CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
T he housekeeping staff was cleaning the lobby from the remnants of Christmas decorating when I got a call from Jane Sweeny that the book club group was close to their arrival.
Rhonda and I went to the front entrance to welcome our special arrivals.
Grinning, Rhonda nudged me. “How many times do you suppose we’ve done this? Waiting to greet guests has always been exciting for me because we never know what will happen with each visit.”
“Life is full of surprises and none more so than here at the hotel,” I said to her and looked up as a white stretch limo rolled between the gates of the hotel property.
We waited until the limousine had stopped and then hurried down the front steps to greet our guests.
Jane was the first out of the limousine.
I was startled by the change I saw in her in just a few months. Gone was the streak of gray, replaced by a new soft brown color like the rest of her hair, which was cut into a more flattering style. Her wardrobe had been updated, and with makeup, she looked years younger.
“Hello,” she said. “It’s fantastic to be back here. And for such an exciting reason.”
We hugged, and I turned to Caro, who looked as stunning as ever. Her previously reserved manner was much more open, and her blue eyes sparkled with happiness.
Amy, Lisa, and Heather approached me as a group to exchange hugs. Talking and laughing all at once, it seemed more like a homecoming of family rather than guests we hadn’t known several weeks ago.
When we were finished greeting one another, Rhonda said, “Let’s get you signed in, and then we’ll take you to the guesthouse. You’ll see, not much has changed.”
“I hope you have some bubbles waiting for us,” said Amy.
“That and some other things,” I said. “The bellman will take care of your luggage.”
The young man stepped forward. “I’ve brought the cart right here so we can transfer everything from the limo.”
“Please be careful with the hanging bag,” said Caro. “It’s my wedding dress.”
He bobbed his head, and we left him to his work.
###
A s we approached the house, I saw a member of the kitchen staff leave and silently thanked him for his timing.
When we entered the house, seven tulip glasses and a charcuterie board were displayed in the kitchen.
“Yes!” cried Heather. “I’ve told my friends all about the service at the hotel. This is excellent.”
The bellman arrived, and he made quick work of placing suitcases in the right rooms. This time, Caro would have the master suite, and the others would share the two other suites. It gave them all plenty of room.
As soon as the bellman left, Amy said, “Okay, I’m opening a bottle of bubbly. This calls for a very special celebration.” She turned to Caro. “We’re so happy for you. You and Henry make a terrific couple. We knew it right after you met.”
Amy took out a bottle of champagne from the refrigerator and popped it open.
She poured some into each of the glasses and then lifted her own in a toast. “Here’s to Caro.”
We all raised our glasses, and then we each took a sip. Though I didn’t drink every day, I’d come to love having champagne on certain occasions. This was one of the sweetest celebrations.
Rhonda said, “Caro, tell us how Henry proposed. Were you surprised?”
Caro set down her glass and faced Rhonda. “It was very touching, but I wasn’t surprised. We’d pretty much decided from the first time we met that there was something special between us. My ex-husband destroyed my self-confidence, but just talking to Henry made me feel very different. Henry is on the shy side, but he has a lot to say when he speaks.”
“And apparently, he’s very talented when he doesn’t need words,” teased Amy, and we all chuckled as Caro’s cheeks grew pink.
“It’s probably a matter of timing, but we are both so ready for this,” said Caro. “We decided there was no reason to wait. We felt that strongly.”
“I think it’s adorable,” said Heather. “After a failed marriage, I knew how right and how different things were with Craig soon after I met him. Happily, he felt the same way about me.”
“But this is more than a celebration about me,” said Caro. “Jane, don’t you have something to say?”
Jane clasped her hands in front of her. “The vacation here and these ladies encouraged me to make some changes.” She patted her hair and smoothed down her short skirt. “And I’ve begun dating a very nice man.”
“He’s a doll,” said Lisa. “A widowed teacher at the school where I’m a guidance counselor.”
Jane beamed at us and then turned to Amy. “Your turn.”
“Ann and Rhonda, you know how helpful Slade was to me as I went through a difficult time with the death of my ex. We’d been attracted to one another from the first time we met. Even after he and Henry left to help the vice president with an issue, Slade has been in my life. After many talks and discussions, I’ve agreed to move in with him in Washington D.C., after the new year. We want to see where our relationship can take us.”
“How does your son feel about that?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking.
“He’s all for it. Life with my husband these past several years has been awful for both my son and me. He knows the marriage wasn’t good. I kept thinking I could help my husband until I learned only the person who is addicted can make the necessary changes in his life.”
“What will you do in D.C.?” asked Rhonda.
“I’m an accountant, so it won’t be hard to find work there. After spending so much time worrying about others, it’s freeing to do something for myself. Sure, I’m taking a chance that things will work out. But I want to grab hold of this opportunity for true happiness and see where it takes me, takes us.”
“Slade is a decent man,” said Caro. “He’s been through some tough times himself, which is why I think this is a great opportunity for them both.”
“Yes, we’ve talked about making changes in our group, and we’ve all decided we should do it in small or big ways, whichever works for us,” said Jane. “We have our visit here at the hotel to thank for that.”
“It’s almost magical,” said Heather.
Rhonda glanced at me and then said to the others, “We like to think we have a certain ability to help relationships blossom.”
“Like what?” asked Lisa, who was married to her high school sweetheart. “Like matchmakers?”
There was nothing I could do to stop a self-satisfied smile from crossing Rhonda’s face.
“Here’s to Ann and Rhonda!” cried Jane, and all five women lifted their glasses.
“Let’s go out on the lanai,” said Jane. “I want to enjoy the sun.”
Heather carried the charcuterie tray, Amy grabbed the bottle of Champagne, and we gathered on the lanai near the pool.
“Ahh, it feels wonderful to be back,” said Lisa. “When the men get here tomorrow, they’ll discover what they have missed. Geoffrey has agreed to stay for the week. It’ll be our first vacation together in a long time.”
“I’m glad some of you can stay here beyond the wedding,” I said.
“We wanted to have this one day together before family and friends arrive,” said Heather. “With all the changes taking place, it seems a sweet way to face them. “And we’re glad you’re here,” said Amy, refilling our glasses.
I’d just started to take a sip when my phone rang. Vaughn.
“Hi, sweetie. What’s up? Is Randolph okay?”
“He’s recovering nicely. I’m going to take Stephanie home to rest, and then she’s agreed to come for dinner. I thought maybe you could pick up Robbie and make a short visit to Randolph while Stephanie is away. Also, Lorraine and Arthur decided to return to their own home today.”
“Okay. That’s probably better for them. Please tell Robbie to be ready. I’ll be there shortly.”
“Everything all right?” Rhonda asked.
“Yes, a man close to the family just had some minor surgery,” I said. “I’m going to pick up my son to visit him.”
“We sometimes forget that while we’re here on vacation, it’s a different story for you and Rhonda. You have your work at the hotel and your families to fill your time,” said Jane.
“You’ll come to the wedding, won’t you? You and your husbands?” said Caro, looking worried.
“Of course,” said Rhonda. “We don’t want to miss it.”
“Right,” I said. “It’s one of our sweetest hotel stories.”
Geoffrey and Heather’s husband, Craig, will be here tomorrow afternoon,” said Lisa.
I turned to Jane. “Do you have a date for the wedding?”
Blushing furiously, Jane nodded. “It’s the schoolteacher I’ve been dating. Carl Staunton is his name.”
“Some of us will be moving to the house next door tomorrow. The rest of the wedding party has rooms at the hotel.”
I rose. “It’s a joy to have you all here again. Relax and enjoy tomorrow. And then, Rhonda and I will be handling your wedding.”
“It’s going to be beautiful. I know it,” said Rhonda, smiling at the group. “I hope you have your appointments at the spa.”
“Oh, yes. We made sure of it,” said Heather.
“See you later,” I said to the group and left to pick up Robbie.
###
A t home, I asked Vaughn how Robbie had taken the news that his beloved “grandfather” was in the hospital.
“He was very worried, which is why I think it might be comforting for Robbie to see Randolph.”
“And to understand how important it is for family members to support one another,” I added.
“That, too,” said Vaughn. “I’m going to relax here for a while. I might even take a swim. At the hospital, the waiting is really hard. Stephanie didn’t relax until she saw Randolph following the surgery.”
“How is he?” I asked.
“Awake and alert and annoyed he has to stay in the hospital. But it’s the best thing for him. They need to make sure there are no infections or side effects.”
“Okay, I’ll take Robbie to the hospital and plan something for dinner. Would you grill fish if I picked up some from the grocery store?”
“Sure,” said Vaughn.
I knocked on Robbie’s door. At his reply, I opened it. Robbie was stretched across his bed, cuddling and playing with Cindy.
“Ready to go see Grandpa Willis?” I asked him.
“Do I have to go? I can Facetime him instead,” said Robbie.
I sat down on the edge of the bed. “It’ll make Grandpa Willis very glad to see you. When someone you love is sick, it helps to have those who care about him show their support. We won’t stay long, but we will try to see him in person.”
“Is Grandpa Willis going to die? Is that why we have to go to the hospital?” Robbie’s eyes filled.
I put an arm around him. “Grandpa Willis is fine from the surgery. But one day, he will die as part of living. I don’t believe you have to worry about that now.”
“I was very sad when Trudy died. Remember, Mom?”
“Yes, I do. We all still miss her. She was a wonderful dog. We remember many happy times with her. That’s why it’s important to make as many memories and enjoy one another as much as we can.”
“I love Grandpa Willis,” said Robbie, staring out the window thoughtfully.
“I know. That’s why we’re going to do this,” I said, rising.
“Okay,” said Robbie, getting off his bed.
###
A s we drove to the hospital, I thought about Robbie as a toddler when we first brought him into the family. He’d been a fussy, difficult child who hadn’t known boundaries. But after being with Vaughn and me and learning what was expected of him, he became a delightful little boy. Even now, approaching his teens, he was a very kind person, thoughtful of others.
We went inside the hospital and were directed to Randolph’s room in the cardiac section.
When we walked into Randolph’s room, and I saw how Randolph’s face lit with pleasure at the sight of us, I knew I was right to push Robbie into coming here.
Robbie and Randolph hugged, and then Robbie asked him all about his surgery.
After Randolph had explained the basics of pacemakers and how his had needed new batteries, Robbie was quiet for so long that Randolph and I exchanged glances.
“I think I want to be a heart surgeon when I grow up,” said Robbie very matter-of-factly. Randolph and I smiled at one another.
“You’ll make a great doctor, Robbie. I’m sure of it,” said Randolph. “Thanks so much for coming to see me. I’m going home tomorrow and will be ready for all the holiday celebrations.”
“Mom says you’re not going to die yet,” said Robbie.
Randolph chuckled. “That’s a relief to hear.”
I hugged Randolph and said, “Stephanie is going to have dinner with us, and I’ll bring her back here for a visit.”
“Thanks,” said Randolph. “It was a lucky day when we had to bunk in with you folks at your house.”
“It truly was,” I quickly agreed.
###
L ater, when Stephanie and I made a brief visit to the hospital, I thought again about the relationship my family had with both Stephanie and Randolph. Though they’d served as Robbie’s grandparents for only a few years, I had a closer relationship with them than I’d ever had with my grandmother. Even in dying, she hadn’t allowed me to be close. She’d dropped dead of a heart attack while I was out of the house at my college class.