Pelican's Landing

Chapter Forty-Two

Annie leaned on the deck railing, watching the colors as they bounced across the water. It had been another gorgeous sunset, another one she’d viewed alone. She sighed and moved to where the ceiling fan was stirring the breeze. She couldn’t decide when she missed Jordan the most. Was it now, sitting out here? Jordan loved the deck, loved sitting out and watching the water, watching the sunset. Or was it at night, in bed? Yes, she especially missed her there…missed sleeping with her, missed touching her, missed being with her. And she missed her at the store. Fat Larry’s seemed empty without her there.

Her whole life seemed empty without Jordan around. How had that happened? How could Jordan come into her life so unexpectedly—so thoroughly—and disrupt her entire being? How could she have fallen so hopelessly in love with her in such a short time? But was it really that short? As she’d told Suzanne, from the first day they met, way back in early May, she’d felt something. She had been falling in love with her and she hadn’t even realized it.

Her phone rang and she pulled it out of her pocket, smiling. Jordan had perfect timing.

“Hey,” she answered.

“Hi. What are you doing?”

“Leaning on the railing, thinking about you,” she said.

“Oh, yeah? I wish I was there.”

“God, I do too,” she said. “I miss you so much, Jordan.”

There was only a slight pause as Jordan cleared her throat. “All this, Annie…it’s been a mistake. A huge mistake. I’m sorry.”

Annie felt her throat close up. “A mistake? Jordan…no. Please don’t,” she whispered. “I…I need you.”

“Oh, honey, no,” Jordan said hurriedly. “No. Not you. Not us. I meant here…Chicago. It was a mistake to come back.”

Annie sank down into a chair. “Jesus, Jordan, you scared the crap out of me. I thought you meant—”

“I’m sorry. No. What I meant was…well, I miss you too. I’m coming home.”

Annie gasped. “Home? You’re coming home? Seriously?”

“Yes.”

Annie squeezed her eyes shut. “For good?”

“For good.”

Annie let out a relieved laugh. “You’re coming home.”

“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.”