Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [135]
“Very clever, Annie,” Elmo said. “More ice, Jane.”
“I feel like everyone in the whole world is watching us.”
“They probably are,” Elmo said. “If you aren’t going to get gussied up to go to your reunion, why do we need to take our bags? Jane came in loaded down with shopping bags. Just put what we need in them. Someone might see us leave and think we’re checking out without paying our bill.”
“I guaranteed our stay with a credit card, Elmo. I know, I know, money talks. I found that out today at the university. We could simply leave here, check in at the Ritz, and buy what we need in the shops. I’ve worn the same clothes for three days in a row before, so it won’t be the first time. Personally, I don’t care if I miss the reunion or not. How about you, Jane?”
“Couldn’t care less. This is more important. Are you okay with the Parker thing, Annie? If you’re having second thoughts, I can take Elmo to the drugstore.”
“I’m okay with it. I had a couple of bad minutes, but that was it. I’m glad I did what I did when I did it. Just think, it could be hitting me in the face now out of the blue. No way are you going to the drugstore without me. You do the shopping bags, and I’ll call the Ritz. You guys go down in the freight elevator and take the car to the Ritz and check in. I’ll go down to the lobby and take a cab and we’ll meet up at the drugstore. I’ll give you a forty-minute head start. Do you think we’re being melodramatic?”
“Maybe,” Elmo growled. “It’s better to be safe than sorry. Do you want us to take this envelope or are you going to take it?”
“You take it, Elmo. We have to decide what we’re going to do with it. Are you sure you’re okay? You’re not tired?”
“Annie, I had a three-hour nap. The scotch is coursing through my bloodstream. I feel fine. I should have stopped taking those damn pills months ago.”
Who was she to argue with, a pharmacist who practiced pharmacology for forty-five years and stayed on top of the profession to this day. She nodded bleakly.
Charlie poked his head out of Daisy’s canvas bag and woofed softly. “Shhh,” Daisy said. “Oh, oh, look, here comes Jake.” The Yorkie wiggled and wiggled until he had his little body free of the loose flap on the canvas bag. A second later he was romping down the hall, Daisy in hot pursuit.
“Clay, what are you doing here? Whatever it is, I don’t care. I’m just so glad to see you,” Jane babbled. She threw her arms around the ex-basketball player and hugged him.
“Now, that’s what I call a real warm welcome. Where’s Annie?” Clay asked, looking around. “How are you, Mr. Richardson?”
“I’ve been better. Today started out to be a good day. Why are you here?” he asked more bluntly than Jane had.
“I got worried about all of you, so I chartered a plane. Women aren’t the only ones who have intuition or go by gut instincts. Jake seemed to think it was a good idea. I left a message, didn’t you get it? Where’s Annie?”
Elmo stared up at the tall man with the honest concerned eyes. There was no debate, no indecision. He told him what had happened. “Annie is waiting for us at the drugstore. We were going to check in and go through these papers before we meet up with her. She’s giving us a forty-minute head start.”
“Then let me put the top up on the car I rented. If someone is watching you, they have your car tagged. It might be a little tight with Jake, but I think we can all fit in. We can ditch the wheelchair, and I can carry you if you have no objections. I can pull my car right up to the side entrance. You guys hop in and we’re off. How’s that sound? We can pick up another rental at the Ritz. I’ll call in a reservation from the car, or I can drive you to the drugstore if you tell me where it is.”
Jane almost fainted with relief. Elmo sighed. Daisy giggled as Charlie and Jake romped outside the elevator. “I’m worried about Annie, Clay.”
“I can see that.