Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
“Mom, I can’t thank you enough for doing this,” Piper said.
“Why, honey, I’m happy to help out. Besides, you haven’t had a day off in over three months. Even we overworked teachers get a little time to ourselves.”
“You can no longer count yourself in that category,” she teased. “You’re retired.”
Ellen Rogers beamed, looking happy and relaxed.
“I think retirement is going to be everything I thought it was—and more,” her mom confided.
“Your dad thinks so, too. He was looking forward to his fishing trip with Bill this weekend. Not having to take a radio with him. He’ll never be on call again, and I’ll never have to write a lesson plan or sit in a boring meeting. ”
“I’m afraid it’s going to be too much for you.”
“Don’t worry. Laura is going to come over and help me out at the Bay Breeze since Bill is gone.”
“Good, you won’t have to do everything yourself then.”
“I hope you and Sullivan will enjoy your stay at Tidewater.”
“I’m sure we will,” she said quietly, not wanting to think how this was going to be the end of them.
They had spent every night together this past week, as well as in-between times when she had a couple of free hours in her day.
Piper had put out of her mind that he would be leaving because she didn’t want to be overwhelmed by sadness while he was still in the Bay.
She wanted them both to remember this last week together as a good one.
Sullivan had gone home early this morning to pack for their weekend getaway at Tidewater and would return soon to pick her up.
They would take the eight o’clock ferry over to the resort, along with Layne, Keaton, Mila, and Carson.
She was glad it was easy for Layne and Keaton to work out their schedules to go this weekend.
Mila and Carson would be starting their sports camps soon, and so this was the last opportunity they would have to take advantage of Sullivan’s offer to come test the amenities at Tidewater.
Cecily and Michael’s nursing and firefighter schedules had them tied up this weekend, so they would be staying at the resort mid-week, along with Danny and Denise.
Her mom interrupted Piper’s thoughts. “Your dad and I are going to head over to Tidewater next Wednesday.”
“You are?” she asked, surprised to hear that.
Mom nodded. “Sullivan said that Zane likes feedback from people of all ages because they observe different things. Especially since we’re retired now, it’s easy to accommodate a getaway. Laura and Bill are also going with us.” She paused. “I only wish Lark and Jack could be here.”
Just as the Three Musketeers had been close for years, their parents had also been good friends during that time.
Piper had only thought of how Layne had been affected by her parents’ deaths and now realized her mom and dad had also lost close friends.
She embraced Mom, holding tight, knowing she would be leaving in the fall. She’d miss her parents dreadfully.
Her phone dinged with a text, and she checked it. “Sullivan’s on his way. Let me check the buffet again to see if I need to put out anything fresh.”
“No, that’s my job this weekend,” Mom insisted. “You go wait for your man.”
Tears swam in her eyes as she turned away and left the kitchen. Her suitcase stood next to the front door, and she picked it up, going outside to wait for Sullivan as she had on so many other occasions.
He pulled up moments later, popping the trunk and bounding out of the car. Hurrying up the porch steps to claim a kiss from her before picking up her suitcase. He placed it in the trunk of his car.
As they drove to the ferry landing, he asked, “Everything go okay with breakfast service this morning?”
“So far, only one couple had come downstairs before you showed up. Mom says she has everything under control. Mila’s mom is coming over to help out and keep her company this weekend.”
“You don’t need to worry about anything. They’ll take care of everything.”
“I know they will. I just need to push work away as far as possible and focus on this weekend with you.”
His fingers found hers. “I think we’re going to have a wonderful time, Piper.”
“I think so, too,” she said softly.
He parked the car and took their luggage from the trunk, bringing it down to the dock. Carson and Mila already stood waiting, and she waved to them as Layne and Keaton pulled up. She met them at their car, asking Keaton, “Did you finish?”
“I did. Be sure you get his address so that I can ship it to New York.”
“Thank you for taking on the commission, Keaton. I still insist I’m going to pay you for it.”
“I don’t want you to do that, Piper. I painted it at a friend’s request, and it’s going to a friend I’ve grown to love like a brother. It was a project of the heart. No payment necessary.”
Keaton took his and Layne’s luggage to the dock, and Layne slid her arm through Piper’s. They walked slowly toward the others.
“How are you doing?” her friend asked.
“A little shaky,” she admitted. “I’m going to enjoy this weekend, however. I’ll never stay at a luxury resort again, so I want to make the most of it and my remaining time with Sullivan.”
They reached the others, and Piper spied the ferry approaching.
Kylie wasn’t on it. She said she rarely worked ferry shifts on weekends because she was too busy running the deep sea charters, especially during the high season.
Piper’s dad and Dr. Perry were two of those customers this weekend.
Kylie and her dad would sail down toward South Padre and the tip of Texas before bringing the charter home.
Piper was sad that Kylie couldn’t be a part of their group this weekend.
Danny tooted the horn as he grew near. They were the only people waiting for this ferry.
In the past, it would have been the first ferry of the day, but with so many employees from Tidewater now living in town, she knew the Mayfields were running one at six and seven each morning from the mainland to the resort.
“How’s everyone doing?” Danny called. “Looks like it’ll be a quick turnaround for your group.”
While the men loaded the luggage on board, Danny helped the women. Piper pulled her sunglasses from her purse and slipped them on since the light was reflecting so brightly off the water.
Sullivan came and took a seat beside her, lacing his fingers through hers. She swallowed the lump forming in her throat. This weekend was not going to be about sadness. Rather, she wanted it to be a celebration of this man she had come to know.
And love.
Piper had not admitted this to anyone, even herself. Until now. She knew not every love lasted, but she had a feeling that decades from now, she would still harbor love in her heart for the man who sat next to her.
He smiled at her. “I want to hang out with these guys a little, but I want to reserve most of my time to be with you.”
“I’ll follow your lead,” she said lightly.
On the way over, Sullivan told them what was available at Tidewater, as well as describing the three different specialty restaurants and the outdoor, casual one.
“If any of you play golf, Zane definitely wants feedback on the condition of the course. Otherwise, it’s up to you to do whatever you want.
There’s snorkeling, stand-up paddleboarding, kayaks, and canoes for the water.
Tennis courts, and you can book a lesson with the pro there.
Spa services. At some point, Zane wants you to order room service to see how that goes. ”
Carson and Keaton decided they would hit the links after they arrived and then meet their wives for a late lunch. Mila and Layne said they wanted to try out the spa.
Zane met them at the dock, saying, “Welcome to Tidewater. You are true guinea pigs, but your opinions matter a great deal. Keep your eyes and ears open and let me know if there’s anything that doesn’t run smoothly or is off in any way.
You’ll be rating everything from how the pillows feel to how long it took your server to appear with your dinner.
I want to know if the drinks are too strong or too weak.
How easy it is to book water sports equipment or bikes.
Everything you share with me will go to improving other guests’ experiences when Tidewater officially opens for business.
Thank you for agreeing to come and help us make this the premiere Wagner Enterprises resort yet to be. ”
Zane had golf carts for them all. Employees placed their luggage into different carts, taking it to the lobby for them.
After they decamped in front of the hotel, Zane said, “Even though you probably wanted to be placed closed together, I put you on different floors. I want to see how fast it takes for you to receive anything you request from the front desk, housekeeping, or the kitchens. How long you have to wait for an elevator.” He smiled.
“You’ll find a bucket of champagne in your room, with some chocolates. ”
The check-in process was streamlined, and they agreed to meet as a group for dinner at the restaurant where Tyler Chastain was head chef.
Sullivan led them to the concierge desk, where he made their dinner reservations.
“Not that we need reservations, since there’s only a smattering of people staying this weekend, but I want to make certain our request went into the system properly to test it out.”
They would be dining together at seven this evening. It was a little before nine now. Sullivan suggested they take separate elevators to their different floors, conscious of how Zane wanted them testing everything.
Sullivan unlocked the door to their room, and Piper saw it wasn’t a room at all. It was a suite.
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” she said, entering and gazing about.
In front of her was a wall of glass which looked out over Driftwood Bay. She could see the town nestled on the other side of the water.
“Check off spectacular view,” she murmured approvingly, and then she turned and began inspecting the room.