Page 10 of More than a Memory
“Annie! How could you?” Darcy exploded.
“It’s my life, Darcy. I love you, but you have always been overprotective of me. I know it comes from a good place, but I need to make my own way in the world. I want you to understand and trust me.”
“I do trust you. It’s Bradley I don’t trust. You just don’t have good judgment when it comes to men, Annie. This guy is bad news. Even his fellow cops don’t like him,” Darcy threw in for good measure.
“How do you know that? Who doesn’t like him? What did they say about him?” Annie asked, becoming fixated on the wrong part of the equation.
“It doesn’t matter who said what! If his own blueblood family doesn’t like him, that says a lot.”
“Can we talk about your day now?” Annie pouted.
“I’ve lost my enthusiasm for the conversation,” Darcy replied.
“Please don’t be mean! I want to hear about my big sister’s day,” Annie said charmingly, coming up behind Darcy and wrapping her arms around her slim waist and hugging her. “Don’t be mad at me,” she said and then began tickling Darcy, knowing her weakness.
“Stop! OK, I’m not mad.”
Giggling, they both wrestled for a few minutes, with Darcy trying to escape her sister’s tickling.
“You are bad!” Darcy admonished Annie.
“You know you love me!” Annie responded.
“Yes, I do! Annie, promise me you’ll stay here for a little while longer. It’s a great help to me with the dogs, and I love having you here.”
“I was thinking of staying until Sunday, but I guess I could stretch it another week. I’m enjoying it, too!” Annie smiled.
“Deal!” Darcy said with relief, still concerned about the volatile situation with Bradley.
“Now, tell me about your day,” Annie insisted.
Darcy regaled her of the exciting events of her workday, saving the part about Sam for last.
“Then I was at the grocery store and just happened to run into that guy I told you about from last Thanksgiving—Sam,” she said, suddenly feeling shy.
“And?” Annie urged her to continue, her eyes lighting up with curiosity.
“We made a date for tomorrow night,” Darcy shared.
“Great! Is he picking you up here? If so, I want to make sure I’m here to meet him!” Annie said.
“Yes, at six o’clock.”
“Let’s pick your outfit tonight!” Annie said excitedly. “And I’ll do your makeup tomorrow!”
“Whoa! Slow down. It’s casual. We’re just going to Finnegan’s.”
“I don’t care. You can be casual and fabulous! I hope you give this guy a chance before kicking him to the curb!”
“I’m already second guessing my decision to say yes,” Darcy admitted.
“What am I going to do with you?” Annie said with exasperation. “You can’t keep everyone at arm’s length! I swear you have left a trail of broken hearts long as Main Street. You can’t hide from love forever. One of these days. the right guy is going to come along and pierce that thick skin of yours, and I can’t wait for that day to come,” Annie said with conviction.
“I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you!” Darcy grinned. She walked to the sliding doors and let the three dogs race in.
“Are you guys ready for your din-din?” she asked.
Their excited response was all the answer she needed. She prepared their meals and set their bowls on the ground and the three promptly gobbled their food in record time. Annie set the table while Darcy threw some extra asiago cheese onto the pasta with red sauce and tossed it. The salad was already on the table. Crunchy Italian bread fresh out of the oven completed their meal.