CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
A fter Jessica and Ryan’s visit, Rhonda and I spent some time with our daughters, who were developing an online PR program and an update to our website. Even though our hotel did very well, we were always looking for ways to keep our guest rooms full. If the weather worked against us, there was nothing we could do about gray, rainy, cold days. However, we could find ways to provide guests with alternatives to sunning on the beach.
Thanksgiving was looming. The day itself was the busiest of the year in our restaurant, providing several shifts of guests with the delicious food for which the hotel was known. I loved the excitement of the day, which also signaled the approach of the Christmas holidays. This year, I was especially excited to have Vaughn’s daughter, Nell, and her family stay with us for Thanksgiving.
Nell and I had a close relationship. We’d connected when we first met. Maybe because she looked so much like Liz and was just as charming. She’d encouraged Vaughn to date me. Married now and with two children, she and her husband, Clint, lived in Washington, D.C.
I was working with Dorothy on last-minute seating arrangements for Thanksgiving when I received a call from Nell telling me she and her family wouldn’t be able to come for the holiday because all four of them were sick.
“I’m so disappointed,” I said, feeling let down. “You know how I love to spend time with you.”
“I do, but I can’t expose you or the rest of the family to whatever we have. We’re watching the kids carefully for pneumonia. They’re that sick.”
“Oh, no! Poor things. I hope they and you all feel better. It sounds terrible. You sound awful.”
“I don’t remember when I last felt this sick,” said Nell. “I know you’ll be busy. Think of us when you’re at the hotel with all that wonderful food.”
“I wish there were a way to send some to you,” I said. “Let’s plan a visit at a later time. I hope you all feel better. Please keep in touch. Love you.”
“Love you too, Ann,” said Nell, coughing.
Disheartened, I ended the call.
“Nell isn’t coming?” asked Dorothy. “Such a shame.”
“It is because it’s one time of year we can share a holiday,” I said. “I’ll text Vaughn. He’s on his way home.”
Dorothy pointed to the chart she’d updated. “I think this will do it.”
I looked at the new arrangement. “It’s great that we have this online. We can make changes if we have to.”
“It’s too late for more requests, isn’t it?” Dorothy said.
“Yes, we can’t accept any reservations for that day. We’re slightly overbooked as it is.”
“I remember when it wasn’t so complicated. But then, the hotel was new. Now, people called weeks in advance for a reservation for dinner.”
“Thanks for your help in confirming the reservations.”
“You know I love helping you girls,” said Dorothy. Her eyes behind thick glasses gleamed at me. “Poor Rhonda. She’ll be glad to get back to a full routine. How is her husband doing?”
“His health problems are under control. But he’s still wrestling with issues at work. That’s why Rhonda is keeping a careful eye on him. He’s allowed to go back to the office for half-days only.”
“I hope things calm down for her,” said Dorothy. “She’s such a special person; she's so generous and caring.”
“Yes,” I said, trying to hide my worry. She and I knew something was going on with Will, but he still wouldn’t talk about it. He said time would take care of it.
Later, I was working on financial projections for the holiday season when I received a call from Caro Corbin.
“Why, hello! How are you? Have you recovered from your bubbly vacation here with your friends?”
Caro laughed. “Yes and no. We all had a fabulous time. And we’re all planning to come back sooner than we thought.” There was a ring of excitement in her voice. “I know this will sound absurd to you, but Henry and I have been together as much as we could these past several weeks, and we’ve decided to get married. Crazy, huh?”
I clapped a hand to my chest. They were such special people, and I knew about her ex and how he used to put her down constantly. We’d all seen the connection between Caro and Henry from the beginning.
“Well?”
“You two together are perfect.” I warmed up at the images of them here at the hotel.
“We want to get married at The Beach House Hotel. Do you think we could do it on Sunday after Thanksgiving? I know it’s a busy time for you, and I suspect Saturday is out. It will be a simple, private wedding for only sixteen people, and ...”
“Hold on,” I said, stopping her. “We do have a wedding on Saturday. But we could do your small wedding that Sunday evening. What accommodations do you need?”
“Are the houses available that weekend? Caro asked.
“Let me see. Hmmm. One house is available that Friday, the other not until Saturday.”
“Please hold. I’m texting Henry now. I’m in Pennsylvania packing up. Henry is at our new apartment in D.C.”
“Yes! He says we’ll take both of them. One on Friday and one on Saturday. But he asks if we can have them through Tuesday. The parents are making room reservations on their own.”
“That’s fine. I’ll notify the reservations department. Send a deposit right away to confirm the houses. Would you prefer me to send that information to Henry?”
“That would be great.” She gave me his phone number and then gushed, “Oh, Ann. It was such a lucky day when the book club decided to come to The Beach House Hotel. It’s such a magical place.”
“It was a lucky day for us, too. So, all five of you will be here?”
“Yes. They’ll come with me on Friday. My parents, Henry, his parents and brother, and Slade will come later.” She giggled. “I feel like I’m in the middle of a fairytale. Henry is everything I’ve always wanted in a man. I don’t know how I went so wrong the first time.”
“This is very sudden, but I’m sure you’ve both thought it through,” I said.
“We’ve talked and talked about everything from our favorite books to how I feel about his Dachshund, Duke. It’s all so fantastic. First, to be taken in by the book club, the youngest in the group, and secondly, to meet a man and know right away that he was the one I’ve been waiting for my whole life.”
“And Henry feels the same way?” I couldn’t help asking.
“Yes. He was engaged once but couldn’t go through with it. But now, he’s ready, with me, and doesn’t want to wait. I don’t either.”
I heard the catch in Caro’s voice and felt a sting of tears. It was a true love story. I couldn’t wait to tell Rhonda.
###
O n my way home, I drove to Rhonda’s house. We were so used to seeing each other every day that it seemed only natural for me to go out of my way to visit her.
When I rang the doorbell, Willow answered. Her face lit up at the sight of me, and I wrapped my arms around her. “Hi, Sweetie. Where’s Mom?”
“In the kitchen. Rita’s not here, and Mom has to make after-school snacks for us,” said Willow, taking my hand and leading me inside.
“Hi, Auntie Ann,” said Drew, grinning at me. “We’re having peanut butter treats. Do you want one?”
I looked at the toasted bread cut into squares and topped with peanut butter. “No, thank you.”
Rhonda laughed. “They were easy to do. I’ve been making some of Will’s favorite foods, so I haven’t time to fuss now.”
I walked over to the stove, lifted the lid on a pot, and inhaled the garlicky tomato sauce.
“Delicious. Your mom’s recipe?”
“I’m trying to be careful about what food we eat, but Will is so thin I want to give him some home cooking. What can I get you?”
“How about a cup of coffee? It’s been quite a day. I’ve got some exciting news for you.”
After Rhonda made sure the kids were set, we took our coffee to her upstairs sitting area. It was a favorite spot in her house where we could have some privacy.
“So, how are things going with Will?”
Rhonda frowned. “He said he was going to talk with Reggie about something that’s been bothering him. I don’t know what it is, but I was glad to hear he’s talking to someone about it. How about you? You said you’ve got exciting news?”
“Guess what! Caro, who is part of the book club group, and Henry are getting married at the hotel on Sunday after Thanksgiving.”
“Wow! It didn’t take them long to let the hotel and our matchmaking skills go to work,” said Rhonda.
We looked at one another and laughed.
“Seriously, they’ve been talking every day and being with one another as often as possible,” I said. “Henry was engaged once before and backed out, but now he’s ready and doesn’t want to wait. He also knows what a miserable time Caro had with her ex. That must have something to do with wanting their relationship to be stable.
“They’re perfect together,” said Rhonda, reinforcing my feelings. “You could see how well-matched they were. I’m surprised it’s happening so quickly. But then, after knowing what her friend, Amy, went through with her ex-husband being found dead and all of us realizing how short life is, I get it. No reason to wait.”
“I think it’s doubly sweet they want to be married here. Henry is renting both houses that weekend. One on Friday and the other on Saturday. Caro says it’s going to involve only sixteen people. So, it will be small and simple.”
“Is it going to be on the beach? The weather is a little unpredictable then,” said Rhonda.
“I don’t know. Caro is talking to Lorraine about it now, I suspect.”
Rhonda took a sip of coffee and smiled at me. “You know, Annie, we’ve always thought of the hotel as our home, allowing people to stay and enjoy it. I’ve wanted our guests to find the same happiness we’ve found here with each other and with our families. I think that’s why I enjoy matchmaking so much. It just seems right. Ya know?”
“I do. Caro called the hotel magical, and I think of it that way too.”
“Let’s keep that feeling going,” said Rhonda. She lifted her coffee cup, and I clinked mine against hers.
###
T hat night, Robbie and I had just finished dinner when Vaughn walked into the kitchen.
Cindy, Robbie, and I all raced to him to greet him.
Vaughn set down his suitcase and hugged Robbie, patted Cindy, and then drew me into his arms. “Mmm. I’ve missed you.” He noticed Robbie standing by. “Missed all of you.”
“What can I get you to eat?” I asked. “We have the fixings for Elena’s tacos. Want some?”
“Sounds delicious.” He reached into the refrigerator for a cold beer and opened it. “It always seems like a long flight home. What’s happening here?”
“I’ll let Robbie tell you about school and everything while I put together a meal for you. I thought you’d be home later.”
“I was able to catch an earlier flight and grabbed at the chance to do so. We wrapped up shooting, and I don’t have any commitments away until sometime early next year.”
“Perfect,” I said and listened as Robbie and Vaughn talked while Cindy continued to wriggle with happiness at Vaughn’s feet.
It always felt better with Vaughn at home.
Later, after Robbie was settled for the night, Vaughn and I were able to show each other how much it meant to have him here.