“You want me to, right?”

“God, yes. But what about your job?”

“I kinda quit.”

“You quit?”

“Yeah. I heard there’s an opening for a manager at Fat Larry’s.”

Annie laughed with delight. “I bet you have a good chance of getting it.” She couldn’t keep the smile off her face. “I can’t believe you’re coming back.”

“Happy?”

“So happy. It’s not the same here without you.”

“No?”

“No. Empty.” She paused. “And I missed you so much.”

“Annie…I love you. I want to come back and make a life with you and the baby.”

Tears filled Annie’s eyes as she nodded. “I love you too.”

“Is that a yes?”

Annie smiled through her tears. “Yes. Yes.”



Chapter Forty-Three

Jordan paused at the door to Fat Larry’s. She could have gone in the back, but…well, she wanted to see it, feel it and absorb it. Her store now.

She opened the door, smiling as the bell chimed her arrival. Brandon turned, a grin forming as soon as he saw her.

“Boss? What are you doing here?”

She smiled back at him. “What can I say? I missed you.”

“Missed Annie, more likely,” he said. “She’s been moping around here lovesick since you left.”

She raised an eyebrow. Were they that bad at hiding it?

He laughed. “Oh, come on. We’re not blind.”

“Does Annie know you know?”

He shook his head. “Don’t think so.”

She leaned closer. “Molly knows too?”

“Everyone knows.”

She smiled. “Well, then I won’t pretend that she’s not the reason I came back.” She glanced to the back. “Is she in the office?”

“No. Lunch. Suzanne came by.” He looked at his watch. “Forty-five minutes ago, so she should be back soon.”

“Okay. Well, I’ll go see how messy my office is then.”

He stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Glad you’re back. Gonna stay a while?”

She nodded. “Yeah. I’m going to stay.”

“Good. Because I didn’t like having to get on Jessica for being late to work.”

Jordan laughed. “You better let her know I’m back then. I’d hate to have to fire her.”

She stopped at the popcorn machine and filled a sack, then grabbed a water bottle before heading into the office. It was neat and tidy, and she sat down, still smiling as she nibbled on popcorn.

Her flight hadn’t been until later, but she’d gotten to the airport early, hoping to fly standby. She lucked out and got on the next plane out. It was a direct flight to Houston and she’d only had to wait a little over an hour before taking a commuter plane to Corpus. She’d left Chicago in a rush and had only briefly spoken with a real estate agent. He’d wanted her to hang around a few more days so they could meet and discuss the condo. No, hanging around wasn’t an option. She’d have to make a trip back to settle things there and to make arrangements for moving her things down here. But that would have to wait. She simply couldn’t stay there another minute.

Really, she didn’t know how much of her stuff she wanted to keep, anyway. Her bed, for sure. She had a couple of pieces of furniture that she wanted to keep too. Her clothes? No. She would have no use for them here.

The back door burst open, and Annie stood there, staring at her, a smile on her face. Then she walked slowly into the office, pausing to close the door and lock it.

“You’re early,” she accused.

Jordan shrugged. “A little.”

“A lot.”

Jordan stood, smiling too. “I got here as fast as I could.”

Annie finally came closer, falling into her arms. They kissed, hard, then softer, slower. Jordan pulled her as close to her body as she could, feeling the baby between them. She closed her eyes as Annie buried her face against her neck.

“I missed you so much,” Annie murmured. “Please don’t leave me again.”

“I won’t. I couldn’t stand being away from you,” she admitted. “I shouldn’t have even tried.”

Annie pulled back, meeting her eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too,” she whispered.

Annie nodded and smiled. “Can we go home?”

“I thought it was your night to close.”

“I’m fairly certain Brandon can be bribed to stay late.”

Jordan kissed her quickly. “He knows about us, by the way.”

Annie tilted her head. “Really? Good. Then I can quit trying to hide it.”

Jordan kissed her again. “Apparently, you haven’t been doing a very good job of it. Even Molly knows.”

Annie’s expression turned serious. “I’m glad they all know, Jordan. It feels so…so real, so special. I don’t want to hide it. Not from anyone. I hope that’s okay with you.”

Jordan nodded. “Yes. Whatever you’re comfortable with, I’m okay. But your mother may find out,” she warned.

Annie nodded. “And I’m okay with that too. I love you. I don’t care who knows.”

Jordan pulled her into a tight hug, feeling as…well, as happy as she could ever remember. Annie made her feel whole and complete, made her entire existence on this earth meaningful. Finally, she felt at peace…and at home.

“Let’s go home. I kinda missed Pelican’s Landing too.”



Chapter Forty-Four

“It’s a boy!”

Jordan went to her mother and hugged her. “It’s a boy,” she said again. “And he’s beautiful.”

Her mother started crying immediately, like Jordan knew she would. Even though her mother had not voiced her preference, Jordan knew she would be pleased if it was a boy. She glanced over at her father, who was beaming, and she went to hug him too.

“How is Annie?” her mother asked as she wiped at the corner of her eye. “She wasn’t in labor too long. I hope she—”

“She did great,” Jordan said. “It was the most amazing thing I’ve ever witnessed.” Then she laughed. “And now I know that I don’t ever, ever, want to give birth.”

Her mother laughed. “No, honey, I can’t see you pregnant.”

“Let me get back in there,” she said. “I’ll come get you as soon as Annie is ready for visitors.”

Her mother stopped her. “Jordan…what about Annie’s mother?”

Jordan shrugged. “I called her as soon as we got here.”

Her mother shook her head. “I just don’t understand her. That’s her grandbaby.”

“I know, Mom.”

“I feel so sorry for Annie.”

“Me too. But she has you. That means a lot to her,” Jordan said. “I’ll be right back.”

When she went back into the delivery room, Annie was still holding the baby and a nurse was supporting his head.

Annie glanced at her and smiled. “We’re learning how to breast-feed.”

Jordan stopped. “Ah…maybe I should, you know, come back later.”

Annie laughed. “Come over here. You made it through the birth, I think you can make it through this.”

Jordan smiled. “He’s so damn cute,” she said as she walked closer. “I can’t believe how much hair he has.”

“Look at him latching on already,” the nurse said. “You won’t have a problem with him nursing.”

“That’s so beautiful,” Jordan whispered. She met Annie’s gaze. “You’re both so beautiful.”

Annie reached a hand out and tugged her closer. She glanced over at the nurse. “Thank you.”

The nurse smiled and left them alone. Jordan squeezed her hand tight. “I love you, Annie.”

“I love you. And we have a family now.”

“Yes, we do.” Jordan leaned closer and kissed her. “How do you feel?”

“Tired. But happy. I imagine your parents are anxious to come in, huh?”

“Whenever you’re ready. Do they need to take him to the nursery?”

“After we breast-feed, they’ll take him for a bath and an examination. I’ll move to the maternity ward then.”

“You want me to tell Mom to wait?”

“Oh, no. She can come in and see him before they take him.” Annie smiled. “We can’t keep saying ‘him,’ you know.”

“Have you decided on a name?”

“I liked the one you picked,” Annie said.

Jordan smiled. “I picked a new favorite every week. Which one?”

“Jacob Matthew Thomas Sims.”

Jordan grinned. “Jake. I picked that name last week.”

“Yes. I love it. Do you think your mother will?”

Jordan nodded. “Yes. She’ll be thrilled.”

Annie’s gaze was locked on the baby. “Your mother said that both you and Matt were born with hair like this,” she said. She brushed her fingers gently through it. “I love that he’s so much like you.”

“Annie…I’m sorry that your mother is not here.”

Annie looked at her quickly, then turned her gaze back to Jacob. “I know. I thought that she…well, I thought that she might come by. Maybe she’ll wait until we get back to Rockport.”

“Honey, give her time. She’ll come around.”

“You keep saying that. But so far—”

“How can she not? Look at him? He’s so beautiful. She’ll fall in love with him.”

“I hope so.” Annie drew her down for a kiss. “Why don’t you go get your parents? I think I’m ready.” She pulled a sleeping Jacob from her breast. “I think he’s ready.”

* * *

Annie woke slowly, rolling her head to the side. When she opened her eyes, Jordan was there, watching her.

“Where’s Jacob?”

“Sleeping,” Jordan said quietly, motioning to the crib beside her. “He’s adorable.”

Annie smiled. “You’re adorable.” She sat up. “How long did I sleep?”

“A couple of hours.”

“He’ll be ready to eat soon.”

“Yes. Are we supposed to wake him to eat?”

“If he doesn’t wake on his own, yes,” she said, trying to remember everything she’d learned. “For the first couple of weeks, he should feed every two to three hours.”

Jordan took her hand. “How do you feel?”

“Better.” She raised an eyebrow. “Have you eaten?”

Jordan shook her head. “No. I didn’t want to leave you. Are you hungry?”

“Not really. But you should go get something. I’ll be fine.”