CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
We moved away from the girls and met the strangers as they approached us.
“Hello. What are you doing here on the hotel’s beach,” I asked them.
One man, a little older and tougher looking, said, “I work for Jonny.”
“And I work for Edward Thompkins,” said the younger, more pleasant man with him.
“We’ve been tasked with making sure you come to the private party at Osteria Arno tonight.
My boss called you, but no definite answer was given.
He feels it’s important to be able to show the community mutual support between us. ”
“I see,” I said, aware Rhonda was annoyed. “We’d already decided to attend. Is that satisfactory?”
“Yes,” said the young man.
“Bring your husband with you,” the older man said to me. “We always like stars at our events. The newspaper and local news station will be there.”
Both men said goodbye, turned, and walked away.
“That’s called bullying. I don’t care how old we are, how successful we are at our jobs, we don’t deserve to be treated like that,” fumed Rhonda.
“That’s called covering your ass,” I said. “Their PR man must’ve realized what a mistake it was to attack us when we have so many friends in the area. Let him try to turn Jonny into an amiable, likeable guy. He won’t get too far.”
“It’ll take more than an invitation to a party to make that happen,” said Rhonda.
I turned around. Philippa and Harper had picked up their things and gone inside.
“Guess I’d better go home and get ready for a party. I want to look my best,” said Rhonda.
“Yes, it’s going to be quite a show and will take a lot on our parts to pretend we care.”
###
That evening, after gamely agreeing to accompany me, we walked to Vaughn’s car, and he helped me inside. “Thanks,” I told him. “I know you don’t like these kinds of social events.”
“For you, I’m happy to do it,” Vaughn said, sliding behind the wheel. “Besides, I don’t trust this Jonny character. There are too many indications that he is not the kind of man you need to be dealing with.”
“I believe his PR rep is beginning to see that Jonny doesn’t have the support of either the business community he left behind or the one he’s trying to build here for his new restaurant.
Bernie has been in touch with other restaurant owners on the coast, and they’re not happy with Jonny’s attitude either. ”
We drove in silence and arrived at Osteria Arno to see a stream of high-end cars waiting for the valets to take care of them.
Flashes of pink from specially mounted lights swept the front of the restaurant in continuing arcs.
Valets wearing white pants and shirts with Osteria Arno is bright pink letters took care of the car for us.
Vaughn took hold of my elbow and ushered me inside the restaurant. We were greeted by young girls offering glasses of champagne and wearing skimpy pink shorts and white, sleeveless blouses with Osteria Arno in sparkly pink letters.
I took a glass and moved along inside.
An older woman came over to us and began talking to Vaughn about his latest movie. I gazed around the room and saw Jonny talking to a group of men in dark business suits. He noticed me but didn’t indicate it in any way.
I walked into the bar and found Helena Naylor, the mayor of Sabal, talking with a group of people. She saw me and waved me over.
“How are you, Ann? Dorothy Stern was looking for you. I think she moved into the dining room. She didn’t look happy.”
“Is Brock Goodwin here tonight?” I asked.
“Yes, he is. I believe he and Dorothy had an argument.” Helena introduced me to the one man in the group I didn’t know and then after speaking with him for a moment, I made my way into the dining room.
Dorothy Stern was sitting at one of the small tables set up around a cocktail buffet. Glass of champagne in hand, she was glaring at Brock, who was talking to two women standing nearby. I went right over to her.
She looked up at me. Behind the thick lenses of her glasses, her bright eyes shone. “I was hoping you’d be here. Brock is here, as well, and telling everyone that Jean-Luc is unable to cook at the restaurant anymore that you’ve hired some new, young chef.”
I gritted my teeth. I’d have to ruin my evening and speak to him. Hopefully, before Rhonda got wind of this news. She wouldn’t stop at a few F-bombs.
“Thanks for telling me,” I said, and moved over to the small group with Brock.
“Evening, everyone.”
“I’m sorry to hear about Jean-Luc,” said one of the women. “I just love his food.”
“Jean-Luc broke his ankle, but not too badly. He’ll be back at work very soon. Until then, he’s running the kitchen from home.”
The woman frowned and looked at Brock.
“I don’t know what Brock has told you, but one must be careful about who’s speaking,” I said, forcing myself to smile.
Brock looked as if I’d slapped his face. “Well, I …”
“Hello, everyone,” said Rhonda joining us.
Brock excused himself, and I let out a sigh of relief.
We women chatted for a few moments, and then I led Rhonda aside to tell her what Dorothy had told me.
“That prick! Won’t he ever stop?” Rhonda hissed.
“Oh, oh. Here comes Edward Thompkins. Let’s play it cool,” I said, forcing another pleasant look as we faced him.
“’Evening, ladies. I haven’t officially introduced myself. Edward Thompkins. I’m delighted you could make it this evening. After all, we’re neighbors, so to speak. I see you sent a beautiful floral arrangement for the occasion.”
A tall thin man with sharp facial features, he oozed a fake friendliness I didn’t trust.
“It’s a very congenial neighborhood. We want it to stay that way,” I said.
“Of course, of course,” Edward said turning to Rhonda. “We were sorry to learn about Jean-Luc not being able to work for some time.”
Rhonda gave him a puzzled look. “Who told you that? Your neighborhood informant?”
“Well, I thought …” Edward began.
“He’s going to be back in the kitchen later this week,” I said. “In the meantime, we have a very competent staff, as you know.”
“I didn’t realize …” Edward said and then gave us a bow. “I’m sorry. I need to talk to someone who just arrived.”
He walked away, and Rhonda and I shook our heads as Vaughn and Will walked over to us.
Vaughn leaned down and whispered in my ear, “The food isn’t that good. Nothing exciting.”
Terri Thomas from the newspaper joined us. “Would it be okay if I have my photographer take a photo of the four of you?”
“Certainly,” I said, getting approving nods from the other three.
As the photographer was arranging us, Jonny came over. “Mind if I break into the group?”
Terri’s eyes widened, but she said, “Not a problem, please step in the middle.”
Vaughn smoothly put his arm around me and drew me away from Jonny who’s started to fling his arms around Rhonda and me.
We smiled and stood together for a couple of shots and then Jonny moved away without a word to us.
“He’s as bad as you say, Rhonda,” said Will shaking his head.
A group of men wearing dark slacks and dark shirts came in with women wearing fancy cocktail dresses and lots of jewelry. I assumed they were more of the backers for the restaurant.
One of the women noticed Vaughn and rushed over to him. “Vaughn Sanders! I’m one of your biggest fans!”
Rhonda and Will moved away.
I stayed to support Vaughn and was rewarded when the woman, Rosie Rossi, told us how her husband helped a lot of people in the restaurant business.
“How does that work?” I asked her.
She waved her hand in dismissal. “I don’t get involved in all the details but in this case, Jonny Arno is a friend.”
“Rosie!” a deep voice called.
Rosie jumped and said to Vaughn, “I’ve got to go. But before I do, can I take a selfie with you?”
For an instant Vaughn hesitated, then gamely allowed her to take the photo.
After she left, I took Vaughn’s arm. “We can leave anytime. I’ve met Jonny’s PR person and you’ve met Jonny.”
“Thanks. I’m ready,” said Vaughn.
We went to find Rhonda and Will but realized they’d already left.
Outside, while we waited for the valet to come with Vaughn’s car, we heard someone say, “This food can’t compare to The Beach House Hotel’s restaurant. Their Italian special was absolutely delicious.”
Edward came out of the restaurant, saw us, and came over. “I hope you’re not leaving. The best is yet to come. We’re opening a chocolate fountain, a much smaller version similar to the one at the Bellagio in Vegas.”
Hunting for an excuse, I turned to Vaughn.
“Sorry. I have an engagement,” he said politely. “But I’m sure we’ll see it when we return for a meal after your official opening.”
Edward ran his fingers through his hair and gave us an apologetic look. “It was decent of you to come. I know it was a last-minute invitation.”
“Thank you,” I said sincerely. He was obviously a man under a lot of stress and just might be beginning to realize his client was more difficult than he’d thought.
###
On the way home from the party, Vaughn was quiet.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“I know we’ve discussed it before, but I don’t trust that man or the people supporting him.”
I sighed. “We’re just going to have to deal with him.”
“You’re right. But I don’t like it,” said Vaughn.
We arrived home, and Vaughn and I decided to take a dip in our heated pool. It was a pleasant night and both of us were a little tense after attending Jonny’s reception.
We checked on Robbie and found him sprawled across his bed sound asleep.
“I swear it’s one of his growing days,” I whispered. “Look how tall he is spread out like that.”
Vaughn put an arm around me. “Our boy is growing fast.”
Cindy eyed us from where she lay next to Robbie.
We patted her and left to go to our bedroom.
Vaughn took off his shirt. “I don’t know about you, I think it’s a perfect night for a skinny dip.”
“Sounds fine with me,” I said. We had total privacy in the pool, and I loved the freedom it gave us.
A few minutes later, we were enjoying the refreshing water and loosening our tight muscles by floating on our backs and gazing up at the stars.
“I always feel as if our troubles disappear when I see the stars and realize what a small part I play in the context of things,” I said.
“You make my troubles disappear,” said Vaughn tugging me to him and wrapping his arms around me.
When our lips met, it seemed as if the stars were shining just for us.