CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
T he next morning, it seemed like old times as Rhonda and I went down the hotel’s front steps to greet Jessica and Ryan Winchester for their Pampered Couples Package.
Gazing at the two of them emerging from the limousine, I noticed how strained their smiles were, and I hoped they hadn’t just had a fight. We couldn’t back away from it now with so many people lined up to help make this PR move happen.
“Hello, welcome to The Beach House Hotel,” I said to Ryan, offering my hand as Rhonda spoke to Jessica.
I was aware of the cameras focused on us.
“Thanks for having us,” Ryan said, glancing at Jessica. “This is the first time we’ve ever been away from the baby. My mother is babysitting.”
Rhonda and I exchanged places, and I had a chance to speak to Jessica. “We hope you enjoy your special stay with us,” I said. “Your husband said this is your first time away. Let’s make this a special time for you both.”
Jessica smiled. “We’ll try to.” She lowered her voice. “His mother is staying with the baby. It was supposed to be my mother, but she got sick and couldn’t do it.”
“I’m sure Ryan’s mother will do a satisfactory job. I can promise you that being a grandparent is an honor. I have three of my own and another on its way.”
Jessica studied me for a moment. “Do you love them all the same? I’m worried that if we have another baby, he or she will never be as loved as our baby boy, Wade.”
“With love, there’s always room for more,” I said and turned as Ryan joined us.
“Let’s go see our room,” he said to Jessica.
“Liz Bowen and Angela Smythe, your hostesses for the next couple of days, are waiting for you in the lobby,” I said.
We walked into the hotel together, and Rhonda and I stayed behind as Liz and Angela came forward to greet them.
Watching our daughters take on our roles as greeters, I felt a pang. The day would come when they would do those jobs permanently. But not until we all were ready.
I glanced at Rhonda and could see from her expression that she felt the same sense of loss at handing the hotel over to our girls.
“I’m not ready to give it up, are you?” she asked.
“Not yet.” I hugged her, and we stood there as observers.
###
M uch later, before I left the hotel, I went to see Lorraine’s assistant, Laura. “You’re trailing our Pamper Program couple, aren’t you?”
“Oh, yes. Liz and Angela made it clear they wanted someone from the hotel to be aware of what was happening with Jessica and Ryan at all times and to notify them if there were any problems. They seemed a little worried about it.”
“If this works, it could become an important campaign. We’d be doubling the original Mother’s Pamper Program by following it up and connecting it with a couples program.”
“It’s a great idea,” said Laura. She frowned. “So far, not much is happening. Ryan has been wandering around the property alone.”
“I’ll walk by their room,” I said. “If I hear them inside, I’ll see if they need anything and be able to assess the situation.”
“That would be great,” said Laura. “I’m to stay in the background. Jessica and Ryan are supposed to have their picture taken at dinner tonight. Liz said she’d be here, but we want to be sure they’re up to doing it.”
“Okay, I’ll see if they’re around. If not, I’ll leave to go home.”
I left Laura’s office and wandered down the hallway to the bridal suite where we’d placed Jessica and Ryan. At the end of a first-floor corridor, the suite had an oversized patio and plenty of privacy created by lush landscaping. It was a perfect place for brides, honeymoon couples, and romantic getaways.
When I approached the room, I could hear Jessica’s voice. “You don’t understand. You haven’t even tried to understand what I’m going through since the baby and I came home from the hospital.”
I glanced around. The corridor was empty, so no one would’ve heard this.
Hoping I wouldn’t be making a mistake, I tapped on the door.
Ryan answered the door.
“Hi,” he said as Jessica walked outside to the patio.
“I just wanted to know how things are going. Are you two going to be able to be photographed at dinner tonight?”
“Come on inside,” said Ryan. “We’re trying to adjust to time away from our usual routines.”
Jessica approached us. “Ryan thinks I’m here to play with him. I do want to do things with him and follow our contract, but he doesn’t understand that for the last ten months, I haven’t had a decent night’s sleep. He thinks because he doesn’t hear the baby cry at night or can leave for work the next day that I should be able to handle it myself. This afternoon, all I wanted to do was sleep. I’m so damn tired.”
“But that’s how it always is,” grumped Ryan.
Trying not to panic, I said, “Why don’t we talk about it?”
“We haven’t been able to talk about it at home with either set of parents. They’re so excited about becoming grandparents until it’s time for them to babysit. Then it’s a different story,” said Jessica. “My parents live four hours away, but Ryan’s parents are in town. However, they’re usually too busy to help.”
Ryan frowned at us. “She’s right. We don’t have the help we thought we’d have. But I’m under too much pressure at work to do much at home.”
“What about the weekends?” I asked.
“I take care of our baby Wade for two hours on Saturday afternoon,” said Ryan.
“While he naps,” Jessica said with an edge to her voice.
“Do you have a friend you can exchange babysitting with?” I asked Jessica.
“Yes, but she and her baby are always sick,” said Jessica. She turned to Ryan. “I’m sorry. I know you wanted this to be a big weekend for us.”
Thinking of how our plan was failing, I said quietly. “We can make this weekend work. Let’s start now. Will you trust me enough to come to the beach with me for a short while?”
Jessica and Ryan glanced at one another.
“Okay,” said Jessica. “What do we have to do?”
“Just come with me. It’s very pleasant. You won’t need your sandals or shoes.”
We left the patio and walked out to the beach.
Jessica stood a moment, feeling the soft sand on her feet. She looked up and smiled at Ryan. “It’s so warm and soft.”
Wearing Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt, Ryan lifted his arms, embracing the sunlight. “I love the smell of the water.”
“Let’s just walk down to the water,” I said. “I’ve found a special way to relax. My husband and I do it to reconnect when he’s home from a business trip.”
As the three of us walked toward the water, I kept watch on the couple from the corner of my eye. Ryan reached for Jessica’s arm to steady her, and after a tense couple of seconds, she allowed him to lead her.
At the water’s edge, I pointed out the little footprints of the sandpipers and sanderlings who ran along the frothy edge looking for food. Above us, seagulls and terns circled and cried out, looking magical as they swooped and swirled.
“Step into the water,” I said. “Feel the sand curl around your ankles as the waves come in and return in a pattern as old as time. Then hold hands and close your eyes.”
Jessica and Ryan did as I suggested.
I stood nearby and spoke softly. “Let the sun warm you and the water anchor you to the earth. Listen to the sounds of the birds and people around you and allow them to block out all other thoughts except for a feeling of gratefulness to be here in this place at this time.”
I remained quiet for several minutes and then said, “When you’re ready, open your eyes and look at one another.”
I felt relief at the looks they were giving each other.
“When I’m stressed, overworked, and tired, I practice this exercise. It works for me every time. And when my daughter, Liz, whom you’ve met, is feeling the need to feel grounded, she and I come together for this.”
“I hear she has triplets,” said Jessica. “How does she do it?”
“She has a lot of help, but she and her husband work out a schedule where they each have time alone with the kids and away from them. It seems to work.”
Jessica gazed at the water thoughtfully.
Ryan said, “Okay, let’s take a walk on the beach. Thanks, Mrs. Sanders, for your help.”
“I hope you have a delicious dinner,” I said, pleased to see the change in them. “I’m sure I’ll see you tomorrow.”
###
I was relaxing at home with Vaughn after he’d returned from a sail when my cell phone rang. Laura.
“Hi, there. What can I do for you?” I asked.
“I didn’t want to disturb Liz or Angela. I know how busy they are with their kids. But we have a problem with our special couple.”
“What’s happened?” I asked, alarmed.
“They’re both drunk. They were too drunk to have their photos taken in the dining room. I’ve helped them order room service to get some food into them. But it’s too late for them to go to the dining room.”
I frowned. “Did they tell you what’s going on? Why did they do this? They seemed fine this afternoon.”
Laura hesitated and then said, “Jessica accused Ryan of getting her drunk so they would have sex.”
“Oh, I see. Well, let’s make sure they get plenty of food tonight so they’re ready for the spa tomorrow morning. You’d better tell Liz and Angela what has happened. They need to be prepared.”
“Will do,” said Laura.
“I’ll let Rhonda know. Maybe we can come up with a plan for how we all can get Jessica and Ryan through the next couple of days.”
After hanging up with Laura, I called Rhonda and told her what had happened.
“I thought the girls had vetted couples carefully,” said Rhonda.
“They had four couples fill out their questionnaire and felt Jessica and Ryan presented the best chances for a cute story,” I said.
“We’ve spent money arranging photographers and lining up staff to help. We’d better make this work. It’s hard to coordinate everyone,” said Rhonda. “I’ll meet you at the spa tomorrow morning.”
“How are things going with Will?” I asked.
“He’s an unhappy camper,” said Rhonda. “But he was very glad to see Vaughn earlier today.”
“Oh, great. I haven’t had a chance to talk to Vaughn about it. I love that they’re friends.
“Yeah, me too,” said Rhonda. “See you tomorrow.”
As I ended the call, Vaughn looked up from the book he was reading. “What’s going on?”
I filled him in on the situation and then said, “Will is very glad you went to see him today. How is he?”
“Both grateful to be alive and miserable at being held back from working.” Vaughn made a face. “It was odd, but he asked if I was doing business with Arthur. I knew that Will was competing against him, and I didn’t know how to respond. But when I told him that I wasn’t, Will seemed very pleased. I’m not sure what that’s all about, but I’m staying out of it.”
“That situation is getting out of hand. I hope that if Will stays out of the office long enough, his need to compete with Arthur will end. I know it worries Rhonda.”
“The thing is that Arthur wants to speak to me about an investment he has. But I’m going to call him and tell him I’m not interested.”
“I think that’s best,” I said. “Will and Rhonda are our closest friends.”
“I’ll try to visit Will again,” said Vaughn. “The poor guy is bored silly, and it’s only been a short time.”
“Yes, anything to keep him busy away from the office.” I leaned over and kissed Vaughn. “You’re such a wonderful man. I love having you around.”
“About that,” said Vaughn. “I’m waiting to hear from the producers when we start shooting the movie again. So far, it’s been a smooth operation, but something always comes up. I’m thinking I won’t have much more time here.”
“Before you must go, will you take a walk on the beach with me?”
“Always,” he said. “I love those moments with you.”