Sweet Indulgence (A Charleston Harbor Novel Book 1) Read online

  “We’re getting tired. It was a lovely day, but we’re worn out.”

  “Okay, let’s get these adventurous women back to their house.” Jack took one of Lilly’s arms, and Annie had the other.

  He pulled up in front of the cigar shop and cut the engine. He turned toward Annie, putting his arm on the steering wheel. “I think they had a great time.”

  “Oh, yes, they sure did. I think they’ll sleep just fine tonight.” She locked her eyes onto his.

  “When I spend a day outdoors, I sleep like a baby,” Jack said.

  “That and the glass or two of wine or scotch will have them snoring.” Annie laughed at the vision of her grandmother and auntie sleeping with eye covers on and snoring.

  “I think they liked me.” Jack nodded.

  Annie smiled. “I think so. I’ll hear more about it during my next Sunday dinner.”

  “I’m already thinking of things I can do to win them over. Do you think they’d enjoy meeting my family?”

  Annie twirled her finger around the ends of her hair and gave a little shrug. “I know I’d like to meet them.”

  Jack slapped the steering wheel. “Why, of course. I’ll set something up, but I have to warn you. My family is crazy.”

  Jack opened the car door and jogged to the passenger side, helping Annie out. He walked her to the door, and they stood holding hands.

  “I really had a good time today. I’m not just saying that either. My family is very important to me, and I know yours is to you as well.” He pulled her toward him.

  She heaved her shoulders when she drew in a long breath. “Yes, my loving, but very bossy family. They’re all I have.”

  Jack ran his thumb in circles over hers. He leaned in and laid another warm kiss on her lips.

  Chapter 9

  Annie changed her clothes exactly four times. She stared at her reflection in the long mirror that hung from the back of her bedroom door. She shook her head rapidly. “None of this is appropriate.” She tore off the scarf wrapped around her neck and began to undress. The phone rang in the other room, breaking her concentration.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to come and get you, and then we go pick them up?”

  “No, I got it. I think it’s better if I drive.”

  “Faster escape?” Jack asked.

  Annie laughed into the phone. “You’ve met my grandmother and auntie I see.”

  “Listen, they’ll be fine. I can’t wait for you to meet my family.”

  Annie hung up the phone, and then with her hands on her hips, eyed her wardrobe for the umpteenth time.

  “Auntie Patty, Grandma Lilly,” Annie blurted. “You’re so … so … dressed up.” Annie pulled her brows together forming a V.

  “We always dress up when we are invited to someone’s home for dinner,” Grandma Lilly stated.

  “Yes, but this is not a formal dinner. This is casual, a barbeque.” Annie huffed.

  Grandma Lilly squared her shoulders. Auntie Patty made a humph noise and then breathed in deeply, sighing as she let the air out of her lungs.

  “Oh, come on. We don’t have time to change.” Annie herded them toward the front door.

  Grandma Lilly twisted her head slightly. “Change? Who said anything about changing?”

  Annie placed her hands on her grandmother’s and auntie’s shoulders. “Walk,” she ordered.

  Annie wiped her sweaty palms down the legs of the white capris she’d decided to wear. She straightened her back and then rapped on the door. In a matter of moments, the front door flew open and there stood Jack. Annie’s eyes darted around the room behind him. Bobbing heads and the clatter of laughter filled the space.

  “Please, come in.” Jack took Annie’s hand. He gave each older woman a peck on the cheek. When they all got inside the house, Jack made the introductions. “Mom, this is Annie.”

  “It’s so nice to meet you,” she said, holding onto her hand. “Please call me Milly.”

  Annie enjoyed the warmness of Jack’s mom’s hand. “This is my grandmother Lilly and auntie Patty.” Annie motioned toward the old women.

  Jack’s mom embraced each member of Annie’s family. “Welcome to our home. Please, come in and have a seat.”

  Jack held Annie back as his mother took her grandmother and auntie to the living room. “See? I told you everything would be all right. My family is going to adore them, and they are going to completely fall in love with you.” He pulled her close for a hug.

  Jack pulled Annie along and announced her to the gang that was waiting in the living room. “Everyone, this is Annie,” Jack shouted.

  A low and loud voice yelled hello from one corner. From another, a high voice shouted a hello. Every corner, every inch of that room had a body, and from that body called out a greeting to Annie. She smiled, repeated the hellos, and soon she was the center of attention.

  A slender dark-haired woman approached her, holding hands with a little girl.

  “You must be Diane. And you,” Annie said, stooping over and meeting the gaze of the young child, “must be Crystal.”

  “This is my husband, Richard,” Diane said. “We’ve heard so much about you.” Diane pulled up the corners of her mouth in a warm smile.

  “I’ve heard a lot about you as well.”

  “You guys can talk later. I want Annie to meet the grandparents.” Jack took Annie by the hand and led her to another area of the room.

  Annie’s eyes bobbled back and forth from her grandmother and auntie to the other older folks sitting nearby. She strained her ears some to listen. Her stomach clenched tightly in anticipation of what she might hear.

  “Dear, these are Jack’s grandparents,” Grandma Lilly blurted when she caught sight of Annie.

  Annie shook hands with Jack’s grandparents on both sides, Polly, Bert, Russell, and Cora. She wondered if she’d ever get all the names straight. She committed them to the database in her brain and felt somewhat confident on recalling them later, until she heard the word cousins. She relaxed her shoulders, and tired from smiling so much, relaxed her smile, too.

  “Come on, I think you need some air.” Jack led her outdoors. “Stop worrying about them. How much trouble could some seventy-year-old women be?” Jack smiled.

  Annie laughed. “I need a drink, and make it a double.”

  Chapter 10

  Annie waited in the baggage area for Mary. She glanced at her watch as she paced. Morgan was holding down the fort at the bakery, and Annie felt comfortable leaving it in her more than capable hands. But, she being the control freak that she was, she felt it necessary to be there at all times.

  “Annie!”

  Annie twirled around to find her sister bouncing toward her. “Mary.” Annie embraced her in a warm hug. “How was the flight?”

  “Good. Long, but good. I’m so glad to be home.” Mary’s eyes twinkled.

  “I see you got a bit of sun.” Annie touched Mary’s arm, admiring her golden tan and wishing she’d inherited their mother’s bronze complexion like Mary had.

  “You must go to Europe. It’s so beautiful. I think my favorite country was Italy.” Mary looked back toward the luggage carousel. “I see my bag,” she said and took off to retrieve it.

  “Grandmother and Auntie are going to be so happy to see you. They’ve been worried about you.”

  “I’ll be booked for Sunday dinners for the next several weeks. They won’t let me off the hook, will they?” Mary laughed.

  “Well, if they won’t let me off they surely will not let you off.” Annie laced her arm with Mary’s. “Let’s go home.”

  Mary tossed her large duffle bag in Annie’s trunk and then took her place in the passenger seat up front. They chatted about all the places she’d visited and she promised to show Annie pictures, too.

  “So, what have you been up to? Still working hard at the bakery?”

  “Yes, the bakery is doing great. In fact, I just expanded Morgan’s hours.” Annie kept her eyes on the road as she
spoke.

  “That’s great. Maybe I can pick up some hours now that I’m back.”

  Annie glanced at Mary. “Oh? I didn’t think you’d want to. I mean, don’t you want to start looking for employment?”

  “Working at your bakery is employment,” Mary said.

  “Yes, but a real job. Well, you know what I mean. Something in the area of your degree, perhaps?” Annie thought about all the money they’d shelled out for her education.

  “I don’t know what I want to do,” Mary said as she looked out the window.

  Annie glanced over at her and stared at the back of Mary’s head before turning her eyes back to the road.

  Annie pulled over on the curbside in front of the house.

  “Aren’t you coming in?” Mary asked.

  “I have to get back to the bakery. Besides, you have a lot of catching up to do with them.” Annie nodded toward the large stucco house one row back from the waterway.

  Mary raised her brow. “Uh huh, sure … okay, I get it, but you know you’ll have to rescue me at some point.” Mary got out of the car. Annie rolled down the window as she popped the lid to the trunk. Mary leaned in. “I’m going to move out.”

  “Move out! Move where? You can’t just drop that on them your first day home.”

  “I know, but I am going to move.”

  “Don’t you need a job first?”

  “I do. I’m going to work at the bakery with you.” Mary stepped back and smiled.

  Annie watched her from the rearview mirror as she got her bag out of the trunk. Her eyes traveled with Mary as she made her way to the front of the house. Work with me? She slumped in the car seat.

  Morgan looked up as Annie entered the shop. Annie eyed the display case and did a quick inventory. “Looks like you made some sales,” Annie said.

  “We’ve been super busy. I haven’t had a minute to catch my breath.”

  The door opened causing them both to look.

  “See what I mean?” Morgan looked at Annie and then smiled at the customer. “How can I help you?”

  “I’d like a dozen cupcakes, a variety,” the older gentleman said.

  Annie watched as Morgan served the man. She no sooner got him taken care of, and the door opened again. This time a young woman entered.

  “I’d like a dozen cupcakes, please,” she said.

  Annie rapped her fingers on the glass top of the display unit. Her business was doing well. She didn’t have any complaints, but this seemed odd that all of these folks were coming in buying dozens of cupcakes.

  “Excuse me, miss,” Annie said.

  The young woman smiled.

  “I don’t believe I’ve seen you in here before. Is this your first visit?”

  “Yes, I didn’t even know it was here. I’m renting a house out on one of the islands, and the limo driver who picked me up from the airport told me about your place.”

  Annie gulped. Jack. “Do you remember the guy’s name?”

  “Yes, I have his card.” The woman dug in her purse.

  Annie held the corners of the card as she read the words. Powell Limousine Services.

  It went on like that for the next hour. Annie and Morgan served up customer after customer until the display case was empty and they had to turn the closed sign on the front door. Annie stood with her back up against the door. “That was insane.”

  “What was insane?” Morgan asked.

  “What just happened here today. Don’t you see? Just by word of mouth, my business went from selling a couple of dozens a day to completely selling out in one afternoon. I have to thank him.” Annie pushed off from the door and crossed over to where Morgan stood.

  “Thank him? Thank who?” Morgan tilted her head as she waited for the answer.

  “Jack Powell,” Annie whispered.

  Chapter 11

  She practically jogged home that afternoon, with her mind racing about what she’d say to Jack. She tossed her keys on the table and called for Buffy as she eyed the place for any puddles. She’d missed out on her walk because Annie had left her home that day. Buffy wagged her tail and danced around the table legs as Annie secured her leash.

  Buffy sniffed all of her favorite bushes and stopped to do her business along the way. Annie held her phone tightly, every now and then looking at the screen. After a few minutes, Annie found an empty bench and sat down. Buffy, now content, lay by her feet, breathing in the salt air through her nostrils. Annie laughed as she watched her sniffing away, catching scents here and there. She looked at her phone once again. She hit the button and waited.

  “Hey, Jack.”

  “Hey, there. Did you get your sister picked up from the airport?”

  “Yes, and I dropped her off at Grandmother’s so she could visit and I came back to the bakery.” Annie tried to lead him to confess.

  “Ahh, that’s good. I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Yes, but I have to warn you. She’s nothing like me. She’s a bit flighty.”

  “Well, she’s young. Didn’t you say she’s twenty-two?”

  “Yes, and she thinks she’s going to come work for me and move out of Grandmother’s house.”

  “You could use the extra help.”

  “How do you know I need the extra help?” Annie challenged him, hoping he’d confess now.

  “Because you told me. You told me you’d recently given Morgan more hours.”

  “Oh, yes, I did do that. Well, something really strange happened today.” Could the business card just be a coincidence, she wondered. “Morgan became swamped with customers while I was gone. When I returned, we had more. In one hour we sold out of cupcakes, and I had to put the closed sign up.”

  “That’s great! Don’t you want that kind of business?”

  “I do, but I found it strange that it occurred so quickly.” Annie recalled the business card once again. “Listen, a lady came in and she said you sent her.” Annie felt it best to just come out with it.

  Jack laughed into the phone. His laugh was deep and steady.

  “What’s so funny?” Annie asked.

  “I wondered when you’d say something.”

  “Are you telling people about the cupcakery?”

  “I am. Every chance I get.”

  “How nice of you, Jack. I mean it. It actually gave me a great idea. I need to branch out more and advertise.”

  “I’d be happy to help you. I’ll take a bunch of flyers and business cards, and wherever I stop to pick up customers, I’ll spread the word.”

  “You’d do that for me?”

  “I would. I’d do that and more, if you’d let me.”

  Annie drew in a deep breath. Her heart began to beat rapidly and she could feel the warmth rush through her entire body, landing on her cheeks and turning them bright red. Annie swallowed down the large lump that formed in her throat. “I’d like to see you again. I’d like to thank you for your kindness—in person.”

  “I’d hardly be able to resist a personal thank you,” Jack teased.

  “Why don’t you come over for dinner?”

  “That would be great. Can I bring something?” Jack asked.

  Just your big strong hands. “How about a bottle of wine?”

  The lasagna baked to a golden brown. The sourdough bread was sliced and warm. The salad was chopped and waiting to be drenched in a homemade dressing. Dessert was cupcakes, of course. Annie set the small table and lit the candles. “Now, you be on your best behavior.” She playfully shook her finger at Buffy. Annie turned toward the door when she heard the light rap. “What are you doing here?”

  “I couldn’t take one more minute of them. I needed wine.” Mary brushed past Annie and went straight to the fridge.

  Annie slammed the door shut.

  “What?” Mary said, poking her head out from the fridge.

  “I have company coming that will be here any minute. You can’t stay.”

  Mary’s eyes glanced to the table. A wide smile swept across her face.
“You’re having a guy come to dinner!”

  “Yes, and he’ll be here any second. Please leave,” Annie begged. She laced her arm in Mary’s and pulled her toward the front door.

  “Okay, but I want all the details tomorrow.” Mary leaned in and kissed her sister’s cheek.

  Annie pulled open the front door. Both women gasped.

  “I’m sorry, did I startle you?” Jack asked.

  Mary smiled.

  “This is my sister, Mary,” Annie said, motioning with her hand.

  Jack took Mary’s hand and shook it. “Nice to meet you. You’re just back from Europe I hear.”

  “Yes—”

  “And, she’ll tell us about it another time, right, Mary?” Annie ushered her out the door.

  Mary twirled around, stretching her neck to find Jack. “Yes, I will look forward to telling you all about it.”

  Annie closed the door halfway, sticking her neck out between the door frame and door. “Good night, Sister.”

  Mary brushed her long golden locks back with her hands. “Sheesh, Annie. You don’t have to be so rude. I get it when I’m not welcomed.”

  “It’s not that,” Annie called out.

  Mary stopped and turned toward Annie. “He’s gorgeous.”

  Annie dropped her gaze. She brought her head up and smiled. “Yeah, I know, now good night.”

  Annie shut the door and turned around. Jack dug his hands into his pockets and smiled.

  “Hungry?” Annie asked as she brushed past him to get the dinner ready for serving.

  “Starving.”

  In between bites, Jack took the opportunity to let her know how good the food tasted. He didn’t really have to tell her, his third helping of lasagna told her that. Jack grabbed his stomach. “I’m going to explode. But everything was delicious.”

  “Thank you. Any room for dessert?”

  “No way,” Jack grumbled.

  “How about we move to the couch and let our dinner digest? Then maybe we’ll have room,” Annie said, leading the way.