Annie's Rainbow - Fern Michaels [93]
“Annie, I’ve been alone so much these past years it doesn’t matter. I’m comfortable with my own company. This will give me some quality time with Elmo.”
“Then I think we’re all set. Since you agreed to cook dinner, I think I’ll go upstairs and call Parker. I want to change my shoes and clothes.”
“Take all the time you want. Thanks, Annie.”
“Pooh. It was nothing.”
Annie looked at her watch as she settled herself in a comfortable chair that allowed for a view of the water. It was nine-thirty in Hawaii. She dialed and waited.
“It’s Annie, Parker. I’ve been thinking of you all day. I have so much to tell you. Oh, I’m sorry. Go ahead, talk to your nephew. Call me back later. I’ll be here all evening.”
It was nice that Parker’s nephew called from college. She knew Parker liked to be asked for his advice and always went out of his way for his nieces and nephews. Maybe it was better that Parker would be calling later.
With nothing better to do with her time, Annie called Kiki Aellia’s private number. She smiled at the upbeat tone when her soon-to-be-sister-in-law answered.
“It’s Annie, Kiki. I just called to say hello. How’s everything?”
“At this point in time, things couldn’t be better. Who knows what tomorrow will bring. How are things with you?”
“Pretty good, all things considered. My friend Jane and her little girl, who is my godchild, are staying with me. Parker is going to call later tonight. He was on the phone with one of his nephews when I called. Tomorrow I go to New Jersey. By the time I get back, Parker will be here. I think we might be moving up our wedding date to September.”
“Why is that? It’s good, but is there a reason?”
Annie told her about Elmo.
“I am so sorry, Annie. If there is anything I can do, call on me.”
“The wedding may have to be here. I don’t know if Elmo will be up to the long plane ride.”
“Then we will bring the islands to you, Annie. It can be done. If this happens, let me know, and my sisters and I will arrange things for you. It will be our pleasure.”
“That’s very kind of you, Kiki. I appreciate it. I guess I’ll say good-bye for now.”
“Thank you for calling, Annie.”
It was nice being friends with Kiki. She’d never had a sister, and now she was going to have a big wonderful family with lots of sisters. Life couldn’t be better. Or could it?
Annie was aware suddenly of how dark her room had become. She looked out across the water as a storm roiled inward. One of Charleston’s famous thunderstorms was about to shatter the quiet. She gathered up her ice tea glass and ran to the stairs. Before long there would be thunder and lightning. Rosie was petrified of storms, and Harry always ran and hid under the staircase leading to the second floor.
Annie felt like a mother as she herded Daisy and the two dogs into the house.
It was a wonderful feeling.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Annie looked down at her watch, amazed that it was five minutes to midnight. She and Parker had been talking for over two hours about everything and nothing. She smiled to herself as she listened to Parker regale her with some of his childhood antics. She yawned elaborately as she realized she was tired of hearing his voice. It was all me, and I did this and I did that and then I did something else.
“Are you going to go to sleep, Parker? It’s almost time for you to get up.”
“I’m so wide-awake there’s no point in trying to sleep. See, that’s what talking to you does to me. I’d rather talk to you than sleep. I’m counting the days till you get back from New Jersey. I’ll be there in Charleston the moment you get home. I miss you, Annie. I didn’t think it was possible to miss someone as much as I miss you.”
“I feel the same way. You understand about Elmo then? Kiki said she would bring the islands to Charleston if we decide to get married here. I’m not sure I know what that means.”
“Well, if Kiki said it, then she means it. The whole family will be there, nieces and nephews. Aunts, uncles, cousins. Can you handle it?”
“Of course. My garden is wonderful. The house is spacious. The kitchen