CHAPTER FOUR
I left the office and went to the lobby to see how the reception desk was doing.
The late afternoon was a busy time at the hotel with new guests arriving.
After making sure things were going smoothly with people checking in, I walked over to the Lobby Bar to see the situation there.
The bar was active with guests wanting refreshments before the evening festivities.
Drinks and snacks were also available at the pool and at the beach, but for those not in swimsuits, the Lobby Bar was a place to be seen and to meet up with friends.
I was surprised to find Harper sitting there and went over to her.
“Afternoon. How are you today?” I asked her.
“Fine, thank you. Just waiting to hear from Chet about how things went with the interview with Jean-Luc. He texted me that he was about to talk with him now.”
“He’s an outstanding candidate,” I said. “But Jean-Luc will make the decision as to whether he’s hired. How about you? Are you still interested in working here at the hotel?”
“Yes,” said Harper. “I’ve been watching the activity and understand wanting to draw more young people in.”
“Rhonda’s daughter and mine will interview you tomorrow. If they haven’t been in touch with you yet, they will be.”
“Thanks so much,” said Harper. “I hope it all works out.” Her cell phone rang. She answered and listened. Then spoke to us. “Chet says Jean-Luc is putting him to work right away and he’ll meet me at the motel.”
“That’s an excellent sign,” I said. “Jean-Luc demands the best from people, but he isn’t like Jonny Arno.”
“It has been a very difficult time for Chet and me,” said Harper. “How can someone wield that much power?”
“You should be aware that Jonny Arno is associated with a new restaurant up the beach from us. Both you and Chet will have to be careful,” I said. “I’d hate for any problems to arise because we hired him.”
“I understand,” said Harper, her expression serious.
“Okay. You should be hearing from our daughters, either Liz Bowen or Angela Smythe. I have a feeling you three will get along very nicely.”
I waved to the bartender and left feeling happy about things.
As I was settling in my chair in the office, Rhonda appeared wearing a satisfied smile.
“Jean-Luc was very impressed with Chet’s attitude. He put him right to work helping with dinner tonight. Chet was more than happy to step in. I think it’s going to work out very well.”
“I spoke with Harper,” I said. “She wants to work here, and I think our daughters are going to like the way she already agrees on the idea of increasing the bar business.”
“One point that Jean-Luc stressed to Chet was that we’re not competing with anyone. We don’t have to. We’ve successfully established the kind of hotel we run and the restaurant he oversees. The result of that is the responsibility to keep to those high standards.”
“Well said.” I gave my partner a steady look. “I hope others will respect that.”
“I say we keep Brock Goodwin away from the hotel as much as possible,” said Rhonda. “We’ll notify security and the dining room that he’s no friend.”
“I think that’s smart, though I believe most already know that,” I said. Brock Goodwin had no morals and no love for us. He’d proved it over and over. This time we’d try to stop him before he did damage.
There was a knock on the door. Lorraine Grace, now married to Angela’s father-in-law, Arthur Smythe, opened it and peered inside, “Do you have time to talk to me?”
“Sure. Come in,” I said, standing and pulling a chair closer to Rhonda and me.
Lorraine lowered herself into the chair and took a moment to speak. “I’ve just had a call from Amelia Swanson.”
“Oh, no,” groaned Rhonda. “What does she want now?”
“It’s not for a wedding. It’s a private dinner for the Italian Ambassador in New York City.
After his time is up as the Ambassador, he and his wife are hoping to settle here in the U.S.
part-time. Specifically, in Florida. And Amelia wants him to visit Sabal.
Because her sister, Lindsay, is married to Jean-Luc, it seems only right for Lindsay to show them around the area.
First, Amelia wants us to welcome them in grand style. ”
“When is this visit?” I asked, suspicious of the timing.
“Tomorrow night. It’s the only time the Ambassador could get away within a reasonable amount of time. I have him and his family booked in the Presidential Suite.”
“Is the private dining room available?” I asked.
“That’s not the problem,” said Lorraine. “The issue is that he wants an authentic Italian meal. Amelia told him about Rhonda’s cooking …” She let her voice drift away.
I turned to Rhonda. “Can you do that? What about Jean-Luc’s pride?”
“That’s why I need your help,” said Lorraine. “Amelia wants to show off Jean-Luc’s skill the next day at lunch. She knows her brother-in-law is sensitive but feels that providing a special lunch will give him a chance to shine.”
“I’ll tell you what,” said Rhonda after a few moments.
“I’ll have Chet help me with the main course.
He can start early in the morning, so it won’t disrupt any work in the kitchen later in the day.
The staff can prepare salad and dessert as usual under Jean-Luc’s supervision. I’ll do my usual antipasto.”
“That will make it seem more like a joint effort,” I said. “Thank you, Rhonda.”
“Who is going to tell Jean-Luc?” Lorraine said.
Both Lorraine and Rhonda turned to me.
“Annie, you know you’re better at being diplomatic than I am,” said Rhonda.
“It needs to come from one of you, not me,” said Lorraine.
Sighing heavily, I said, “Okay. But I’ll have to think of a way to say it without hurting Jean-Luc’s feelings. Amelia always gives us a task we don’t want.”
“At least this one won’t be dangerous,” said Rhonda, chuckling.
“Just one more thing,” said Lorraine. “Because Annette and I’ll be busy overseeing a rehearsal dinner for that evening, I’ll need you, Ann, to oversee the Italian Ambassador’s dinner as you often do.”
“What else?” I asked, letting out a sigh.
“That’s it,” said Lorraine. “The rest is up to you two to decide.”
Rhonda and I exchanged glances. The hotel business was full of surprises.
###
Telling myself not to be nervous, I headed to the kitchen to talk to Jean-Luc. Preparations were well underway for the dinner crowd. I stood quietly by watching the interaction among the kitchen staff, delighted to see how well Chet seemed to be fitting in.
Jean-Luc noticed me and walked over. “Hi, Ann, Checking on our new employee? He’s completed the paperwork and is now helping in the kitchen. He reminds me of myself at that age. Willing to work at anything to learn.”
“I’m glad to hear it, though that’s not why I’m here. Amelia Swanson has a special request for all of us,” I said.
Jean-Luc frowned. “That can only mean trouble. I know my sister-in-law.”
“This request seems quite simple and a test to see if Chet will become a real part of the team.” I told him what we had in mind, watching his face change expressions until he finally nodded.
“Okay. Rhonda and Chet can do two of the courses for dinner. The other menu items will be taken care of by my staff. I will handle their special lunch the following day, but it won’t be with Italian food. It will showcase some of my favorite things.”
“Yes, that’s exactly what they want,” I said, breathing a sigh of relief. Somehow, Amelia Swanson always got her way.
I started to walk away and turned back. “Let’s give the Ambassador and his wife some outstanding canapés, as well.”
Jean-Luc turned away, but not before I saw a look of disappointment on his face. He was a proud man and a decent one, too. I’d leave it to Lindsay to help soothe his feelings.
Rhonda was making a list of items to buy for the menu she was planning.
“I’ll go to my specialty store for some of these things this evening.
Chet can pick them up later so we can talk about preparing the meal.
If this doesn’t make him decide he’s made a mistake by coming on board with us, nothing will. ”
“But that’s how running a hotel is—dealing with one crisis after another. And if he’s going to be part of our staff, he must learn it,” I said. “We did everything ourselves to get the hotel up and running. And we still have to be flexible and willing to do any job to keep it going.”
“Especially when we deal with so many high-profile guests,” agreed Rhonda.
My cell phone rang. I nudged Rhonda. “Amelia Swanson.”
“Hello, Madame Vice-President,” I said politely. “How are you?”
“Did you get the message about the Ambassador’s visit to Florida? Is he staying in the Presidential Suite?” she asked without exchanging pleasantries.
I realized she was busy and quickly answered. “Yes, they’ll be in the Presidential Suite with a special, authentic Italian dinner and a Jean-Luc luncheon the next day. I suggest you talk to Jean-Luc, though.”
“I will. I promise. Thanks for your help. I don’t know what I’d do without the two of you stepping in to help me from time to time,” she said. “Thanks a million.”
The call ended, and I turned to Rhonda. “Amelia says thanks, she doesn’t know what she’d do without our help.”
“Let’s keep that in mind,” said Rhonda, “when it comes our turn to ask her for help.”
A shudder ran through me. “I hope that doesn’t happen anytime soon.”
“Aw, I was just saying it, Annie. I don’t think it will come to that. We can get rid of Brock Goodwin by ourselves.”
“And Jonny?”
“That’s another story,” Rhonda said. “But I have friends of my own. Friends from the neighborhood.”
I grimaced, sensing trouble was coming.