Course of Action

by Gun Brooke

  “What about going shopping?” Carolyn had asked, glancing at Annelie over the rim of her mug. “I need to pick up a few things, and we could take the Corvette.” Carolyn wiggled her eyebrows at her own suggestion, making Annelie laugh aloud before she agreed.

  Annelie was amazed by the calm and soothing ambiance between them, a restful camaraderie that she hadn’t expected. Leaning back in the passenger seat, she enjoyed the ride to the mall.

  When Carolyn pulled into a large parking lot and carefully parked away from any other vehicles, Annelie smiled at her knowingly, the smile turning into a worried frown when she heard Carolyn groan after she got out of the car.

  “What’s wrong?”

  Carolyn sighed, smiling sheepishly. “I used muscles last night I didn’t know I had. All night, I might add.”

  “Oh, my. Well, that’ll teach us not to be so enthusiastic,” Annelie joked.

  “Don’t say that. Practice makes perfect.”

  Hooking her arm under Carolyn’s, Annelie leaned down to whisper in her ear. “Well, in that case, I’m all for perfection.”

  Once inside the mall, they headed for a store that carried clothes by several famous designers. An efficient shopper, Carolyn bought several pairs of chinos and short-sleeved shirts, as well as a new denim jacket and sneakers, which Annelie suggested.

  “Are you planning something special, since you want me in shoes like these?” Carolyn asked, winking as she pulled out her credit card.

  “As a matter of fact, I do.” Annelie hadn’t realized until that very second she had a plan brewing. “I have a brilliant idea.”

  They walked out of the store and headed toward the center of the mall where several smaller vendors had kiosks. “You can’t hold back on me like this. You have to tell me.” Carolyn raised an eyebrow.

  “You’re cute when you’re demanding,” Annelie teased. “All right, all right. Tomorrow’s Friday, and I’ve given everyone the day off because they worked overtime to put the Orlando convention together. How would you like to drive up to Orlando and spend the weekend at Disney World?”

  Annelie kept walking and finally realized Carolyn was no longer beside her. Stopping, she turned around and saw her standing a few steps behind, looking cemented to the floor. “Carolyn?”

  “Disney World? As in rides, exhibits, and…Mickey Mouse?”

  “Exactly. Fireworks…parades…restaurants…”

  Carolyn’s eyes began to twinkle, and then she tossed her head back, laughing huskily. “Oh, you never cease to amaze me, Annelie,” she said. “I’d never have guessed you were thinking about Disney World…but why not! I’d love to go. Once we get back to New York, we won’t have much time to run and play.”

  “I’ll call Jem and have her make the arrangements.”

  They walked in silence for a moment, looking in the windows of the shops they passed. Carolyn glanced at Annelie with a thoughtful expression. “I just thought of something. You’ll be stuck in New York for the time being too and won’t be able to spend time with your friends down here…Annie, why don’t we ask some of them to join us at Disney World? I mean, unless they already have plans.”

  Annelie’s heart overflowed. Part of her wanted Carolyn to herself, but another part wanted to introduce her into her circle of friends, to make them understand she belonged. “Are you sure? It could be fun, of course.”

  “I wouldn’t have suggested it otherwise. Just so I still have you to myself all night, naturally.” Carolyn gave a broad grin.

  “That goes without saying. We can fit several more in the Lincoln, plus luggage. How about Jem and Charlotta, and…I think Kitty and Sam are still in Orlando.”

  “Great. Sounds like we could have a lot of fun.”

  Annelie turned to Carolyn, looking down at her smiling eyes. “So it’s settled, then.”

  “I can’t wait.”

  *

  They continued their shopping, and at one point Annelie asked Carolyn to wait while she disappeared into what Carolyn called a gizmo store. Turning around to scan the windows of the store opposite it, Carolyn had a sudden idea.

  She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Annelie was occupied with the salesperson, then hurried across the marble floor toward the store. Less than ten minutes later she placed a neatly wrapped item in her large bag, smiling inwardly as she walked back to the other store just in time to greet Annelie.

  “Did you find whatever you wanted in there?” Carolyn raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes, I did. Sorry, it took longer than I thought.”

  “Not a problem, but now I’m hungry. Should we grab something in here or…?”

  “Why don’t we drive down to the beach and see what we can scare up?”

  “Sounds like a plan. Let’s go.”

  They gathered their bags and headed toward the parking lot. As Carolyn drove the car out of the parking lot and headed toward the highway, Annelie opened her purse and pulled out her cell phone, pressing the speed dial.

  “Jem, Annelie here. Yes. Shopping, actually. Good. Now, Carolyn and I have a great idea. How would you like to join us and go to Disney World over the weekend? Friday to Sunday. You do? Great! I want to take Charlotta, if possible. As far as I know, Kitty and Sam are still in Orlando. I don’t think they’d mind switching to our hotel. Can you take care of the bookings? Brilliant. Thanks. I’ll call Kitty and Charlotta later. Okay, talk to you soon. Ciao.”

  “I take it Jem’s game?” Carolyn asked.

  “Yes, she didn’t have any plans for the weekend. She’ll take care of everything.”

  “Super. I look forward to it.” Carolyn smiled, not taking her eyes off the traffic ahead of them. A soft touch on her thigh made her give an inaudible gasp.

  “Why don’t we take the scenic route, along the beach drive?” Annelie suggested, making little circles on Carolyn’s leg.

  “Oh, goodness, Annie, I’ll do whatever you want, but you better not touch my leg like that while I’m driving.”

  “I thought you were completely absorbed in driving this car. How can one little caress have such an impact?”

  “Depends on who’s giving the little caress. Cut it out.” Carolyn smiled, not taking her eyes off the traffic. “That, or I’ll be forced to pull over and have my way with you.”

  Delighted, Carolyn heard Annelie moan quietly before withdrawing her hand. “Okay, so drive, then.”

  Caroyn laughed as she drove toward the beach, turning south on the smaller road following the coast. They passed the tourist-filled areas, and when the traffic thinned, Annelie pointed to the left. “What about that place?”

  “Barnacle Bill’s Crab Shack?” Carolyn read. “You’ve been there?”

  “No, but it looks genuinely quaint enough to be worth a try.”

  Feeling her stomach growl, Carolyn agreed. She turned into the gravel parking lot, looking for a remote spot for her beloved car. Under a group of palm trees, she switched off the ignition and stretched before she opened the door.

  “Still sore?” Annelie frowned. “We might have to get you to a massage parlor before you start working next week. We can’t have Diana Maddox limping or flinching every time she moves.”

  “Very funny. No, I’m not sore—just…a little tender.”

  They stepped up on the large veranda that circled the house, noticing the rustic tables and chairs. The door was flung open, startling both of them, and a tall, skinny man boasting a red ponytail and mustache stepped outside.

  “You like seafood?” he asked abruptly, glaring at them.

  “Yes,” Annelie replied, raising an eyebrow.

  A broad smile spread across his freckled face. “Then you’ve come to the right place! Step inside where it’s nice and cool, and I’ll pour you a glass of our homemade iced tea.”

  Carolyn sighed inwardly. “You have coffee?”

  “Sure do! We don’t have any of the fancy latte stuff, but we have fresh-ground beans, and the brew is strong enough to knock your socks off.” />
  “Sounds wonderful.” Carolyn sighed in relief at the prospect of not having to drink tea, since she detested the stuff. “Are you Barnacle Bill, perhaps?”

  “Nope, I’m Pete. His son.”

  Annelie smiled faintly. “There really is a Bill, then?”

  “Yup, he’s in the kitchen.”

  Carolyn had to stifle a giggle or risk offending the colorful man showing them inside.

  Large ceiling fans kept the air cool around tables with red-and-white checkered tablecloths. The walls were covered with postcards, odd signs, and maritime art, together with fishnets. Pete showed them to a corner booth, motioning for them to sit down before handing them worn leather-covered menus. “I’ll bring you your drinks. One iced tea and one coffee?”

  “Yes, please,” Annelie said.

  Carolyn opened the menu, and she widened her eyes at the many choices of different seafood. “I think we might have stumbled on something extraordinary,” she said. “If it tastes as good as it sounds on the menu, we have a winner.”

  “I agree. I think I’ll have the medium seafood platter.”

  “Me too.”

  They placed their order when Pete returned with their drinks, Carolyn hard-pressed not to giggle when he nodded in agreement at their choice.

  Remembering the small package in her pocket, she pulled it out discreetly, holding it in her hand before raising her glance to Annelie.

  “I have something for you,” she began, “and I hope you’ll like it.”

  “You do? What?”

  Mutely, Carolyn pushed the gift across the table, not taking her eyes off Annelie as she took the small package. Shooting Carolyn a curious glance, she slowly removed the black-and-gold paper. When Annelie looked at the brand name on the small wooden box, her eyebrows rose.

  “When did you have time…?”

  “When you were in the gizmo shop.”

  “Ah.” Annelie carefully opened the box and lifted the cotton to reveal the item underneath. “Oh, Carolyn, it’s beautiful,” she breathed. Tears suddenly welled up in her eyes, startling Carolyn.

  “Annie, don’t cry.” She reached across the table. “Here, let me put it on for you.” She lifted from the box a white gold bracelet, a simple chain with three charms attached to it—a heart, a cross, and an anchor. Carolyn had fallen for its old-fashioned look and immediately thought of Annelie. “There. It looks wonderful on your wrist, but of course you can take it back if you—”

  “Never,” Annelie said huskily. “I love it. Nobody has ever given me anything so romantic.”

  Carolyn couldn’t hold back a broad smile. “I’m glad you like it.”

  Annelie looked up, her face composed once again. “I do.” She held on to Carolyn’s hand. “I can’t believe I’m here with you. I’m afraid I’ll wake up and find it’s a dream.”

  Carolyn stroked her thumb across the back of Annelie’s hand. “In that case, we’re having the same dream,” she said. “I never thought I’d ever feel this way about anybody—and there’s no place I’d rather be.”

  Approaching steps announced Pete’s presence, but Annelie kept Carolyn’s hand in hers. Whistling off-key, Pete placed their food in front of them, giving no indication he had noticed their joined hands.

  “Eat and be merry,” he said and walked away to greet a new group of guests.

  Carolyn winked at Annelie as she tackled a jumbo shrimp. “Be merry…sounds good to me.”

  “Speaking of that, I picked up something for you, but I’ll give it to you in the car.”

  Carolyn licked her lips suggestively. “Something you can’t give me in public. Now I’m curious.”

  “I can see what you’re thinking, but don’t let that imagination run away with you,” Annelie warned, raising her fork in mock admonishment.

  “What are you talking about? What imagination?” Carolyn did her best to look innocent.

  “You know what I mean.” Annelie grinned. “Eat your lunch and stop trying to make me blush.”

  Carolyn gave a resounding husky laugh, making several people turn their heads. “All right, Annie. I’ll behave and let you reveal your gift in private later.”

  Annelie looked down at her bracelet, the expression in her eyes softening. “It’s beautiful.”

  Carolyn found it impossible not to smile as she gazed at the beauty before her. She leaned in closer. “It’s pretty,” she agreed in a low voice. “But you’re beautiful.”

  *

  Annelie had to laugh at the expression on Carolyn’s face when she gave her the hands-free device for her cell phone.

  “What’s this?” Carolyn frowned. “You know me and tech stuff. We’re not compatible.”

  “Yes, I know. This is to make your life easier. You plug it in here, in the cigarette lighter, like this. Then you attach your cell phone to the cord…like this…and now you can talk without using your hands. And also, it charges your phone. Smart, huh?”

  “Very smart…wait, how do you mean, without using my hands?”

  “All you have to do is press one button if the phone rings, and then you can just talk out loud. It’s like a speakerphone. It’ll make your driving safer. You can focus on the traffic around you instead of the cell phone.”

  “Amazing.” Carolyn grinned. “And here I thought you’d bought something naughty.”

  Annelie rolled her eyes and laughed. Feeling a slight blush creep up her cheeks at involuntary images flashing before her eyes, she had to ask. “Naughty? Such as?”

  It was Carolyn’s turn to blush. “Oh, I don’t know. Like massage oil, or…well, some tech toy, or something. I mean, after all, you were in one of those stores. They have all sorts of things.”

  “Oh, Carolyn.” Annelie smiled. “If I wanted to buy something like that, I’d be a little more subtle about it. You’re just teasing me.”

  “A little. This was a very thoughtful gift. Thanks, Annie.” Carolyn leaned in and kissed Annelie’s cheek.

  “You’re very welcome. As for the other suggestions, I’ll give it some thought. I’m all for massage oils and, well, I suppose a toy can be fun.” Annelie winked at Carolyn, who promptly started the car and pulled out of the parking lot.

  *

  The sun was low on the horizon, barely above the waterfront, as Annelie stepped out of the Lincoln in the parking lot outside her office.

  “About time.” Jem greeted her and Carolyn with a yawn. “Here I set four different alarm clocks to not be late, and you have the nerve to show up…” She checked her watch. “Six minutes late.”

  “Ah, quit whining, Jem.” Annelie grinned. “So we’re ready to go, then?”

  She glanced around and saw Charlotta walking toward them, pulling a small bag on wheels. Waving to the diminutive redhead, Annelie turned to Carolyn.

  “Looks like we can take off right away.”

  “Mmm,” the husky voice behind her agreed. “Want to drive? You sound incredibly perky.”

  The soft purr took the sting out of the words, and Annelie just smiled. “Sure. You had a hard time waking up this morning.”

  Jem raised an eyebrow at the information, but refrained from commenting. “I wouldn’t mind driving,” she suggested.

  “That’s okay. I’ll take the car through the morning traffic,” Annelie offered diplomatically. Jem was a good driver but possessed a fiery temper, which made being a passenger quite an experience. On more than one occasion, Annelie had tried to point out that the driver in the offending car couldn’t hear her colorful remarks.

  Looking slightly disgruntled, Jem opened the trunk to the Lincoln and stowed her bag inside. Charlotta followed suit and then climbed in the backseat next to Jem.

  “Everybody set?” Annelie asked, glancing over her shoulder.

  The morning traffic wasn’t too congested yet, so they drove quickly through the city and headed north.

  Annelie sat lost in thought as the other women chatted behind her. Such an ordinary thing to do, going away for the weekend with
friends. Still, so much rides on this. Will they accept Carolyn when they realize I love her? Will she be comfortable around them, knowing they know? This’ll be her first, granted, very small, experience of being out. She glanced down at her right wrist and watched the bracelet sparkle, the small charms glimmering as the rising sun shone through the windows.

  “I haven’t been to the House of Mouse in at least five years,” Jem said from the backseat. “It’s really one of my favorite places, but I guess I’ve just been too busy lately.”

  Annelie smiled inwardly at her chief editor’s words. Not many people knew of Jem’s more playful side, and she could see by Carolyn’s raised eyebrows that she was surprised.

  “I went to Disneyland with my brother and sister years ago.” Carolyn turned her head toward Jem. “They loved it, of course, but I mostly remember how hard it was to keep up with them. It’ll be great not having to chase children around.”

  “I especially love Epcot,” Jem said. “It’s my favorite part of Disney World.”

  “I’ve never been to Disney World,” Charlotta confessed. “I’m a terrible wimp when it comes to roller coasters. I hope you won’t think I’m a complete bore.”

  “No, don’t worry,” Carolyn replied. “I’m not so daring myself. I prefer the slower rides.”

  The conversation flowed easily as they drove toward Orlando. Annelie enjoyed the facetious comments and laughter, occasionally glancing over at Carolyn, who sat half-turned toward the backseat, taking part in the friendly banter. Annelie smiled, her heart aglow, as she watched Carolyn enjoy herself and take an active interest in what her other friends had to say. The weekend promised to be wonderful.

  *

  The one-bedroom executive suite held everything they could possibly need. Carolyn walked over to the window and pulled the curtain aside to admire the view of the lake and the Dolphin Hotel on the other side.

  “Cute.” She grinned, turning to Annelie. “I have to say, the swans on the roof of our hotel are slightly more elegant than the chubby-looking dolphins on that one.”