CHAPTER THREE
W hen we arrived at the house, the women were on the lanai, soaking up some sunshine. Two were just coming out of the pool; the others stretched out on chaise lounges.
The blonde, drying off with a towel, noticed us and called out, “Hi, come on around. I’ll open the door to the pool cage for you.”
As we headed across the lawn, we both stopped momentarily before continuing. I knew Rhonda, like me, was remembering the time we almost got killed on the similar lawn next door.
The blonde held the door for us. “Hi, I’m Heather MacPherson, in case you don’t remember my name in all the confusion of our arrival.” She was wearing a two-piece bathing suit that did nothing to hide a bit of extra flesh. The smile on her face was open, genuine.
“Annie and I wanted to see how you were settling in,” said Rhonda. “Is there anything you need?”
“Thanks. We’re very comfortable,” said the woman with dark, curly hair sitting on a chaise lounge. “So comfortable that I woke up not long ago. With my three kids still at home, I never get to do that.”
“It sounds like you’re off to a good start,” I said, giving her an encouraging smile.
“Yes. I married my high school sweetheart, and we have three kids I adore, but it’s wonderful to get away.”
“Heather is our other happily married woman,” said Jane.
Heather’s lips curved. “My first husband ditched me with two young children, but then my hero arrived on the scene, and we’ve been happy ever since.”
Rhonda asked the others about themselves, and when she spoke to Caro, I leaned closer.
“Yes, I’m single,” Caro was telling Rhonda. “My husband left me eight years ago, and I’ve made a point to be single ever since.”
“Her ex was never worthy of our Caro,” said Amy, the one who’d told me she’d just made a serious decision the others didn’t know about.
We chatted briefly, and then I said, “I must get back to the office. Let us know if you need anything.”
“Yes,” said Rhonda. “The house next door is occupied. You might run into the two men on the beach, but they understand our privacy rules.”
“Have a lovely day, ladies,” I said, following Jane through the house to the front door, where we said goodbye.
Alone outside, I turned to Rhonda. “Are you ready to go back to work? We have a meeting with the salesman from our hotel supply company.”
“I’ve done all I can for the moment,” said Rhonda, gazing thoughtfully at the guesthouse. “We’ll see what happens from here. But Caro is a prime contender for any action between the houses.”
“Enough,” I said. “Remember, these women are here for a bubbly fun time. Nothing more.”
“They’re an interesting group. But you’re right. We have a lot more to be concerned about than a group of five women.” Rhonda sighed. “The next three weekends are booked with weddings, and we have the cancer fundraiser luncheon this week, as well as many other activities.”
“Dorothy is helping Lorraine with the luncheon by checking people in,” I said. “What would we do without her?” When we were just starting out, Dorothy Stern, a retired businesswoman, helped us organize social events and get the support of the Neighborhood Association. We felt as if she was part of our hotel family.
A look of glee spread across Rhonda’s face. “I have an idea.” She held up a hand to stop me from asking about it. “In time, you’ll see.”
We entered our office and were at work looking over the financials for the upcoming month when I received a phone call from my daughter.
“Hi, Liz. What’s up?” I asked, loving the chance to talk to her.
Liz broke into sobs.
I felt the blood drain from my face. “Oh, my God! What’s wrong? Is it the T’s? You? Chad? What?”
“No, no, hold on. Give me a chance to catch my breath,” Liz said. I heard sniffling through the phone, and then she said, “I’m pregnant.”
I paused, trying to get around the idea of how she’d handle another baby. I had wanted so many of my own and was able to have only Liz. “That’s wonderful news, Liz. I’m excited to be a grandmother again. I know you’re worried about handling it all, but I’ll help you any way I can.”
“It’s such a shock,” said Liz. “I was hoping to start work at the hotel part-time.”
“The hotel will be here whenever you’re ready. Right now, you have a more important job. A precious one,” I said gently. After seeing how well Liz had handled her commitment to raising the triplets, I knew she wouldn’t try to do both jobs simultaneously. Not until the baby was in preschool. Then, she’d only work part-time.
“I know how lucky I am to be pregnant after trying so hard for the T’s, but I realize that my dreams of running the hotel with Angie have been given another setback,” said Liz.
“It might not be as difficult as you think,” I said. “The important thing is to enjoy this baby. You might find a special connection with this child because you’ll be able to have time to enjoy him or her alone. The T’s will be gone part of the day in preschool.”
“Thanks,” said Liz. “I needed to hear your response. You’re right. I need to get used to the idea.”
“How does Chad feel about it?” I asked.
“He’s as surprised as I am. But he’s not as worried because he’s got his business to run. And though he’s a terrific help with the kids, the bulk of their care is left to me.”
“When is the baby due?” I asked.
“Spring. At least I won’t be pregnant during the summer heat,” said Liz.
“Does Angie know?” Liz and Angie, Rhonda’s daughter, were best friends and a bit competitive. Liz had been thrilled to be able to match Angie’s having three kids.
“Angie knows I was worried about it. She’s my next call.”
“I’m sure she’ll be both thrilled for you and understanding,” I said. “Let’s plan a time for lunch and maybe a little shopping.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” I said and ended the call.
“Liz is pregnant?” Rhonda said, smiling at me from her desk.
“Yes, the baby is due in the spring. She’s worried she won’t be able to work at the hotel with Angie as soon as she thinks.”
“There will be plenty of opportunity for her to continue doing online advertising and other things they can handle from home. Like you, I always wanted more children. It’s a lovely surprise to have so many grandchildren between us.”
“Yes. I certainly don’t want this baby to feel unwanted. I’m ready to spoil another.” My heart tugged at the thought.
“Realistically, Annie, we’ll have to hang on to our jobs for several years. Are you game?”
Surprised, I said, “Yes, of course. The hotel is our baby, and we won’t let it down.”
“I feel the same way,” said Rhonda. “I’m grateful that Bernie is such an excellent general manager. It allows us time with our families. Maybe we should make him a limited partner in the business.”
“That’s a great idea,” I said. “We’ve thought of it before. But now, it might be wise to act. He’ll be ready to retire before we will, and we need to give him a reason to continue working for us for the foreseeable future.”
Rhonda and I stared at one another. “Who woulda thunk we’d be so successful?”
“I hoped we would be,” I said honestly. “I wanted to prove to Robert and all the other people I know who ridiculed the idea that we could do it.”
“Me, too. Remember that banker who said you wouldn’t know how to handle this because of your lack of experience?”
“Experience I had helping to run the company that I created, the business that Robert took over and claimed as his own,” I said.
“I’m just glad we went ahead and made it work,” said Rhonda. “But, like our daughters, I’m also committed to seeing my children grow up healthy and happy.”
I thought once again how lucky I was to have met Rhonda, even if our relationship had started a bit rocky. We were two very different people with similar goals.