Annie's Rainbow (34 page)

Authors: Fern Michaels

BOOK: Annie's Rainbow

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“I'm probably the most boring person in the world, Clay. This is one of those little blips that happens to everyone once in their lives.”

“Some blip.”

Jane turned away from the stove. “Are we still going to the reunion next week, Annie?”

“Damn straight we're going. I've been thinking, Jane. I think I'll charter a plane so Elmo can go with us. I know he's just itching to see his old drugstore. I was going to ask him today. You're still planning on going, right?”

“I'm taking Daisy with me.”

“Sure.”

“She could stay with me. I could have Mandy drive down and pick her up and bring her back Sunday night,” Tom said.

Jane's voice was sharp when she said, “No, Daisy stays with me.”

“It's not a problem,” Annie said. “However, there are two schools of thought on that, Jane. Daisy might be better off with Tom.”

“No,” Jane said adamantly. “She belongs with me. She stays with me. We go together.”

Clay wondered if the tall thin woman was talking in some kind of code only Annie understood.

“Okay, it's settled then. I'll call and make the reservations this afternoon. By the way, what time is the party? I hope the drugstore hasn't changed that much. Elmo will be upset if the new owner turned it into one of those shiny chrome, glass, and overlighted stores that stays open twenty-four hours a day.”

“The party is dinner. I'll have to drive down to the battery to pick up the twins this afternoon. The kids can have their party outside in the yard. It'll last an hour, and that will be that. Who knows, maybe the twins' parents won't want them coming here. Everyone knows about the explosion. Parents are funny about stuff like that. I hope Elmo is up to the trip, Annie. He's getting more frail by the day.”

“He loved September when all the kids returned to school. I think it was his favorite time of year. This might . . . this might be his last chance to ... you know, see the place where he spent most of his life. It will be his decision, Jane.”

With Daisy at the table, the talk was centered on her birthday, birthday wishes, and a possible pony at some point in the future.

Clay pitched in and helped with the cleanup while Annie got dressed for the ride to the airport.

“I have to bring Jake, Annie. He wigs out if he's left behind.”

“It's not a problem. The pup might find it comforting. God, I hope Daisy likes this present. An animal is such a responsibility. Maybe she's too young.”

“I think you're worrying needlessly. She was real good with Jake and your own dogs. When she has one of her own to smother with love it will make all the difference. Do you want to talk about what went on earlier?”

“Not really but I guess I owe you some kind of explanation. Something happened a long time ago. Jane and I were getting our master's at Boston University . . .”

Ten minutes later, she finished her story. “They never found the money.”

“I remember hearing about that. You're right, it was a long time ago.”

“Then a year or so later, maybe it was two,” Annie said vaguely, “the money was returned. Half of it. Not too long ago, the rest was returned. Plus interest. That wasn't the end of it, though. Newman kept after the three of us. Just recently the kid, well, he's a man now, got out of prison. Newman called to warn us that the bank robber was, for want of a better word, after us. The guy seems to think if the money had been returned, he would have gotten a lighter jail term. He boasted that he knows what the three of us do, twenty-four hours a day. I think it was him following me the other night, and I sure as hell think it was him early this morning. Who would want to blow up my house? Who doesn't care about the lives of innocent people? No one I know, that's for sure. That's where it all is right now.”

“Is the case closed?”

“It's been closed. The insurance company and the bank signed off on it. To my knowledge, no one lost a penny.”

“That's some story.”

“Story, my foot. Try living it. Turn left here and just stop by the Delta door. I can manage, and don't lecture me. This is something I want to do. The stewardess that's bringing him said she'd meet me at the baggage area.”

“You shouldn't be walking, Annie.”

“I'm not. I'm hopping.”

Clay reached for a cigarette from the console, his eyes on the wide double doors. He saw her stop for a moment to peer into the little canvas bag. A smile brighter than the September sunshine spread across her face. In that one brief second he wished with all his heart that the earth had moved when he kissed her.

“Oooh, oooh, wait till you see this little guy. Is he precious or what? Oh, look, he loves me. Kisses, kisses. You poor little thing. All that way in that little bag. Want to hold him? Just for a minute. We don't want him bonding with either one of us. He's Daisy's pup. He's so warm and soft. Look at those eyes. Oh, he's shaking. I have to cuddle him. Doncha just love him? I want one of these,” Annie babbled.

“I never saw such a tiny dog. How much does he weigh? He's a fur ball. What do you think, Jake?”

Jake leaned over the seat to sniff the little creature. Then he started to lick the puppy's head and his paws.

“Guess he likes him,” Annie said. “He weighs about two pounds now and will probably go to five. Just right for a little girl. I already got him a bright red leash and collar with his name on it. It's Charlemagne. Charlie for short. Oh, look, he came with his own toy and blanket. We're going to have to wash them first, and there's a letter from my friend Cher. I guess it's for Daisy so we shouldn't read it. Oh, he's asleep. Okay, we can go now. When we get to Toys

Us you are going to have to go in and get the wagon. Try and get one that's put together unless you want to do it. Well, maybe Tom will do it but he's not good at stuff like that. He taught me how to hot-wire a car.”

“What!”

“Yeah. I learned all kinds of things from him and his friends. Man they could swear up a storm. They were always getting into trouble. I was a model of decorum.”

Clay laughed. “Tell me where to turn.”

“Right at the next light. Will Jake stay with me?”

“Sure. He knows I'll be back. He can tell the difference between being left behind and being left in a car while I get something in the store. I told you he was smart. What are you going to do now, Annie?”

“I don't know. Move to Australia. Europe. Like Scarlett said, I'll think about it tomorrow. Right now Elmo and Daisy are my top priorities.”

“Listen, Annie, what happened tonight . . . early this morning, is not funny. People could have been killed. I can call some of my old friends from the Bureau. Not active agents, people like me who left. They know how this stuff works. You have the resources so use them to put this guy away, so he's out of your hair once and for all.”

“I'll think about it.”

“What's to think about for God's sake? Either you do something or you don't. Let me help.”

“Why do you want to help me? Just tell me that.”

“Selfish reasons. I like you. My dog likes you. Doing something constructive for a change will help me get back among the living. Who knows, you might want to give me another chance to see if I can make the earth move for you.”

“I'll let you know, Mr. Shake, Rattle, and Roll.” Annie laughed. “Okay, turn right here. There's the store, and here's the money for the wagon.”

“Since Daisy invited me to the party, I need to get a gift, too. What do little girls like?”

“One of those pink Barbie race cars you pedal. It should fit in the back with the wagon. Jake can sit up here with me and Charlie.”

“Stay, Jake. I'm coming back,” Clay said. “See, I told you he understands.”

“Go already,” Annie said.

Annie leaned her head back against the headrest and closed her eyes. Fear ran rampant throughout her body. Her heart started to pound inside her chest. She'd missed death by mere seconds, as had Elmo. Dear God, what was she supposed to do now? Tears burned her eyelids and rolled down her cheeks. Jake whined softly. “I wish I knew what to do, Jake. I'd confess in a minute if I thought it would help. I wish I'd done it years ago. Too much too little too late.” The pup opened one eye and closed it.

Jake scrambled into the cargo area just as Clay arrived with a stock boy, a wagon, and a bright pink Barbie race car.

“Wow!” Annie said. “It didn't look that big when I saw it in the store the first time. Will it fit?”

“Sure will. Are we ready to go home now?”

“I'm ready. Thanks for doing this, Clay.”

“It was my pleasure. Jake is having himself a good time. I guess chasing rabbits gets boring after a while. He's a people dog. What shall we talk about now? How about the skinny on that boyfriend you dumped.”

“How about the skinny on Ann Marie,” Annie said sharply.

“What do you want to know?”

“Everything.”

“I thought you said whatever came before didn't count,” Clay said.

“Oh. Well then, tell me about your career as a hoop star. Did you like the roar of the crowds, the adoration, the big paychecks?”

“All of the above. Next topic.”

“Your farm.”

“Five hundred acres. Been in the family for hundreds of years. I lease the fields to other farmers. My brother doesn't want any part of it. No other family.”

“Oh.”

“Next.”

“Are you going to stay there forever?”

“Someday I might stick a pin in a map and head in that direction. For now it serves a purpose.”

“Oh.”

“Next.”

“Would you be interested in learning the coffee business?”

“I might. What do you have in mind?”

“No one is ever going to be able to take Elmo's place. We're going to need some extra help. Tom is on overload. Jane can do just so much. Daisy needs her mother. I'm not going to be renewing my coffee contract, so we need to find a new supplier. Are you willing to travel?”

“I might be. What do you have in mind?”

“Right now my head is too clogged up to think straight. I'll talk to Tom and see what he has to say. We have real good health benefits. That's important today. Really important. Three weeks vacation. Good pension plan. All the coffee you can drink. Not to mention tuna and brownies. It's an attractive package. We really don't have a corporate office. We should. It doesn't work for me. You could work out of North Carolina. Tom lives there, too. Do you think we should have a corporate office?”

“My theory is this. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.”

“My thought exactly.”

“What are you going to do, Annie? You can't pretend it didn't happen. What if there's a next time?”

“You don't have to try and scare me. I'm already scared. I have to think it through. I have to consult with Tom and the others. Tonight after the party when Daisy's in bed, we'll talk. You're staying the night, aren't you?”

“Am I invited?”

“I thought Daisy invited you. I heard you promise.”

“I thought I needed a grown-up invite. Okay, okay, I'm staying. I'll leave in the morning. Was that a bona fide job offer?”

“Yes, it was.”

“Then I accept.”

“You do! That's great, Clay.”

“Woof.”

Annie giggled as she nuzzled the little ball of fur next to her neck. How sweet he smelled. How soft and warm.