CHAPTER NINETEEN
The next morning, I decided to take my walk on the beach before the activities of the hotel prevented me from doing so.
I’d spent a restless night worrying about the wedding, wondering how the rehearsal dinner had gone at Osteria Arno.
In the years since Rhonda and I opened the hotel, we’d never had any problems with any other hospitality members in business.
But I couldn’t shake the feeling that this wedding was a test of how things would be going forward with Jonny and his crew.
Catarina saw me and waved.
I waved back and went to meet her.
“What a beautiful day,” I said. “I’m glad to see you out here enjoying it.”
“It’s a beautiful place to think,” she said smiling at me.
“For me, too. How did it go with the house you viewed?” I asked.
Catarina’s eyes lit with pleasure. “I’ve put a bid on the house the agent thought I’d like. It’s perfect. It’s in Rhonda’s neighborhood. Just a couple of doors down.”
“I’m so happy for you,” I gushed. “You’ll be lucky to get it. It’s a sought-after location.”
“The real estate agent assures me I’ve got it, but until I sign on the dotted line, I won’t relax.”
“Where’s Philippa? I thought she might be walking with you,” I said.
“She’s already at the hotel working on the wedding arrangements.
I’ve never seen her so happy.” Catarina sighed.
“We still have to convince her father that she and Luciano are making the right decision to turn away from an old-fashioned family promise. She says she’s in love with Chet, but I don’t see how that could happen so quickly. ”
“Rhonda and I were able to talk to her and Harper about things, and Philippa told us she feels very strongly about her relationship with Chet. After meeting, they’ve never forgotten one another. I have a daughter the same age, and I have the impression that Philippa was very sincere.”
“She tells me she tried to find out where Chet went when he left New York,” said Catarina. “She’s always been a headstrong girl.”
“Better that than not knowing what she wants,” I said.
Catarina settled her gaze on me, hesitated, and then said, “You’re right.
I should remember that. I just want her to be happy.
And Chet seems like a nice young man. Thanks for listening.
Now I’ll need to make my husband understand Philippa’s decision not to marry Luciano, who’s a very suitable man for her. ”
“I never had a normal family growing up, so I don’t know what to say that might be helpful.”
Catarina chuckled. “Even after living with Enrico for almost thirty-five years, I don’t either.”
“Remember, if you need anything, please let me know.”
She gave me a quick hug. “You’ve been a big help. Thanks.”
Still smiling, I went on my way.
###
Back at the hotel, I inspected the library where the wedding was going to take place. I found Lauren and Philippa talking to Danielle from Tropical Fleurs.
“Hello, how’s it going?” I asked them.
Danielle gripped her hands together. “I don’t know how it happened, but the Collington order for flowers got mixed up with an order for Osteria Arno and I’ve run out of pink roses for the wedding ceremony and the dinner following it.”
My heart sank at the news. Was this another problem with Jonny? “How specific was the order? Did it include other flowers?”
“Yes, but we had planned on using mostly roses,” said Danielle.
“How about using hydrangeas, calla lilies, and snapdragons? To me, that’s lovelier than roses. Let’s call Audrey and see what she thinks. Pull together some pictures of flowers to show her.”
Danielle messaged her photos of a variety of flowers and then called Audrey.
After discussing the photos and explaining the type of bouquets and baskets of flowers they could use, Danielle gave a thumbs up to Ann. “I think you’ll be pleased,” Danielle told Audrey and her mother. “And, of course, there will be no extra charge for the change in flowers.”
When the call ended, Danielle let out a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad Audrey and her mother are understanding people. But I’m mad as hell that this happened. We also had a problem with flowers for the rehearsal dinner at Osteria Arno. Ann, you know how reliable we are.”
“Indeed, I do,” I said. “I think the problem is with the restaurant. Not you.”
“Thanks for your support,” said Danielle. “I’ll hurry back to the shop and deliver the flowers on time.”
“Does something like this happen very often?” Philippa asked me after Danielle left.
“Weddings can be one crisis after another. But no, Danielle and Tropical Fleurs never give us cause for alarm. I can’t help but wonder if this has anything to do with Jonny trying to harass us.”
“We’ll make sure to be doubly careful with the rest of the preparations,” said Lauren. “A crew from housekeeping is coming to place coverings and bows on the chairs.”
“Thanks for your help,” I said and left to go talk to Bernie. He wanted to be informed of any problems with Osteria Arno and Jonny so he could keep an accurate record.
When I reached Bernie’s office, he waved me inside.
“How are things going?” he asked me.
“Pretty well, but there’s something I need to talk to you about,” I said, and gave him the details of the problem with the flowers. “I can’t help wondering if someone from Jonny’s team did this on purpose as another way to cause us problems.”
“It could be,” said Bernie. “I discovered that the owner of one of the limousine companies we use has supplied information to Jonny’s people regarding guests who were coming here to the hotel to talk about wedding plans.
That’s how the groom’s family for the Collington wedding was given their deal at Osteria Arno for the rehearsal dinner. ”
“What are we going to do about that?” I asked.
“The only thing we can do is suggest that our guests use a different limousine company for their travel,” said Bernie. “I will also send a letter to the state hotel association to warn them of such activity.”
“Guess that’s all we can do,” I said, unable to hold back a sigh. “I wish we didn’t have to deal with issues like this.”
“There should be no reason to do so. In all my years of working, I’ve never had to deal with such petty stuff,” said Bernie. “But I think Jonny is a man under siege. He’s been warned that he must make the restaurant succeed. Apparently, he’s being backed by some unforgiving people.”
A look of understanding passed between us.
I left his office feeling discouraged and decided to take another walk on the beach.
Outside, I breathed in the fresh salty air and felt my body loosen. The hotel business wasn’t easy at its best, but I’d never felt so insecure about it. We couldn’t let someone’s jealousy ruin our business or make running the hotel more difficult than it was.
As I walked onto the sand, I heard someone call my name and turned to see Abby Bradbury, the mother of the groom, waving at me.
She came over to me. “Such a lovely morning for our wedding day.”
“How was the rehearsal dinner a Osteria Arno?” I asked.
Abby shook her head. “Not great. There was apparently a fight in the kitchen and our food arrived late and some of it was cold. The flavors and all were fine, but the service was terrible. My husband is an impatient man, but the rest of us were upset too.”
“I’m sorry that happened to you,” I said. “There are other excellent restaurants in the area who could’ve hosted your event.”
“I can’t wait to have dinner here at the hotel. I’ve heard nothing but nice things about your restaurant,” Abby said.
“I think you’ll be pleased,” I said. “Enjoy your stay.”
Abby left and I headed to the water to feel the soothing waves at my ankles. I was glad Rhonda was away, hopefully relaxing. My stress level was high. Hers would’ve been ready to explode if she knew what was happening.
###
That afternoon, I arrived for the wedding just after four o’clock to make sure everything was ready for the ceremony which would be held at five in the library.
Philippa, Lauren, and Lorraine were in the library making last minute adjustments to the chairs which had been formed into a semi-circle around the altar where the minister, bride, and groom would stand.
“It looks lovely,” I said admiring the pink bows sitting atop each chair back covered in white cloth. Looking closer, I noticed that each bow held a tiny sprig of white stock flowers.
“The bride’s bouquet is stunning,” said Philippa.
“And you should see the floral arrangements Danielle made for the dining room,” Lauren said. “I love this part of planning a wedding and seeing how it all comes together.”
“It’s all in the details,” said Lorraine. “Now, you can go get ready to usher people from the lobby to here in the library. They will find their own seats except for the four designated for the bride and groom’s parents.”
The minister, Margaret Chase, arrived with a young guitar player. She was accustomed to overseeing weddings at the hotel and stood aside as the musician set up and started playing music.
“I think you’ll enjoy this group,” I said to her. “Everyone is very pleasant.”
“That makes my job easier,” said Margaret. “Facing a couple about to be married gives me insight into how long I think the union will last.” Margaret was a middle-aged woman who was a mother of five and knew when someone was not being truthful.
After checking the dining room, I went back to the site of the wedding. Rhonda and I tried to attend as many weddings at the hotel as we could. It was always interesting.
The music continued as people walked in and took their seats. The groom and his brother, the best man, stood in front of the group.
After three of the parents were seated, a pretty woman walked in wearing a stunning pink dress and holding a sweet bouquet. She stood by the minister and then the music changed to Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.”
Audrey appeared holding onto her father’s arm.
The simple white sleeveless dress embraced her torso and then fell in silky folds to her ankles.
She wore a tiny tiara of flowers in her hair, and I had the feeling once again of sensing an angelic person.
Her blue eyes were lit with excitement and the look of love she sent Nate had his eyes watering along with those of us in the audience.
Pleasantly surprised by the simple elegance of the wedding, I left the room to check in with Lorraine before leaving the hotel to go home,