"Oh no. That's not what I meant. I haven't felt Amelia with us at all tonight." Anna gulped. Explaining her odd behavior had never been easy and had only gotten worse the more she'd isolated herself from people. "I meant that I needed to get away from James. He's always watching me."
A sympathetic smile stretched across Annette's face, giving her an even more beautiful pregnancy aura. "You intrigue him, that's all. He doesn't mean it in a bad way. James is a gentleman. But if he's making you uncomfortable, I can talk to him."
"No!" Anna's voice was pitched high and a tad sharper than she'd intended. "That's not necessary. I can handle it. I'm just not used to a man being so forward. Especially not one who…" She flapped her hands, her mind refusing to present the right word.
"Who's so attractive?” Annette offered. “And clearly interested in you?"
Anna stared off in the distance, as her mind revisited last night’s dream… James braced above her as he… She shivered.
Annette snorted. “You have it bad, girl. But if it makes you feel better, James is a special guy. It's rare to find a man so smart and down to earth, who's also incredibly handsome." She pointed a firm finger at Anna. "Youdid nothear me say that, okay? Gus would turn into a possessive ogre if he heard."
Anna’s lips curled up. "I didn't hear a word."
"Anyway," Annette continued as she snagged several porcelain coffee mugs and set them on a large tray. "He truly seems interested in you." She turned sharply, her serious gaze pinning Anna in place. "Can I tell you something and you never repeat it?"
Anna bobbed her head, spellbound by Annette's intensity.
Annette chewed at her bottom lip for a moment as if she were making a tough decision. Then she drew in a full breath and her features settled. "I probably shouldn't tell you this, but James mentioned that he's had weird dreams every night since he arrived in Key West. They drive him nuts sometimes."
Anna gasped, her hands covering her mouth. It couldn't be possible, could it?
Could she and James be dreaming of each other?
"What is it?" Annette moved closer, her head tilting to the side. "It means something to you, doesn't it?"
Anna heaved out a rough breath. "No, not really." The lie soured on her tongue and there was a decided lack of conviction in her voice.
“Hmmm.” Annette cocked a hip. "Well, then…maybe you should take Miriam's advice."
Anna blinked. "What advice?"
"That the heroine wasted valuable time being silly instead of having the time of her life. I think that message was for you, too."
Anna nearly groaned out loud. There were entirely too many people worried about her love life, or lack thereof.
Honestly, she wasn't sure why she was fighting her attraction to James anymore. Perhaps sheshouldjust take everyone’s advice and enjoy herself for once.
Maybe to protect myself from utter heartbreak.
Annette filled a large carafe with coffee and reached for the tray. Anna nudged her away. "Let me do that."
Annette rolled her eyes and turned with a huff. Balancing the tray in one hand and the carafe in the other, Anna followed. The weight of James's heavy gaze settled on her the moment she walked into the room. And instead of bristling like she did before, she forced herself to relax as she poured the coffee.
"I just love these blondies," Hazel announced as she bit into the small square confection in her hand. "My mother used to make these."
Anna accepted a treat that looked like a bleached brownie. She sniffed it and moaned at the intoxicating scent of butter and brown sugar. "This smells amazing, Cornelia. Can I get the recipe?"
"Of course, dear," Cornelia replied, taking a sip of her coffee.
"I have a blondie recipe my mother gave me," James commented. "She made them for me every weekend. Cornelia, these are perfection."
Cornelia preened at the compliment. "Honey, you let me know whenever you want some, and I'll get a batch over to you in the blink of an eye."
Anna finished her coffee with a large gulp and set her mug on the bar. "Well, this has been wonderful, but I really do need to get going." At the groans around the room, she continued, "I have several orders to complete tomorrow and I want to get an early start. But thank you very much for including me. Maybe we can have another book club meeting while my aunt is in town? I know she'd love it."
The groans morphed into cheers as the ladies clapped their hands.
"Yes, that would be wonderful!" Hazel cried.
