CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Our dinner group left our house and went to Rhonda’s house in separate cars to enjoy dessert together. Another tradition that started a few years ago.
Nell was the star of the evening as she eagerly showed off her new ring and announced that she and Clint would have a second wedding at the hotel.
A crowd gathered around her.
“Let’s have a gander at those big diamonds,” said Rhonda, hugging Nell. “So, when’s the wedding?”
“I hope it’s after high season at the hotel,” teased Annette.
“And after tax season,” said Reggie. He and Will had followed through and offered Clint a place at their firm.
Standing arm in arm, Nell and Clint laughed as they were embraced by those who hadn’t already done so.
“Come see what we have for dessert,” said Rhonda. “Coffee, tea, water, and drinks are in the kitchen. The treats are in the dining room.”
I’d just placed a slice of chocolate torte on my plate when Bernie’s cell phone rang nearby. I watched him as he listened to whomever was speaking. His expression became more and more worried.
“What is it?” I asked.
“Part of the condo building next to the hotel is on fire. They believe it started with Christmas decorations. I’ve got to go.”
Rhonda came over to us. “What’s going on?”
While Bernie explained it to her, I found Vaughn to tell him what had happened and that I was leaving with Bernie and Rhonda. “I’ll be in touch. I’m taking my car.”
“Be safe. Keep the hotel property safe,” said Vaughn.
I slipped away to avoid ruining Rhonda and Will’s party. Rhonda joined me at the door.
“Bernie’s already left. I’ll come with you,” she said, looking worried.
The drive to the hotel, which takes minutes, seemed like hours. Fires could be uncontrollable if not caught early.
“God, Annie, I’d hate for the hotel to be ruined because of this. Let’s pray the firemen got there on time.”
“Bernie said they think the cause was Christmas decorations. Do you know what I’m thinking?”
“Oh, Gawd, Brock Goodwin was selling his decorations up and down the coastline. Do you think?” Rhonda’s voice trailed off in horror.
“We don’t have the facts, but even the thought of it makes me sick,” I said.
Fire engines blocked the street in front of the hotel and on either side of the condo building. No flames could be seen. I parked my car inside the hotel's gates, and Rhonda and I rushed to where a group of firefighters stood outside the building. Bernie waved us over.
“What’s happening?” I asked.
“The fire started on the sixth floor in one of the condos,” said Bernie. “It sustained fire, smoke, and some water damage. The two apartments on either side have been affected, but the fire is contained. Thank God. It could have been a huge disaster.”
I stared up at the building and at the frightened faces of the people who had been evacuated, whispering a silent prayer of thanks that no one was hurt and the fire was quickly contained.
Rhonda put her arm around me. “Having this fire controlled this early might be the best Christmas present we could be given, don’tcha think?”
“Absolutely,” I said, spotting Brock in the crowd. There was a part of me that wanted to know if he was somehow involved, but I turned away. I didn’t want anything to rip apart the gratitude I felt for the safety of the people who lived there.
Bernie looked at each of us. “Why don’t you go back to your families? There’s really nothing for you to do here.”
“Thanks,” I said. “We’ll check in at the hotel, and if everyone is fine there, we’ll go home, leaving them in your capable hands.” I gave him a quick embrace. “Thank you. And Merry Christmas.”
“Yes, Bernie, Merry Christmas. We’ll see you tomorrow,” said Rhonda.
We walked back to the hotel. A crowd of hotel guests had gathered in the lobby.
“What’s going on?” several asked.
Rhonda and I explained what had happened and hoped that the disturbance next door with the firetrucks hadn’t frightened them.
A couple of children were in the group, dressed in pajamas. They’d obviously been awakened by the commotion.
I knelt in front of one little boy. “Everything is fine. Are you excited about Christmas?”
He grinned. “Mommy and Daddy told Santa Claus we’d be at The Beach House Hotel.”
“Well, then, guess you’d better go to sleep so you can wake up to Christmas.”
His mother beamed at me. “Thanks for your assurance. Everyone here at the hotel has been very kind and understanding. Spending Christmas here is always special.”
“Enjoy,” said Rhonda. She turned to the group of people walking away, “Merry Christmas, everyone!”
The employee at the front desk gave us a thumbs up, and then Rhonda and I walked away.
Outside, I stopped and stared at the front of the elegant hotel.
“She’s a beauty,” said Rhonda.
“Truly.”
Taking another moment, I gazed at the palm fronds caressing the night air with the help of the sea breezes coming onto the shore. They added to the hotel's beauty.
“ ’C’mon,” said Rhonda. “We’d better get back to our families.”
###
At Rhonda’s house, the party was still going. I gazed at the group of friends, thankful once more that everyone here was safe and looking forward to the celebration.
The kids were beginning to fuss, and seeing the fatigue on Liz’s face, I went to her. “How about my helping you get the kids settled for the night? Chad needs his freedom to spend with the other men.”
“Oh, Mom, that would be great. They’re on a sugar high and beyond excited. Getting them into bed and asleep won’t be easy. Do you remember how you used to sing to me? Maybe you can do that.”
I chuckled. I had no singing voice, but she’d always loved bedtime songs.
We said goodbye to everyone, and I helped walk the Ts to the car and climbed into the van with them.
Liz drove to her house, parked, and together we got the children inside, washed up, and into their pajamas. Gabe, the youngest, was half asleep when we put him in his crib. But the Ts were not about to succumb quietly.
Noah joined his sisters in their room and lay tucked under the cover on Olivia’s bed.
Seeing their eager expressions waiting for me to begin, my eyes stung with tears. Liz had been afraid of never having children. And now she had four.
“Gammy, sing Rudolph,” said Emily.
I started singing it in a low voice so I wouldn’t disturb Gabe.
“Now, Frosty,” said Noah.
It took another six songs, each one softer, to make their eyelids droop and their breathing slow. I didn’t realize Liz was watching from the doorway and Chad had joined her until I heard their quiet “thank you”.
Chad walked into the bedroom and lifted Noah in his arms to carry him to his bed. Though Noah mumbled something, he remained asleep.
“I’ll take you home,” said Liz. “It’ll give me a chance to talk to Nell. I’m ecstatic about the news of a wedding vow renewal.”
“Me, too,” I said with feeling.
I hugged Chad goodbye, and we left for my house.
###
When we entered the house, I immediately noticed that the people we’d paid to clean up from dinner had done their job. Relieved, Nell and I joined the others.
Nell and Clint were sitting in the living room with Vaughn.
“Hi,” Nell said. “Bailey and Ned are finally asleep. We’re just relaxing here.”
“I want to tell you and Clint how very proud I am of you,” I said, facing them as they sat on the couch. “A vow renewal is a beautiful way to recommit to a relationship. It’s a lovely thing for you to do, Clint.”
He grinned. “I like the idea.”
“Let me see the ring again,” said Liz. “When is the wedding going to take place?”
Nell glanced at Clint. “I’ve always wanted to get married in April. It didn’t work out last time. But now we can do it and have a true April in Paris second honeymoon.”
Clint grinned. “Sounds fine to me as long as it’s toward the end of the month, after Tax Day on the fifteenth.”
Nell leaned over and kissed him. “Perfect.” She stood. “C’mon, Liz. Let’s go chat.”
The girls left, and Clint said, “Guess I’d better put together a couple of toys for the kids.”
“I’ll help,” said Vaughn.
“I’ll check on Robbie,” I said.
When I looked in on Robbie, I found him lying on top of his bed. Cindy was asleep, nestled up against him as he played some games on his phone.
“Ready to settle down for the night? Bailey and Ned will get up very early to awaken us.” I sat on the edge of his bed. “Did you have a pleasant day?”
He nodded. “Stephanie and Randolph will be here tomorrow morning, right?”
“Yes,” I said. “They wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
“I have a special present for each of them because they’re my grandparents. Right?”
“Yes, your grandparents of our hearts,” I said. “We were lucky to find them.”
“I like it,” said Robbie. “ ’Night, Mom.”
“I love you, son.” I kissed him and patted Cindy, pleased that my house was full.
When I went into the bedroom, I found Vaughn waiting in bed for me.
After I got ready for the night, I joined him.
He pulled me to him and kissed me. “Merry Christmas, Ann. Another good year.”
“For me, too,” I said, resting my head on his chest. “And a better year to come.”