Annie's Rainbow by Fern Michaels

said, uncorking a second bottle of wine. “You were too good for her. I like your kids, though. Do you think I’ll ever have kids, Tom?”
    â€œNot at the rate you’re going. We’ll have to do something about that.”
    â€œYes, let’s do something about that. Somebody without any deep, dark secrets. I hate people who have secrets.”
    â€œAre you trying in your own inimitable way to tell me you have a deep, dark secret?”
    â€œMe? Sorry. No secrets here. Do you have any?”
    â€œI was going to keep my divorce from you, so I guess I don’t, now that I told you. You probably should go to bed, Annie.”
    â€œWhy is that, Tom?”
    â€œSo you’re bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when it’s time to pick me up instead of being hungover. Is that a good enough reason?”
    â€œThe best,” Annie hiccuped. “What’s it like to be really happy, Tom?”
    â€œHow about if I tell you tomorrow when you pick me up. Unplug your tree lights and go to bed. Will you promise me to do that?”
    â€œSure, Tom.”
    â€œGood girl. I’ll say good night then.”
    Annie corked the wine bottle and dutifully turned off the Christmas tree lights. She thought about her old cat Flossie as she made her way up the stairs to her bedroom. It had always been her job to let the cat out before going to bed.
    Tomorrow she was definitely going to get some goldfish.

    Annie waited impatiently, her head throbbing, for her brother to walk through the gate. When she saw him she ran, her arms outstretched. “I’m so glad you came, Tom. This is going to be such a good Christmas. I’m going to cook a big turkey with all the trimmings. Do you have baggage?”
    â€œA ton of it and something special for you. I took vacation time.”
    â€œThat’s great. How long?”
    â€œDo you think you can put up with me for a whole month? I thought maybe I could help out a little. I owe you, Annie.”
    â€œI can use all the help I can get if you’re serious. I can even offer you a job if you want one. We’re going to open two shops near the Clemson campus. I’d love to turn one over to you. Both actually. You won’t be making what you made in California, but the cost of living here is less. We’re going big-time here. That means health benefits, a profit-sharing plan, all the coffee and tuna you want.”
    â€œI’ll take it.”
    â€œReally, Tom?”
    â€œReally, Annie.”
    â€œWhat about the kids?”
    â€œMona is playing hardball. She wants alimony and astronomical child support. I might as well tell you, she has a boyfriend. That’s what started the whole thing. But, to answer your question about the kids, you’ll have to give me time off to visit them or to fly them here. My lawyer says I can get them summers, weekends, and some holidays. Once every six weeks sounds good to me with the holidays and summers.”
    â€œThat would be so nice, Tom. Which bags are yours?”
    â€œThe two big gray ones. They have wheels. We can’t go yet. I have to wait for your present to come up. Stay here with the bags. I think I see it now.”
    Annie craned her neck to see where her brother was going, but the heavy holiday traffic pushed and jostled her until she finally gave up. It would be like Tom to bring her an orange tree loaded with oranges. She sat down on top of the largest traveling bag to wait. When she felt a tap on her shoulder she turned.
    â€œMerry Christmas, Annie,” Tom said, handing her a bright blue dog kennel.
    â€œA dog! You got me a dog! Oh, Tom, how wonderful! Can I take him out? What’s his name?”
    â€œOf course you can take him out. He’s yours. Rosie is her name. She’s the best of the best, Annie. Championship lines all the way. Now that you’re living alone, you need someone like Rosie here.”
    â€œA German shepherd! Oh, she’s just