Annie's Rainbow by Fern Michaels Page A

yet. She helps out behind the counter when it’s busy. Base salary, half of whatever the sand dollars go for. We pay for the paints and the sand dollars. Sound good?”
    â€œBetter than good. She’ll take it.”
    â€œHow do you know?” Annie asked curiously.
    â€œBecause it beats selling shoes, that’s why.” Daniel laughed.
    â€œIf you had a choice, would you like to deal with smelly feet all day or would you rather sit like a lady and paint sand dollars?”
    â€œPoint well taken. Would you like some pie?”
    â€œI think I’ll pass on the pie. I have to pick up my cat Radar from a friend, and I need some sleep. So, are you going to take Parker up on his offer?”
    â€œParker?”
    â€œParker Grayson. The coffee king.”
    â€œI’ll talk to Tom about it in the morning. I’m for anything that will save me money. We’re going to open two shops near Clemson University. Five hundred pounds of coffee a week is a lot of coffee.”
    â€œOkay, here’s his phone number and address. He said he’d send someone to the airport to pick you up. All he needs is two days’ notice. I’m outta here, Annie. My eyes are starting to cross. You’re sure now that you don’t want me to move your washer?”
    The smile died on Annie’s lips. “I’m sure, Daniel. Thanks for the lovely plant and the sand dollars. What’s the girl’s name?”
    â€œDottie Frances Benton.”
    â€œTell her to come by and we’ll talk.”
    At the door, Daniel leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “Merry Christmas, Annie.”
    â€œThe same to you, Daniel.”
    Annie raced out to the laundry room the moment she was certain Daniel was off the porch and headed home. Thank God the laundry room had no windows. In a frenzy, she propped open the top of the washer, to be greeted by a sloppy mess. She tried to lift the pillowcase out of the water, but it was too heavy. Wet money was heavy. In desperation, she tried using two wooden spatulas from the kitchen drawer to try and slide the soggy pillowcase to the center of the washer. Perspiration dripping down her face, she finally managed to push the heavy case full of money to where she thought it would spin more effectively. Her breathing ragged, she turned the dial to the spin cycle. She jumped back when the machine bounded forward but continued to spin. Hardly daring to breathe, Annie waited out the cycle.
    â€œAnnie, do you mind telling me what the hell you’re doing washing clothes in the middle of the night? What’s the machine doing in the middle of the floor?”
    â€œIt’s okay, Tom. Go back to bed. Rosie threw up on Mom’s old quilt, and I decided to wash it. It lumped to the side and made the machine go off center. It’s okay, I can handle it.” I’m really getting good at this lying business , she thought miserably.
    â€œI’m up now, so I might as well help you.”
    Annie almost choked. “Let’s let it go till morning. How about a sandwich?”
    â€œSure. Do we have any cold beer?”
    â€œSure we do. I have something to tell you, Tom,” she said as she ushered him toward the kitchen. She talked as she sliced turkey onto a plate. “Daniel Evans, that professor I told you about stopped by and brought me these. What do you think?”
    â€œThey’re pretty.”
    . “They’re sand dollars, and one of the students at the college painted them. It’s the Daisy Shop and this house. She can take Jane’s place if I like her and she wants the job. Basically it would be the same deal I had with Jane.”
    Tom chewed with enthusiasm. “This stuff just falls in your lap, doesn’t it, sis?”
    â€œSeems that way sometimes. Jane’s postcards and her paintings are part of the shop. Kind of like salt and pepper going together. This girl works full-time and goes to school at night.