CHAPTER ELEVEN
I awoke early, refreshed and happy. Beside me Vaughn was snoring softly. Pleased I didn’t have any hotel duties today, I slipped out of bed and drew on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt to go for a walk on the beach. It was my favorite way to start a day.
After letting Cindy outside, I went to the garage and climbed into my car.
The sun was rising, sending rosy fingers of light into the soft-gray sky. The slight chill in the air was invigorating, especially because it promised to be a hot day.
I parked my car behind the hotel, checking to see if a security guard was nearby. I waved to one and headed out to the beach.
Stepping onto the cool surface, I sprinted toward the water’s edge. The hard-packed sand nearby was an easier place to walk, but I chose to stand a moment breathing in the salty air, studying the waves rolling into shore and retreating in a soothing pattern.
Sand pipers and sanderlings hurried along the frothy edge of the water, their footprints stamping proof of their existence into the sand.
In the distance I saw two figures, and recognizing them, I went to greet Chet and Phillipa.
Intrigued, I wondered about the one date they’d had in New York City. Or was it more than that?
“Hello,” I said, approaching them.
Chet and Philippa faced me, holding hands.
“It’s nice to see you here. It’s a perfect time of day to be on the beach,” I said.
“It’s so beautiful”, said Philippa. “I really didn’t want to come to Florida with my parents.
” She smiled at Chet. “But if I hadn’t come, we wouldn’t have had the chance to reconnect.
I never thought I’d see Chet again. I lost his information and then he moved …
” Philippa’s voice trailed off but the look she gave Chet made me realize this was more than a casual meeting.
I wondered what her parents would think.
As if she’d read my thoughts, Philippa said, “Please don’t say anything to my mother about this. I need to talk to her myself.”
“Oh, yes, of course. We at The Beach House Hotel honor our guests’ requests for privacy.”
Chet seemed to realize he still held Philippa’s hand and let it drop. “I’m on breakfast shift this morning. I’d better go.”
He and Philippa gazed at one another.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Brock Goodwin trotting toward us.
“Oh, no,” I said. “Here comes trouble. Please, just keep any private information to yourselves.”
“Morning, ladies and Chet,” said Brock. He turned to Chet. “Shouldn’t you be working? Or did you decide you owe Jonny a favor?”
“I owe Jonny nothing of the kind,” said Chet, drawing himself up, exposing his broad, muscular chest.
Brock backed away. “Someday, you’re going to have to deal with him, not me.” He faced Philippa. “As president of the Neighborhood Association, I feel it’s my duty to make sure that each VIP is welcomed. I’d love to take you to lunch.”
Philippa struggled to hide her obvious distaste. “Thank you, but my plans are pretty settled for my entire stay.”
“Oh, but …” Brock began.
I gave him the warning look my kids would recognize. “We’re in the middle of a private conversation, so …”
“I get it,” grumped Brock. “I’m just trying to be neighborly.”
Chet shook his head. “See you later,” he said to Philippa and me.
After he left, Brock headed off in a different direction.
“Who is that horrible man?” Philippa asked me. “At dinner the other night, he wanted me to have a drink with him. I thought I made it plain I wasn’t interested. He’s older than my father.”
“Brock’s ego knows no bounds,” I said with disgust. “He’s the bane of our existence and would try to do anything to harm Rhonda and me or our hotel.”
Philippa shuddered. “I’ll stay away from him. I’m going to try to persuade my mother I don’t need to look at houses with her today. I’d like a day to simply flop.”
“Is she having any luck?” I asked.
“The Luna brothers have promised to show her everything in the entire region. So, I think it’s going to take some time. The one thing she knows is that she can’t wait to be able to leave New York City and spend time here or at home in Italy.”
“Is that why she thinks you should marry someone from home? So you’ll be part of her life there?” I asked, aware I was being a bit too inquisitive.
“That’s something I need to talk to my mother about,” said Philippa.
“The idea is about an old family promise. She’s caught between wanting to please my father’s family and having me close to them and knowing I need my freedom.
It all started with an old-fashioned agreement between my grandfather and Luciano Bolino’s.
” She checked her watch. “I’d better go. My mother will be getting up soon.”
As I walked back to the hotel, I knew Rhonda would be thrilled with the opportunity to play matchmaker at the hotel. But I worried about the complications and vowed not to mention it to her.
I went through the back of the hotel to my office to monitor things before going home and spending the day with Vaughn. I checked messages and was surprised to see one from Bernie. It simply said: Call me.
I dialed his extension and Bernie answered. “Hello, Ann. You got my message?”
“I did. What’s going on?”
“I didn’t want to disturb you and Rhonda on your days off, but in case you came in, I wanted to talk to you about an incident last night.”
“Oh.” My throat tightened with worry.
“The mother of the bride fell outside by the pool last night. She was drunk as a …what’s the word?”
“Skunk? Drunk as a skunk?”
“Yes, that’s it. She’s claiming she’s going to sue the hotel for negligence for not keeping the pool deck dry. This, after several in the wedding party decided to jump into the pool with their clothes on.”
“She doesn’t have a viable case,” I said.
“No,” said Bernie. “I have statements from several of the guests regarding the situation and wanted you to be aware if she tries to get in touch with you or Rhonda as she promised she would.”
“Thanks for the information,” I said. “I’ll wait to discuss this with Rhonda. It’s been a long week, and we both need a little time off.”
“Agreed,” said Bernie. “I’m just keeping you in the loop.”
“I appreciate that a lot,” I said. Bernie was a gem in the business and we were lucky to have him.
###
At home, I placed the warm cinnamon buns I’d brought home from the hotel on the kitchen counter. Then I went to greet Vaughn who was swimming in the pool.
“Morning,” I said. “I brought home treats from the hotel.”
“Cinnamon rolls?” Vaughn asked, peering into the box with the hotel logo.
“Especially for you from Consuela. I went for a walk on the beach. You were snoring peacefully when I left.”
“I figured that’s where you were,” said Vaughn. “I know how much you like your early morning walks there.”
“I’m home for the rest of the day,” I said. “What would you like to do?”
“Just relax right here with you,” said Vaughn.
“Sounds perfect. I’ve got a good book, and I intend to do nothing but read for most of the day. I can’t remember when I’ve had a chance to do so,”
“I do want to see Liz and the kids, though,” said Vaughn. “They’re growing so fast that each time I get to see them, I notice big changes.”
“Okay, that sounds like fun. I’ll give Liz a call and see if we can invite ourselves over.” At one time I’d envisioned having all the kids here at my house for playdates but soon learned visits were handled better at the kids’ house, where they had all their toys and could easily be watched.
I went inside and helped myself to a cup of coffee and a sweet roll. Taking them and my cell phone out to the lanai, I settled on the couch to call Liz.
“Hi, Mom! What’s up?” she answered cheerfully.
“Vaughn is home, and he wants to see you and the kids. I know it’s easier for everyone if we come to your house. Is sometime today workable?”
“Perhaps you could give Chad and me a break and watch them while we go to lunch. Then we’ll have plenty of time to talk.”
“That will be great,” I said. “What time do you want us there?”
“How about eleven thirty? That way we can miss most of the touristy crowds,” said Liz.
“We can do that. I love that we can give you and Chad a time to yourselves,” I said.
“We appreciate it, especially because Chad’s mother isn’t interested in doing any babysitting. I can’t say much to Chad about it because it hurts his feelings that she doesn’t ever have time for us.”
“That’s pretty much how it was for him growing up, wasn’t it?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” said Liz. “That’s why he wants to have an active role in raising the kids. Believe me, it takes more than one person to handle triplets and a toddler.”
“Now that Vaughn is home, perhaps the two of you can get away for a sail. As a matter of fact, Vaughn, Robbie, and I were talking about introducing the Ts to sailing. It would be us three adults and the three kids. That’s the only way it would work. How does that sound?”
“Excellent,” said Liz. “Vaughn is the one that got me into sailing, and it’s a delightful way to enjoy nature and to relax. I thought of Dad this morning and realized he never really had time for me growing up.”
“Robert loved you, but like you said, he never had time for his family unless it was connected to the business in some way.”
“Your business,” said Liz. “I know all about how he stole your ideas.”
“No use going there,” I said. “Look at both of us now, happily married and loving our family times.”
“I talked to Chad about carving out time for hotel business and he’s all for it,” said Liz. “Maybe that’s why I’m remembering things.”
“One day at a time. Rhonda and I want you and Angie to take over one day. We can talk about it later. Let’s set up a meeting with Harper and discuss some of her ideas and yours.”
“Thanks, Mom. I needed to hear that today. I realize how fast the kids are growing. When they’re all in school all day, I want to have a meaningful life beyond being their mother.”
“Understandable,” I said. “We’ll see you later.”
I ended the call and sat a moment thinking how life was one circle after another. I never would’ve known Rhonda if our daughters hadn’t met, and Rhonda would never have met Will if he hadn’t been my financial advisor and on and on.
Vaughn approached and leaned down to kiss me. Meeting him was the most magical circle of all.