Authors: Fern Michaels
Annie's Rainbow (8 page)
Annie waited impatiently, her head throbbing, for her brother to walk through the gate. When she saw him she ran, her arms outstretched. “I'm so glad you came, Tom. This is going to be such a good Christmas. I'm going to cook a big turkey with all the trimmings. Do you have baggage?”
“A ton of it and something special for you. I took vacation time.”
“That's great. How long?”
“Do you think you can put up with me for a whole month? I thought maybe I could help out a little. I owe you, Annie.”
“I can use all the help I can get if you're serious. I can even offer you a job if you want one. We're going to open two shops near the Clemson campus. I'd love to turn one over to you. Both actually. You won't be making what you made in California, but the cost of living here is less. We're going big-time here. That means health benefits, a profit-sharing plan, all the coffee and tuna you want.”
“I'll take it.”
“Really, Tom?”
“Really, Annie.”
“What about the kids?”
“Mona is playing hardball. She wants alimony and astronomical child support. I might as well tell you, she has a boyfriend. That's what started the whole thing. But, to answer your question about the kids, you'll have to give me time off to visit them or to fly them here. My lawyer says I can get them summers, weekends, and some holidays. Once every six weeks sounds good to me with the holidays and summers.”
“That would be so nice, Tom. Which bags are yours?”
“The two big gray ones. They have wheels. We can't go yet. I have to wait for your present to come up. Stay here with the bags. I think I see it now.”
Annie craned her neck to see where her brother was going, but the heavy holiday traffic pushed and jostled her until she finally gave up. It would be like Tom to bring her an orange tree loaded with oranges. She sat down on top of the largest traveling bag to wait. When she felt a tap on her shoulder she turned.
“Merry Christmas, Annie,” Tom said, handing her a bright blue dog kennel.
“A dog! You got me a dog! Oh, Tom, how wonderful! Can I take him out? What's his name?”
“Of course you can take him out. He's yours. Rosie is her name. She's the best of the best, Annie. Championship lines all the way. Now that you're living alone, you need someone like Rosie here.”
“A German shepherd! Oh, she's just gorgeous. I love her. I will love her forever and ever. Oh, Tom, this is just so wonderful of you.” Annie buried her face in the dog's soft fur. She thought she could hear the dog purr her approval.
“You have to bond with her. That means you hold her close to your heart and snuggle with her. I didn't handle her at all because I didn't want to confuse her. Tell me where the car is, and I'll get it. You stay here with the baggage and Princess Rosie. She's six weeks and two days old. Do you really like her, Annie? You know, really like her?”
“How could I not, Tom. She's adorable.”
“You can do anything you want. She's your dog. Now, where's the car?”
“It's a Volvo station wagon. Dark green and parked in Row C, third one from the end. Here's the key. Drag the bags outside, and I'll carry the kennel. We'll wait on the curb for you. Oh, look, she's asleep.”
“She can feel your heart beat so she feels safe with you,” Tom said.
“How'd you learn so much about dogs? We always had cats.”
“I got a crash course last night. I found this dog in a little less than three hours and still made it to the airport. I have
books
in my baggage on what to do and not do. The breeder said you need to read them. All of them,” he said ominously.
books
in my baggage on what to do and not do. The breeder said you need to read them. All of them,” he said ominously.
“Okay,” Annie said, nuzzling the dog. This time she thought she heard the puppy sigh. Suddenly her world felt right side up. Tom was here and bygones would now be bygones. She wouldn't be alone anymore, and now she would have someone to love. Someone to love her back. “You can't take Mom's place but you'll do,” she whispered into the puppy's ear. “This is going to be the best Christmas ever.”
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Annie set the table as the new pup tweaked her ankles and shoes. She was everywhere, but always within sight, curious and devilish as she explored every inch of the old house.
“Okay, big gal, let's go for a stroll in the garden. We don't want any messes when company gets here. Go get your leash. That's a good girl,” Annie praised, as Rosie brought her a frayed and tattered string that had once been a leash. “Guess it's a chain from now on. We do not chew our leashes. Is that understood?”
The shepherd sat up on her haunches, her ears straight as arrows as she stared at her mistress. Her bark was deep and joyful at the prospect of an outing.
Annie walked the dog through the garden. “You know, Rosie, I bought this house because of the garden. I saw myself sitting out here on one of those old Charleston rockers, reading and sipping lemonade. I bet that angel oak is at least three hundred years old if it's a day. When you get a little bigger you're going to love lying under it. It stays green all year long, so on sunny days we can come out here to contemplate the conditions of the world and my deep, dark secret that suddenly doesn't seem so deep and dark. Of course that just means I'm in denial.”
Annie eyed the ancient wooden gate with the stout padlock. No one could get in from the outside. If she wanted to, she could hide out here for days, and no one would know the difference. She watched indulgently as Rosie dug at the luscious green moss growing between the cobbled stones. She didn't stop her. It was, after all, her garden, too. She'd outgrow her curiosity soon enough. She stopped her frantic pawing, her puppy eyes alert, her head tilted to the side. “Company, huh? Yes, I hear the car. Okay, let's go in and welcome our guests.”
The little dog bounded across the small courtyard to struggle up the two steps that led to the kitchen. Annie had to boost her fat little bottom over the second hurdle. She woofed her pleasure when Tom walked into the kitchen, Norma behind him. The pup sniffed his shoes and growled as she pawed at Norma's leg. Tom scooped her up into his arms, and said, “You should have warned me, Annie. You did, but I still wasn't prepared. There hasn't been one sign of recognition.”
“I know. It's like that sometimes, then bingo, she'll say something that makes perfect sense.”
“Mom, I'm so glad you could come. Isn't it wonderful that we're all going to spend Christmas together?”
“Did we get a tree? I don't seem to remember that. What's your name again? This nice gentleman didn't introduce us.”
“Anna Daisy Clark, Mom. Are you hungry? I made a turkey and all the stuff you used to make on holidays. I can give you some to take back when you leave.”
“That would be nice. This isn't my house. My kitchen cabinets are white, with those little crisscross panes. Who lives here?”
“Me and Tom. Would you like a glass of wine, Mom?”
“If this is Christmas, then I'd like a good slug of bourbon. Did anyone see my husband? We always had bourbon on Christmas. Never mind, he's probably shoveling the snow. We'll have it later. I keep forgetting I need to mind my p's and q's. I didn't say anything wrong, did I?”
“No, Mom.” Annie met her brother's gaze and muttered, “I'll explain it all later.”
“More company,” Tom said. “I'll get it.” Still carrying the dog, he pushed his way through the swinging door.
“He's such a nice man. He reminds me of someone,” Norma said vaguely.
“Tom's your son, Mom. I'm Annie, your daughter. Don't you remember?”
“I remember your secret. I didn't tell anyone. I really didn't.”
Annie stared into her mother's eyes and swore later that she felt her blood run cold. “We promised not to mention it, Mom. I didn't tell anyone about your secret. Please don't mention it again.”
“All right, my dear. I like your name.”
“Lazy Daisy. That's what you used to call me.”
“Yes. I forget sometimes. It smells wonderful. The owner must be a good cook.”
“She is. She had the best teacher in the world,” Annie said, biting down on her lower lip. “Let's go into the living room. We have company. We need to be sociable.”
“That's what Joe always says. Where in the dickens is that man? Did it snow that much?”
“I guess so. Mom, do you remember Jane and Elmo?”
“No. Maybe Joe remembers who they are. I haven't seen Flossie for a while. Did she get out?”
“I think she's upstairs,” Tom said.
“Oh.”
“Listen up everyone,” Jane said, her face flushed. “Bob and I have an announcement to make.”
I knew it. I knew it
, Annie thought as her stomach started to churn.
, Annie thought as her stomach started to churn.
“Bob asked me to marry him. Look,” she said, flashing her new engagement ring.
“Oh, Jane, I'm so happy for you both. When's the big day?”
“Valentine's Day. Isn't that romantic? Annie, Bob wants to move to San Francisco. A friend offered him a partnership in a four-man firm. I'll be able to paint all day long. I know you're upset. Please don't be. Bob can still do your accounting. It won't be a problem.”
“Jane, I can't buy you out.”
“Oh, Annie, I'm not asking you to buy me out. I'm giving the shops to you. You really did all the work. It was your idea. I just helped. You don't owe me anything.”
“No, no, that's not fair. You worked as hard as I did to get them up and running. I could never do that, and you know it.”
“Okay, how about this then? Someday when you're a multimillionaire, you give me one of the shops. If you don't like that idea, it's okay with me. Honestly, Annie, I don't want anything. I feel terrible leaving you like this. But, now that your brother is here, I don't feel so bad.”
“It sounds like a good deal to me,” Norma chirped.
“Do you think so, Mom?”
“Your brother is so handsome, isn't he, Annie?”
“The handsomest guy I know,” Annie said in a choked voice. She watched as Tom wrapped his mother in his arms, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“That's because I get my looks from you,” he said gruffly.
Rosie growled playfully as one paw snaked out to play with the string of pearls around Norma's neck. Annie smiled when her mother giggled at the dog's antics. “Tom and I will take anything we can get,” she murmured. Only Tom heard her and nodded his agreement.
“Annie, are you okay with this?” Jane asked.
“Of course I am. I would never stand in your way. I don't want you to give it all up, though. If you're sure one shop for you is okay, then it's okay with me. Consider it a nest egg for the future. It's expensive to put kids through college even on a partner's pay. I'll find a lawyer after the first of the year to draw up the papers. We want to do this all legal. I'm happy for you, Jane, I really am. This is turning out to be a wonderful Christmas. I wonder where Elmo is?”
“There's the doorbell. Right on time. Is he bringing either one of his lady friends?” Jane asked.
“Nope. He said he wanted to enjoy Christmas Eve with his family. Is he going to give you away at your wedding?”
“You bet!” Jane said. “I want you to be my maid of honor. We're just going to do the JP thing. We'll do dinner, then be on our way to San Francisco.”
“I'm so jealous,” Annie said.
“It's not your time yet, child. The right man will find you when it's time.”
“Is that a promise, Mom?”
“Lazy Daisy, of course it's a promise. I never broke a promise to you or Tom, did I?”
“No, Mom. Never ever.”
Tom beamed.
“Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas,” Elmo called out.
“Tell Elmo the news, Jane,” Annie said, her eyes star-bright as she put an arm around her mother's shoulders.
“I'm getting married and moving to San Francisco. I want you to give me away. Will you do it, Elmo?”
The wizened little man twinkled. “I'm honored that you would consider me for such an important role. Of course I'll give you away.”
“Norma, you're looking particularly pretty this Christmas Eve. And you must be Tom,” Elmo said, holding out his hand. “Seems we're going to have our work cut out for us with Jane leaving us. You up to it, boy?”
“I'm up to it, sir,” Tom said, tongue in cheek.
“Then we're in business. It's our job to make Miss Anna Daisy Clark into one of the richest women in the country. I think we can do it. What's your opinion, son?”
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