CHAPTER NINE
I nside the hotel, I went into the kitchen for coffee and one of Consuela’s sweet rolls. She smiled when she saw me, and I went over to her and gave her a warm embrace, enjoying moments like this. She was the mother I never had, and I loved her deeply.
“It’s going to be another busy day,” she said.
“As always. Annette’s handling a bridal shower and luncheon for the Vincente party. They’ll have their wedding dinner here at the hotel but will hold the ceremony at the bride’s grandmother’s house. Some sort of family promise.”
“I like that we have so many weddings here,” said Consuela. “It makes me happy to think my granddaughter will be married here someday.”
“That will be a special day for all of us.” Consuela’s granddaughter, Pila, worked for us from time-to-time on special occasions, and she was a smart, sweet young woman. Though she had no special gentleman in her life, we told her that whenever she was ready, we’d be here to help her make her wedding special.
“Consuela handed me a plate with two sweet rolls. “One for you and one for Rhonda. She’s been waiting for this batch to come out of the oven.”
I lifted the plate and my mug of coffee and blew Consuela a kiss. “See you later. Thanks.”
Rhonda was on the phone when I entered our office.
She nodded hello and continued her conversation. I quickly understood she was talking to our lawyer, Mike Torson, who helped us with the hotel even before we opened. He was older and almost ready to retire, but he still worked for us.
“Okay, thanks, Mike. We’ll get right on that,” said Rhonda. “Talk to you later.”
She ended the call and let out a long sigh. “Remember that wedding guest who got drunk and fell into the pool? He’s saying that someone pushed him, and he hurt his back. Now, he’s suing the hotel for damages because he had to miss work for a month.”
“There is no way the hotel or other guests are to blame. We checked him over carefully, had one of the doctors look at him, and he told us he was fine. He was quite drunk, as I remember it.”
“Yes. Bernie had him fill out an accident report and a release form saying no one nor the hotel was to blame.”
“Still, we know how these things work. Sometimes it’s easier and cheaper to settle out of court,” I said, feeling myself grow tense at the thought. It didn’t happen often, but when it did, it made my blood boil.
“We’ll talk to Bernie about it. He can take it from here and report back to us,” Rhonda said. “I also told Mike what we wanted to do for Bernie. He’ll work on suggestions for setting it up. What else is going on? Have you spoken to the ‘Fabulous Five,’ as I think of our book club guests?”
“I have. We both are invited to their house late afternoon today to share their bubbly champagne.”
“Why the celebration?”
“Nothing in particular. They’re visiting the Everglades today. I think they wanted to do that before any storms headed our way.”
“I heard the hurricane has been downgraded and is heading for New Orleans,” said Rhonda.
“Yes, but you know anything can happen with that storm between now and when it hits,” I said. “I figure we’ll need to decide how to handle the situation tomorrow. We can’t take any chances on hurting the hotel, even if we end up with only wind and rain.”
“I know, but I don’t want to rush into anything until we have a better idea of what’s happening with it,” said Rhonda. “It takes a ton of work to get everything done before a storm hits.”
“Okay. Let’s give it until tomorrow morning before we act,” I said. “We don’t want to disrupt our guests any more than we have to.”
We headed to Bernie’s office to discuss our concerns on both issues.
Bernie looked up from his desk when we knocked and cracked open the door. “Come on in. I suppose you’ve heard from Mike Torson about the falling into the pool case.”
“Yes, that’s why we’re here,” said Rhonda. “We want to keep this as simple and inexpensive as possible.”
Bernie indicated the chairs in front of his desk, and Rhonda and I sat.
“We also wanted to discuss timing for any storm activity at the hotel,” I said.
“I’ve alerted the Housekeeping Department to stand by if needed. Right now, we need to stick to our regular storm, not hurricane, protocol. With the hurricane heading to New Orleans and our being on the back side of it, we’re talking about wind and rain for us. Even so, I’ve talked to Lorraine and Annette about the need for extra social activities should we have to deal with a lot of rain for a couple of days."
"Excellent,” I said. “We can offer high tea one day.”
“Exactly. Lorraine and Annette have a few other ideas. Hopefully, we won’t have to use them, but it’s better to be prepared.” Bernie smiled. “We’re trying to keep a step ahead of you two.”
Rhonda and I glanced at one another and laughed. Bernie didn’t crack too many jokes. It was refreshing to see him in such a jovial mood.
“I understand one of the men in the guesthouse Amelia Swanson has rented is leaving for a couple of days,” said Bernie.
“Oh? Which one?” I asked.
“Henry,” said Bernie. “He said he had some personal business to take care of, but he expects to return in a day or two.”
“He’d better come back,” Rhonda said, giving me a worried look.
Bernie frowned at both of us and shook his head. “Another so-called project of yours?”
“Now, Bernie,” Rhonda said. “You know we offer our guests a chance for romance. We try to help things along. Henry and Caro are perfect for one another.”
Bernie held up his hands. “I manage a hotel, not a dating service.”
“We know that,” I said in a soothing tone. Bernie took his job seriously, and we never wanted to upset him.
“Anything else?” Bernie asked.
“No, not until tomorrow morning when we need to decide on how we’re going to react to the hurricane.”
Rhonda and I rose and left the office.
“Maybe tonight we’ll find out more about Henry’s departure,” said Rhonda. “I hope it doesn’t mean he’s not interested in Caro anymore.”
“It’s only been a few days. Who could blame him if he’s decided to step back?” I asked. “Love can be so complicated.”
“I know,” said Rhonda. “I love Will. You know I do. But I’m tired of trying to get him to slow down and enjoy the day, the family, me. Does that sound selfish to you?
“No,” I said. “I’m worried about Will, too. I’ve loved him as a friend since he stepped in to help me when I was trying to buy into this project. But he’s working too hard, and all work and no play is bad for him.”
“We don’t have to worry about money, so it’s about his self-worth and how he measures up to Reggie’s father. I’ve tried to make him see that he’s a success on his own, that he doesn’t need to compare his business to anyone else’s.”
“Okay, we keep talking about it, but our business keeps getting in the way. Please, set a date for you and Will to go away, and we’ll make it work. I love you both too much to let any more time pass.”
“You’re right. I’m as bad as Will for letting the business interfere with a short vacation. And if this works, I will campaign for a longer, more exotic one.” Rhonda beamed at me.
“Maybe after Vaughn is through filming his latest movie, he and I can take a vacation.”
Rhonda slung her arm around me. ‘We each deserve a break.”
We walked back to our office excited for when we could fit in the vacations we all wanted.
###
T hat afternoon, we’d just finished reviewing plans for the Halloween dinner/dance we’d scheduled when my cell rang. Amy .
“Hi, Ann. I hope you and Rhonda can come over for bubbles. My treat. We’re celebrating another beautiful day here in Florida, and it wouldn’t feel complete if you two weren’t here.”
“Thanks. We’d love to come. How was the Everglades trip?”
“Fantastic, but we’re glad to be home here at the hotel,” said Amy.
I was dying to mention Henry’s departure but kept quiet. When the topic came up, I wanted to see how Caro felt about it.
“That was Amy?” Rhonda asked after I ended the call.
She got up. “I’ll be right back.”
Rhonda returned with a bottle of champagne to match the one delivered to the guesthouse earlier. “We’ll need this.”
###
W hen Heather greeted us at the door, Rhonda handed her the chilled bottle of champagne.
“Thank you,” Heather said, holding up the bottle for the other women to see. “Look, everyone, more bubbles!”
“Yay,” said Lisa. “We’ve had a great day. This makes it even more pleasant. Come sit down. We’re watching the news, trying to catch up.”
Jane walked into the living room. “Hello. This is a nice celebration.”
“Where’s Caro?” asked Rhonda.
“I’m here,” Caro said, entering the room. She didn’t look miserable. She seemed upbeat.
I glanced at Rhonda, who didn’t hesitate to ask the question circling my mind.
“Why aren’t you upset?” Rhonda asked Caro. “We heard Henry left for a couple of days. We thought you’d be miserable.”
“He had some personal business to tend to, but he’s promised to return,” said Caro.
Lisa put an arm around Caro. “He’ll be back.”
“Time to celebrate,” said Amy, holding up a bottle of champagne. “Who wants to do the honors?”
“I will,” said Heather. “I know how.”
“You’ve had plenty of practice here,” said Jane, and everyone laughed. “Tomorrow, we’re going to the spa for bubbles of a different kind.”
Heather slid the cork out of the bottle with a soft pop.
“Perfectly done,” I said. One of our wine stewards had shown me how to do that. He’d explained that when opening a bottle of champagne, there should be no loud, fizzling pops, just soft, gentle ones.
The seven of us gathered on the lanai, sitting in lounge chairs by the pool.
I studied their sunburned faces and wondered what stories lay behind each one. It was interesting to see that though each woman was different in appearance and behavior, they were bound to one another through friendship with books and each other. Rhonda and I were as different as two people could be until you reached the cores of us where beliefs in such things as kindness, work ethics, and others drew us together.
I listened to Jane tell how the airboat ride had made her feel like flying, even with headphones on to block the sound of the engine behind her. “I’ve read about them, but being on the boat skimming the water and being part of a whole new water world was totally thrilling,” said Jane, her eyes alight.
It pleased me to see her like this. She’d told me she still hadn’t heard from Dr. Perkins.
Lisa and Heather talked about the books they’d bought for their husbands.
“Tell me about your husband,” I said to Lisa. “I heard he was your high school sweetheart.”
“He was,” said Lisa, smiling. “He still is, I guess you could say. He works for a small, local IT company. We have three beautiful children, one in junior high and two in senior high school. As I may have mentioned, I’m a high school counselor. Our lives are busy because all three kids play sports. But even though we have little time for each other, my husband and I are happy.” She shrugged. “It may seem boring to some people, but we do all right.”
Heather poked her. “You told me you’re planning to come back here with your husband, that this place is made for romance.” She turned to the group. “Right, Caro? And Amy, you can’t deny it. You’re having a fantastic time with a certain someone named Slade.”
Amy laughed. “It’s been a lot of fun.” She looked down at her cell phone, read a message, and frowned. “Excuse me. It’s my son, Nick.” She got up and left the lanai.
“Wonder what he wants,” said Lisa. “That kid has been put through a lot with his father. I’m relieved that Amy decided to divorce her husband. It’ll be better for both Nick and her.”
“Amy has been so cheerful lately. It was an excellent decision for all of us to follow through and come here,” said Heather. “It’s been worth every penny we had to save for it.”
“Craig, Heather’s new husband, would do anything for her,” said Caro. “He’s so sweet. He’d made sure she could be here.”
“He’s a doll,” agreed Heather. “I’m so lucky to have found him the second time around. We met at my art show. He’s made my life fabulous.”
“They’re empty nester lovebirds,” said Caro, clasping her hands and smiling.
Amy returned to the group and said, “I’m sorry to disrupt this party.”
“Anything wrong?” Jane asked.
“Nick’s worried about his dad. His father was supposed to meet him several days ago. At first, he let it go, but it’s been long enough that he’s worried about him.”
“I’m sorry,” said Jane.
“It would be just like the bastard to be on another gambling bender,” said Amy, her voice filled with anger.
“Just forget him, and let’s have some fun,” said Heather. She got up and filled the tulip glasses again. “This is our time not to worry about things. I’ll be right back with more bubbly.”
Heather left the lanai to go to the kitchen.
A moment later, we heard her shriek.
When the rest of us got to the living room, she was pointing at the television.
“Oh, my God!” Amy and I said in unison, staring at the photograph of a man on the television screen.
“What’s wrong?” Rhonda asked.
Heather held up her hand for silence and turned the volume up on the television.