardly seeing anyone.”

  Vicky peered up at Annie. “Hardly?”

  Annie smiled. “Jack is his name. We really just started seeing each other. He’s a great guy.”

  “Good. Great guys are good.” Vicky put her iced tea to her lips and drew in a taste.

  Annie nodded. “You know Jessica and Cassie didn’t do these things on purpose. They love you, and it’s just one of those things.”

  Vicky forked a beet chunk and put it in her mouth. She chewed it slowly.

  “Having a baby is a nice thing. You are happy for them, right?”

  Vicky twisted her mouth then relaxed her lips. “Of course, I’m happy for them. It just makes it difficult picking out dresses. Do you realize we went from a fitted knee-length shift to an A-line skirt? Not to mention the color changes.”

  “I think A-line is still a good choice,” Annie said, savoring a spoonful of her chicken gumbo soup.

  “Yes, but now the measurements have changed. These changes are costing me money.”

  “The wedding is in two weeks. You’re probably safe with one more fitting.”

  “Tell me more about Jack.”

  Annie’s eyes lit up. “He’s part owner of Powell Limousine Services. Oh, and they also have a vacation rental business.”

  “I’ve used his services before.”

  Annie knitted her brows together. “You have? When?”

  “A while back. In fact, he’s providing pick up service for me at the airport for my out of town guests. And I’ve rented a couple of houses for them to stay at. Diane …”

  Annie widened her eyes. “Diane is his sister. In fact, my sister, Mary is working with Diane now.”

  “What a small world.” Vicky glanced at her watch.

  “Do you have to run off?” Annie said, relaxing her shoulders and slumping.

  “I do, dear. I have to meet Cassie and Jessica at the dress shop. Thank God you are still the same, and no adjustments are necessary for your dress.” She pushed back her chair.

  “Lunch is on me,” Annie said.

  Vicky dug in her purse and fetched her keys. “Thank you. Next time it’s on me.”

  Annie slid her chair out and met her halfway. She reached her arms out and pulled her in for a hug. “Everything is going to be just fine. The dresses will be beautiful, you’ll be beautiful, and it will go down as one of the best weddings in Charleston history,” Annie said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek.

  Vicky drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thanks for saying that. I really am happy the girls are in the wedding. I just want everything to be perfect.”

  “It will be. And, you know why?”

  Vicky cocked her head to the right.

  “Because we’ve been best friends for many years. We’ve had our ups and downs, but we all agreed we’d be in each other’s weddings. This is just us keeping our promise.”

  “True, Annie, so very true. Talk to you later.” Vicky rushed out the door of the small café.

  Annie looked back at her soup and glass of iced tea. She sat back down to finish her lunch. She’d no sooner sat down when her phone started ringing.

  “Hello,” she said, recognizing the number.

  “Dear, you must come quickly and take me to the hospital. There’s been an accident and Lilly is hurt.”

  “What happened?” She gathered her stuff and rushed to the register. She motioned for the clerk to hurry up and ring her up. “I have an emergency,” Annie said, covering the phone with her hand.

  “I told her not to do it,” Auntie Patty said.

  The clerk handed Annie her change.

  “Do what?” Annie rushed out of the café and found her car.

  “To get up on the ladder.”

  Annie slumped back in the driver’s seat. “Ladder? Never mind. Don’t tell me. I’m on my way.” She quickly started the car and drove off as fast as she could.

  Chapter 22

  They entered the emergency room. Annie walked up to the counter. “We’re here to see Lilly McPherson.”

  The attendant looked at a chart. “She’s in room 6A. If you go over to the doors, I’ll buzz you in,” she said, motioning toward the secured doors that separated the rooms from the waiting room.

  Annie and Patty made their way down the hallway. Full of equipment and staff, the hospital emergency room clearly was busy. Annie stopped in front of 6A. She pulled the curtain open. Annie gulped. She’d never witnessed her grandmother appear so vulnerable. Her eyelids fluttered when Patty pulled a chair out and sat down.

  Annie’s eyes focused on Lilly’s wrapped ankle. “At least she didn’t break any bones.”

  “Thank God,” Auntie Patty whispered.

  Lilly stirred and then slowly opened her eyes. She blinked a few times and tried to sit up. She grimaced.

  “Grandmother, I don’t think you should be moving just yet.”

  “It’s just a little sprain. I’ll be as good as new.”

  Annie frowned. “I can’t believe you got up on a ladder. What were you thinking?”

  “I wanted to get down the box with the photos in it.”

  “I would have gotten that down for you. Mary would have gotten that down for you.” Annie touched Lilly on the arm. “You could have been seriously hurt.” Annie’s phone started to vibrate. “That’s Mary, now.” She left the room.

  “How’s Grandmother?”

  “She’s going to be okay. Sprained ankle and who knows what else. I’ve not spoken to the doctor yet.”

  “I’m coming right now.”

  “Well, hold off. I don’t know if they are keeping her or letting her come home. Stand by. I’ll call you as soon as I know something.”

  “Okay, keep me posted,” Mary said.

  “I will,” Annie said, finishing the conversation with Mary.

  Annie entered 6A. “Grandmother, has the doctor spoken to you regarding your injuries?”

  Lilly shook her head.

  Annie turned her head and lowered her gaze to meet Patty’s. “Please stay with her. I’m going to see if I can find the doctor.”

  Annie stepped outside of the curtain and looked around. She finally caught the attention of a nurse standing nearby. “Hello, I’m Annie McPherson. My grandmother is in 6A.”

  “She’s a sweet lady. Doctor Carlisle saw her,” the nurse said as she read the chart.

  “Doctor Carlisle.” Annie pursed her lips. “What is Doctor Carlisle’s first name?”

  “Michael.”

  Just then Annie heard a familiar voice. “Well, if it isn’t little Annie McPherson.”

  Annie twirled around to find standing in front of her Michael Carlisle. “Michael!”

  “I thought that was your grandmother in there,” he said, motioning toward the curtain.

  Annie drew in a deep breat
h and when she let it out, she sighed loudly. “My very stubborn grandmother, I might add.”

  “She has a sprained ankle. It could have been so much worse. She also has a bruised elbow.”

  “And a bruised ego, no doubt.” Annie winked.

  Michael laughed. “Yup and a little of that. I would like to keep her overnight just to make sure everything is good. Is that all right?”

  “Why yes, of course. I appreciate that.”

  “We’re just trying to find her a room. Shouldn’t be much longer.” He reached out and touched Annie on the arm, sending shivers up her spine.

  “Thank you,” she muttered.

  “You look great, by the way. I haven’t seen you for ages.”

  Annie nodded. “I opened up a cupcake bakery downtown, Sweet Indulgence.”

  Michael pulled his head back. “You don’t say. I’ll have to stop in sometime.”

  “That would be great. Thanks again for taking such great care of Grandmother. If it’s okay, we’ll stay with her until her room is ready.”

  “Of course, not a problem.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m on break in about fifteen minutes. Care to join me for a cup of coffee in the glamorous hospital cafeteria?” His eyes twinkled, causing Annie to smile.

  “Sure, that would be great. We can get caught up.”

  Michael walked away, and Annie entered her grandmother’s curtained off room.

  “That’s little Michael Carlisle?” Patty whispered.

  Annie furrowed her brows. “Were you eavesdropping, Auntie Patty?”

  Patty picked up her hand and placed it on her heart. “Who me?” She batted her lashes, and then a wide smile crossed her face.

  “Well, I guess you also heard that they are keeping Grandmother overnight for observation. They’re getting a room for her now.”

  “Oh, she’s going to hate staying the night.”

  “Oh, well. She should have thought of that when she climbed the stupid ladder.” Annie shrugged.

  Chapter 23

  Annie headed to the cafeteria. She found him right away. It was hard to miss the tall, good-looking man waving from across the way.

  He pulled out a chair for her. “Thanks for accepting my invitation for coffee.” He pushed her toward the table. “I’ll get our coffees.”

  She watched as he made his way toward the coffee dispenser and flicked back the lever. He crossed back toward the table and set the Styrofoam cups on the Formica tabletop. He went back to where the coffee dispensers were located and retrieved a handful of individual cream containers and packets of sugar. He tossed them in the middle of the table and then sat down.

  Annie reached for the cream. “Thank you.” She opened the small container and poured it into her coffee.

  “What have you been up to, besides baking?” Michael opened a pink package of sugar substitute and stirred it into his coffee.

  Annie stirred her cream around and then drew in a small sip of the hot brew. “Taking care of two old women and my sister. You remember Mary?”

  Michael nodded.

  Annie had a flashback to a time when Michael was more than just a friend. They’d dated a little in high school and in college.

  “How’s …” Annie stumbled as she tried to recall her name.

  “Jennifer,” he said.

  “Jennifer. I’m sorry,” Annie said.

  “We’re divorced.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. Any children?” If Mary had been there, she’d have cautioned her about being so nosey.

  “No, we were only married for three years.”

  Annie laughed. “I may not have been very good in math, but that’s plenty enough time to have a baby.”

  Michael drew in a taste of his coffee, nodding as he did.

  “Do you remember Vicky, Cassie, and Jessica?”

  “Of course. You guys never went anywhere without each other.”

  “Well, times have changed. Cassie and Jessica are married. Jessica just had a baby boy, Reece, and Cassie is six months pregnant with a little girl. They’ve picked out a name for her. Katy.”

  “And Vicky?”

  “Vicky is getting married. We’re all in her wedding, which is in two weeks. She’s been a bit stressed about the dress fittings. Or should I say all the changes.” Annie took another sip of her coffee.

  “Who is Vicky marrying?”

  “His name is Scott Collins. He is active duty Air Force, stationed at the air base.”

  “So, you’re the last of the bunch to get married. Are you seeing anyone?”

  “I just started dating Jack Powell. You probably don’t know him.”

  “Jack Powell, owner of Powell Limousine Services?” Michael asked.

  Annie furrowed her brows. “Yes. That is so strange to me. I’d never heard of his services before, yet Vicky and you have. I guess I don’t get out much.”

  “I know of him because he dated Jennifer.”

  “He wasn’t the reason your marriage broke up, was he?” Annie’s pulse quickened as she spoke the words.

  Michael shook his head. “No, he was her rebound.”

  Annie shrugged her shoulders in a sigh of relief.

  Michael reached out and patted her arm. “Your Jack Powell is a good guy. He put up with a lot of stuff from Jennifer. I think she broke his heart.”

  Annie lowered her gaze to her cup and nodded. “Yes, I think she did.”

  Michael glanced at his watch. “Well, my break is up. Let’s go see what room they’ve assigned to your grandmother.” He pushed his chair back and stood.

  Annie also slid her chair back and stood. Now they were an arm’s length apart. “Michael, if I wasn’t seeing Jack …”

  “It’s okay. It’s hard to have a personal life when you’re an emergency room doc. I’m used to it.”

  “I hope you find happiness. You will forever hold a special spot in my heart,” Annie said.

  Chapter 24

  Annie smiled over at Jack. He looked extremely handsome in his formal attire. Happy he’d accepted the invitation to accompany her to Vicky’s wedding, a warm feeling brushed over her as she stood next to Cassie and Jessica. Soon the wedding march played, and as Annie watched her friend walk down the aisle and exchange vows, she wondered when or if she’d ever stand in that same place.

  Vicky had gone all out for her reception. The venue, which overlooked the bay, couldn’t have been more perfect. Round tables covered with white linen tablecloths dotted the room.

  “I have to sit up there with them during dinner,” Annie said, motioning toward the long table up front.

  “No worries, I’ll be fine,” Jack said, pulling her close.

  Annie leaned back and smiled. He dropped a sweet kiss on her cheek and then moved to her mouth. She held him in place as he kissed her.

  After dinner, the party ended up on the dance floor. When Jack and Annie slow danced, it was the first time they were that close for that long. It felt good to be up against his hard body. She fantasized about what it would be like to be embraced in his arms in a more intimate situation. She blushed at the thought and her soon warm waves of desire took over. She held him tightly, nuzzling his neck and taking in his woodsy spice scent. He slowly moved his hands up and down her back, finally resting them on her hips. They swayed to the music, and for the first time ever, Annie felt a connection she’d never felt before. And, she didn’t want it to end.

  Somewhat shaken by the experience of being so close and connected, Jack and Annie held hands as they made their way to his table. He pulled her chair close to him, and while their fingers were laced tightly, he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed them, one by one. Another blast of warmth traveled her body and made her more aware of her womanhood, causing her to blush.

  “Annie, my beautiful Annie,” Jack said, kissing her hand again.

  She pulled in a deep breath through her nostrils and let it out slowly. A small breathless whisper escaped her mouth.. “I’ve been thinking about how han
dsome you look in that grey suit and baby blue shirt.”

  Jack’s eyes moved up and down as he looked her over. “That dress is so hot. I love the way it hugs all your curves.” He brushed his hand across his chin.

  “Vicky was having a major meltdown about these dresses. But I agree, we all wear them pretty well.” Annie looked over her shoulder to her girlfriends, who wore the same color but different styles.

  “I don’t know if I want to take that dress off, or just keep looking at you while you’re wearing it. Both are a major turn-on.” He laced his fingers with her hands again.

  “Jack, you’re making me blush.”

  “Just keeping it real,” he said as he made a circling gesture with his thumb on hers.

  “I have to admit, I felt something tonight I’ve never felt before. When you held me in your arms while we danced, it was as if we were the only two on the dance floor. I felt safe in your arms,” she said, her breath catching as her heart raced.

  Jack looked over Annie’s shoulders and smiled. “Bridesmaids, twelve o’clock.”

  “Oh, Annie,” Cassie leaned over and hugged her shoulders. “What a beautiful wedding. And you look so elegant in that dress.”

  “You look lovely, too. I’m so happy Vicky was able to settle on dresses that suited all of us. The color is what really brings it and ties us all together.” Annie ran her hand over the light grey material. “I just love the color.”

  “I know, right? Jack, you look rather debonair tonight.”

  “Thanks, Cassie. You look stunning as well.”

  Cassie ran her hand across her baby bump. “Well, this little package is coming with me for the next three months, so I guess we better get used to it.” A warm smile crossed her face.

  Jessica walked up to the group, holding a glass of champagne and giggling.

  “Someone is having fun tonight,” Annie teased.

  “It’s my first night out since I gave birth.” Jessica slurped her drink.

  “Be careful. It’s probably your first night out drinking since you gave birth.” Annie raised her brows.