CHAPTER ONE #2
I melted into his kiss and then pulled away. “It would have to be a juicy role, or I’d turn it down.”
Vaughn and I laughed together.
###
The next day, I told Rhonda about my call with Tina. “I’ve been thinking we ought to take advantage of having Tina stay with us. Perhaps we could ask her to participate in our annual cancer fund-raising luncheon. Or something like that.”
“It sounds like Tina needs to do something rewarding. It’s hard for some mothers when all their children leave the toddler age and start elementary school. Maybe that’s what’s bothering Nell.”
“Could be. We’ll find out,” I said, looking up as Bernie knocked on the door and entered.
Bernhard Bruner was our general manager, and we loved him. In the years since he’d been with us, he’d changed from a very regimented man to a more open person used to us and our routines.
“Hi, Bernie,” said Rhonda. “What’s up?”
“I just wanted your agreement on a matter. Brock Goodwin tried to sell me fireworks, and I turned him down. I figured after the last debacle with him, you’d want nothing to do with it.”
“Absolutely correct,” I said. “He approached us on the beach, and we told him no.”
“Bernie, what will it take for us to get rid of him?” Rhonda asked.
He shrugged. “I can think of ways to do it. None of them legal.”
I burst into unexpected laughter. Bernie really was loosening up.
After he left, Rhonda and I shared another laugh about Bernie, and then I answered my cell. Nell’s husband, Clint.
“Hi, Clint. How are you? We’re thrilled Nell and the kids are coming early for Thanksgiving. I hope you’ll be able to join them before the big day and stay a while.”
“Hi, Ann. Thanks, I’d love to, but I can’t do it.
Unfortunately, I’m working on a big business deal.
I hope I can persuade you to talk with Nell.
She told me she’s considering taking the kids out of school and staying in Florida throughout the holidays,” said Clint.
“That’s not what we discussed. I hope you’ll make her understand I have no choice but to try and close the deal. ”
I drew a deep breath to stop from saying something I might regret. “I’ll do you the favor of listening to both of you. There are two sides to any story.”
“Fair enough,” said Clint. “I need to do this. It’s part of my new job.”
“Oh,” I said, remembering how Clint and Nell had argued about the opportunity Clint was offered. Nell hadn’t wanted him to take it.
“I’ve got to go. “ I’m due to participate in an important meeting,” Clint said. “Thank you, Ann. I appreciate your help.”
He ended the call before I could clarify once again that I was willing to listen to each of them. That’s all.
Rhonda looked at me. “Let me guess. Clint wants your help with Nell.”
“He doesn’t understand that I’m not going to solve any problems for him. That has to come from Nell and him.”
“I remember how I disliked Angela’s Reggie in the beginning,” said Rhonda. “But as you once told me, I needed to trust her. I’d guess that’s the kind of situation you’ll find yourself in. Trust Nell to do the right thing.”
“It’s a worry,” I said. “But as Vaughn says, we’ll have to see how it all plays out.”
Rhonda’s cell rang. She picked up the call and listened, her expression becoming alarmed. “Oh, no! I’m sorry, honey. Annie and I will take care of things at the hotel for Lorraine. Tell her not to worry. And please give my condolences to Reggie.”
Rhonda ended the call and turned to me in tears. “Arthur has died. I knew he wasn’t in good health, but this was unexpected.”
I got up out of my chair and hugged her. “I’m sorry. I had no idea he was so sick.”
“I think Lorraine has been more worried about him than she has let on,” said Rhonda. “I’ll send her a text that we’re here for her. But I’ll wait until the situation has settled down this evening before I go visit her. Angie said that everyone is in shock because he seemed to be getting better.”
I couldn’t help the sting of tears. “It’s such a shame. Lorraine and Arthur have been married for only a few years. Thank goodness, they were happy ones.”
“This has been an upsetting day,” said Rhonda, standing. “Let’s go to our special hiding place and think about how we’ll do without Lorraine for a while.”
“Okay. I agree we need some time.”
We headed for the lobby bar and the staircase behind it.
As we entered the bar, the bartender called out to us, “What can I get you?”
Rhonda and I exchanged a glance.
“Should we?” I asked.
“Absolutely,” Rhonda answered, then said to the bartender. “Will you make us something light and tasty?”
“How about a Seabreeze? Grapefruit juice, cranberry juice, and vodka.”
“Perfect,” Rhonda said. “Make sure we get a slice of lime. We need all the fruit we can get.”
He laughed. “For you two, anything.”
Moments later, Rhonda and I carried our drinks up to the doorway on the second floor that opened into a small storage area and a balcony beyond.
We took seats in the two chairs we kept there and looked out over the hotel property to the water beyond.
Rhonda held her glass high. “Here’s to Arthur Smythe. May his soul rest in peace.”
I lifted my glass. “Amen.”
A gentle breeze whirled around us.