Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [28]
“It sounds like a good deal to me,” Norma chirped.
“Do you think so, Mom?”
“Your brother is so handsome, isn’t he, Annie?”
“The handsomest guy I know,” Annie said in a choked voice. She watched as Tom wrapped his mother in his arms, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“That’s because I get my looks from you,” he said gruffly.
Rosie growled playfully as one paw snaked out to play with the string of pearls around Norma’s neck. Annie smiled when her mother giggled at the dog’s antics. “Tom and I will take anything we can get,” she murmured. Only Tom heard her and nodded his agreement.
“Annie, are you okay with this?” Jane asked.
“Of course I am. I would never stand in your way. I don’t want you to give it all up, though. If you’re sure one shop for you is okay, then it’s okay with me. Consider it a nest egg for the future. It’s expensive to put kids through college even on a partner’s pay. I’ll find a lawyer after the first of the year to draw up the papers. We want to do this all legal. I’m happy for you, Jane, I really am. This is turning out to be a wonderful Christmas. I wonder where Elmo is?”
“There’s the doorbell. Right on time. Is he bringing either one of his lady friends?” Jane asked.
“Nope. He said he wanted to enjoy Christmas Eve with his family. Is he going to give you away at your wedding?”
“You bet!” Jane said. “I want you to be my maid of honor. We’re just going to do the JP thing. We’ll do dinner, then be on our way to San Francisco.”
“I’m so jealous,” Annie said.
“It’s not your time yet, child. The right man will find you when it’s time.”
“Is that a promise, Mom?”
“Lazy Daisy, of course it’s a promise. I never broke a promise to you or Tom, did I?”
“No, Mom. Never ever.”
Tom beamed.
“Merry Christmas. Merry Christmas,” Elmo called out.
“Tell Elmo the news, Jane,” Annie said, her eyes star-bright as she put an arm around her mother’s shoulders.
“I’m getting married and moving to San Francisco. I want you to give me away. Will you do it, Elmo?”
The wizened little man twinkled. “I’m honored that you would consider me for such an important role. Of course I’ll give you away.”
“Norma, you’re looking particularly pretty this Christmas Eve. And you must be Tom,” Elmo said, holding out his hand. “Seems we’re going to have our work cut out for us with Jane leaving us. You up to it, boy?”
“I’m up to it, sir,” Tom said, tongue in cheek.
“Then we’re in business. It’s our job to make Miss Anna Daisy Clark into one of the richest women in the country. I think we can do it. What’s your opinion, son?”
“I think we can do it, sir,” Tom said, winking at Annie.
“Call me Elmo.”
“Where’s the bourbon?” Norma queried.
“I’ll get it, Mom,” Tom said.
When Annie closed and locked the door hours later, she turned to her brother. “All things considered, it was a wonderful Christmas Eve. Mom knew us for a little while. Jane is delirious with happiness. We called your kids, and everyone said ‘Merry Christmas.’ Elmo is in his glory plotting our next business steps. You’re here. I’m here. And I have Rosie. I don’t think I could ask for more. Tomorrow we’ll go to church, then we’ll start working on the new year. Merry Christmas, Tom.”
“Merry Christmas, sis,” Tom said, wrapping his arms around Annie to hug her until she squealed. Rosie came on the run and skidded to a stop when she saw that it was Tom making her mistress squeal with delight. She backed up a step, squatted, and peed in the middle of the floor, then ran to her kennel, where she went when she made mistakes.
“It’s okay, Rosie. My fault. I lost track of time. C’mon, you can come out.” The pup waddled her way over to Annie, her tail swishing furiously. Annie scooped her into her arms. “Tomorrow’s another day. Let’s go to bed, Tom. We can clean up in the morning.”
“Sounds good to me. Were you serious about me living here with you, Annie?”
“Yes. I told you, the cost of living here is cheaper.