Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [114]
“I’m over the worst of it. I’m just going to be an old maid. What are you going to do?”
“Exist.”
“That’s a bummer, too.”
“I could coach if I wanted to.”
“Maybe you just aren’t ready to take that step yet. Three years is a long time, and yet in other respects it isn’t long at all. When the time is right, you’ll do something.”
“That sounds like something Ann Marie would say. Sometimes I can’t remember what she looked like. Other times I can feel her. What would you do if I leaned across this table and kissed you?”
“I’d probably slap you. Why would you want to kiss me?”
“To see if I’m as dead as I feel. You’re pretty. I even kind of like you. My dog likes you. You have a brain. We can talk intelligently.”
“Okay, go ahead.”
At best it was a brotherly kiss.
“Well?”
“The earth didn’t move. My brother Tom kisses me like that. You need to put some gusto into it.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“Yeah. You smell good, though.”
“Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m a lady that likes things to smell good. Especially a man. Do you like perfume?”
“I like perfume. Flowery stuff. Soft music. I’m kind of sentimental. At least I was. I don’t know what I am these days.”
“Me too,” Annie said. “Want to try again?” She wondered where the laughter in her voice was coming from.
“Well, hey, sure.” He leaned across the table.
Annie closed her eyes. They snapped open almost immediately. “Whoa.”
“You said gusto.” Clay laughed. “So, did the earth move?”
“Nah. I think you just need more practice. Don’t get any ideas about me being your guinea pig.”
“Didn’t it move even a little bit? A tremor?”
“Nope!”
Jake let loose with a sudden earsplitting bark.
“Guess that means Omar is here with your truck. You’re sure you want to leave? You’re welcome to stay as long as you like. One of the sofas in the den opens to a bed. You could sleep down here, so you don’t have to climb the steps.”
“No, I have to get back. Daisy is what’s important right now.”
“Let me settle up with Omar. He always carries extra gas with him, so I’ll have him fill your tank. You said you need your bag, right?”
“If it isn’t too much trouble. My wallet’s in my purse. Just take the money out to pay him.”
“Omar sends bills. He likes to keep his wife busy. She handles the business end of things. You never throw Omar a curve.”
“Okay. Guess you have to clean up. It was a great breakfast. Thanks.”
“My pleasure. I could just throw the dishes and stuff away. If I did that, we could leave as soon as you get dressed.”
“Go for it!” Annie giggled. “I always wanted to do that. It’s so ... decadent. Can you imagine just eating and then throwing everything away, even the pots and pans?”
“That’s why they make paper plates and plastic forks and knives.”
“Yeah, I know, but it isn’t the same thing.”
“I guess that’s called a quirk of your nature.”
“Admit it, Clay, wouldn’t you like to do the same thing?” Annie teased. “Wow, look at my truck!”
“Isn’t that one of those pricey ATVs whose advertisements say it can do anything?”
“You mean like going over the frozen tundra, handling the jungles of Africa and the Sahara Desert, not to mention scaling high mountains and carrying a whole zoo of animals? Yep, that’s the one. It doesn’t do mud.”
“I’d demand my money back.”
“I’m thinking about it.”
Annie finished her coffee and wished she had another cup. She looked down at her knee. It was as big as a melon. She swallowed three more aspirin from the bottle on the table with the last swig of coffee.
“Okay, here’s your bill and here’s your bag. Your purse wasn’t in the car. Don’t go thinking Omar took it. He’s a deacon in the church. I think it’s safe to say the guy chasing you last night took it. Did you have anything important in it?”
“Yes, I did. Do you have a cell phone we can take with us?”
“Sure. I keep one in the truck for emergencies.”
Good, I’ll call Elmo and Jane, and they can notify everyone. They’ll have to get the locks changed on the house.