Charleston Harbor Novels: Books 1 - 3

  Charleston Harbor Novels 1-3

  Debbie White

  Copyright © 2017 by Debbie White

  All Rights Reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized by, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Cover design by Dana Lamothe from Designs by Dana

  http://www.facebook.com/designsbydana1

  Editing by Daniela Prima from Prima Editing & Proofreading Services

  http://www.primaeditingproofreading.weebly.com/

  Prologue

  They were known as the tough as nails McPherson sisters. They got it honestly too, with a grandmother who didn’t pull any punches and an auntie who was as cool as a cucumber on the exterior but strong as a lioness when it came to protecting her cubs, Annie and Mary. They only wanted the best for the girls and that included the men in their lives.

  Carefree and traipsing around Europe thanks to a very generous graduation gift, Mary wasn’t about to let her loving but eccentric grandmother and auntie find her next beau.

  Strong and determined, Annie had her hands full running a new cupcake bakery in town. Business was booming, and men, well, they were the last thing on her mind—especially the ones her grandmother and auntie tried to set her up with. But then, in walks Jack and everything Annie ever thought she knew about men went straight out the Sweet Indulgence door.

  Can Annie focus on developing a relationship with Jack? Will her grandmother and auntie even let her? She may be twenty-six years old but they still treated her like she was sixteen. Perhaps Mary could take one for the team while Annie learned the lesson that true love can’t be decided for you. You, and you alone are in control of your happily ever after.

  Chapter 1

  Annie watched as Morgan exited the bakery. As she turned to walk behind the counter, she heard the door open. Expecting it to be Morgan, Annie whirled around, getting ready to tease her about forgetting something, and instead locked eyes with a tall, dark, and handsome man.

  “Good day,” he said.

  Annie's sparkling green eyes widened. She didn’t recognize him, but then again, Sweet Indulgence had only been in business for three months. Her eyes traveled down his body and back up again. Nothing like a smartly dressed man in a dark suit. “How can I help you?”

  The handsome man reared his head back and laughed. Annie let out a small giggle. “What’s so funny?” Her hand frantically flew up to her face as she made a wiping motion. She’d been known to fling flour around and get it on anything and everyone.

  “How can I help you?” The man cocked his head to one side and a broad smile swept across his mouth as he eyed the confectioner's paradise before him.

  “Oh, yeah. I guess you want some cupcakes.” Annie lowered her gaze.

  “Yes, I do. In fact, two dozen, please.”

  Annie raised her eyes to meet his. “Do you want a variety?” She scanned the recently baked cupcakes.

  “Sure, sounds good, mix them up.” He stepped back from the counter and looked around. His eyes landed on Buffy. “What a cute little dog. Is she your guard dog?” He moved toward Buffy, Annie’s longtime companion and the shop’s mascot.

  Annie retrieved a large pink box from the stack and began filling it. “Not really. She just likes to come with me.” Annie taped the box shut.

  “I like dogs.” He leaned over and patted Buffy on the head.

  “She likes people.” She closed the lid and retrieved the second box.

  “I don’t have any pets right now, but I hope to have a dog someday.” The handsome man’s smile caused a stirring deep inside that also made her turn beet red.

  “Cash or card?” she asked, biting down a smile, the beating of her heart quickening by the minute.

  “Cash.” The man pulled out a black leather wallet from the inside of his suit jacket. He handed Annie a hundred-dollar bill. She quickly made his change and watched as he put his wallet away. The man bobbled the boxes as he slid one hand out from under the bottom. “Jack Powell.”

  Annie brushed her hand across her apron. “Annie McPherson.” The touch of his warm hand sent more stirrings deep inside. Annie didn’t typically get embarrassed shaking hands with men, but this Jack Powell fellow had her not only turning a few shades of red, but had her tummy tied up in knots as well.

  “I’m sort of sorry I haven’t stopped in here before today.” His eyes twinkled.

  “Well, the important thing is that you finally did.” Her bottom lip quivered just a bit.

  “Thanks again for the cupcakes. I’m sure my niece and all her friends will devour them.” He took the boxes and headed toward the shop’s door.

  Annie watched his medium-sized frame, large shoulders, and muscular thighs move as he crossed to the door. She kept her gaze steady on him—just in case he turned around quickly and caught her drooling … staring.

  “Oh, by the way,” he said, twirling around and smiling as he did. “You have a little flour above your top lip.”

  Annie quickly rubbed her face with her fingertips. “Thanks,” she whispered.

  A different day, but the same routine brought Annie into the bakery. Annie really liked to bake. It helped her de-stress, especially when it came to her meddling grandmother and auntie with their insistence to find her a man. She began to hum a tune that her mom used to sing to her when she heard the door open.

  Annie looked up from the counter, locking eyes once again with Jack Powell. “I thought you were Morgan. She just left.”

  “Morgan?”

  “My helper. She comes in a few hours a week to help me bake.”

  “I see. Well, are you disappointed that I’m not Morgan?” Jack lowered his head, his eyes trying to grab her gaze.

  She paused a moment before answering. “No, not at all. How many cupcakes do you want today?” She turned toward the stacked pink boxes and retrieved one.

  “Just one,” he replied.

  Annie hesitated before placing the box back. She turned slowly. “One cupcake? What flavor?” She pulled out a piece of the dry waxed paper and placed it on the counter.

  “Carrot, and a small cup of coffee, too.” He turned toward the small pub-style table. “I’ll eat it here.”

  “I don’t serve coffee.”

  “No coffee? Gotta have coffee with sweets. You should add that to your menu.”

  Annie opened the display case and retrieved his cupcake. “I think having coffee is a great idea,” she said as she plopped the cupcake down on a paper plate. “That’ll be two dollars, please.” Annie smiled.

  Jack handed her two bucks, took his cupcake, and crossed over to the tall table in the corner. He casually glanced back toward her.

  Annie tried not to be obvious as she watched him put the scrumptious treat to his mouth. He leaned back in the chair, enjoying the sugary delight when he suddenly turned around, holding the cupcake up. “Tasty,” he said. “Sure would taste a whole lot better with a cup of coffee.”

  Annie slipped into the kitchen in the back. She didn’t want to advertise it, but she had a Keurig coffee maker.

  She put the cup of steaming coffee down in front of him. “Cream or sugar?”

  He lowered his head and stared into the cup. “I thought you didn’t have coffee?” A surprised look crossed his face as he lifted the cup, inhaling the brew.

  “I don’t. Not for paying customers. But, I agree
, I like coffee with my sweets, too. I have a personal coffee maker in the kitchen.” A wide smile appeared on her face.

  “Well, in that case, cream and sugar.”

  Annie headed back to the kitchen to get the cream and sugar. She’d just reached the threshold between the kitchen and the display case, armed with the cream and sugar when he called out, “Grab a cup and join me.”

  She stopped, took a few steps back, and grabbed her cup with her index finger. Balancing the cream, sugar, and now her ceramic cup, she traveled over to where he sat. She liked how this day was shaping up.

  Over coffee, Jack and Annie made small talk. In about fifteen minutes, she found he’d lived in the Charleston area his entire life and his whole family lived in the vicinity.

  She told him her story. Well, not all of it. She’d save some of it for later. Not everyone would be receptive to her meddling grandmother and auntie. They meant well and over time, Annie had learned how to handle them. Or had she?

  “Why cupcakes?” he asked as he took his last bite of the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting.

  “One night, the girls and I were sitting around, drinking our sorrows away in a bottle of great zinfandel when we got hungry for sweets. I had some chocolate cupcakes leftover from one of the girl’s bridal shower, and before we knew it, Sweet Indulgence was born.”

  “Were these cupcakes you’d baked?” He drew in a sip of his coffee.

  “Yes. I’ve always enjoyed baking. I make a mean chocolate chip and oatmeal cookie, too.”

  “And then finding the best place to sell your cupcakes …” He trailed off, waiting for her to pick up on the conversation.

  She swallowed her sip of coffee and nodded. “This is the perfect location. We’re close to all the action—shops, dining. I couldn’t have asked for a better location.”

  “Do you live around here?”

  “Yes, about two blocks from here. I have an apartment above the cigar shop on Anne Avenue.”

  “You live on Anne Avenue. How cute.”

  She laughed. “I thought it was a sign. My real name is Anne, but my friends call me Annie.”

  Jack glanced at his watch. “Oh, man, I have to be going. Where did the time go?” He slid back his chair and stood. “I have a client to pick up in about fifteen minutes.” He crossed over toward the door and opened it.

  “No problem. Thanks for coming back. Maybe I’ll see you again sometime.” She relaxed her face and the corners of her mouth drew up.

  Jack nodded. “You can count on it.”

  Chapter 2

  Annie sat at the kitchen table going over last month’s accounts receivable and expenses. She leaned back into the chair and casually turned her head. With her paws flicking, nose twitching, and the occasional whimper as she chased bunnies in her dream, Buffy gave Annie a welcomed distraction from business.

  She pushed her chair back and stood, crossing to the large window with a view of the street below. The narrow cobblestone road, a part of Charleston’s history dating to the 1800s, gave Annie a reason to sigh. And sigh she did. “It’s a beautiful day for a walk, Buffy,” she said, turning around.

  Buffy’s chocolate brown eyes blinked a couple of times along with her thumping tail. “You’re awake! Go get your leash,” Annie said. The little dog jumped up and ran over to her hanging leash and nudged it with her nose. Annie laughed. “That’s a good girl.”

  They headed down to the Waterfront Park. Like most days, loads of people were wandering around. She found an empty bench and sat down, her eyes drifting to the pier where people were lined up along one side and down the other as they looked off into the Harbor. Buffy tugged at her leash causing Annie to look down.

  “Leave it!” Annie jumped up and kicked the rotten piece of fruit out of her reach. “Seriously, Buffy. Must you be such a chowhound?” Annie coaxed her to walk, trying to get her away from the spoiled food.

  They walked past a couple with a young child. She already sensed the child would ask her if she could pet her dog. It happened at least once a day on their walks.

  “Can I pet your dog?” the cute little girl with blonde ringlets asked.

  “Sure.” Annie smiled.

  The little girl gently patted Buffy’s head and then moved her hand along her back. “She’s a nice little doggy.”

  “Yes, she is. She comes to work with me every day. She loves people,” Annie said.

  The little girl’s mother tilted her head. “Oh? Where do you work at?”

  “I own Sweet Indulgence Cupcakery.” Annie puffed out her chest.

  “Oh, we walked by there today, but it was closed,” the mother replied.

  “I’m only open until two o’clock. I hope to expand my hours soon. I’m basically a one man … err, woman, show right now. I do have a college student who helps me out a few hours a week. And I’m happy to say, I should be able to give her more hours soon.”

  The mother of the little girl nodded. “Well, this little one is having a birthday next month. I’ll stop by and order some cupcakes for the big day.” The mother smiled lovingly at her daughter who now was tugging at her blouse. “Can we get a dog?” she pleaded.

  “Honey, we’ve been over that before. We can’t right now.” The mother turned to Annie. “We live in an apartment.”

  “I totally understand. I don’t have a yard either, but thankfully, I live near this beautiful park,” Annie said, motioning with her hands the grassy area that Buffy frequented.

  “Do you have a business card with the bakery’s number?”

  Annie frowned. “Wait, I think I do.” She dug into her purse and retrieved a crumpled looking piece of cardboard. “I’m sorry about its condition. It’s been riding around in my purse. It’s on my to-do list to order more.”

  “Thank you. This works,” the mother said.

  “Well, we’re going to walk the pier before we head home. Have a nice day.” Annie tugged at Buffy’s leash, but Buffy didn’t budge. “Buffy, come on.” Annie tugged her leash again. Buffy reluctantly moved away from the little girl’s soft touches.

  “Bye,” the little girl said as she waved goodbye to the little dog.

  Annie nodded and smiled and then proceeded to the pier. A lot of things traveled through her mind regarding the cupcakery. It excited her beyond control how a little idea had grown into a full-time business and something like walking Buffy just got her more customers. Her folks would be so proud. Her eyes began to fill with tears. It never got any easier. She missed them every day.

  She looked inside the fridge then closed the door. She opened the cupboards and stared. She walked back to the fridge and opened it, peering from shelf to shelf. She opened the freezer compartment. Nothing looked good.

  She fed Buffy and then grabbed a light sweater. “I’ll be back in about an hour,” she said as she patted her head.

  Annie strolled down the sidewalk about three blocks to one of her favorite seafood restaurants. Shrimp and Grits. Now that sounded good!

  The hostess led the way to a small table in a corner near a window. Annie loved to people watch so this was perfect. The hostess left a menu with her. She didn’t have the heart to tell her she already knew what she wanted. Soon the waitress came over to take her drink order.

  “Iced tea and shrimp and grits,” Annie said, handing her the menu.

  The brunette giggled. “You already know what you want to eat, too.”

  “I didn’t know for sure until I was about here, but then my mouth began to water for your shrimp and grits.”

  “It’s one of my favorites, too,” a man’s voice said from behind her.

  Annie reeled her neck around to find Jack sitting there. “How’d I walk by you and not see you?” Annie asked.

  “I probably had my nose in the menu.” He looked up at the waitress who hadn’t moved yet. “May I join you?”

  “Sure, please do.”

  “I’ll have what she’s having.” Jack handed the waitress the menu.

  “I’ll
be right back with your drinks,” the waitress announced with a southern drawl.

  Jack plopped down in the chair opposite of Annie. Annie lowered her gaze to the silverware and began to rearrange it. She felt a bit uneasy about Jack sitting right across from her although she liked the idea a few moments before.

  “Funny meeting you here.” He picked up a fork and played with it.

  Annie realized they both were fingering the utensils. “I think I’m nervous for some reason.”

  “Why? Do I make you nervous?” Jack asked.

  “I think so. I’m not sure why, though.” Annie locked her eyes on him. He was more gorgeous than she remembered, with his dark hair, dark eyes, and bronze complexion.

  “Would you like to order anything from the bar?” the waitress asked as she set the glasses of iced tea on the table.

  Jack turned to Annie and shrugged. “A glass of wine, perhaps?”

  “Wine sounds good,” Annie echoed.

  “Two glasses of cabernet sauvignon.” Jack turned his attention back to Annie. “With a name like Annie McPherson, I imagine your ancestors came from Ireland.”

  Annie flashed him a wide smile. “Yes, in fact, I just did a DNA test and got back my results.”

  “Let me guess. You were surprised when it came back you were Irish?” He winked, making her blush.

  “Well,” she said, “It just so happens that I am not just Irish. I’m twenty percent British, thirty percent Eastern European, and the rest is Irish.” She drew in a long drink of her iced tea.

  The waitress brought them their wine and left quietly.

  “Were your parents able to help you with some of the connections?”

  Annie shook her head. “My parents are gone. My mom died when I was ten, and my dad died about five years ago in a car accident.”

  “Any brothers or sisters?”

  “Yes, Mary my younger sister. She’s off traveling Europe with her friends. A graduation present from my grandmother and auntie.”