The Anniversary Party
Read The Anniversary Party Online
Authors: Sommer Marsden
Whiskey Creek Press
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
Copyright ©2008 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
For your reading pleasure, we invite you to visit our web bookstore
Sommer Marsden
THE ANNIVERSARY PARTY
"This author has given us an excellent tale filled with great family love, priceless dialogue, erotic sex and a love story that's easy to get emotionally involved in."
Dee Dailey
The Romance Studio
Rating: five hearts
"Bravo to Sommer Marsden for penning a sensual love story that will touch the hearts of readers!"
Jennifer
Wild on Books
Rating: four bookmarks
For my “research assistant".
He had no idea what he was getting himself into when he said, “I do".
But I think he's having fun ... XOXO
"Kylie, Terri Sinclair here. I just wanted to RSVP for your parents’ party. I had a quick question, so give me a call. Can't wait for the surprise!"
Kylie set her groceries on the counter, giving up any hope of grabbing the phone before Mrs. Sinclair hung up. She'd call her back once the food was put away. The anniversary party was going to give her ulcers. She was sure of it.
"You're fine. Just breathe, Kylie. Do your yoga breathing. If that doesn't work, have a glass of wine,” she mumbled and slammed a bottle of Chardonnay on the counter. “Jesus, now I'm talking to myself.” She hit the memory button for Fawn's work number and cradled her cell phone to her ear.
"Fawn's Designs,” her sister sang into the phone with more confidence than Kylie ever could have mustered. Fawn sounded as if she headed a mega corporation when in reality she ran a one-woman show.
"I just wanted you to know that I have hit the point where I am talking to myself.” Fawn laughed loudly and Kylie held the phone away from her ear. Her sister could find humor in everything. Damn her. “It's not funny."
"Would you please calm down about this whole thing?” Fawn soothed. “It is really no big deal. We'll have all their friends over. The family will come. We'll surprise the hell out of them and then the usual."
"The usual?"
"We eat, drink, and be merry! They think they're coming to your house for a housewarming, so the surprise part is taken care of. Where's the stress in that?"
Kylie fought the urge to beat her cell phone against the counter. It would serve Fawn right to have an eardrum blown out. While she ran her design company, Kylie worked from home. It was easy for her baby sister to dump the majority of the prep work on Kylie.
You're home all day. I have to go to the office. You can send your work in on the Internet any time you want ...
Kylie eyed the phone and shook her head. Best not to destroy a two hundred dollar phone when what she really wanted to do was wring Fawn's slender neck.
"Let's see. There would be the food, the booze, the cake, the gift. All the friggin’ RSVPs I am quickly losing track of. About a billion distant relatives calling to ask if I have any gift suggestions. Gift suggestions! I barely know my name these days and I don't know what the hell
I'm
getting them. How am I supposed to give gift suggestions?"
"Breathe!"
"Shut up, Fawn! Here's the deal. You are now in charge of the booze. That would be several kegs of microbrew and wine. Do. Not. Buy. Hard. Liquor. I can't stress that enough. If you show up with whiskey and vodka, I'll have half the family camping out. Especially Uncle Bob. He can't handle his liquor but he sure thinks he can. I do not want to wake up to Uncle Bob sleeping on my sofa in his Scooby-Doo boxer shorts. Once was enough, thanks."
"That was ten years ago.” Fawn giggled.
"It still haunts me. Now I have to go call Terri Sinclair back and answer whatever question it is she has. Most likely she'll want a gift suggestion."
"Wait!” Fawn screeched as Kylie started to disconnect.
"What?"
"What kind of beer? What kind of wine? I don't have time to do all this. I have to work."
"Well so do I, darling. I have assignments backed up so far I'm about to hyperventilate. Get any kind of beer you want. Ask the guys at The Liquor Stop for suggestions. They drink beer all day. They'll know what's good. As for wine—duh! Red, white, and blush. Cover all the bases. Now I really have to go. I have a shitload to do and no time to do it. See ya later, toots!"
She hung up and took a deep breath.
Wow!
She felt a little better. This had been Fawn's bright idea and although she loved her parents dearly and wanted to do something special for them, she hadn't planned on hosting it herself. Her house was still new to her. She'd worked her ass off to earn the money for it. Then worked even harder to get it the way she wanted it. The thought of forty-some people wandering around and touching everything nearly made her skin crawl.
"You're a nut,” she said. “And for God's sake, stop talking to yourself!"
Kylie watched the sun begin to set. She eyed the cake she had made so lovingly. She really had to hand it to herself. She'd pulled off a miracle this afternoon. She'd managed a two-tiered anniversary cake, cleaned the upstairs, and sent in three of her writing assignments. Her editor had even sent a congratulatory email. Seemed all the pressure was bringing out the aggressive writer in her. Marcia had loved the interviews and given her an assignment she'd been itching for. All in all, a good day.
As the pinks and blues of the sky toned down to a deep purple, Kylie poured herself a nice cold glass of wine. She had definitely earned it. The first sip was cool, fruity heaven. She felt the old familiar craving for a cigarette. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath and let the craving pass. If she could survive this party without cracking, she would forever be a nonsmoker. No doubt about it. If this stress didn't break her, she couldn't be broken.
The phone gave its customary burble and Kylie sighed. Most likely her sister from the liquor store.
What kind of beer? Dark? Light? Red? What kind of wine? How much? How many bottles would we need?
She could hear all the inane questions in her head before she even picked up the receiver. Kylie steeled herself. Best to be calm and patient. She wouldn't get a lick of work out of Fawn if she let loose on her.
"Yes?” she said with mock amusement.
"Hello? Kylie?"
"Mrs. Sinclair!” Kylie stammered. “I'm so sorry. I thought for sure it was Fawn. I didn't mean to be rude ... I mean—” Kylie let loose a deep sigh and started again. “I apologize, how are you?"
Terri Sinclair laughed. Her laugh sounded the same as it had when Kylie was a child. The Sinclairs were her parents’ oldest friends. She hadn't talked to them in years. Not since Wade had gone off. The thought alone sent a brief stab of pain through Kylie.
She was too old to feel that way, she reprimanded herself. Too old to still have teenage hang-ups.
"I am fine, my darling. And how are you? Having a hard time getting Fawn to pull her weight? Let me guess, this was all her idea. And you, sweetie, got the honor of doing all the hard work."
Kylie sipped her wine and couldn't repress a giggle. “You do remember her well, don't you?"
"Both of you, sweetie. I just haven't seen you in ages. I heard this shindig is at your new house. I'm so excited to see it. Carol says it's marvelous."
Kylie allowed herself to take it all in again. Yes, it was. And it was all hers. The two-hundred-year-old farmhouse. White, of course. Six bedrooms. Two fireplaces. A wrap-around porch. The house of her dreams.
"Are you reveling as we speak?” Terri asked, pulling her in from her daydream.
"I'm sorry! Yes, I was. I'll admit it to you, Mrs. Sinclair. I was gaping again. Not a day goes by that I don't gape."
"From what your mother says, you deserve to gape. She said she wasn't so sure about it when you bought it. I believe the phrase she used was ‘a piece of doodie'."
"I'm sure Mom didn't use that word,” Kylie laughed.
"No, you're right. She used the other word. You'll have to forgive me but I still think of you and Fawn as impressionable young girls."
"Fawn maybe.” Kylie sighed, sipping her wine. “Not me. I'm too old for people to impress anything upon me I don't want."
Terri's laughter wafted in her ear again. “Yes. You are ancient, Kylie. What are you now? Twenty-seven?"
"Twenty-nine,” Kylie corrected.
"Ah. Forgive me. Anyway, if I still know your sister's work ethic, I'm sure you're swamped. I just had one quick question and then I'll let you get back to the million things awaiting your attention."
"Shoot,” Kylie said, settling in her new sofa. Chocolate brown. Overstuffed. Heaven on earth. “But if you're going to ask me what you can get them, I haven't a clue. I don't even have a gift yet."
"Oh, I was going to get them a gift certificate for that new Celtic shop. Your mother eats up her Irish heritage with a spoon. I figured she could find some pretty collectible for the house."
"Perfect,” Kylie sighed. “In fact, I may even go there to get my gift. You're a lifesaver."
"Always glad to help. Now! On to my question...” Terri Sinclair hesitated as Kylie sat in silence.
"What is it, Mrs. Sinclair? You can ask me anything."
"I was wondering—” Terri cleared her throat and Kylie felt a sinister nervousness uncoil low in her belly. It couldn't be. She wouldn't. Impossible. “Well, you see, Wade is in town. He's out of the military now and he came home to see Dana's baby. You know we're grandparents now. It's so wonderful.” The woman rambled on excitedly but the nervousness was evident in her voice. “I'm not asking if Dana can come, of course. The baby's only a week old. She's not up to parties yet and the baby shouldn't be exposed to all those people. Especially now. Cold and flu season, you know. But Wade. Yes, Wade is in town and I know he'd love to see everyone. Your parents are very important people to him. Always treated him like a son. So,” she took an audible breath and then sighed, “would you be able to handle that, dear?"
Kylie opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. Words refused to come.
Wade? In town? He was here.
A shiver skittered up the nape of her neck. Her scalp crawled. A deep open wound blossomed in her stomach. An ache so deep it was if a black hole resided in her midsection. “Of course,” she squeaked before her brain kicked in. “He's welcome to come. I can't wait to see him."
Dead silence. Just breathing. It was as if Terri was as surprised as Kylie herself.
Welcome? Can't wait to see him!
The bastard had left her. Pledged his undying love. Taught her all about love, sensuality. Helped her find her own sexuality and desire. Then he was gone. Overnight. Poof! Like a bad magic trick.
"Well, thank you, Kylie. I really do appreciate it. I know it can't be easy—"
"It's fine!” Kylie barked. It came out a tad more forcefully than she intended. “I mean, it's been ages, Mrs. Sinclair. I think we've all grown up. Life goes on and all that. I'll be fine. Really."