Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [138]
Annie smiled at her friend. “You know what, Jane? I think I’d trust that man with my life. I know I’ve only known him a short while. Sometimes that’s all it takes. And, he really did make the earth move. No one has ever been able to do that to me. I also love that dog of his. Don’t go getting any ideas, Jane. I hate it when you try to play matchmaker.”
“Hey, he didn’t make the earth move for me. That has to count for something.”
Annie smiled. “I wish Tom would get here.”
“He’ll get here in time, Annie. Go on now, get something to eat while you’re downstairs. By the way, you look awful.”
“Guess what, Jane. You look like I feel. We’re cranky, you know that, don’t you? I didn’t think it would happen here. For some crazy reason, I thought Elmo would . . . You know, go in his sleep. You know how he likes to orchestrate everything.”
“Annie, stop torturing yourself. We got him back here in time. He got to fill a prescription. He got to see that his old store where he spent most of his life didn’t change. He got his sign, and he’s still hanging on to it. They couldn’t pry his fingers loose. Dr. Quinlan said it was okay, germs and all. We did our best. Elmo says you never look back.”
Annie ran from the room.
It was a beautiful autumn day with just the right amount of sunshine. It wasn’t hot, and it wasn’t cold. Elmo’s kind of day. She blinked away her tears.
Clay, Daisy, and the dogs came to her in a wild rush. She wanted to throw herself into Clay Mitchell’s arms more than she ever wanted to do anything in her life. She held back and didn’t know why. “Did I thank you for coming, Clay? Twice now you’ve come to my rescue. I’m grateful. I have a favor to ask of you. We don’t know how . . . what I mean is we might be here for a while. Would you mind taking Daisy back to the hotel? There’s no point in your hanging around outside the hospital. You said yourself that you can’t leave Jake anywhere, that he has to be with you at all times.”
“You don’t think you’ll need me here?”
“You know what, Clay? I don’t know. Tom is on his way. He should be here soon. We need to make sure Daisy is safe. Jane trusts you to take care of her daughter. That’s quite an endorsement.”
Clay could feel his chest puff out. “Consider it done. Will you call me if you need me?”
“Absolutely.”
“Are you sure the earth didn’t move, Annie Clark?”
“Nah. Steady as a rock. If you play your cards right, I might give you a second crack at it.”
Clay laughed. “Do I have to worry about that coffee guy?”
“Nope.”
“If that job offer is still open, I’ll take it.”
“Consider it yours then. What made you decide to take me up on the offer?”
“You’re nice people. I like that old man, I really do. Jane’s great. I like the way she practices motherhood. Your brother is an okay guy, and you’re kind of nice yourself. Did I miss anything?”
“You’re kind of nice yourself, Clay Mitchell. I love your dog. I gotta get back inside. Jane or I will call you to keep you posted.” She hugged Daisy and tickled Charlie under the chin. Then Annie dropped to her haunches. “Listen to me, big guy,” she said to Jake. “You saved my life, so that means you’re responsible for me. Take care of things, okay?”
“Woof.”
“That’s it?” Clay asked. “Nothing for me?”
“Winsomeness doesn’t become you.” Annie smiled in spite of herself. “I want to make sure my feet are firmly planted on the ground when you make your next try. at making the earth move.”
“I’m beginning to think I lost my touch.”
“Maybe we’ll never know,” Annie said, tweaking his cheek.
“What about that coffee guy? Did he make the earth move?”
Annie surprised herself by laughing aloud. “He did string a mean lei,” she called over her shoulder as she tripped her way to the front entrance of the hospital.
Her heart skipped a beat when she stared down the long hallway that led to the elevator. For one heart stopping moment she thought she saw Peter Newman. Right stance, right profile, wrong man. She was just on edge.