Annie shook her head. “No. There’s only me. Not for lack of trying, my dad likes to say.”

“Well, if you’re their only child, they won’t turn their backs on you.”

“Oh, I know. But do I want to put up with hell for nine months?” she said with a laugh. “Thank you, Jordan. For letting me come out here uninvited. It’s been stress-free and I feel so much better.”

“You’re welcome.” Jordan led her to the door, then paused before opening it. “You know, I’ve got room here.”

“Room?”

“If you want to stay here,” Jordan clarified. “Instead of the Surf Court Motel.”

Annie laughed at her reference to the old condemned motel. “I appreciate the offer, but I couldn’t possibly impose on you like that.”

Jordan’s expression turned serious. “I wouldn’t have offered if it was going to be an imposition,” she said. “There’s an extra bedroom and bath that I’m not using. Besides, when I head back to Chicago, maybe you could rent the place from my parents or something.”

Annie was stunned by her offer. “Are you sure?”

Jordan nodded. “We get along fine. I like you. It would be nice to have someone to share dinner with.”

“We also work together,” Annie said. “Is that too much?”

“Well, since you’re the office manager and things are running smoothly, I’m only going to pop in from time to time. And when you start back to college, we’ll have to hire someone else anyway.”

“You’re really going to stay through summer?”

“I took a leave of absence. I think my job is safe if I head back by September. When do classes start for you?”

“Last week in August.”

“Perfect. We’ll hire someone the first of August and you can train them,” Jordan said. “Provided my father will go for that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Family business. He’s not big on outsiders running things. That’s why he’s at the restaurant as much as he is.”

They stepped out onto the porch and Jordan turned the light off as moths were buzzing around their heads.

“Smells like rain,” Annie noted. “I love spring storms.”

“First week in June…can we still say spring?”

“Yes. We don’t want to rush summer.” Annie turned to her. “I can’t believe it’s been six weeks since Matt’s been gone. Six weeks tomorrow.”

“I know. And the world just keeps on turning, doesn’t it?” Jordan shoved her hands into the pockets of her shorts. “My offer is genuine, Annie. You’re welcome to stay here.”

Annie tried to catch her eyes in the shadows but couldn’t. She was surprised at how easy it was to answer her.

“I accept.”



Chapter Ten

Jordan nodded at a couple of waitresses as she slipped back into the kitchen. It was barely five and the dinner rush had not yet started. Still, her father was busy with his fish and her mother was tapping on the computer that held the online orders.

“Hey, Mom,” she said as she leaned against the counter.

Her mother stared at her. “What happened to you?”

Jordan raised her eyebrows questioningly.

Her mother swept her hand toward her. “Did you rob a clothing store?”

Jordan laughed. “It probably would have been less stressful than my shopping trip to the mall.” She absolutely hated shopping. It was one reason all her business suits were practically the same. All she did was mix and match and change blouses. Most of her clothes she ordered without stepping foot inside a store.

“You knew you would be staying here this summer. You should have brought more clothes.”

“Yes, well, I don’t have a lot of clothes that would be appropriate for Rockport,” she said. “Annie told me I was way overdressed for Fat Larry’s.” Of course, she knew she was. Rockport was summertime casual, for residents and tourists alike. She, however, had dressed as if she was heading up to her high-rise office in Chicago, ready to do battle for multimillion-dollar accounts.

“Well, you look nice,” her mother said. “Did you come for dinner?”

“I thought we could visit before the rush,” she said. “Do you have time?”

“Yes. Grab us some tea. I’ll have Brenda take over the orders.”

Jordan had just sat down with their drinks when someone brought over a basket of freshly baked onion and garlic biscuits. They were still glistening with melted butter and she reached for one.

“Thanks,” she said before taking a bite. “God, that’s sinful.”

“Aren’t they?”

“You want one?” she asked her mother.

“No. You know I don’t eat anything from here.”

“I know. And after all these years, Dad still has an appetite for fish. If I had to cook it every single day, I’d never touch it.”

Her mother took a sip from her tea. “Are things okay at the store?”

“Yes. Fine.” Jordan licked her fingers, then wiped them on a napkin. “The hardest part is getting a handle on the inventory and making sure orders are placed. I’m sure Matt had a system, but I can’t seem to find it.”

Her mother smiled at the mention of Matt’s name and Jordan wondered if her mother was getting past her constant grieving. Normally, a mention of his name brought a shadow of sadness to her face, not a smile.

“Your father used to say the same thing,” she said. “I think that’s one reason he was so pleased you were willing to take over. He didn’t have a clue as to what Matt’s system was.”

“Annie’s been a big help,” Jordan said. “She would make a good permanent manager. But since she’s about through with college, I guess she’s pretty much set on teaching.”

“Matt always spoke highly of her. I’m glad she’s helping you out.”

Jordan nodded. “Speaking of that, I wanted to return the favor,” she said. “So I offered for her to move in at Pelican’s Landing.”

Her mother’s eyes widened. “Move in? Why?”

“She lives at home with her parents.”

“And?”

“Well, and she’s kinda pregnant and it’s not sitting too well with her mother. So…”

Her mother leaned closer. “How is someone kinda pregnant?”

Jordan shrugged. “Annie uses that word. I guess it’s become habit. Anyway, I wanted to let you know that I offered her a place to stay. That’s okay, isn’t it?”

Her mother wiped a droplet of water from her glass. “Of course, Jordan. Treat the house like it’s your own. But she’s okay with…well, with everything?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, does she know you’re…gay?” she asked, the last word barely more than a whisper.

Jordan smiled. “Yeah, she knows. It’s not contagious. I think she’ll be safe.”

Her mother blushed. “That’s not what I meant and you know it. But I know Clara. She’s not going to—”

“Who’s Clara?”

“Annie’s mother.”

“Annie’s twenty-nine years old, Mom. I don’t think she has to get her mother’s approval.”

“I know. I just don’t want to get into the middle of a family tiff.”

“That’s none of our business,” she said quickly. “Annie told me she was going to have to find a place to live so I offered the spare bedroom. It’s no big deal. I just wanted to let you know.”

Actually, it was a big deal. She’d surprised herself with the offer. She’d always lived alone. She was used to her own routine, used to her own company…used to being alone. But, hell, she liked Annie. They got along well and she thought of Annie as more of a friend than an employee.

“What will happen when you leave?”

Jordan shrugged. “Maybe she can rent it from you.”

Her mother sighed. “I don’t know, Jordan. I doubt your father will want someone living there who is not family. You know how he is.”

“I know. But he’s going to have the same problem with Fat Larry’s. He’s going to have to trust someone who isn’t family. I can stay through August, then I’ll have to head back. They won’t hold my job forever.”

“I thought you took a leave of absence.”

“I did. But it’s not indefinite, Mom.”

Truth was, her being away from her job was giving an opening to Antonio, her assistant. He was ambitious and had made no effort to hide the fact that he wanted to move up in the company. What better way to prove himself? She was gone and he had yet to even call her. She’d voiced her concern to Peter, but he had assured her that her job was safe. Antonio was good, she’d give him that. But his personality was a bit abrasive, a point that wasn’t lost on Peter.

“Well, we trust you, Jordan. Whatever you think is best, we’ll go along with it.”

“Thank you.” Jordan reached for another biscuit. “How well do you know Annie?”

“Just from the store, really. Even though she and Matt were in the same grade, I don’t recall her hanging out with him and his friends. Do you?”

Jordan shook her head. “No. But then I was older.”

They were silent for a moment, then her mother reached out her hand and captured Jordan’s. “Have I told you lately how glad I am that you’re here?”

Jordan smiled. “I’m glad I’m here too.” Then her smile faded. “I’m sorry that I wasn’t around much before. I got used to…staying away, I guess.”

Her mother nodded. “Yes, you did. And I’m sorry for my part in that.”

Jordan squeezed her hand. “We can’t get those years back, Mom, but maybe going forward, I can spend more time here.”

“We’d like that.” Her mother released her hand. “Now, I better get back to work before your father comes looking for me.” She paused. “Are you staying for dinner?”

“I was. But after two of these, I better skip fried food. I need to go to the grocery store anyway. I’ll pick something up.”

Her mother leaned down and kissed her cheek. “I love you, Jordan. I don’t say it nearly enough.”

Jordan felt her eyes dampen with tears. “I love you too.”



Chapter Eleven

Annie threw up her hands in frustration. “What do you want me to do? You’re embarrassed to have me living here, yet you don’t want me to move out.”