Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [31]
“Yeah, I say that a lot myself.” Annie giggled. “Listen, if you’re hungry, I can make you a turkey sandwich.”
“I am, and I’ll take it. How about some of that good coffee of yours? Which brings me to the real reason I came by. When I got to my dad’s house a Christmas card was waiting for me from an old college buddy. He owns a coffee plantation in Hawaii. Primo stuff. I called him just for the heck of it and he said you should order your coffee beans direct from him instead of buying through a middleman. Real nice guy. Single, no baggage. Women fall all over him. He’s part Hawaiian, part Irish. Great athlete. He whipped my ass at every sport we ever played. He’s competitive, rich as sin, and the best friend a guy could have. He was my best man when I got married. Anyway, he’ll give you the best deal going. You need to go there and check it out. He said you could stay at the plantation. Trust me when I tell you there’s nothing this guy doesn’t know about coffee. I think he was weaned on the stuff instead of milk.”
“Really,” was all Annie could think of to say.
“Mayo and mustard. Do you have any pickles?”
“I have a whole jar full.”
“You shouldn’t have said that. Pickles are my downfall.”
“The only reason I have them is I forgot to put them on the table last night.”
“So you and your brother are going to run the shops, eh?”
“Yes, but we’re going to have to hire more help. Do you know any art students who might be interested in sitting in the shop doing the postcards?”
“As a matter of fact, I do. Great kid, hard worker. Gives a hundred percent to anything she does. She paints scenes on sand dollars. That’s what’s in the present I brought you. I had her come by while I was gone to paint your shop and this house.”
Annie ran into the living room for the small gift box. She oohed and aahed when she saw the sand dollars. “These are beautiful. If she wants the job, tell her it’s hers. What about her classes?”
“She clerks at Bob Ellis during the day. Takes classes at night. She’s in the master’s program. I’m sure you can work something out.”
“Full-time. Health benefits. We’re working on a profit-sharing program. It won’t be up and running for a while yet. She helps out behind the counter when it’s busy. Base salary, half of whatever the sand dollars go for. We pay for the paints and the sand dollars. Sound good?”
“Better than good. She’ll take it.”
“How do you know?” Annie asked curiously.
“Because it beats selling shoes, that’s why.” Daniel laughed.
“If you had a choice, would you like to deal with smelly feet all day or would you rather sit like a lady and paint sand dollars?”
“Point well taken. Would you like some pie?”
“I think I’ll pass on the pie. I have to pick up my cat Radar from a friend, and I need some sleep. So, are you going to take Parker up on his offer?”
“Parker?”
“Parker Grayson. The coffee king.”
“I’ll talk to Tom about it in the morning. I’m for anything that will save me money. We’re going to open two shops near Clemson University. Five hundred pounds of coffee a week is a lot of coffee.”
“Okay, here’s his phone number and address. He said he’d send someone to the airport to pick you up. All he needs is two days’ notice. I’m outta here, Annie. My eyes are starting to cross. You’re sure now that you don’t want me to move your washer?”
The smile died on Annie’s lips. “I’m sure, Daniel. Thanks for the lovely plant and the sand dollars. What’s the girl’s name?”
“Dottie Frances Benton.”
“Tell her to come by and we’ll talk.”
At the door, Daniel leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Annie.”
“The same to you, Daniel.”
Annie raced out to the laundry room the moment she was certain Daniel was off the porch and headed home. Thank God the laundry room had no windows. In a frenzy, she propped open the top of the washer, to be greeted by a sloppy mess. She tried to lift the pillowcase out of the water, but it was too heavy. Wet money was heavy. In desperation, she