Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [27]
The little dog bounded across the small courtyard to struggle up the two steps that led to the kitchen. Annie had to boost her fat little bottom over the second hurdle. She woofed her pleasure when Tom walked into the kitchen, Norma behind him. The pup sniffed his shoes and growled as she pawed at Norma’s leg. Tom scooped her up into his arms, and said, “You should have warned me, Annie. You did, but I still wasn’t prepared. There hasn’t been one sign of recognition.”
“I know. It’s like that sometimes, then bingo, she’ll say something that makes perfect sense.”
“Mom, I’m so glad you could come. Isn’t it wonderful that we’re all going to spend Christmas together?”
“Did we get a tree? I don’t seem to remember that. What’s your name again? This nice gentleman didn’t introduce us.”
“Anna Daisy Clark, Mom. Are you hungry? I made a turkey and all the stuff you used to make on holidays. I can give you some to take back when you leave.”
“That would be nice. This isn’t my house. My kitchen cabinets are white, with those little crisscross panes. Who lives here?”
“Me and Tom. Would you like a glass of wine, Mom?”
“If this is Christmas, then I’d like a good slug of bourbon. Did anyone see my husband? We always had bourbon on Christmas. Never mind, he’s probably shoveling the snow. We’ll have it later. I keep forgetting I need to mind my p’s and q’s. I didn’t say anything wrong, did I?”
“No, Mom.” Annie met her brother’s gaze and muttered, “I’ll explain it all later.”
“More company,” Tom said. “I’ll get it.” Still carrying the dog, he pushed his way through the swinging door.
“He’s such a nice man. He reminds me of someone,” Norma said vaguely.
“Tom’s your son, Mom. I’m Annie, your daughter. Don’t you remember?”
“I remember your secret. I didn’t tell anyone. I really didn’t.”
Annie stared into her mother’s eyes and swore later that she felt her blood run cold. “We promised not to mention it, Mom. I didn’t tell anyone about your secret. Please don’t mention it again.”
“All right, my dear. I like your name.”
“Lazy Daisy. That’s what you used to call me.”
“Yes. I forget sometimes. It smells wonderful. The owner must be a good cook.”
“She is. She had the best teacher in the world,” Annie said, biting down on her lower lip. “Let’s go into the living room. We have company. We need to be sociable.”
“That’s what Joe always says. Where in the dickens is that man? Did it snow that much?”
“I guess so. Mom, do you remember Jane and Elmo?”
“No. Maybe Joe remembers who they are. I haven’t seen Flossie for a while. Did she get out?”
“I think she’s upstairs,” Tom said.
“Oh.”
“Listen up everyone,” Jane said, her face flushed. “Bob and I have an announcement to make.”
I knew it. I knew it, Annie thought as her stomach started to churn.
“Bob asked me to marry him. Look,” she said, flashing her new engagement ring.
“Oh, Jane, I’m so happy for you both. When’s the big day?”
“Valentine’s Day. Isn’t that romantic? Annie, Bob wants to move to San Francisco. A friend offered him a partnership in a four-man firm. I’ll be able to paint all day long. I know you’re upset. Please don’t be. Bob can still do your accounting. It won’t be a problem.”
“Jane, I can’t buy you out.”
“Oh, Annie, I’m not asking you to buy me out. I’m giving the shops to you. You really did all the work. It was your idea. I just helped. You don’t owe me anything.”
“No, no, that’s not fair. You worked as hard as I did to get them up and running. I could never do that, and you know it.”
“Okay, how about this then? Someday when you’re a multimillionaire, you give me one of the shops. If you don’t like