Part 18 (1/2)

”I think you can start calling me Dad now.” The floodgates broke as the tears streamed down her face. Marcy sobbed again and pulled her in for another hug as Jake went to congratulate his son.

The Blossom Cafe was packed for an impromptu victory celebration and engagement party. The Rose sisters were in their zone. Miss Daisy flitted from table to table pa.s.sing out food, Miss Lily used a heavy hand as she mixed her special ice tea, and Miss Violet was talking to people through the window as she put food on large plates.

”I don't know if I should have another. You know, I hold a very prominent position in the town and I wouldn't want anyone to think I'm a lush.” Pam Gilbert said as Miss Lily pushed another gla.s.s of special ice tea into her hand.

”Oh lighten up, Pam. Even the PTA President can celebrate tonight. Go wild, undo that top b.u.t.ton by your collar and no one will recognize you!”

Annie tried to contain the bark of laughter threatening to erupt at the scandalized look on Pam's face. All of Keeneston had turned out. Summer had cornered Henry, who looked petrified at her advances. The Davies family was all around her and the feeling of belonging swelled inside of her.

”Hmm. So, someone finally landed one of the famous Davies brothers. What are you, knocked up? ”A snippy voice said from behind her.

Annie heard Paige's gasp and then hiss. She turned around and got an eyeful of bottled blonde hair and b.o.o.b.

”Lord love ya, are you carrying a small child up there?” Annie asked as she pointed to what could only be described as a b.u.mp-it on steroids. She had never seen hair teased and piled up so high before. And she even knew women from Texas!

”Kandi Chase-Rawlings, meet my new sister, Annie Blake.” Paige slung her arm around Annie's shoulder and just smiled as Kandi stomped off in a huff towards an even more terrified looking Henry.

”Someone should go rescue Henry. He was scared before when Summer mentioned always wanting to marry a lawyer, but I'm afraid he may keel over when Kandi gets her fake nails into him,” Paige told her brothers.

Everyone looked at each other. No one wanted to deal with Kandi.

”Oh fine, I'll do it. Y'all are a bunch of wimps,” Peirce said as he bravely went forth to rescue Henry.

”I can't believe how many people are here. The whole courthouse showed up. I'm sure the rumor of the two of you deciding to tie the knot tonight helped. Congratulations to you both! Will and I are so happy for you!” Kenna squealed as she gave Annie a hug and as Will shook Cade's hand.

”Oh! Oh! Sit yourself down right now. A pregnant lady shouldn't be on her feet too long or those ankles will swell as big as balloons. And heels! You're wearing heels! Don't you know those will give you ugly looking veins. Bless your heart! Don't you dare grab that drink!”

Kenna rolled her eyes and allowed herself to be pushed into a chair as Miss Lily clucked over her.

Annie stepped back and watched the town interact. People laughed and teased each other. Kids and parents alike were reliving the game, and a sprite of a girl was shooting daggers at Kandi and Summer as they fawned over Pierce. Henry had taken the s.h.i.+ft in attention to his advantage and snuck off to talk to Judge LeMaster. But, unlike Henry, Peirce seemed completely at ease with the women vying for his attention.

”Hey, Kenna, who is that?” Annie asked as she pointed out the blonde pixie with a couple bright blue streaks in her hair.

”Who? Oh, that's Tammy. She's the secretary at our law offices.” Kenna looked to where Tammy had started walking and cringed. ”For once I feel sorry for Kandi.”

”I wish I had Tammy on my security team. She is a force of nature.” Ahmed turned to Annie and gave her a kiss on her cheek. ”Congratulations. Cade is a very lucky man. Never let him forget you are too good for him.”

”Gee, thanks man.” Cade moaned, all the while smiling.

”Well, he is right on all accounts.” A smooth silky voice said from behind her.

Annie glanced behind her as Mo and Dani approached. He had his fiancee's hand tucked into the crook of his elbow as he guided her through the crowd to stand in a circle next to her and Cade.

”Congratulations you two! I couldn't be more excited!” Dani gave her a warm hug and Annie couldn't be happier. She had a wonderful fiance, a new family, and friends. Actual friends.

”Excuse me. I hate to interrupt the celebration, but there is someone looking for you, Annie” Annie turned to where d.i.n.ky was standing with a young woman in her early twenties.

She was about her height with curly dark red hair standing nervously in front of her. d.i.n.ky stood up very straight and it looked like he was trying to impress whoever this girl was.

”Yes? Can I help you?” Annie felt the circle break apart and all turn towards the newcomer. Cade came to stand next to her, and she was comforted by the feel of his rea.s.suring hand on her back. Marcy and Jake stood on either side of them, as she waited to find out who this woman was.

”I'm Chrystal Sharp, your cousin. I got your e-mail and I just had to meet you,” the girl said hesitantly.

All conversation stopped in the Cafe. Everyone wanted to know who this new person was. After finding out Annie was undercover, they all a.s.sumed the story of a cousin in Louisville was just a cover and Annie hadn't corrected them. Annie just stared at the girl who looked somewhat like her. She didn't know exactly what to say.

”I had to come find you. I looked all over town, but couldn't find anyone. I guess they were all at the game. Then I came across this nice man who said he knew where you'd be. Is there someplace we can go talk?” She asked as d.i.n.ky seemed to stand even straighter with the compliment.

”What did she say?” Someone in the back of the Cafe asked.

”She wants to go someplace to talk to our Annie,” another person answered before being shushed by the onlookers.

”We'll just all find out anyway. Why don't you speak your mind? We'll be quiet. Besides, Annie's here with family,” Miss Lily told her as she shoved a gla.s.s of ice tea into Chrystal's hand and took a seat so she could be the first to hear what this newcomer wanted.

”She's right. They will find out. What do you want?” Annie stood rigid as she watched the woman fidget with her hands.

”I had to find you to tell you that I didn't know. I didn't know what my mother had done. See, I was only three when your mother died. My mom had moved up in the world. She had married my father who was much older than she was. He was a surgeon in Indianapolis and then moved to head up the department at the University of Louisville. He pa.s.sed away three years ago at the age of eighty-three.”

”I'm sorry to hear that, hon,” Marcy put in when Annie didn't say anything. Cade gave her a rea.s.suring touch and she focused back on her cousin.

”Well, my mother had been furious when she heard I had contacted you. I didn't understand why. She said you were just like your mother, looking for a handout and that you would see how well off we were and try to steal from us. I knew that wouldn't be so. I had done a lot of research and knew you were with the DEA's office. Anyway, my mother just lost her battle with breast cancer six months ago. I was going through all her things when I found the letters from Children Services in Florida, begging her to take you or you would end up in foster care.” Annie saw tears start to glisten in her cousin's eyes and softened a little. She had been just a child. She couldn't have protected her.

”When I got your email, I had to come see you. You're the only family I have left, and I would love nothing more than to become a family.” Chrystal dug a tissue out of her purse and dabbed her eyes.

Annie didn't know if she could speak, so she just nodded. Her little cousin looked so relieved. Color came back to her face, and when she smiled, Annie felt it in her heart. Cade gave her a hug, and for the first time in her life Annie didn't feel bitter. The chip that had sat on her shoulder for almost twenty years was lifted.

”Welcome to the family. I'm sure when my fiancee can talk, she'll let you know you now have a rather large extended family,” Cade said as he rubbed his hand up and down Annie's back.

”Really, a large family?” Chrystal asked excitedly.

”Yes, Cade has five brothers and a sister. And this is my future mother-in-law Marcy Davies and her husband Jake Davies,” Annie finally said.

”This is my oldest son Miles, and that one is Marshall, and the younger one there is Pierce. Cy is out of town at the moment. And this is my daughter Paige.” Marcy introduced Annie's new family to her cousin.

She hadn't heard them come to stand behind her, but they were all there now shaking hands with her cousin. The Cafe erupted with introductions and people came to embrace the newest extended member of the Keeneston community.

”You know, I never got to thank you.”

”What for, Peirce?” Annie asked.

”It's pretty cool that you saved my brother. It finally gives me something to hang over his head. He had to be rescued by a girl. That's the best gift anyone could give me.” Pierce gave her a bear hug and went to torture his brother. She had never been happier in her life. She was finally at peace.