CHAPTER FOURTEEN
After making certain that food in the kitchen was either stored properly or discarded, Nell and I took one last walk through the house to make sure we had what we wanted for the drive to Florida. We decided we’d drive straight through because we both needed to be at The Beach House Hotel.
At the last minute, Nell removed two paintings from the wall and loaded a couple of decorative pieces into the car. We agreed that no one would probably return to the house for whatever they were looking for, but it was wise to take some of these items with us, just in case.
Before pulling away, Nell stopped the car and studied the house. “It’s beautiful, but I never really wanted to move here. We were fine living closer to town in a smaller home. This one, even this car, is something that Clint felt we needed to go along with the requirements of his new position.”
“It will be interesting to see what happens next,” I said. “I’m anxious to get home. We’ll take turns driving. If we’re lucky, we’ll be in Sabal late tomorrow.”
###
Nell drove through familiar territory, and once we’d passed the D.C.
metropolitan area, I took a turn driving while Nell rested.
For the next sixteen hours or so, Nell and I existed in a bubble, wrapped inside Clint’s car, stopping for bathroom breaks, gas, and food.
We didn’t talk much. We were comfortable enough with one another that we didn’t need to.
When we finally pulled into Sabal, we were too tired to do much but greet Vaughn, Clint, and the kids. And then we both went to bed to get a solid sleep.
Later, when I awoke, I padded into the kitchen for a cup of coffee and heard Vaughn and Clint in the garage.
I followed their voices there and was pleased to see that Vaughn had cleared a section of the four-car air-conditioned garage for storing items from Nell and Clint’s house.
“Hello,” said Vaughn, walking over and wrapping his arms around me. “We’ve got the situation under control here. It’ll be safe. I’ve hired a security team to keep a discreet eye on the house. No one will be breaking in here.”
“Good,” said Ann. “I must admit, it did feel uncomfortable being in a house that had been broken into. Nell doesn’t know if she’ll ever feel safe there.”
“Thank you, Ann, for going with Nell to D.C. and helping her pack up a few of our belongings,” said Clint. “I doubt anyone will try to break in again, but I like knowing the pieces she cares about are being protected here.”
“How are you feeling?” I asked him, noting he was looking a little better.
“I’m not going to be doing any activities anytime soon, but the pain level is more manageable,” he said.
“I’m going to meet Claudine at the hotel tomorrow afternoon.
In the meantime, Reggie and I have talked, and he agrees that there’s been a substantial change to the agreement I made with the company for this project.
He doesn’t like it any better than I do. ”
“So, you’ll meet with Claudine to go over that with her?” I asked.
“I want her to arrive at the same opinion as I have,” Clint said. “But if she’s playing a nasty game, as I suspect, it may lead to my resigning.”
“Is that why the paperwork you wanted is so important?” I asked.
“Exactly,” said Clint.
Nell joined us, and I left to go take a shower. Now that I’d had some rest, I was anxious to get to the hotel. We had a wedding in-house, and I was eager to see Rhonda and do my share of greeting guests.
I dressed for the wedding and drove to the hotel to meet Rhonda.
“How did it go in D.C.?” she asked when I walked into the office.
“Better than I expected. Nell is very organized, and we quickly packed up what she wanted to have here. As I told Vaughn, it made me uneasy to be in a house that had been broken into. Though it’s a lovely home, Nell says she won’t ever feel the same about it.
But no matter what happens about any permanent move to Sabal, Nell now knows certain items she values are safe here. ”
“Will told me that Clint and Reggie met to go over Clint’s work,” Rhonda said. “I’m glad Clint is reaching out to him. Will and Reggie are known for their honesty.”
“Yes, they are,” I said. “Clint, too. That’s why this situation is difficult for him. What’s happening here at the hotel?”
“Claudine Everett is making her presence known by making demands. I understand that she and Clint are scheduled to meet here at the hotel tomorrow, and then I hope she’ll move on.
Otherwise, everything is going well. I met with Dorothy Stern.
She and her friends are wrapping the gifts for the employees’ Christmas party. ”
“How nice,” I said. “She’s a true treasure.
” Dorothy, a retired successful New York City businesswoman, volunteered to help us when we first opened by sending out brochures and doing other simple tasks.
After she moved here, she told us she needed something to keep her busy. She’d worked for us ever since.
“We’ve got high tea to take care of tomorrow,” I said. “Nell is scheduled to work on that.”
“She has no problem doing that?” Rhonda asked.
“None. It might be a little chaotic and her long-range plans are on hold, but for now, she’s happily settled here. It’s not how she thought moving here would be, but it’s exactly what she’s wanted all along.”
“Excellent. Because we need her,” said Rhonda. “We have special luncheons and Christmas parties planned for every day for the next few weeks.” She shook her head. “I easily forget how hectic these weeks are.”
I grinned. “Maybe because it goes by in one big blur.”
“When are Tina and her family coming?” asked Rhonda.
“I believe they’ll arrive a couple of days before Christmas and leave right after New Year’s Day,” I said. “It’ll be great to see them.”
“I agree. They’re like family,” said Rhonda. She checked her watch. “We need to greet the wedding guests.”
We tried to be present at weddings, greeting guests and ensuring everything ran smoothly. This kind of attention helped our business grow. And for Rhonda and me, it was a chance to show off the hotel we loved.
###
We walked into the lobby together and went to a group of people who were assembled there. Because it was a garden wedding, we’d lead them outdoors to be seated. Mingling among the guests, welcoming them to the hotel, and chatting with them about their stay, we made sure they were satisfied.
Just as we were about to lead the group outside, Claudine walked over to me.
“I see you’re back from your trip. Can you tell me what’s going on?” she asked.
I blinked in surprise at her boldness and decided not to answer that question. “I understand you’ve been staying here. I hope everything is suitable. Clint tells us that he’s meeting you here tomorrow.”
“Yes. I didn’t realize how bad his injuries were,” said Claudine. “But we should be able to come to a quick agreement. After all, we’ve been working on this project for months.”
“I’m sorry, but I must see to our guests,” I said, trying to hide my distaste. I’d met plenty of egotistical people, but there was something really off about Claudine that I found unsettling.
“I think we should get to know one another,” said Claudine. “And I’d like the opportunity to meet Vaughn.”
“Annie, we have to go,” said Rhonda, purposely interrupting us.
Seething beneath the surface at Claudine’s behavior, I followed Rhonda outside to check on the wedding. Was Claudine so spoiled and entitled that she thought if she pushed and pushed, she’d get her way? Was that how she operated?
“I can’t believe that woman,” I said. “She’s working to break up Nell’s marriage and wants to meet her father. There’s something very wrong with her.”
“Ya got that right. I did you a real favor,” said Rhonda. “If I’d stayed with Claudine another minute, I would’ve told her to eff off.”
“I’d like to tell her myself. But now we have to be the sweet, caring hotel owners who want to make this wedding a very special occasion.”
“The bride is lovely, and I like the groom,” said Rhonda. “It’s one of those sweet weddings. You’ll see.”
The ceremony was as touching as Rhonda had promised, with the bride and groom obviously in love and not afraid to show it. I laughed with others in the crowd when the groom said, I do and swept his bride up into his arms and did a dizzying dance.
I thought back to Nell and Clint’s wedding. The same kind of tender enthusiasm had been on display with them. Thank goodness they were working to make their relationship right again. But too often, couples couldn’t get past that stage of needing different environments.
“Ready, Annie?” said Rhonda, elbowing me. “Let’s get to the reception. Once it is running smoothly there, I’m going home.”
“I’ll help handle the bridal breakfast tomorrow, and then I’m taking the afternoon off.”
Rhonda and I were careful about seeing that we each had periods away from the hotel. Being part of the day-in and day-out responsibilities could be exhausting. But owning and running the hotel filled a need in us that we recognized.
Until someone like Claudine entered the scene.