CHAPTER THIRTY
Rhonda and I were walking on the beach a few days before Ty and his family were due to arrive for the ceremony.
She turned to me. “Ya know, Annie, it’s sweet to see you this excited about Nell’s wedding.
It doesn’t seem that long ago that you were worried about her and her marriage.
I think I’m as proud of Nell as you are.
Our three daughters building a life together makes me feel very confident about the future of The Beach House Hotel. ”
“They’re bright, smart, and hard-working women. More than that, they’re supportive of one another,” I said, feeling the same way about the future.
“I’m not quite ready to retire, but it’s comforting to know that when the time is right for the two of us to step back, we’ll have our girls ready to take over,” said Rhonda.
“I’m pleased that Nell is part of it. I love having her here in Sabal at last.”
“Uh-oh,” said Rhonda, her whole demeanor changing. “Guess what slimy, lying, pest is approaching.”
I turned to see Brock walking toward us, bouncing on his feet as he approached with a swagger.
“ ’Morning, ladies,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Guess you heard, the fire department has cleared me and my company of any responsibility for that condo fire on Christmas Eve.”
I studied him, trying to figure out why Brock was such a snake. He was a handsome man, but an unpleasant person. “What I heard is that Christmas lights were at fault, with a concern about the flammability of the decorations.”
“Guess you won’t be selling more of those,” said Rhonda.
“I’ve got something even better. I just brought in a line of decorative pottery from Italy. It’s something I thought you might be interested in for the hotel,” he said. “I can give you a deal.”
“Not on your fuckin’ life,” mumbled Rhonda.
Brock shook his head. “Aw, that’s not neighborly, Rhonda. Can’t we be friends?”
“I don’t believe you know what the word means,” I said. “Let’s just go our separate ways.”
He blocked my departure. “You know, as president of the Neighborhood Association, I can make your lives miserable.”
“You already do,” Rhonda said. “So, what’s the threat in that?”
Brock glared at Rhonda. “If you try to interfere with my business, I’ll get you for it.”
“Oh, my! Is that a threat?” asked Rhonda.
I took hold of Rhonda’s elbow and led her away from Brock before Rhonda completely lost her temper.
“That man makes me so damn mad,” said Rhonda. She looked back to make sure he wasn’t following us. “I know he was behind the recent story exposing certain guests hiding out at the hotel.”
“No doubt about it,” I agreed. “But the one thing his ego doesn’t like is us ignoring him. Let’s go inside. I hear Consuela is making her chocolate chip cookies.”
“Well, then, let’s hurry,” said Rhonda, winking at me.
I laughed, and we headed inside.
###
The next day, Vaughn and I waited at the airport to pick up Ty, June, and their kids, seven-year-old Bo and his five-year-old sister, Rosie.
We saw them as often as possible, but with them living on the West Coast, outside of San Francisco, it could be difficult.
Vaughn’s schedule allowed him to visit more often than I could manage, but that didn’t mean I was any less excited to see them.
We waited at the appropriate place inside the terminal. When I saw them walking toward us, I waved frantically and waited for the kids to run to greet me.
“Hi, Gammie,” cried Rosie, lifting her arms to me. She was small for her age with a gracefulness that came from her mother.
I picked her up and twirled her around. “How’s one of my favorite girls?”
“I’m here, but it took forever,” said Rosie, staring at me with dark brown eyes.
I set her down to allow her to greet Vaughn, and turned to Bo to give him a big hug.
The children were beautiful and very well-behaved.
Their mother, June, was loving but strict, with oversight from her mother and her aunties, who adored the kids.
Having never been part of a normal family, I was a bit overwhelmed when I first met her parents and all her relatives.
While Vaughn and Ty exchanged hugs, I kissed June hello. “I’m thrilled we get to have you here for a few days alone before the wedding. We don’t see you often enough.”
“Thanks,” she said, hugging me. “We’re looking forward to relaxing here. And to help celebrate Nell’s wedding, of course.”
I hugged Ty, and then we all walked to the baggage claim area. I knew from the smile on Vaughn’s face that he was as pleased as I was to start the week off this way.
###
On our way home, both Nell and Liz called June to see if they’d arrived. My heart was happy to hear the girls’ chatter. I thought how lucky they were to be this compatible.
After things were settled at the house, Bo and Rosie wanted to go into the pool. Although the air felt cool to me, for visitors from different areas, the temperature was perfect. Besides, our pool was heated.
The kids had just jumped into the water when Nell arrived with Bailey and Ned. The four played in the pool while the adults sat around and watched them.
Ty and Nell were siblings who obviously loved one another. Ty had his father’s dark hair and eyes, while Nell resembled her mother with blond hair and blue eyes. However, there was a similarity in the way they spoke and moved that was reminiscent of Vaughn.
Nell and June left us to go inside for girl talk.
Liz arrived a short while later with her four children, dressed for the pool.
The Ts had no problem mixing in with the other kids. I made sure to give Gabe, who was the youngest, my attention. He was adorable with strawberry-blond hair like Chad.
Holding him in my lap for a snuggle, I watched the kids playing and let out a long, grateful sigh. I’d felt hopeless trying for more children after Liz, never dreaming I’d be this blessed with grandchildren.
###
The next few days were filled with all kinds of activities.
Ty and Vaughn were able to get away for a private sail on Vaughn’s boat, and then Vaughn and Ty were joined by Clint and Reggie.
Clint was a sport about the teasing he took about ducking out of the way of the boom while the boat was coming about.
The girls shopped, gossiped, and hung together as much as possible while Rhonda and I helped by watching over the children, with Liana and her friend’s help.
The wedding was going to be small, with just my family members, Rhonda and her entire family, Stephanie and Randolph, Bernie and Annette, Lorraine, and Lauren from the hospitality department, making a total of twenty-some people.
The timing was perfect for everyone to be present, as it coincided with spring break from school.
Clint and Nell had decided that this ceremony would be all about the children. Bailey was scheduled to be the maid of honor, and Ned was the best man.
Nell asked her father if he’d be disappointed if she had Robbie, the oldest of the children, walk her onto the beach. Vaughn gracefully said no.
###
On the day of the wedding, Rhonda hosted a luncheon at Andre’s for all the women who were attending the ceremony, declaring it a rare opportunity to have this occasion together.
All of us dressed up for the affair, and as I looked around the small, private dining room, admiring gleaming new manicures and styled hair, I was glad to be part of this festive occasion.
Now that the high season was over at the hotel, it was important for us women to be able to celebrate as a group.
As soon as everyone was seated and champagne served, Rhonda got to her feet.
“It’s fabulous to see all my favorite women gathered here today to celebrate Nell’s wedding later this afternoon. I feel very honored to have you here. Here’s to a lovely wedding, Nell!”
“Hear! Hear!” we all cried.
I stood. “I want to say how proud I am of Nell. She’s an example of a strong woman working to make life right for herself and her family.”
After I sat down, Nell stood and raised her tulip glass of champagne. “I want to thank you all for being here for me. I needed to make changes in my life, but it wasn’t until I came to Sabal and received your support that I was able to do it.”
We raised our glasses to her and then took a sip.
“Okay, now that we’ve got that taken care of, let’s eat,” said Rhonda as the waitresses carried in our lunches: asparagus quiches and leafy green salads.
“This is the healthy part,” announced Rhonda. “I’ve saved the best for last. Wait until you see our desserts.”
I laughed with the others. This was a sweet beginning to the celebration that was about to happen.