Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [117]
“I saw the way he looked at you. He’s interested.”
“I don’t believe the two of you. He lives in North Carolina. I live in South Carolina.”
“It’s closer than Hawaii,” Jane said.
“I suppose you’re going to tell me you don’t like Parker, either.”
“If you love Parker, then I love Parker. Speaking for myself, no, I did not like the man. I didn’t like his attitude on the phone. I never met him, so that’s probably not a fair assessment. I never would . . .”
“Have said a word unless I brought it up. Does that mean Tom doesn’t like him either?”
“As a business associate I think he likes him just fine. Personally, I don’t think he does. You need to clarify that with him.
“He’s sure chatting up a storm with Mr. Mitchell in the garden. They’re drinking beer and talking basketball. Man’s man. You know, guy stuff. None of that flower necklace stuff,” Jane said.
Annie wasn’t touching that one. “What’s for dinner?”
“Last of the summer corn. Big garden salad. I went to the market earlier and everything was so gorgeous I bought a little of everything. Chicken on the grill. Ice-cold beer for us grown-ups and lemonade for Daisy. Chicken and rice for the dogs. It’s cooking as we speak. Mr. Mitchell is staying, isn’t he?”
“For today. I thought I’d let him drive the Rover back and then, when my knee is better, you and I can drive up and get it if that’s all right with you.”
“Sure. Name the day. Did you decide on the reunion, Annie?”
“Yes. I’ll go if you want to.”
“Are you sure that’s wise, ladies?” Elmo asked.
“Wise or not, we’re going,” Annie said. “And when I’m there, I’m going to light a fire under someone. I’m going to put a stop to this once and for all. I will not live in fear, nor will either one of you.”
“What about Parker and his nephew?” Elmo asked.
“I’m going to take care of that, too. What happened to me in North Carolina was the last straw.”
“I guess that means you’re going to finally kick some ass, huh, Annie?”
“That’s exactly what it means.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Annie woke from a terrible dream, her body drenched in sweat, the light summer blanket she’d covered herself with wrapped around her neck. She leaned back into the soft, down pillows trying to figure out if it was the dream or something else that woke her. The dogs were quiet. Late-summer heat lightning could be seen through the Charleston blinds on the front window, but there was no rolling thunder. Where were the dogs? Probably sleeping with Daisy behind closed doors. Jake was probably upstairs with Clay with his door closed. Elmo was sleeping in the small bedroom off the center hallway. His door was probably closed, too. Jane and Tom were on the second floor at the end of the hall. Undoubtedly their doors were also closed. So what was it that woke her? She grunted when she realized her knee was throbbing.
Jane had left a bottle of aspirin and a glass of ice tea, now warm, on the end table next to the sofa in case she woke and was thirsty. Annie tossed the lightweight blanket to the side, grasped the arm of the sofa, and got up, wincing painfully and being careful not to put any weight on her injured leg. She hopped her way through the dining room and down the hall to the kitchen in the dark, only to find Elmo standing in the open doorway to his room, a strange look on his face.
“What’s wrong?” she hissed.
“Don’t know. I thought I heard something. Sit down, Annie. I’ll get you whatever you want. Stay off that leg.”
“Why are we whispering? I don’t think there’s anything out there, Elmo The dogs would be barking their heads off.”
“The dogs are upstairs at the front end of the house. Jane bought some gadget that plays soothing sounds for Daisy so she can fall asleep. It plays all night long. It’s one of those hypnotic, restful things. The dogs are probably zonked along with Daisy. I heard something,” he insisted.
“Maybe we should call Tom to check outside. I can buzz him on the intercom. We have a child in the house, Elmo.”
“It could be anything, Annie. Kids going by, kids throwing stuff over the gate. A raccoon on the