Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [83]
In spite of herself, Annie laughed. “You hate New York.”
“I know, but you like Broadway. I might learn to like it with you at my side.”
“There’s about as much a chance of that as me starting to like poi.”
“Is everything okay between you and Kiki now?” Parker asked.
“Yes.”
“Annie, did you really say you would only do business with Kiki?”
“Yes. I said that, and I meant it. Just like I meant it when I said the contract is only for six months and there will be no merger.”
“You really would have walked?”
“I told you, Parker, in a heartbeat.”
“Absolutely amazing. Kiki is walking around like a peacock.”
“A female peacock, right? Deservedly so. She did what you weren’t able to do. I wouldn’t have signed with you, Parker. I would not mix business with pleasure. We are clear on that, aren’t we?” Annie had to turn away at the look she saw in Parker’s eyes.
“Painfully so. I don’t want you to go.”
“I don’t want to go, either, but I have to. Two weeks isn’t that long. Remember there are telephones, and they work from here and from Charleston.”
“You’re the last one to board. Go on now before I slam this gate closed myself. Call me.”
Annie’s smile was weary. “I will.”
They were all waiting outside the airport for Annie: Elmo, Tom, the two dogs, and Jane. They shouted, “Welcome home!” Rosie and Harry strained at their leashes.
“Wow! I don’t think I ever had a greeting like this. I’m glad to be back. I missed all of you. Jane, it’s so good to see you. Is something going on I should know about?”
“We’ll talk at home. I cooked dinner,” Elmo said. “At your house. I knew you’d want to be among your own things. It’s good to have you home.”
Annie bit down on her lower lip. Elmo didn’t look right. How was it possible for a person to change so much in just two short weeks? Was he ill? Whatever it was, she knew she would have to wait until they were all ensconced in her kitchen with plates of food in front of them. Elmo did love family dinners with good conversation. Her own news would have to wait.
While everyone jabbered in the car about everything and nothing, Annie tussled with the dogs, trying hard not to notice the worry on Jane’s face.
Thirty minutes later, Tom announced their arrival. “I swear, Annie, this is the prettiest house on the battery. I can’t remember ever being this hungry.”
Annie laughed. “I guess that means you’re feeling a lot better.”
“I never felt better. I’ll take your bags upstairs.”
“Wash up, everyone. Dinner is warming. Table’s been set. I fed the dogs before we left for the airport,” Elmo said.
“What is this?” Annie asked as she peered into the chafing dish.
“It’s an oriental dish with a peanut butter base,” Elmo said.
“It took a long time to make. When something takes a long time to prepare, you know it’s going to be good. Eat hearty. I made enough for an army.”
“I’m not eating anything until I know what’s going on here. I’m glad you’re here, Jane, but I have to wonder why, when you haven’t been near this town in eight years. And you, Tom, what brought you here today of all days? Somebody say something,” Annie said.
“I’m scared, Annie. I never told my husband about that crazy episode in our lives. I don’t like getting weird phone calls with heavy breathing in the middle of the night. I’m afraid when the doorbell rings. That letter was downright scary. I have a daughter I worry about as well as a husband. He’s never going to understand my being stalked like this. I didn’t do anything, and I’m scared out of my wits. I came here so the three of us could put our heads together and come up with a way to stop all this. I brought the letter that was sent to me. I hate to even touch it. I put it in one of those plastic bags just so I wouldn’t have to handle it. Oh, this is good, Elmo,” Jane said, tasting a forkful of Chinese noodles.
“The same things that have been happening to Jane have been happening to me. I assume if you had been here, Annie, you would have gotten the same heavy-breathing