CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Rhonda and I drove into town to meet Abbie for lunch. It was a pleasant diversion after a worrisome morning. And lunch at Andre’s was always a delicious treat. Margot and Andre Durand were friends of Jean-Luc’s and welcomed us with open arms and a kiss on each cheek.
I parked the car, and we hurried down the little alley to reach the restaurant. Abbie was already there, sitting at an outside table waiting for us.
“Hello,” Abbie said. “Or should I say “ Bonjour ’? The owners here are so friendly.”
Just then Margot stepped outside. “Ann, Rhonda, Bienvenue ! We have a fresh asparagus quiche today plus a grilled vegetable salad.”
“That sounds delicious,” I said, accepting her kisses. “Abbie, outside or in?”
‘I’m ready to go inside,” said Abbie. “It’s a little chilly.”
We were seated at a table by the side window that gave a view of an herb garden planted next to the building.
“The smells,” murmured Rhonda, sniffing the fragrant air inside the restaurant. “No matter what you order, Abbie, you’ll love it. I promise.”
The three of us ended up having the special of the day—quiche and vegetable salad. And when the food and a carafe of white house wine were served, we dug in with enthusiasm.
Abbie received a text on her cellphone and then said, “A note from Tina. She’s wondering if I can stay a few extra days at your house. She’s traveling with someone who can’t be trusted to keep any information to herself, and she doesn’t want this person to know about me. I won’t be a bother to you, Ann. I promise.”
“Of course. I’d be delighted,” I said. “You’re such an easy guest.”
“Tina is going back to the cottage, but we’ll do our training elsewhere.” Abbie frowned. “Who is this person?”
“Lily Dorio,” I said.
“Nobody you want to be involved with. She’s a liar,” said Rhonda.
Abbie raised her hand. “Stop! You don’t need to say anything more. I’ve already heard a lot of negative things about her in Hollywood.”
“I’m going to advise Darryl not to go back to the hotel until after she leaves,” I said. “I don’t think we’ll have a problem with Brock wandering around the hotel property while he’s under suspicion. But it should be okay for him to be at the hotel after the weekend.”
“We have to be able to honor our guests’ requests,” said Rhonda.
“Yes,” I agreed. “That’s what we worry about.”
“It’s how we became known for hosting high-profile people,” Rhonda said.
“It certainly makes it a pleasant stay,” said Abbie. “It’s important for Darryl to have that. You know, I’m impressed that he’s trying to leave the network to do his own thing and become true to himself.”
Rhonda perked up. “He’s perfect for you,” she told Abbie, smiling.
Abbie’s cheeks flushed before changing the subject. “What’s for dessert? I feel like splurging.”
Margot cleared our plates and took orders for dessert. Abbie and I ordered a fruit tart and Rhonda ordered a slice of lemon cream pie.
After we finished, we each let out a sigh of satisfaction.
“The food here is absolutely fabulous,” said Abbie. “Thank you. Now, I’ll have to get back to business. I’m going to take a walk on the beach. Does anyone want to join me?”
Rhonda checked her watch. “I’m sorry. We have to return to the hotel, and then I have to take Willow to ballet lessons.”
“And I’m going home to check on Vaughn and tell him and Darryl about the latest developments with Lily Dorio.”
“I’ll meet you there after I check out the town wharf,” said Abbie.
We stood, and Abbie gave Rhonda and me hugs. Then Rhonda and I walked back to the car and into the normal routines of our days.
###
At the hotel, we looked at our messages.
“Before Tina and Lily get here, I want to check the Presidential Suite,” said Rhonda. “I want to make sure Lily will have no complaints. Besides, like I said, I want to see for myself that everything is okay. That’s where I lived before we made The Beach House into a hotel, and it means a lot to me.”
“Okay, let’s do it. I’ll feel better about seeing it too,” I said, even though I was hesitant to be there after discovering Everly dead on the floor.
As we entered the front entry, we noticed the sweet aroma of flowers. Sitting in the middle of the table in the hallway was a huge flower arrangement that would welcome any guest.
The living room and dining areas were spotless, the kitchen and bathrooms even more so.
After we’d checked everything but the master bedroom, Rhonda grabbed my arm. “What if Everly’s ghost is in the bedroom? You know how sensitive I am about such things. If I even get the hint of any kind of spirit, I’m outta there.”
Discarding my fears, I pulled Rhonda into the bedroom. It had an entirely different look to it with new carpeting, bedding, and chairs to match the new green floral bedspread.
I drew a deep breath and closed my eyes to block out the memory of seeing Everly lying on the floor. A chill ran down my spine.
Rhonda’s grip on my arm tightened. “Do you see that?” she asked in a stage whisper.
My eyes flew open. “What?”
“There,” said Rhonda. She pointed to the streak of sunlight landing on the carpet in the exact spot where we’d found Everly. It’s a sign, don’t you think?”
Letting my breath out with a puff of air, I shook my head. “It’s just sunlight coming through the window.”
“Yes, but why does it seem cold right near that spot,” said Rhonda, studying me.
I forced myself to be reasonable. “The air conditioner is running. That’s all it is.”
“Okay, I needed to hear that,” said Rhonda. “I couldn’t stand the thought of the Suite being haunted. Everything looks great. Let’s get out of here.”
We hurried to the front door. No matter what anyone said, every time I was in that room, I’d see a dead body there. The way Rhonda’s face had turned pale staring at the sunlight, I was sure she felt the same way. In time, the feeling might lessen, but right now the incident was too fresh in our minds.
###
At home, Vaughn brushed away my news of Lily coming to stay at the hotel. “She’s a nobody in Hollywood. She’s set up an agency, but the last I heard she’s not succeeding. Now that she’s married, that might change, but I doubt it. Not with her reputation.”
“Well, I don’t think Darryl should be at the hotel while Lily’s there,” I said to the two of them. “She has a way of making trouble.” I turned to Darryl. “She threatened my marriage by pretending she and Vaughn were lovers and he’d fathered a child with her.”
As Darryl’s eyes widened, Vaughn shook his head. “That woman has no morals. And I’m not going to let her interfere with my life.”
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to accept your offer to stay here for the weekend,” said Darryl. “I’ve heard from Abbie that she’s going to be here too.”
“I think it’s wise,” I said. “As I told her, you’re both easy guests.”
“And, Darryl, you’re an excellent First Mate on the boat,” said Vaughn.
“Aye, aye, Captain,” said Darryl and I laughed with the others, content to see Vaughn with a new friend.
Abbie arrived, and we decided to relax by the pool.
Before we changed into bathing suits, Abbie wanted to show me her purchases.
“I’ve never really cared that much about my appearance beyond being healthy,” said Abbie, laying sundresses, skirts, and blouses atop the bed in her room. “But it’s fun to get excited about some of my new clothes. Though I was the only girl in the family, my brothers weren’t going to let me get too frilly. Not when I was hanging around with them.”
“It sounds fascinating. I was an only child, an orphan at six, who was raised by a strict grandmother. I wished for siblings but knew early on I would never have them.”
“I hope you had some reliable friends,” said Abbie with a note of sympathy.
“I did have one special friend when I was younger but then she moved away. I was invited to birthday parties and such, but my grandmother didn’t approve of sleepovers and girl parties, so my friendships didn’t develop. I adore Rhonda. She’s the best friend I’ve ever had.”
“The two of you have certainly made a success of The Beach House Hotel,” said Abbie. “You’re an inspiration to others. Tina thinks of you as the mother she wished she’d had. She told me how you saved and protected her.”
“Rhonda and I knew we had to do something to help Tina. She’s become part of what I call ‘My Hotel Family’.”
Abbie hesitated and then said, “Darryl, too? I’ve never met a man like him. He’s strong and soft, determined and giving. He could be a self-important bastard like many of my male clients. But he’s not. He’s a truly nice man.”
“I don’t know him as well as you do, but I like him. And Vaughn’s approval means a lot. In his business, he has to work with many egotistical jerks. He doesn’t spend time with guests on his boat if he doesn’t like them.”
Abbie clapped a hand to her chest. “That makes me feel so good. Practically living with a client for a couple of weeks gives me an insight into what they’re like as people, and I’ve never felt this close to any other clients of mine.”
“Rhonda will be thrilled to hear this. But if you tell her, be careful about saying too much or she’ll have your wedding planned before you can think about it.”
“Oh, yes, I got that feeling,” said Abbie chuckling. “Let me show you my purchases. I was delighted to find some unusual tropical wear that I can use in California.”
Together, we looked over her new clothing.
I was delighted to share these moments with her. “I think you’re going to enjoy everything you bought today, and I think a certain someone will too,” I said, giving Abbie a quick hug.
“Thanks. I’ll meet you at the pool,” said Abbie.
I left her room and went to change, satisfied with what was happening between two people I liked.
I was in my bedroom when I got a call from Tina. “Hi. I’m here. Are Abbie and Darryl with you?”
“Yes, they are. We’re about to relax by the pool. Why don’t you join us?”
“Thanks,” said Tina. “I will. Traveling with Lily Dorio is a trip of its own. I need a little relaxing.”
“I trust Bernie greeted you upon arrival,” I said.
“Oh, yes. As usual, we got a warm welcome. Lily couldn’t stop talking about staying in The Presidential Suite.”
“Good,” I said, meaning it. Rhonda and I didn’t want anything to ruin the panache of staying there.