Sweet Indulgence Read online

  “Okay, next on the list. Peter, you’re going to meet Jack, Scott, and Danny on the island on Friday afternoon and get things set up, correct?”

  Peter nodded. “Yup.”

  “Betsy, the cake?”

  “I’m on it. I will have five dozen cupcakes iced and ready to transport along with your small but pretty wedding cake.”

  “Okay, so we need a volunteer to help transport the cupcakes,” Annie said, looking over the crowd.

  Peter held up his hand. “I can do it. I’ll bring them up on Saturday morning. I told Jack I’d come back out early on Saturday to make sure everything was finalized. We may need that extra time. Especially with all the lights you want to be strung up,” Peter said, smiling.

  “Okay, Peter, thanks, that will be fine. Maybe you can store the cakes in one of the food trucks?”

  “That would be fine,” Rebecca confirmed.

  Morgan raised her hand. “Yes, Morgan?” Annie said.

  “I feel badly that I haven’t volunteered to do anything.”

  “Well, don’t feel bad. You helped me seal and apply postage to all the invitations and then you walked them to the post office. That was very helpful.”

  “I know, but I’d like to do something for the actual wedding.”

  “I’ll tell you what. I’m sure we’ll need an extra pair of hands to make sure the food line goes smoothly. Can I count on you to help there?” Annie nodded as she smiled.

  “Yes, absolutely!” Morgan puffed out her chest, happy that she’d found purpose at Annie and Jack’s wedding.

  “What about flowers, Annie?” Rebecca said.

  Annie knitted her brows together. “I almost forgot about the flowers. I’ll get Mary on that right away. Okay, sounds like we have a plan. Thanks again for coming in on such short notice. Starting Friday, I’m giving all my employees time off to attend the wedding. You don’t have to report to work until Monday. Be sure to check the schedule in the back room. See you at the wedding!”

  Annie glanced at her watch. Jack would be over any minute. She rushed to the bathroom and peered at herself in the mirror. “Ugh! Dark circles.” She reached for the concealer and dabbed it under her eyes. She ran the brush through her golden red locks, and just for good measure applied a sheer lip gloss. “This will have to do.”

  A light rap at the door told her he’d arrived. She opened the door and motioned him to enter. He kissed her mouth as he dashed by. “I got orange chicken and friend rice,” he said, setting the containers on the table.

  “Sounds good. I’m exhausted.”

  “It’ll all be over soon,” he said with a spark of happiness in his eyes. He opened his arms wide.

  Annie walked over to him slowly with her head hung low. She walked into his arms and breathed in the smell of his shirt. The aroma, a mixture of laundry soap and his aftershave, comforted her. He held her tightly, letting her savor the moment. Truth be told, she could stay there forever.

  She pulled away from his hold and kissed him on the mouth. “Remember, I warned you I’d be stressed out. This is me—stressed out.”

  “I know, but it’s almost over with. Things are moving along. The deliveries are all set and everything is a go. Just breathe.”

  Annie slumped into his arms. “I’ll be so ready for the honeymoon.”

  “I have an idea. Remember when I told you we used to camp out on the property when I was a teen?”

  Annie nodded.

  “Let’s camp out there tomorrow night. It’ll only be Thursday and we can have one last quiet night together before the madness on Saturday. I’ll bring firewood and lanterns, and a two-person tent. It’ll be fun.

  Annie crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

  “What do you say? I know you’re the adventuress type,” Jack said.

  “Have the porta potties been delivered yet?” Annie asked, uncrossing her arms.

  “They’re scheduled to be delivered Thursday afternoon.”

  “Okay, it does sound fun. I’ll bring the marshmallows, you bring the wine.”

  They cuddled around the roaring flame on the beach, roasting marshmallows. The sounds of the waves lapping toward them soothed them, along with the light breeze rustling through the marsh and trees. The hoot of an owl nearby let them know they weren’t the only breathing creatures there tonight.

  “This was a great idea. Just what we needed before tomorrow,” Annie said, feeding Jack a marshmallow.

  “How’d you know I liked burnt marshmallows?” He laughed a deep belly sort of laugh, which in turn made Annie laugh.

  “It did get a bit toasty,” she said, laying the long-handled fork down.

  “Oh, look, a shooting star,” he said, pointing up toward the sky.

  “Could the night be any more gorgeous?” she said, resting her head on Jack’s shoulder.

  He breathed in the salty air and let it out slowly. “I agree. It’s so darn peaceful out here that I just could live here forever.”

  Annie lifted her head. “We are going to live here forever. I can’t wait for our house to be built. It will be the place that everyone comes to for dinner. It will be the place everyone comes to when they want to have a bonfire on the beach. It’s going to be the place for well … everything.” She leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.

  He pulled her in when she tried to move away. “I love you, Annie, with all my heart.”

  She leaned in toward him, her lips brushing his. She began to move away but he held her head in place, moving his hand through her hair as he deepened the kiss, caressing her softly. Their tongues danced as their bodies melted together, and then in one swift movement, he pulled her on top of him with the two of them rolling onto the sand. She pressed her hands against his chest as she gazed into his eyes, her breath catching as she studied his hungry eyes. The fire flickering in the background added a level of ambiance to an already intense night. “Jack.”

  “Uh huh,” he said as he trailed openmouthed kisses along the underside of her neck.

  “I love you, too, with all my heart.” She lifted his head so his mouth could meet hers. “Man, I love you.” She drew him in with her warm lips, her tongue finding his.

  Chapter 36

  Grandmother Lilly and Auntie Patty insisted the rehearsal dinner be at their house. Annie and Jack wanted to go to a nearby restaurant. It would have been less stress and less hassle Annie had told them. At least they’d had the good sense to have it catered. They’d just finished dinner and were going over the details one last time when Annie’s phone rang.

  Annie rarely shouted and especially into her phone, but when she got a call saying the wood dance floor they’d reserved was lost in transit somewhere, she lost her cool.

  “How does one lose a wooden dance floor?” Annie screamed. “I don’t want a refund. I want the darn floor. I have music planned with dancing. It’s my wedding reception, for Pete’s sake!”

  Jack held out his hand. “Let me talk to them,” he said, mouthing the words.

  Annie reluctantly handed him the phone.

  “Hello, this is Jack Powell, the groom. Listen, I know my fiancée didn’t really mean to scream in your ear, but she’s a bit stressed right now. See, first the delivery truck had a flat tire on the one-way bridge to our property, and it took us a few hours to change the tire and get it moved. So, we’re already behind on setting up canopies, tables, and chairs. Then, when we opened the forty million boxes of twinkling lights, half of them didn’t work. So, when she gets a call that says the dance floor is missing, it just made her a little crazy.”

  “Uh huh, I see. Yup … right, okay. Thanks so much.” Jack handed Annie her phone back.

  Annie pulled her brows together, and with one hand on her hip, stared at Jack. “What was that about?”

  “I just handled it. A new dance floor is on the way.”

  “Where could they possibly find another dance floor this late?”

  “That’s not our concern. They did, and I’m happy. Be happy,
too.” Jack smiled.

  “I’ll be happier when I see it,” Annie muttered as she walked away.

  “I love you,” he called out.

  Talk about wedding jitters. Annie had them bad. If Jack had them, he concealed it well. He was as cool as a cucumber Vicky had noted.

  “You look absolutely stunning. Jack is so lucky.” Vicky stood admiring Annie in her wedding gown.

  “I can’t believe this happening. I’m finally marrying the man of my dreams.” Annie’s eyes glistened with tears as she spoke.

  Cassie and Jessica entered the adjoining tent. “Everyone is seated,” Jessica said.

  “It is so lovely out there,” Cassie said, pointing in the direction of the venue.

  “It’s just as you planned, Annie,” Vicky said.

  Annie turned when she heard a small commotion coming from the far end. Grandmother and Auntie were having a lively discussion.

  “Grandmother and Auntie Patty, what in the world are you guys arguing about?”

  “She’s insisting that I take your left arm. I want to be on the right side.”

  “Does it really matter?” Annie said with her hands on her hips, eyeing her grandmother first then her auntie Patty.

  “In the rehearsal, I was on the right,” Grandmother stated.

  “Auntie Patty, please, just be on the left. It really doesn’t matter. Both of you are giving me away, and that’s the important thing,” she said, taking her hands off of her hips and crossing toward them. She reached out and lovingly caressed their arms. “You being here today is so special. The stress is real, so please, let’s not add to it. You,” Annie said, nodding to Grandmother, “will be on my right, and you,” nodding to Auntie, “will be on my left.”

  Grandmother and Auntie nodded. Annie leaned in and kissed them each on the cheek.

  In the distance, the music played, letting them know it was time.

  “Okay, girls, this is it. Are we ready?” Annie opened her arms wide.

  Vicky, Cassie, and Jessica rushed to her arms. “Let’s do this,” they yelled.

  “Wait, where’s Mary?” Annie peered over the tops of their heads. She spotted Mary sitting down, quietly dabbing her eyes with a hanky.

  “Mary, honey, what’s wrong?” Annie couldn’t believe that it would be anything too terrible. Not on her wedding day.

  Mary moseyed over to the group with her head hung low. “I’m sad.”

  “Sad about what?” Vicky asked, a bit perturbed over Mary’s apparently juvenile behavior.

  Annie lifted her chin toward Vicky and gave a slight shake to her head, letting her know to ease up. “Mary, what’s wrong?”

  “I guess it just hit me. Here we are on one of the happiest days of your life, and Mom and Dad aren’t here to see it.” She wept loudly, heaving her shoulders.

  “Oh, dear, please don’t cry. You’ll mess up your makeup,” Annie said lightheartedly. She’d felt that way, too, but decided to forgo getting in touch with her feelings for fear she’d be a total mess walking down the aisle.

  The three ladies moved out of the circle so Annie and Mary could have a private moment.

  “I’ll let them know to give us a few more minutes,” Vicky said, stepping out of the tent.

  Annie nodded her way.

  “Mom and Dad are watching us. They’re here with us today. Don’t you think for one second they aren’t. Be strong, Mary. Be strong for me, be strong for our guests, and for Jack. He’s an emotional wreck today, as well,” she said, stretching the truth.

  “I’ll try.”

  “You have to pull yourself together. We’ve been through some crappy stuff in our young lives, but this … this we should be jumping up and down in happiness over. I’m marrying Jack Powell, the most wonderful man on this earth, the love of my life.”

  “You’re right. It just hit me, and I couldn’t shake the blueness. I’m better now.” Mary stiffened her shoulders and smiled.

  “That’s my girl.” Annie leaned in and kissed Mary on the cheek. “Remember, you’re not losing a sister, you’re gaining a brother.”

  “And a big family. The Powells have been so sweet to me,” Mary said.

  “Yes, indeed. I love the way our families have merged as one.”

  Annie raised her chin and looked up. The girls all herded back inside. “Okay, we’ve stalled them all we can. Jack is getting suspicious. Are you ready to rock this wedding or what?” Vicky said.

  The girls all raised their hands in the air and on the count of three gave a high five.

  After the girls left the tent, it was time for Annie to make her entrance. Annie held out her right arm for Grandmother and Auntie Patty took her left.

  “What you said to Mary a few minutes ago touched our hearts. You’re a blessing to this family, Annie McPherson,” Grandmother Lilly said.

  A small smile appeared across her mouth, and with each of them by her side, Annie made the march to her place in front of the most beautiful magnolia tree she’d ever laid eyes on. Even through her veil, Jack’s intense look sent chills down her spine. The setting couldn’t be any more perfect, and with her best friends and loving family by her side, Annie married the man of her dreams, Jack Powell.

  The venue looked like something out of a bride’s magazine, with white folding chairs in rows, a white runner down the middle and under a trellis with various flowers—the perfect place for the bride and groom. The stately magnolia in the background symbolized unity and strength. In the distance were round tables and chairs for the wedding guests, each one dressed with a lavender table cloth and vases with white roses and baby’s breath. The food table displayed all kinds of finger foods, and of course, the cupcake tower with the small cake on top. A makeshift bar and a wooden portable dance floor, complete with a DJ ready to spin tunes, also sat in the distance. But what really made the event special were the hundreds of twinkling lights strung throughout all the trees.

  “Congratulations, Jack and Annie,” Vicky said, holding on to Scott’s arm.

  “It was a beautiful ceremony, and I really like how you did this here on the property,” Scott said as he looked around what once was just a piece of land with trees.

  Annie thought back about the mayhem earlier that week over getting the venue prepared. “Well, thankfully, Jack keeps a cool head in emergency situations. I wasn’t quite sure how it would all turn out.”

  “The view is gorgeous. I mean your home will be so fantastic with the view of the bay over there and the trees over there,” Vicky said, motioning to the areas as she pointed them out.

  “I can’t wait to start building. In fact, right after the honeymoon, we’re breaking ground,” Jack said, putting his arm around her shoulder and pulling her close.

  “The front porch is going to be right over by that magnolia tree. I want to come out my front porch every day and see that as a reminder of our special day,” Annie said.

  “There’s lots of work to be done, that’s for sure, but I’m committed, and this will be the house of our dreams when I’m finished.”

  “Jack and Annie,” Milly said, coming up from behind and hugging them.

  Robert stuck his hand out to Jack. “Congratulations, Son.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “It was a beautiful ceremony. I’m still crying,” Milly said.

  Just then Danny, in his role as DJ, made an announcement, letting the guests know to get some food and to be ready for toasts.

  Annie watched as her in-laws and friends and family made their way to the buffet line. A broad smile escaped her mouth, and she giggled.

  “What are you giggling about?” Jack wondered.

  “I’m just so happy! I’ve dreamed of this moment for a long time, and now that it has happened, I guess I’m trying to make some sense of it.”

  Jack pulled Annie into his arms and focused on her eyes. “I wanted to ask you something.”

  Annie nodded. “Okay.”

  “You helped me name my boat, Lady Powell, and it’s a
fine name. What about our home? It’s going to be unique sitting up here on this beautiful piece of property with the view of the Charleston Harbor in the distance, the waterway below, and these beautiful moss draped trees. Start thinking of a name for our homestead, okay?”

  Annie turned toward Jack with her hands clasped in front. “It’s funny you mentioned that. I have been thinking about a name already. I can visualize it now. It will be a handcrafted wooden sign made from one of the artisans in town.”

  Jack nodded, waiting for her to go on.

  “Sweet Magnolia.”

  Jack unclasped her hands, taking them into his own. “Sweet Magnolia … I like it. So, we have Sweet Indulgence, the bakery, and Sweet Magnolia, our home. I can’t wait to see what names you come up with for our children.” He squeezed her hands and winked at her.

  “Children? Well, how about the family dog first?” She laughed.

  Jack’s eyes twinkled. “I know just what kind of dog I want to get, too. Do you think Buffy will be intimidated by a large dog?”

  “Are you kidding? Buffy can hold her own.” Annie laced her arm with Jack’s and proceeded to enter the party zone. “Oh, look over there. Rebecca and Michael Carlisle are getting cozy,” Annie said.

  “Isn’t he a little old for her?” Jack said with concern wavering in his tone.

  “I think she’s older than Mary and Mary is with Danny. By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you. What do all the tats on Danny’s arm signify?”

  “He got a wild hair when he was stationed overseas.”

  “Oh, I didn’t know he was in the military. Mary hasn’t filled me in on that,” Annie laughed.

  “Just four years. It was enough to mess him up a bit. I think that’s why my uncle and aunt spoil him so much.”

  “Well, as you know, my dad was in the military as well. It can be a terrifying thing, especially for a young man.”

  “He’ll work it out. Danny’s a smart young man. Maybe Mary will be the one to help him.” Jack pulled her in close. Jack motioned toward the back table with his chin. “Speaking of those two, look over there.”