Once Annie had gotten home from the hospital, she was determined to do things differently with Carolina. She let her cry a little bit longer, didn’t jump up the minute she fussed, maybe even left the diaper on just a tad longer. Well, at least five seconds longer. She didn’t worry about the daily bath but instead wiped her down from top to bottom several times throughout the day, and when Ashton asked if he could hold her, she let him sit on the couch with Carolina’s little head resting on his lap, supervising to ensure he didn’t do anything too boyish, like jumping off quickly and letting Carolina roll off.
Even though Jack was on paternity leave, people were asking for furniture pieces along with custom signs for when he returned. After checking in on the business side of things, he shared with Annie his doubts he’d be able to complete all the orders without help. She took in a deep breath and laid out a new business plan for him. After all, she opened Sweet Indulgence and had some experience in running a business. Although, she’d not stepped inside the well-known bakery for a while. The last time she did, she felt out of place. As if she didn’t belong there anymore. Hogwash, she said under her breath as she scribbled out Jack’s new plan. “Sweet Indulgence will always be mine.”
“Huh?” Jack asked with a puzzled look.
“Oh, I just was confirming that Sweet Indulgence is my baby and always will be.”
“Why would you think she wasn’t? Your baby,” he said.
“The last time I entered the bakery, everyone was working so hard, things looked great, and I didn’t think they missed me.” Annie held Carolina in the crux of her arm while she sat at the table, watching Carolina’s chest rise and fall as she slept.
“I know that’s not true. They’re just carrying on like you trained them.” He reached over and touched her arm.
“I guess. But then there is a part of me that might not mind giving up control.” She fidgeted with her hair.
He tilted his head. “You’d sell the cupcakery?”
“I don’t know if I’d sell it, but maybe just step back.”
“That’s what you’ve done, Annie. Selling it would be the next step if that’s what you want to do. But I’m in no way suggesting you do that. I know you started that place from the ground up, worked it by yourself until you began earning money, hiring employees, training them, and the fire…that was awful.” He hung his head.
“I have two children and an aging grandmother and auntie who need me. Not to mention a handsome and understanding husband.”
He leaned forward, kissing her on the mouth. “The kids will be fine with whatever you decide, Annie.”
“Grandmother and Auntie?”
“Right now, those two are doing great. I know you’ve had some concern regarding their health, but seems their medication is working well. I mean, they take off without telling anyone where they go. They’re pretty independent.”
“I had a long talk with them about their last episode. Going to the movies to see Downton Abbey!”
“It was a great movie,” Jack said, nodding.
Annie cut him a warning look.
Shrugging, he laughed. “Well, it was.” He flashed a snowy-white grin.
“I had a message from Mary. Something about the house. Did Danny say anything to you about it?”
Pushing his chair back, Jack stood and stretched.
Annie watched as he refused to make eye contact with her. “Jack?”
“Yes, dear?” He stooped over and picked up Carolina, rocking her gently in his arms.
“Do you know something about the house you’re not telling me?”
“Oh, I think she’s had a blowout.” He lifted his hand, showing Annie the yellowish stuff.
Jack rushed down the hall to change Carolina. He knew something. It was just perfect timing Carolina required a diaper change. Thumping her fingers on the table, she looked over at the cell phone lying nearby. Whenever it came to Mary, something was always up. She picked up the phone and called her.
“What’s up, Sis?”
“Hey. How’s Carolina?”
“She’s doing well. We’re going to make her one tough cookie,” Annie said, laughing at their slack parenting job.
“And Ashton?”
“Yup, he’s doing good.”
“No jealousy rearing its ugly head?” Mary said.
“Not yet. But we’re trying to include him in many things. And there’s not the age difference like existed between you and me.”
“True. Well, glad everything is going well.”
A long pause entered the conversation.
“I was thinking about doing some refreshing here at the house. Do you have any problem with that?” Mary asked.
Annie, shaking her head, replied, “No.”
“I just hate the wallpaper in the living room and the dining room. It’s so old-world looking.”
“Old-world looking? The house is pretty old, Mary. Grandmother decorated it according to the style of the home and where it’s located. What were you thinking?”
“I don’t know. Maybe some bold paint colors. I just can’t have the monkey wallpaper any longer,” Mary said.
Annie chuckled into the phone. She knew exactly what Mary meant. Grandmother fell in love with the almost jungle-themed paper. Tigers and monkeys hanging from tree limbs, it was supposed to be whimsical with tones of European adventure. But truth be told, Annie didn’t care for it all that much either.
“I don’t know, Mary. Maybe find out how attached Grandmother is to the paper first. I agree it’s a tad overwhelming, but it definitely speaks to Grandmother. It’s right up her alley. What colors were you thinking?”
Jack entered the room, carrying Carolina. Annie nodded to him as she mouthed Mary’s name. He tiptoed out of the room, giving her privacy.
“I have a few samples. Would you be able to come by and look?”
“Sure. I’m ready to get out of the house. The walls are caving in.”
“So happy to hear that, Annie.”
Annie knew what Mary was referring to. With Ashton, she couldn’t bear to leave him or the house. But things were different this time around.
No sooner had her phone call ended with Mary, Grandmother Lilly and Auntie Patty came busting through the door. Arguing.
“I don’t need you to help me walk, Patty!” Lilly fumed.
“You were a bit unsteady out there, Lilly. I was just trying to be helpful,” Patty said.
“What’s wrong with you two now?” Annie walked over to them, taking Lilly’s arm.
“Oh, that sister of mine. She’s always behaving like my mother. I don’t need a mother. I’m older than she.” She sat down in the chair Annie scooted out for her.
“You do seem a little unsteady on your feet. Did you check your blood sugar this morning?” Annie crossed her arms while tapping her toes.
“No, she didn’t. But I’m happy to report mine is good. 102.” Patty’s boasted tone hit a nerve with Lilly.
“Tattletale.” Lilly stuck her tongue out.
“Can I get either of you a glass of iced tea?” Annie moved to the kitchen.
“Yes, dear. It’s brutally hot and humid outside today,” Patty said, sitting next to Lilly.
“Where are the children?” Lilly asked.
“Jack has Carolina and Ashton. They’re upstairs in the playroom.”
“He’s such a sweetheart,” Patty said.
Annie joined her relatives at the table. “Wondered if you two would like to go with me to the house. Mary wants to do some decorating and would like our blessing.”
Lilly grumbled while shaking her head. “Decorating? There’s nothing wrong with the place. What in the world is she up to, Annie?”
“She just wants to refresh the décor.”
“She is living in the house, Lilly,” Patty said, chiming in.
“That may be true, but it is still our property. We are the landlords. Everything must be run through us. Everything.” She slammed the palm of her hand on the table.
“And that’s why I’m asking you to go with me, Grandmother,” Annie said, trying to hide her irritation.
“Knowing Mary, she’ll want to tear down my wallpaper that I had shipped over from Europe and paint the walls purple!” Lilly took a drink of her iced tea.
Annie tried to refrain from giving away any knowledge she had regarding décor changes. She raised her brows and drew in a sip of the iced tea. Should she say something? Anything? Naw. Let Mary be the one.
“So, how about we go out there this afternoon. I need to shower and get dressed. Mary wants to see Carolina too. I’ll see if Ashton can stay here with Jack. Not sure I’m ready to handle two small ones out in the world just yet.”
The two old ladies slid back their chairs at almost the exact time. “We’ll be ready,” Lilly said, standing then quickly grabbing the chair back.
“Jack,” Annie yelled up the stairs.
Jack appeared at the landing.
“I need to walk Grandmother and Auntie back over to the cottage. I’ll be back in ten minutes.”
“Hello, Lilly and Patty,” Jack called.
“Hello, dear Jack,” Lilly answered. “I see you have your hands full.” She chuckled.
Patty held up her hand and waved. “Nice to see you, Jack.”
Annie laced her arm with Lilly and took Patty by the hand.
“Is this necessary?” Lilly scowled.
“Yes. And as soon as we get to the cottage, you’re taking your blood sugar.”
“Your numbers are high, Grandmother. Are you taking your medication as prescribed?” Annie moved to the cabinet and retrieved Grandmother’s pills, unscrewing the cap off and peering inside.
“Yes, I took it,” Grandmother said.
“She’s not eating properly,” Patty blurted.
Annie twisted her face in a puzzling look. “How can that be? You eat dinner with us every night. I make sure both of you are eating fewer carbs and more vegetables and lean meat.”
“She eats a donut for breakfast, and potato chips for lunch,” Patty said, rushing toward another cabinet.
Annie walked over to the shelf and removed a box of donuts and a bag of chips. Holding them, she scowled at Lilly. “You couldn’t even have the good taste to buy decent donuts? These are store-bought. And how did you get them?”
“I’m not a prisoner, Annie.”
“Of course not, Grandmother. But seriously. If you want some baked goods, at least let me make some or take you to a nice bakery. These are full of hydrogenated oil and high fructose. Yuck.” Annie tossed the items onto the counter.
“I’ll be back over to get you in about an hour. Let’s go out to lunch before we head over to Mary’s.”
“Can Jack handle the children for that length of time?” Patty asked.
Annie swiped the air with her hand. “Sure. He can handle anything. He’s Jack Powell.”