CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The next morning, I met Emma on the beach. Seeing her smiling face as she approached me, I knew things must be going well with Rand and her, and I was happy for her.
“That's fantastic, huh?” I teased.
She laughed. “Well, we’ve done a lot of talking. And getting to know Rand is very satisfying. He is a fascinating man with a lot of interesting experiences. But the real man, the somewhat shy and introspective person I’m beginning to know is the one who intrigues me.”
“And the chemistry?”
She giggled softly. “Out of sight.”
I gave her an impulsive hug. “It sounds perfect.”
She hugged me back. “I can’t believe I’m so lucky. We’ve even talked about my coming to Florida after the twins graduate high school.”
I saw Darryl jogging toward us with purpose and turned toward him.
“’ Morning! What’s up?”
Darryl ran up to us and paused to get his breath. “Emma, you won’t believe what’s happening. I got a call from Kim. She, Jessie, and Alex will be here this afternoon. Kim said they’re staying with me to make sure I’m all right. But I know better. Our sisters are coming here to check out Abbie and Rand.”
“Oh, dear,” said Emma. “I think you’re right. They can stay with you, and I’ll ask Rand if I can move to his house to give them space.”
“They said not to worry about the kids. Joe is staying with them.” Darryl stood with his hands on his hips and faced me. “Kim is my oldest sister and has been married to her husband, Joe, for years. They’re both very protective of me, especially after my mother died when I was still in Middle School. My other two sisters used to like to boss me around, but since we’ve grown up, they, too, want to make sure I’m okay.”
I remembered the many times I’d wished for siblings. “You’re a very lucky man.”
“I guess. Well, Emma, this is it. The family test.”
“Nothing anybody says is going to interfere with the relationship I’m building with Rand,” she said. She noticed Rand jogging toward us and waved.
“My sisters don’t know Abbie. She’s one tough lady,” said Darryl.
“Where is she?” I asked.
“Sleeping in,” said Darryl. “We stayed up late. I told her I’d go ahead without her.”
Silence followed, but we all thought the same thing. They’d had a very sexy reunion.
“Hey, there,” said Rand. “What’s going on?”
“Can I move in with you?” Emma asked.
Rand blinked rapidly and then grinned. “Yes, but do you want to tell me why.”
Emma told him about her sisters’ visit. “They’re great and you’ll love them, but it’s best if I give them the space at Darryl’s house.”
“Best for you,” grumped Darryl and then elbowed her. “Kidding. Go ahead and stay with Rand. That way, it might be less confusing. Abbie will have a better chance to get to know them.”
“Are you sure it’s okay?” Emma asked Rand.
“Of course,” said Rand, and winked at her.
“Do you still have time for a walk?” I asked Emma.
“Sure, everything else can wait. Let’s go.”
We walked side by side down the beach. As we moved, I could sense Emma’s excitement.
“Do you think there will be any problems with your sisters?” I asked her.
“Honestly, all three of them will be surprised at the way things are between Rand and me. They’ll be happy for me, of course, but I think they might object to my falling for him so quickly. It’s not like me.”
“Maybe they, like others, won’t see the man you know beyond his appearance and manner.”
“His money and looks will mean little to them. They’re all happily married to decent men. They will want to make sure he’s worthy of me.”
“I like that,” I said, thinking some interesting days were ahead. “If there’s anything Rhonda and I can do for you or them, please let us know.” I checked my watch. “I’d better go.”
“Thanks,” said Emma. “Maybe you and Rhonda can stop by after work for a quick drink. I’d love my sisters to meet you both.”
“We’ll do that,” I said, knowing full well that Rhonda would never be left out of such an opportunity to keep an active role in her matchmaking plans.
###
Before going into the office, I raced home to change my clothes. I’d hoped to see Vaughn but realized he was meeting that morning with the board of cultural affairs in Sabal. He liked helping out where he could to keep theater alive in town.
As I showered and dressed, my mind kept comparing Rand and Vaughn. Both men were very handsome and successful. And more alike than some might suspect. Beneath their smooth manner and appearance were men who were quiet and introspective when alone or with someone they trusted.
###
Late afternoon, at a call from Emma, Rhonda and I headed to Darryl’s house anxious to meet the Douglas sisters. And we couldn’t wait to see Abbie again.
I carried a tray of appetizers from the hotel kitchen and Rhonda held two bottles of chilled, sparkling rosé wine.
Before we could even knock, Emma opened the door. “Hi, I’m glad you’re here. Come inside.” She accepted the tray from me and came back from the kitchen to take the wine from Rhonda. “Thanks for the treats.”
We stepped into the living room. A group of women were sitting together, talking.
“Hey, everyone!” said Emma. “Let me introduce Ann Sanders and Rhonda Grayson, the owners of the hotel.”
As one, they turned to face us.
Abbie waved, and I studied the other three women as Emma introduced them.
Kim, the oldest, was an attractive woman who wore her blond hair pulled back into a bun, had brown eyes, and wore round horn-rimmed glasses. Stylish, almost regal-looking, she smiled warmly at us.
Jessie was introduced as next in age to Kim. She was a little shorter and was pleasantly plump. Her facial features were similar to Darryl’s. She moved forward and hugged both Rhonda and me.
Alex, closest in age to Emma, looked a lot like her with frosted brown hair and bright hazel eyes. She wore a two-piece bathing suit showing off her trim, curvy figure. Her grin was impish, and I suspected she and Emma got into trouble as children.
Darryl came over to Rhonda and me and took the bottles of wine from Emma. “Here, let me open these, and we can toast being together. Rand should be here soon.”
I followed him into the kitchen to see if I could help.
“How’s it going? Any news from your lawyer?” I asked him.
“He called to tell me that he and the woman’s lawyer are working out a deal whereby we can announce that there’s been a misunderstanding and the woman no longer wants to proceed. We all feel that gives her an out without our suing her and ruining her life more than she’s done for herself.”
“That sounds promising,” I said. “It’s terrible to have someone’s life ripped apart by statements that aren’t true.”
Rand arrived, and Darryl went to greet him while I walked into the living room to chat with Abbie and Darryl’s sisters.
Abbie came over to me and gave me a hug. “I’m grateful you helped Darryl realize that we needed to be together. It made such a difference to him to hear it from you.”
“I’m glad I could help,” I said. “It’s true. You must be able to go through the ups and downs together.”
“It sounds as if things are going to be settled fairly quickly,” Abbie said. “But knowing Darryl, it will have a long-term effect on him. Such a shame.”
Darryl came over to us and wrapped an arm around Abbie. “My tormentor is back,” he said, grinning at Abbie. “But I’ve worked hard, even after she left. Tell her, Ann.”
“He did. I swear it,” I said.
Rhonda joined us, and while she talked to Darryl and Abbie, I left them to chat with Darryl’s sister, Kim.
Kim was clearly upset that Darryl had to go through the public humiliation of being accused of inappropriate behavior. “Anyone who knows my brother would realize that wasn’t true. But how many others were quick to judge him? It doesn’t seem fair.”
Jessie, the sister I picked to be the most easy-going, patted Kim on the back. “We know Darryl is an honorable man. It’ll all turn out in the end.”
Alex closest in age to Emma nudged me. “What do you think of Emma and Rand?”
“They are quickly falling for one another, and I’m happy for them. It happened that way for me and my husband.”
“Vaughn Sanders is your husband?” she said. “I loved watching him in The Sins of the Children. ”
“He’s making movies now and does some ads,” I said. “It’s best when he’s home and being a dad and granddad.”
“Because my sisters live within easy driving distance of one another, it makes it nice for us and our kids,” said Alex. “I think the idea of Emma moving away is something that scares us all. It won’t be the same without her.”
“Just look around you,” I teased. “Where else could you be having cocktails in the afternoon in such a beautiful setting?”
Alex chuckled. “You’re right about that.”
“About what?” asked Emma, bringing Rand over to us.
“Nothing, just girl talk,” said Alex, gazing up at Rand.
I went to the kitchen to make sure there were plenty of appetizers left on the tray to pass. Keeping busy made me happy when others talked of such strong family connections.
Rhonda was telling them about running a hotel, and I smiled as others laughed at her stories.
“Okay, everyone!” said Darryl, carrying a tray of drinks. “Take a glass of wine, and let’s make a toast to becoming new friends!”
We each took one and lifted it to salute one another. It was a sweet moment that I hoped would bring happy results.
###
Later, walking back to the hotel, Rhonda and I exchanged tidbits of information. One thing was clear. No way did Darryl act in a way that would anger and disappoint his sisters. The case against him seemed as clear as the lawyer declared.
“I’m glad Abbie returned,” said Rhonda. “The way she and Darryl are with one another is adorable. Even Kim, the oldest sister, was amused.”
“Rhonda, you have an older brother who protected you in the neighborhood. What must it be like to have someone like that growing up?”
Rhonda threw an arm around my shoulder. “You may have had a lonely childhood, but remember, I’m here now. No one is going to get away with hurting you without me fighting back.”
Tears stung my eyes. What had I done to ever deserve her friendship? It was priceless.