Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [54]
Annie laughed. “You should have been a used-car salesman, Tom. Okay, okay, I’ll do it. When do you want me to leave?”
“As soon as possible.”
“How does the end of the week sound? I need to shop, charter the plane, take the dogs to the vet, get them traveling shots. I’ll leave Sunday. Are you sure you’re going to be all right with me gone?”
“For God’s sake, Annie, of course I am. Talk to the doctor if you don’t believe me. Go home now. I’m expecting a visitor.”
“Who?”
“None of your business.”
“Is this a serious lady, Tom? Who is she? What’s her name? Do the kids like her?”
“Yes, it’s serious. Her name is Lillian and she’s a schoolteacher. One of Ben’s teachers, in fact. The kids love her, and she loves them.”
“And you didn’t tell me! How could you keep something like that from me? I’m your sister!”
“The same way you wouldn’t tell me where you got the hundred grand to buy off Mona. Jeez, I’m sorry, Annie. I didn’t mean to say that. I know we agreed never to mention it. I didn’t tell you because I wasn’t sure. You know, if you talk about it, something will go wrong. I didn’t want anything to go wrong. When you get back, I’d like to drive down to Charleston and have you meet her. She reminds me of Mom when Mom was young, and we were kids. She kind of smells like her, too.”
Annie leaned over the bed. “I’m glad you found someone, Tom. Okay, I’m on my way. I’ll call you before I leave for any last-minute instructions. Do we set up an appointment or what?”
“Nope, cold turkey. Catch Kiki off guard. They aren’t expecting us to complain. Be that hard-nosed businesswoman I know you can be. If you don’t like their deal, leave. Don’t be afraid to pull out your ace in the hole even if we aren’t one hundred percent committed to it. Selling coffee by the pound or half pound in the shops will increase revenues greatly. An additional three to four hundred thousand pounds of coffee a year should make anyone sit up and take notice. We’ll start small, and I’ll work on the remodeling aspect while I’m home recuperating. Kiki doesn’t have to know we aren’t set to go on it. I merely alluded to it, and I heard the old salivary glands watering. All the way from Hawaii. If that doesn’t work, we’ll switch to Plan B. Whatever you decide is okay with me. Let’s be clear on that, okay?”
“We’re clear. Charter a plane? That’s definitely decadent, Tom. I’m gonna do it.”
“See you around, kiddo. Don’t be afraid to kick some ass. Hey, how’s Elmo?”
“Not good, Tom. He’s looking at his eightieth birthday. He’s got some problems, but we still have dinner together three nights a week. I’d give up the shops before I’d give up those dinners. He never forgets to bring a chewie for Rosie and Harry. I love that old man.”
“I know you do, sis. Take care of him. Hey, take him to Hawaii with you. Bet he’d love that.”
“That’s a great idea. Get better quick, Tom. You’ll see me when you see me. Don’t forget, we have a date so I can meet Lillian.”
“You won’t let me forget. Get out of here,” Tom groused. “It’s almost time for Lillian to get here.”
“I’m going, I’m going.”
Annie felt every inch a princess when she trooped up the steps of the private jet that would take her all the way to Hawaii. Rosie, Harry, and Elmo had boarded five minutes earlier. Money was a powerful aphrodisiac, she thought. At the precise moment she stepped into the plane and stewards and pilot welcomed her, she knew she could do anything she wanted to do.
She could even call Parker Grayson or better yet, take a trip up to the North Shore and say, “I was in the neighborhood.” Absolutely she could do that. Of course she would do no such thing. Then why did you buy all those designer clothes