CHAPTER TWELVE
A t home, the flowers bordering the shrubbery in front of the house bowed their heads against the rain and wind, drooping pathetically. A frond from one of the palm trees had dropped to the ground. I figured by the time the storm was over, it wouldn’t be the only one lying there.
Robbie, Cindy, and I hurried inside. Instead of being on the lanai as we usually were at this time of day, we stayed in Vaughn’s den. The paneled room gave us a feeling of being protected because there was only one window.
While I sat on the couch and read, Cindy snuggled up against me. Robbie remained on the floor, his back against the sofa, playing a computer game.
I sent Vaughn a message to tell him we were there and then called Bernie to make sure things were all right at the hotel.
At his direction, I called Rhonda and told her Bernie didn’t need us at the hotel. He would stay on the couch in his office for as long as necessary.
“Fabulous,” Rhonda said when I relayed the message. “Drew is not feeling well, and I encouraged Rita to go home to be with her family.”
I fixed a simple salad with grilled chicken for dinner, and when it was time, I joined Cindy and Robbie, and they stretched out on my bed to watch a movie with me before they settled in Robbie’s room.
During the night, I moved restlessly, matching the mood of the outdoors scene. By morning, things were much quieter, though it continued to rain. Flooding issues concerned us the most now.
I wrapped my robe around me and looked out at the backyard, where Vaughn’s boat was tied to our dock. It seemed to be doing okay now that the water had calmed.
A few more palm fronds were lying here and there, but all had borne the storm better than I’d thought.
School was still closed for the day, so after I got ready to go to the hotel, I made sure Robbie had breakfast and was safely next door at his best friend’s house before I headed to work.
On the way, I called Liz to see how she was doing.
“I’m feeling much better,” said Liz. “Chad is making sure I lay low for the rest of the week by staying home to work. And Liana is coming in this morning.”
“I’m so relieved,” I said. “You know I’m here to help if you need me. I love you.”
“Love you too. Thanks, Mom. It means a lot.”
I ended the call and pulled into the hotel, stopping by the front gate to assess the damage.
Surprisingly, there was little. Manny had put up warning signs in a couple of places where rainwater in the grass had pooled. But aside from drooping plants that would, no doubt, return to normal after sunlight helped to restore them, the lawn only needed to be cleared of debris.
I pulled behind the hotel and parked.
When I went into the kitchen, I found Consuela in charge as usual.
“ ’Morning,” I called to her cheerfully. “Thankfully, we don’t have much damage. Manny and his crew did a great job of preparing for the weather.” We hugged, and then I grabbed a cup of coffee and went into my office.
Rhonda called me, and we decided she’d stay at home until Drew was feeling better.
“I know whenever I got sick as a child, I always felt better if my mother was around,” said Rhonda. “I’ll come to the office this afternoon if I can. Otherwise, I’ll see you tomorrow. Let me know how our “Fab Five” women are doing.”
“Will do,” I said.
After taking care of messages, I headed to the guesthouses to see what was going on there, assessing any damage to the property along the way.
###
I walked along the beach so I could inspect our sunset deck for any damage. What had started as a simple wooden deck had turned into an attractive, covered facility that provided food and drinks all day to our beachgoers, closing after the sun went down. It generated a satisfying income for us and provided a place for our guests to watch the famous Florida west coast sunsets. It also sometimes served as a beach wedding location.
A couple of staffers were sweeping sand off the deck and cleaning up broken branches of nearby shrubbery.
I stopped to say hello and to thank them for their help before going on my way.
During and after a windstorm, the beach filled with treasures tossed upon the sand by the pounding water. The beach was now filled with people stooped over, searching for finds. Even walking past them, I found myself looking down to see if I could spot something special.
The salty smell of the air held a freshness that followed a storm. I stopped and studied the white-capped waves rolling into the shore with a fury they normally lacked. Seagulls and terns screeched their excitement and dove for their own treasures that the ruffled waters offered up.
Before I reached the path to the guesthouses, I saw Jane, Heather, and Lisa looking for shells together.
I approached them. “Find any unusual ones?”
They saw me and grinned.
“I found a scallop and a couple of olive shells,” said Jane, holding them up.
“I got a worm shell and a sundial,” said Heather.
“We’re using a book to identify them,” Lisa said, holding up a small paperback.
“Of course you are,” I said, smiling. “You’re book club members.”
Lisa laughed, then grew serious. “How’s everything at the hotel? We’re going to go to another high tea this afternoon. The one yesterday was fabulous.”
“Yes, so much fun,” said Heather. “I’ve got to get a recipe for those little buttercakes.”
“You can try,” I said. “Ask Annette for it.”
“What’s the story with Amy? And where is Caro?” I asked.
“Amy and Slade are still in Miami with her son,” said Jane. “They’re arranging to have Dan’s body cremated. Both Amy and Nick wanted to honor Dan’s wishes. Amy will retrieve the ashes sometime later.”
“That seems like a thought-out plan,” I said. “How about Caro? What’s happening with her?”
The three women glanced at one another.
Finally, Heather said, “We haven’t seen much of her. She and Henry have camped out at his house. I’ve never seen Caro so happy.”
Lisa added, “I think it’s the best thing to happen to her in a long time. I hope it continues long after we leave.”
“Don’t talk about leaving,” teased Heather. “I don’t want to think about returning to my usual routine after enjoying the luxury here.”
“Have you spent time at the spa yet? You’ve talked about it,” I said.
“Yes, but it never happened. We’ve signed up for a day at the spa tomorrow, so Amy is here to enjoy it with us.”
“Be sure to sign up time in the sauna,” I said. “Have luck with your treasure hunts.”
As I headed back to the hotel, I saw Brock Goodwin in the distance and decided to jog. He was the last person I wanted to meet up with.
As luck would have it, by the time I got to the sunset deck, he was calling to me as he ran in my direction. “Ann! Wait!”
With no other choice but to face him, I stopped and waited for him to approach.
“Hello, Brock,” I said. “What are you doing out on the beach? I would think you’d be busy assessing property damage in the neighborhood.”
“That’s what I want to talk to you about. I’m wondering if you’d be neighborly and offer your landscaping services to the neighborhood. You’re doing so well with the hotel that you should be able to afford to pay your staff to work for me for a while.”
I held my breath and counted to three, grateful Rhonda wasn’t with me. Someday, she’d get her wish and wring Brock’s neck because he cared only about himself and his self-created reputation of being someone important.
“You know we can’t do that. Besides, I could never make such a commitment without approval from both our hotel manager and the head of our landscaping team.”
“Manny Sanchez would never agree to help me,” said Brock.
“Oh, that’s right,” I said, acting innocent. “It has something to do with the names you’ve called him upon occasion.”
“Well, I ...” began Brock.
“Besides, I thought the Neighborhood Association had a contract with a landscaping company,” I said. “What happened? They don’t want to work for you either?”
“Well, I ...” began Brock again.
I held up my hand to stop him. “ ’Nuff said. As you may imagine, I’m busy with the hotel. See you around, Brock. Maybe someone on the board has a better idea. You should try talking to them.”
Brock made a face and glared at me before he turned and walked away.
I knew very well that if he went to a board member about his troubles with the landscapers, they might find it an excuse to fire him. If only someone else wanted the job.
###
I talked with Bernie inside the hotel, who confirmed what I had suspected: things were in order.
At my urging, he finally agreed to go home to rest. Lorraine was in charge of another high tea, and we were continuing with a storm-inspired special cocktail hour in the lobby. Tomorrow, things would be back to normal.
###
B efore I went home that afternoon, I walked over to the guesthouse to talk to Amy. Jane had texted me that she and Slade were back from Miami.
When I arrived, Amy was sitting on the couch surrounded by her friends. She smiled at me when I walked into the living room. “Hi, Ann.”
“I’m here to see how you’re doing,” I said. “How did things go?”
Amy looked forlorn. “It was very sad and emotional for both my son and me. Such a waste of a man who once had so much to offer us and the world. I’m glad we’re waiting to have any service because our emotions are too raw now.”
“It was comforting to have Slade with you, I’m sure,” I said.
“Yes, it was. He’s very, very kind,” said Amy.
“Is there anything Rhonda and I can do for you? I understand the five of you plan to make a spa day of it tomorrow.”
“I’m looking forward to that,” said Amy.
“We all are,” Heather said. “We’re about to have some refreshments. Won’t you join us, Ann?”
“I’m afraid I can’t. But tomorrow, Rhonda and I may be able to meet you in the late afternoon. Your time here is going fast, and we hope to spend more time with you.”
“That’s a plan,” said Jane. She walked me to the door. “Thank you for stopping by. I know it means the world to Amy and all of us.”
“You five women are more like friends than guests.”
Jane gave me a quick hug. “I’ll never forget how kind you both were to me. See you tomorrow.”
###
P leased to know everything was in order at the hotel, I headed home and called Robbie to meet me at the house.
Cindy greeted me at the door when I entered the kitchen. “Hi, sweet girl. Where’s Robbie?” I called out to him. “Hi, Robbie! I’m home.”
He came from his bedroom to greet me. He’d obviously been crying.
“Hey, what’s up?” I asked him, sweeping him into my arms.
“Granny Steph just called. Papa is sick. She asked me to let you know. She sounded scared.”
I immediately called Stephanie Willis. She and her husband, Randolph, had been long-time guests at the hotel before they’d become Robbie’s adopted grandparents.
“Hi, Stephanie. What’s happening? Robbie told me Randolph is sick.”
Stephanie let out a long sigh. “Rand has had a cold, which I think has caused pneumonia. He, of course, is declaring he doesn’t need to see a doctor and that he’s fine, better than yesterday. But he does need to see a doctor.”
“I see. What can I do?”
“He adores you, Ann. If you ask him to go to the health clinic, I’m sure he’d do it for you.”
“Okay, Robbie and I will come to your condo right now,” I said. “I don’t like the sound of it.”
“Thanks so much. I’m not going to tell him you’re on your way. I’ll let it be a surprise,” said Stephanie.
I ended the call and turned to Robbie. “Come with me to see them. Sometimes, as people get older, they get stubborn about having decisions made for them.”
“Is Papa going to die?” Robbie asked, looking as if he might cry.
I hugged him. “I don’t believe so. But he needs to be convinced to see a doctor.”
###
W hen we arrived at Stephanie and Randolph’s condo, Stephanie opened the door and bid us to come inside. “Randolph is in the sunroom.”
The condo was in a mid-sized building along the beach. The units facing the ocean had one room off the balcony with many windows providing a lot of sunlight. It was a lovely spot to sit among potted plants and relax.
Randolph was lying on a reclining chair when we walked into the room.
Seeing us, he immediately rose in his chair. “What are you doing here?” he asked, smiling.
Robbie hurried over to him. “Papa, you’re sick. Granny Steph says so. You gotta go to the doctor.”
Randolph, a gray-haired man with well-defined features, glanced at Stephanie. “You’re ambushing me?”
“Anything to force you to get help,” she said. “We can’t lose you to stubbornness.”
“Please, Papa,” said Robbie.
Randolph sighed. “I suppose I can’t say no. Right, Ann?”
“Right,” I said. “There’s no harm in being seen by a doctor. I can take you to the clinic now. It shouldn’t take long at this time of day.”
Stephanie clasped her hands. “Thank you so much, everyone!” She helped Randolph out of the chair and hugged him. “We’ll all feel better about having you seen. Robbie can stay here with me.” She placed a hand on Robbie’s shoulder.
“Might as well get it over with,” Randolph grumbled to her. He held out his arm. “Ready, Ann?”
###
A t the clinic, I made sure that Randolph and I sat in a secluded area. He filled out forms, and then, when we were called to meet with the doctor, I followed him to the doctor’s office.
I listened carefully when the doctor asked Randolph how he was doing.
“I’m fine. Just a little cold,” said Randolph.
“His wife and family are concerned that it’s more than that,” I said.
The doctor began going over Randolph’s symptoms and glanced at me.
“We’re worried about him having pneumonia. He’s had a fever, among other things,” I said.
“I see,” said the doctor, listening to Randolph’s lungs. “Have you had the pneumonia shot?”
Randolph nodded.
“That’s positive,” the doctor said, “but we’ll give you antibiotics to help with this. You’re showing the signs of a bacterial infection. I’m also sending home a list of instructions that will be easy to follow, and steps to get you back on track. At your age, we don’t want to wait until hospitalization is required.”
“Absolutely not,” said Randolph, and I couldn’t help smiling because I knew how hard he’d fought Stephanie on this.
As we left the clinic with medicine, Randolph thanked me for my help. “It’s very gratifying for Stephanie and me to have you, Vaughn, and Robbie, as well as Liz’s family in our lives. It has added an important dimension to them. Thank you, my dear.”
He gave my arm a little squeeze.
I turned to him. “The pleasure is all ours. I grew up wanting parents and kind, loving grandparents. You and Stephanie are gifts to me and my family.”
Randolph quickly turned away, and I could see how moved he was.
In silence, we continued walking to the car.
###
A t home, while Robbie and I were eating a casserole I’d defrosted, Robbie said, “Granny Steph says that we all eventually die.”
“Yes. But I’m not expecting either Granny Steph or Papa Willis to die anytime soon. They’re both doing well. But someday, they will. Like all of us. But I don’t think you have to worry about it.”
“I love Granny Steph and Papa,” said Robbie.
“I do too,” I said. “That's why we must remember to enjoy what time we have with them.”
“I still miss Trudy,” said Robbie. “She was the best dog.”
“Trudy was a special Dachshund. I miss her too,” I said.
“Do you think Liz is going to lose her baby? I heard you and her talking about it.” Robbie’s dark-eyed gaze bore into me.
“I hope not. I don’t think she will, but we must let nature take its course. I talked to her earlier today, and she’s feeling much better.”
“That’s great,” said Robbie, sounding very grownup.
I gazed at him through misty eyes. Robbie was such an amazing person.
Sitting at our feet, Cindy barked for attention, and the magic of that moment shattered as we focused on the dog who’d replaced Trudy except in our hearts. As she’d shown us, there was enough love to go around.