CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The next couple of days passed with no major problems at the hotel. At home, all was blissful. Robbie and Vaughn spent time on the boat and were even able to take the Ts and Liz on a short trip aboard it.
As many mornings as I could, I continued my walks on the beach. At the guesthouse where the Ferrara family had been staying, a new family had moved in. Life seemed to continue peacefully.
One afternoon, Rhonda and I were surprised when Enrico came into our office.
“Hello, Ann and Rhonda. I have some important news to tell you.”
“Why don’t you have a seat,” I said, indicating a chair in front of my desk.
He sat down and took a deep breath. “I feel it’s only right to let you know what’s been going on because it will affect your hotel.”
My heart fell. It sounded bad. I glanced at Rhonda and she, too, sensed bad news coming.
“Let’s move to the conference table,” I said, feeling the need to be business-like.
“Would you like water or anything else?” asked Rhonda as we stood.
“No, thank you,” Enrico said, and followed us to the conference table in the corner of the office.
Once seated, Enrico faced us with a solemn expression. “I told you I invested in Osteria Arno. After the death of Jonny Arno, the group decided to sell the restaurant.” While we waited, he took another deep breath. “And my father, Angelo, and I, with the help of Giovanni, have decided to buy it.”
“Wow! That’s a surprise,” said Rhonda, looking shocked.
“We bought it for a more than fair price and plan to make it an exceptional restaurant. We’re working on building staff. That’s where your hotel comes into play,” said Enrico, giving us a worried look.
“Are you talking about using Chet at your restaurant?” I asked.
“Chet, Philippa, Harper, and Luciano. They’re all working temporarily or part-time for you, right?”
Rhonda and I looked at one another and nodded.
“It’s important for you to know that the four of them said they’d like to work for the new restaurant but wouldn’t commit until I’d talked to you.” Enrico studied us. “You have given them reason to be loyal, and I respect that.”
“We had plans for all of them,” I said. “But we wouldn’t want to hold them back.”
“They deserve to have bright futures,” said Rhonda. “And if you can provide them with decent jobs and competitive pay, they should be allowed to go.”
Enrico’s shoulders sagged with relief. “You both are very generous, too generous. I truly appreciate that. We also want to give the young ones an opportunity to work hard and do well.”
“What are you going to call this restaurant?” I asked.
A smile crossed Enrico’s face. “Bella’s. For my mother, Isabella. She and Giovanni’s wife were best friends.”
“What about the interior of the restaurant?” asked Rhonda. “That needs work.”
“That is out of my hands. Catarina says it’s awful but can easily be fixed.” Enrico shrugged. “A price added to the cost of the sale.”
“Well, it sounds as if it’s going to be an improvement,” I said. “I’m happy for you. Who is going to be your manager?”
“A man that used to work for Jonny and was fired by him. Someone Chet knows. A fine man,” said Enrico. “Our four young people will each have a job of their own. They can tell you about it.” He paused. “I have your permission to tell them you’re okay with them doing this?”
“Yes,” Rhonda and I said together.
Enrico stood with us. In the European way, he kissed each of us on one cheek, then the other. “Grazie mille.”
We walked him to the door and said goodbye.
“Well, that’s a surprise,” said Rhonda. “Just think. No more worries about fighting with another business in the area.”
“And the kids deserve this chance,” I added.
My cell phone rang, and I picked up the call.
“Ann? This is Chet. My friends and I are hoping to talk to you and Rhonda.”
“Did Enrico call you?”
Chet laughed. “Just now. He told us we could discuss our plans with you.”
“Come to the office. We’ll wait for you here.”
The call ended, and Rhonda and I opened the door to the four young people a few moments later.
We ushered them to the conference table and then listened as Chet began the conversation.
“We’re grateful you’re okay with our plans. I’ll never forget how you took me in to work with Jean-Luc, and I appreciate your generosity in allowing me the opportunity to have my own restaurant. I’ve talked to several people from Osteria Arno who want to work with me.”
“That’s great news,” I said. “And the rest of you?”
“I’ve talked to Liz and Angela about leaving the hotel. They’re going to implement some of the ideas I had,” said Harper. “I’ll be in charge of the bar at the new restaurant.”
“And because I had no schedule, I was able to talk to Lauren and Lorraine about leaving,” said Philippa. “At the new restaurant, I’ll be handling hospitality and groups.”
“And you, Luciano?” asked Rhonda.
“I’ll be in charge of wine selections at the restaurant. Bolino wines will be featured and I’ll be building a customer base in the U.S. My grandfather is excited about it.”
“It couldn’t work out better for all of you,” I said.
Rhonda wagged a finger at them. “But please don’t take any more of our staff with you.”
“We won’t,” said Chet, raising his hand in a promise. “Enough of the original staff of Osteria Arno want to stay. Especially when they heard about the plans for the new restaurant.”
“Bella’s has a lovely ring to it,” said Philippa. “Don’t you think?”
“Yes, but more than that, we know we can have a pleasant relationship with you,” I said.
“I’ve already thought of ways we can work together,” said Harper. “We’ll discuss it some other time.” She rose. “Now, I have to go to work here.”
“Me, too,” said Chet, checking his watch.
They left, and Rhonda grinned at Luciano. “What was Ohio like?”
“Better than I thought. Harper’s parents are really nice.”
“I’m glad,” Rhonda said. “You know, I’m very talented at putting people together.”
I rolled my eyes, and Philippa laughed. “Not that again!”
Rhonda straightened with teasing indignation. “You’ll see.”
“I hope so,” said Philippa. “Harper and Luciano make a great couple.”
###
At home, I sat on the lanai with Vaughn sipping a glass of wine while he leaned back against a cushion on the couch facing me.
“I can’t think of a better solution for Jonny’s restaurant,” I said. “Even the new name, Bella’s, brings a sense of warmth to the place. I can’t wait to see it when the decorating is done. Remember how awful it was?”
“As a matter of fact, I do,” said Vaughn in his easygoing way. “I’m just happy you won’t have to worry about any troubles from them.” He pulled me close, and our conversation turned to other things.
###
For the next couple of weeks, things remained quiet but steady at the hotel.
Jean-Luc didn’t feel the need to hire a chef to replace Chet.
Ricardo had done a great job as sous chef during Jean-Luc’s absence and the rest of his staff had proven themselves to him by running the kitchen smoothly and efficiently under Ricardo’s guidance.
I checked with Lorraine and Lauren. Though they were disappointed by the news, they were fine with Harper and Philippa not becoming a part of the team. Lauren had a friend who was interested.
Relieved there would be no hard feelings among our staff, Rhonda and I went about our business as two more weddings took place, along with the normal business meetings and luncheons.
Finally, when Rhonda could no longer stand it, Rhonda said to me. “C’mon. Let’s go sneak a peek at Bella’s. I can’t wait to see what they’re doing to it.”
###
Rhonda pulled her convertible into the parking lot and stopped for a moment. “Looks a whole lot safer now.”
I gazed at the vehicles owned by various workmen in the area. “No suspicious looking SUVs in sight.”
She parked the car and we got out and stood to study the front of the building. Gone were the pink and gold touches. The double doors were now stained a rich mahogany brown.
We stepped inside and stayed in the entrance to gaze at the scene before us.
The gaudy pink patterned carpeting was replaced by a rich, deep green one. The walls were now a warm, soft sage. The crystal chandeliers remained in place and were an added touch.
“Wow! So much better,” murmured Rhonda.
Philippa walked into the entrance and stopped. “What a surprise to see you here. What do you think?”
“It’s lovely,” I said. “Very welcoming.”
“So much better,” added Rhonda.
“We’ve done a lot of work outside with the landscaping. We’ve also added a beautiful patio. Come take a look,” she said.
She led us to the side of the building where lush tropical plants and palm trees lined the edge of their property.
In the middle of a tiled patio, a small fountain bubbled happily.
Flowers and smaller tropical greenery edged the large patio.
Tables with umbrellas covered some of the patio while comfortable seating arrangements were placed in the rest of the area.
“This makes all the sense in the world,” I said. “It’s sure to be a favorite spot for guests.”
“We don’t have the water as a background, but we can have a beautiful, restful garden,” said Philippa.
“I love it,” Rhonda said.
“How is everything coming along?” I asked.
Philippa clasped her hands. “Soon, we’re going to have a private party for the crew, family, and friends. You and your husbands are invited, of course. I was just getting ready to send out invitations. Hold on, and I’ll get yours.”
While she was gone, Rhonda and I watched as a landscaper added an orange tree to the collection of plants.
“I’m really happy for them,” said Rhonda. “I think it’s going to be a success.”
“Me, too. I’ll be pleased to send guests their way.”
Philippa joined us and handed each of us a creamy thick envelope. “It’s not a restaurant opening party. It’s a family thank-you celebration.”
“I can’t wait to help you and your family celebrate,” I said.
She grinned at us. “We’ll be serving lovely canapés.”
“Of course,” said Rhonda. “No place can match The Beach House Hotel without them.”
We laughed together, and then Philippa was called away by a workman.
As we left the restaurant, Rhonda put her arm around me. “We did a good job in showing these kids how to do something right.”
“I’d like to think so,” I said. I knew it was a learning process. We were still discovering new things about true hospitality since we’d opened The Beach House Hotel.