"Annelie, how on earth could you remember? I told you about this when I was here to swim the first time."
Annelie bent down, resting her forearms on the door. "I remember everything you tell me."
Carolyn sat still for a moment and then smiled tremulously. "You do, huh?" Her voice was a mere whisper. After a few seconds her expression changed, and a hopeful gleam appeared in her eyes. "Can we go for a drive?"
Jem had walked up to Annelie's side. "I think you should. But there's just one problem, Carolyn."
"What?"
"You don't have anything on but a swimsuit."
Annelie started laughing at the surprised look on Carolyn's face as she looked down at herself.
"Not a problem," Carolyn insisted. "Two seconds!" She jumped out of the car, almost knocking the other women over in the process, and ran up the garden path and into the house. Before either of them had time to utter a word, she rushed back out again, ran down the path, and hugged Annelie fiercely. "Oh, I forgot…thank you, thank you, thank you!" Letting go, she disappeared again.
"I think she likes it," Jem offered. "I make this assessment despite her restrained and ladylike reaction."
Sending an elbow into Jem's side for being a smart-ass, Annelie shook her head. "I hoped she'd be happy, but I had no idea she'd be this excited. Think my idea was a brilliant move?"
"Yup, that, or she'll expect childhood dreams to be fulfilled at the drop of a hat from now on." Jem elegantly avoided elbow number two. "She damn near choked you—I think you must've picked the perfect present."
"Funny. As a matter of fact, I wouldn't mind fulfilling a few more dreams—if she reacts this way."
As they began to stroll toward the house, Jem glanced at Annelie musingly. "And all jokes aside, I really hadn't expected Carolyn to be this…well, I guess, not blasé. Goes to show you should never assume."
"True."
To their surprise, Carolyn met them just inside the door in khaki shorts and a green tank top with the text "A verbal contract isn't worth the paper it's written on." Her hair was pulled back into a simple ponytail, still damp.
Jem nodded approvingly. "Cool outfit, but you might need shoes."
"Damn!"
Carolyn slapped her forehead and disappeared again, while Jem reached into her purse for her cell phone. "You two go ahead. I can let myself out when the cab gets here. If we keep her waiting, she'll explode."
"I think you're right. Here she is now."
"Oh, Annie, I can't wait to drive that beauty," she enthused. "Where should we go?"
"You decide. It's your car."
Hooking her arm around Annelie's, Carolyn smiled brightly. "I'm going to have to pinch myself to really believe that."
"No pinching—can't have bruises on Diana Maddox." Jem grinned as she approached them. "The cab'll be here in a few minutes, so you girls have fun."
Carolyn grabbed Annelie by the hand, pulling her toward the door. "Thanks, Jem! Bye!"
Running down the path toward the car, Carolyn suddenly stopped, releasing her hands and pressing them over her mouth.
"Carolyn?"
"It's beautiful."
"And yours. I had all sorts of reasons for buying it for you—but mostly, I just wanted to make you happy."
Not caring if anyone saw them, Carolyn turned around and hugged Annelie close. "And you did. You have no idea how much."
After they climbed into the vehicle, its new owner made the powerful V8 thunder. Carefully, she backed out into the cul-de-sac and turned around.
"You buckled up?" Carolyn asked, winking at her lover.
"Of course."
"Tweety and I are going to take you for a spin, baby!" Tweety? Baby? Annelie groaned out loud. Carolyn grinned broadly, slid the car into gear, and roared down the road.
***
Annelie turned off her computer and switched off the light in her study. Going through the e-mails marked "urgent" had taken longer than she expected.
"Carolyn?" Annelie poked her head into the living room but got no reply. After a quick glance into the kitchen and the bedroom, she smiled knowingly and opened the front door.
Carolyn was sitting on the top step of the four that led down to the driveway. Her eyes were fastened on the yellow car she had driven for two hours that afternoon.
"Carolyn?" Annelie repeated, walking down the path and sitting down next to her. "Hard to tear yourself away from your new love?" she joked.
Carolyn turned her head and smiled. "Yes. I still can't believe you went to all that trouble. I wonder if you have any idea how incredible this is?"
"I think I have some idea, but why don't you tell me?"
Scooting close, Carolyn sighed. "You know, when Daddy died I gave up several dreams. I lost some things, and some people, because I didn't want to let Beth and John down or have them miss out on anything. Don't get me wrong—I've never resented that—or them. It was my choice to make the sacrifices I did, and I'd make them again.
"But you giving me the Corvette—it means a lot. I dreamed of so many things growing up, especially this car. But I denied myself such dreams. You've given me back part of my youth. Thank you."
Annelie swallowed hard, fighting back tears. She'd detected that the car was somehow important to Carolyn, but had no idea what it symbolized. Carolyn's gratitude untied a knot deep inside that she had not even realized was there. Warmth spread through her veins as she regarded the soft expression on Carolyn's face.
"I'm glad you like it. I'm even happier I followed through on a spur-of-the-moment idea. As I said, I have several reasons for this gift, but most of all I wanted to make you happy. Honestly, when I drove the car home to you, I was afraid you'd think I was nuts."
"No, never. Nobody has ever done anything like this for me. Nobody. You've introduced me to more firsts than anyone else."
"I hope that's a good thing."
"It is."
After a brief silence, Carolyn reached out and stroked Annelie's arm. "It's getting late. Want to go to bed?"
"Yes."
They rose and went up to the house, switching off the lights and undressing in silence. Carolyn had put on one of Annelie's T-shirts, and Annelie kept her matching La Perla camisole and panties on as they climbed into bed.
Reaching out for Carolyn, Annelie nuzzled her hair, placing a trail of kisses across her smooth forehead and down her temple and cheek, only to find Carolyn's mouth half open, ready to be devoured. She slipped her tongue inside and caressed its counterpart, which met hers eagerly. The kiss went on until they both were out of breath and began to tug at what little clothes they wore.
"Please, let me…" Annelie whispered, pulling Carolyn's shirt up. "I want to touch you."
Wordlessly, Carolyn pulled it up the rest of the way and over her head, then tossed it into the shadows. "Then touch me." Her voice, a low purr, made Annelie tremble.
Moving closer, half on top of her, Annelie felt Carolyn's nude body. She let her hands move along the irresistible curve of her lover's slender hips, up toward her chest. Annelie greedily filled her hand with Carolyn's small breasts. The dark nipples pebbled into hard peaks, and Carolyn inhaled sharply when Annelie's fingers tugged gently at them, molding them into even harder points.
"Annie…" Carolyn arched into the touch. "More…"
Not about to object, her own heart pounding hard in her chest, Annelie lowered her head and took one nipple between her lips. She sucked it deep into her mouth, letting her tongue work it relentlessly before grazing it with her teeth. Carolyn whimpered and moved her legs restlessly, as if trying to get closer.
"Shh…" Annelie said around the wet, rigid nipple. "There's no rush, Carolyn. Just relax and enjoy it." She moved to the other nipple, rewarding it with the same attention. The incredible sound of the famous voice moaning her name over and over caused Annelie's own body to respond. Moisture pooled between her thighs, and she knew she wouldn't pull back tonight.