Page 73 of Paradise West
“Um...Annette, he can hear you.”
“Good! Hey, Jack,” Annette belted out, not missing a beat. “You keeping her in line like I told you?”
“It’s a full-time job, Annette.” Jack wrapped his arm around Charli. “You take care of everything up there so Charli won’t worry about it or feel the need to go back to Boston. You do that and as soon as we have Paradise West ready for guests, I’ll buy you a first-class ticket down here.”
“You got a deal!” Annette shot back.
14
Key West, Florida
Jack squeezed Charli’s hand reassuringly as they wove through the booths. He had to admit that he was more than a little anxious to introduce her to his parents—not nervous or reluctant. He was excited about the introduction.
Chill, dude! Nice and relaxed...you don’t want to make her nervous...
“Jack, are you all right?” Charli asked, squeezing his hand back and seemingly reading the energy he was feeling.
He glanced at her smiling face. She was calm and collected...beautiful in her green sundress that made her eyes brilliant today.
“Huh?” he responded and waved his hand in the air. “Yeah, yeah, I’m fine.”
That wasn’t completely the truth, but how to explain it to her? Her call with Annette yesterday hadhim in a panic. She still had ties to Boston and felt obligated to her clients and firm, and he was starting to feel like there was nothing he could do to change her mind.
“You’re not getting a headache again, are you?” She stopped, bringing him to a halt. “We can do this another time if you’re not feeling well.”
Jack stopped and drew her toward him, placing a kiss lightly on her lips. “I’m feeling great today. If you must know, I’m eager to introduce you to my mom.”
Her lips quirked up in a lopsided grin that he wanted to kiss off her mouth, instead he gestured with his head. “Come on. The booth is this way.”
They wound around several local artisan booths selling handmade soaps, coffee, and jewelry before finally stopping in front of the largest, most visible stall in the market. Large, vibrantly colored flags advertising the touring company fluttered in the breeze, and the line to speak to Janie was currently three guests deep.
“They’re having a busy morning,” Jack muttered as he scanned the area for his mother. “Janie can’t be here by herself.”
“She’s not,” came an eager voice behind them. Jack turned and grinned—his mother had found them.
He threw a thumb over his shoulder. “Looks like David will be slammed for the next couple months.”
His mom’s eyes hadn’t left Charli and currently scanned her from head to toe as she nodded in agreement. “Yeah, we’ve been fairly busy since the new year, but that’s no surprise.” She primmed her mouth at Jack, rolled her eyes, and shook her head slowly. “Where are your manners, Jack? Aren’t you going to introduce me?”
Jack chuckled and draped an arm around Charli’s waist, pulling her into him. “Mom, this is Charli Harris. Charli, this is my mother, Faye Sullivan.”
Charli smiled as his mother practically launched herself like a missile, grabbing Charli’s hand and shaking it up and down.
“Oh, it’s so nice to finally meet you, Charli. I’ve heard nothing but great things from all over the island, and Janie and David practically raved about you. I just want to tell you how sorry I am about your aunt’s passing and I really hope you’re adjusting to life here.”
Jack blinked. His mother could really ramble when she got going, and she was definitely on a roll, but Charli seemed to be taking it all in stride.
“Thank you, Faye. It was a big shock for me—Aunt Dottie’s death, inheriting not only the house, but a partnership in Paradise West, the restoration project,and living down here—but Jack has been such a huge help to me. I don’t know how I would have handled any of it without him.”
A beaming smile stretched across his mother’s face and Jack knew a dinner invitation was forthcoming.
“Oh, you must come to our house for dinner this weekend.”
Bingo!
“Dennis still has to meet you,” Mom continued. “And I can’t wait to hear more about the renovation you two have been working on. Jack has been practically a clam about the whole thing, and I’ve been threatening to just stop by for weeks.”
She patted Charli’s hand and wiggled her head, making her gray bob bounce. “Maybe I should do that anyway so we can catch up. It’ll also give me a chance to bring treats to the crew. The poor dears probably think I’ve forgotten all about them it’s been so long.”
