His eyebrow arched up in question and I gave a quick shrug in response. I couldn't refuse with an audience.
"Now that I think of it, Annie and I have plans next weekend," he replied, turning back to my family. "Yes, I just remembered. We'll have to take a rain check." He motioned toward them. "Why don't we have you over to our place?"
"You and An-Annie," my mother repeated, stumbling over Jackson's nickname for me.
"Your place?" Nella asked. "You have a place? Together?"
"When did that happen?" Rosa asked.
Jackson smiled at me, nodding. "Back in August," he said, still staring at my mouth. "I'm not too proud to say I begged. I couldn't spend another night without her and I begged her to come home with me, stay with me." He patted his belly and shot them a quick grin. "And her baking, my god. I can't function without her pastries. But I'm sure you know all about her talent in the kitchen."
There were a great many wonderful things about Jackson. The list was long and remarkable, not unlike his…ahem. But the trait I most admired in him was his willingness to make a bold move on behalf of another. He looked after me when I was drunk and sad. He listened to the Nevilles when others had dismissed their concerns. He confronted Brooke about her father's issues despite her history of tearing those who crossed her in half. And now he was picking off my family's shady comments and straitjacketing them where they stood.
"Annette, you've been holding out on us," my mother chided.
Jackson blew out a sharp breath before saying, "Not at all. Everyone in town is a fan of her baking."
"Speaking of the town, how are you finding Talbott's Cove, sheriff?" Nella asked.
"It's a great place to call home," he said, his words wide with certainty. "But it wouldn't be half as great without this lady right here. I don't know what I'd do without her. She keeps me on my toes, I'll tell you that. But I'm not saying anything you don't already know, right?"
Nella looked like she was witnessing a live-action atrocity. Hands fisted at her sides, mouth hanging open, eyes bugging out. I loved my sister but it was amazing to see her furious over something as simple as this man professing his love for me. And my muffins.
"Sure," Rosa murmured, bobbing her head. "I guess…I guess I can see that."
Lydia had the decency to appear bored with the whole conversation, craning her neck around the stadium. "I wonder if they're selling nachos at the concession stands tonight," she mused, tapping a manicured finger to her lips. "I really want nachos."
My mother clapped her hands together. "About that Sunday supper," she said, her gaze swinging between me and Jackson. "We really must have you over. Give me a date. There has to be one Sunday when I can get you two at my table."
"That's very kind of you," Jackson replied. "But we'd be happy to host you. It would give us a chance to show you the house we're buying and the plans we have for remodeling. I'm sure you want to see the new displays Annette has at the shop, too."
I shifted a bit, pressing the side of my face into Jackson's chest to smother a laugh. My family had never once visited my shop to see new storefront displays. I rubbed my cheek against that sweater I liked so much and sucked in a lungful of his scent. He truly was one of the good ones.
"Yes, of course," my mother agreed. "How about—"
"Wait, wait, wait," Nella interrupted. "You're remodeling a house? Where?" She pointed at me. "Why all the secrets, Annette? What are you trying to hide?"
Jackson's chest rose and fell under my cheek. Rose and fell. "As I'm certain you can see, we're not hiding anything," he said.
Still directing her comments toward me, Nella continued, "Then why haven't you told us about any of this?"
Jackson and I glanced at each other, our half smiles mirror images of each other. "We didn't hear back about our offer on the house until yesterday so it's as new to you as it is to us. And Jackson was in Augusta and I had that author event on Wednesday, and we've been busy," I said, still looking at him.
"Reallybusy." He pressed a kiss to my forehead, my cheeks, my mouth. "Since Annette doesn't require your approval, I can't imagine you'd be anything but thrilled for her. Isn't that right?"
"We can be thrilled and ask questions at the same time," Nella argued. "The two are not mutually exclusive. This has happened rather quickly. Wouldn't you agree, sheriff?"
A low growl sounded in Jackson's throat as he tightened his hold on me. I had to hide my face again.
"Oh my god, Nella," Rosa murmured. "Can you stop trying to prove a point for a freaking minute? You don't have to be a bitch all the time."
"Who are you calling a bitch?" Nella snapped.
"What are we talking about?" Lydia asked, her eyes narrowed as she looked between us. "Never mind. Someone will tell me later. I'm going to get nachos."
My sister turned and walked away, not troubling herself with pleasantries.
"I want to hear about this house," my mother said, holding both hands at her side as if to hold down my sisters' comments. "Where is it? When will it be ready?"
