CHAPTER NINE
At the hotel, I went directly to the side garden where Alyssa and Burr were to be married. Manny was supervising a small crew lining up chairs in the grass. Annette followed behind slipping white covers over the backs of the chairs. Two people from Tropical Fleurs were tying flowers to the chairs closest to the aisle between the two sections of chairs. A huge basket of flowers would be placed on the altar at the last minute and then used indoors in the dining room set aside for the bridal party.
Alyssa’s theme of blush and peach worked well, and I couldn’t wait to see the bridesmaids’ dresses. I was standing there looking over the garden when I felt someone come up behind me.
I turned to see Rhonda smiling at me. “You know I love weddings. I couldn’t miss this one.”
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. It was one of those twenty-four-hour cases of flu. Everyone at our house is back to normal. I’m sorry I left you and Laura to do the bulk of the work.”
“No problem. But as soon as I can, I’m leaving to go home to Vaughn and Robbie. You know how it is, I’m never quite sure of Vaughn’s schedule.”
“That’s why I’m here. Love the colors,” said Rhonda. “How’s everything else going? Any bad news from Brock?”
“Not yet. You know it’s coming. It’s just a matter of when,” I said, feeling my blood pressure rise. It amazed me that one man could cause us so much trouble. But we knew what kind of person he was and did our best to stop his nosing around.
“Have you checked the dining room?” Rhonda asked.
“No, let’s do that now. I’m satisfied with the way things are going here,” I said. “Annette should be overseeing the work there.”
When we investigated the private dining room, the tables were set with white linen and light blush-colored linen napkins. The silver rims on the plates matched the sparkling silverware and crystal water and wine glasses standing at each place. In the middle of the tables sat a thick white electric candle placed inside a ring of fresh flowers in the bride’s colors. The effect was understated loveliness.
“It’s beautiful,” said Rhonda to Annette who’d walked over to us.
“I think so, too,” said Annette. “Mrs. Gorman is a pleasure to work with. She knows what she wants and isn’t too demanding.”
“You’re lucky,” said Rhonda. “I remember other weddings that weren’t as easy.” She glanced at me. Weddings brought out the best and the worst in people.
Rhonda and I went to the lobby to see if the minister and the guitar player had arrived.
The minister of the Unitarian Church was often called upon to handle weddings for different couples who’d opted for a destination wedding. She was a lovely, older woman who related easily to people with a quick smile and open mind.
The guitar player, a young man who played in a local classical music quartet, was another wedding regular at the hotel. Professional and eager for the work, he was reliable. Even now, he stood ready with his equipment talking to Bernie.
Rhonda and I went over to talk to him just as the minister arrived. After we’d greeted them both, we led them to the side garden to show them how it was set up.
They stopped a moment at the entrance to the garden to take in the sight, and I could see from their looks of pleasure that they were as satisfied as I was. The garden, with its palm trees, tropical landscaping, and flowers, was Manny’s domain, and he took great pride in his work. On occasions like this, his dedication made all the difference between ordinary and something very special.
The minister walked up to the simple white altar on which two candles sat, waiting for the centerpiece to be placed between them. She took out the bible she’d brought with her.
The guitar player sat in a nearby chair and took out his guitar.
The staff member from Tropical Fleurs carried the centerpiece in and set it up on the altar.
Rhonda grinned at me. “Looks like we’re set to go.”
I stood aside with her as Burr arrived with Adam and the other groomsman. Burr stood at the front beside the altar as people were ushered to their chairs. Then, in what seemed no time, Janelle and her husband were seated in front. And then it was Elise’s turn to be seated. She looked gorgeous in a peach-colored, tea-length dress.
One bridesmaid, then another came down the aisle and stood by the altar. They were young and lovely in sleeveless dresses, one in a blush color, the other in a very dark peach -colored dress.
The guitar player strummed the familiar sounds of Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, and everyone stood as Alyssa and her father arrived.
My breath caught as I gazed at Alyssa. She was a striking bride and had that special glow that some pregnant women get. Her blond hair was pulled back into a French twist, and white orchids were woven into the braid which I thought was more effective than a crown of flowers.
From the look on Burr’s face when he saw Alyssa, I felt comfortable that the two of them would make their marriage work.
Rhonda and I stood quietly on the sideline making sure everything was going smoothly. This was the part of working a wedding that we loved most, hearing the vows, and seeing our guests happy and hopeful.
Listening to these vows, I felt my eyes water. Beside me, Rhonda was blowing her nose as tears streamed down her cheeks. I’d learned to be sure to have plenty of tissues with me if Rhonda was present. She couldn’t hold anything back.
When the minister said, “You may now kiss your bride,” Rhonda and I gave each other a subtle high-five. We’d made it through another wedding. Now the real work would begin, making sure there would be no problems with the following celebrations. I noticed that Adam seemed subdued after almost ruining the wedding.
At the cocktail reception in the dining room, Rhonda and I had the opportunity to congratulate the bride and groom.
“You look gorgeous, Alyssa,” I said.
“I hear we have you to thank for talking our mothers into being reasonable,” said Burr.
“I’d like to think this is a perfect opportunity to celebrate both the wedding and the upcoming first grandchild,” said Elise joining us.
Burr and Alyssa looked at one another and beamed.
“I’m very happy for the two of you,” said Rhonda. “I’m excellent at matchmaking, and I would’ve put the two of you together right away. You’re perfect together.”
As we walked away, I shook my head. If Darryl and Abbie continued to show interest in one another, I was sure Rhonda would take all the credit.
###
With Rhonda’s and Annette’s blessings, I left the hotel to go home to Vaughn. As I’d mentioned to Rhonda, I never knew what his schedule would be. Maybe that’s why we tried so hard to take advantage of every opportunity we had to enjoy one another.
At home, Robbie was on the couch on the lanai with Cindy watching television. I saw Vaughn down by the dock sitting on the boat. Even though it was getting dark, he sometimes liked just resting there.
“I’m going to change my clothes and go sit with Dad for a while,” I said to Robbie.
I left him and went to my room, slipping out of my work clothes and putting on a pair of jeans and a knit top. Then, not wanting to waste a minute, I hurried down to the boat. Zephyr was a beautiful sloop and Vaughn’s pride and joy.
He looked up from his seat in the cockpit and smiled. “I was hoping you’d get back soon. It’s a beautiful night and the stars are already coming out. How did the wedding go?”
“It was charming. The couple is very special. Hopefully, after a Bridal Brunch, it will be another one over and done with.”
“Great, because I just got a call from the producer. I have to leave on Monday morning. I was lucky to have a few days off, so I’m not complaining. But I always hate to leave here. After we wrap up the last few scenes, I’m going to check on my condo in New York City. Want to meet me there?”
“I might be able to. Thanks. Let me know when the dates are, and we’ll take it from there,” I said, suddenly excited to be in New York. And if that didn’t work out, maybe something else would.
“Care for a nightcap to celebrate being together?” he asked.
“I’d love to celebrate us with you.” Starring in the soap opera, Vaughn had spoken many romantic lines in his role as mayor of a small town. It had taken me a while to realize that not all heartwarming lines were from the show. He had a natural, romantic way about him.
He poured me a drink from a container he had and handed it to me as I settled on the bench next to him. We gazed up at the stars that had sprung to life above us in the darkening sky. The moon was a glowing round orb above us, shedding silver light on top of the gentle waves lapping on the shore of the inlet and against the dock’s pilings. A deep sense of peace filled my soul. Nature and Vaughn’s love did that for me.
I turned to him, and his lips met mine, gently at first and then with growing passion.
When we pulled apart, Vaughn smiled at me. “And people ask why I always want to come home.”
We chuckled together. I hoped that as the years passed, we’d always have these special moments.
###
Sunday morning, while Vaughn was reading a script for his agent and Robbie was next door at his friend, Brett’s house, I slipped away to the hotel. The Bridal Brunch was about to end, and I couldn’t stay away.
When I arrived at the private dining room, Rhonda and Annette were there. Annette was, as usual, doing a fabulous job of overseeing the celebrations. Rhonda was greeting the guests as they rose to get ready to leave the hotel.
Elise called me over to her. “I want to thank you and Rhonda for a wonderful wedding. We got off to a shaky start with the kids, but it has turned out to be a very special occasion thanks to your encouragement. I know many of my friends will be having children wanting to get married. I’ll be sure to let them know about The Beach House Hotel.”
We both looked up as Lorraine came hurrying over to us. “Elise, I’m delighted to meet you. I apologize for being too sick to be here sooner.”
As Elise and Lorraine shook heads, I was impressed that Lorraine had done her homework on her clients and knew exactly who Elise was.
“Thank you for your enthusiasm,” I said, leaving Elise with Lorraine, who’d make sure she got the names of those friends Elise talked about.
Janelle and Rhonda were talking, and I went over to them. “Such a beautiful wedding, Janelle. It’s always nice to see such a delightful couple together.”
“All’s well that ends well,” said Janelle smiling. “We adore Alyssa, and I’m thrilled we’re going to have a grandchild, even if the timing is off.”
We continued to chat with the wedding guests until the last one left the room.
Rhonda turned to me. “This is one of the better weddings we’ve had. Why do I have the feeling there’s trouble ahead?”
“Hush,” I said. “We don’t want any problems sent our way.”
“You’re right, Annie. But in all the years we’ve run this hotel, we’ve always had something to deal with because we’re working with people. Do you remember, dear Wilkins Jones? That was our initiation into the hotel business.”
We’d been horrified when a magazine reporter had expired when making love with a woman who wasn’t his wife. There hadn’t been any other deaths since that time, and we certainly didn’t want one. But it had been a wake-up call to both of us that anything can happen at a hotel.