CHAPTER SIX
The next morning, Nell and I left for the hotel, promising to have lunch with the kids in my office. Bailey and Ned loved visiting the hotel, and I always made sure they had a treat while they were there.
The Wednesday before Thanksgiving was busy throughout the hotel with guests arriving from out of town for the weekend to celebrate not only Thanksgiving but the conversion of the hotel to activities for the Christmas holidays. We were scheduled to have our first high tea that Friday afternoon.
After seeing Nell off to her part of the hotel, I stopped in the kitchen to speak with Consuela. She was the mother I’d never had, and I could talk to her about anything.
“ ’Morning,” she said, automatically handing me a cup of coffee. “How are you?”
“I need some advice. Nell is working at the hotel for a few days, maybe longer. I’m worried about her, about her relationship with Clint. But I don’t want to say too much. Isn’t that what you’d advise?”
“It’s a thin line,” said Consuela. “As long as nobody is getting physically hurt, it’s best to let them work it out. Too often, parents may choose to speak up and then find themselves being left out after the situation changes.”
I hugged her. “Thanks. That’s what I thought. You’re very understanding to your family. They adore you, as we all do at the hotel.”
“Just be kind,” said Consuela. “Like you usually are. Are you ready for the rush tomorrow and the beginning of the Christmas holidays?”
“As ready as we’ll ever be. I understand we’re overbooked for dinners all day, but I’m sure it will be straightened out by the end of today.”
“More and more people are flying in for the weekend. It’s helpful that Sabal has festivities downtown at this time,” said Consuela.
“That certainly helps us,” I said. “Thanks for the coffee. See you later. Nell’s children, Bailey and Ned, are coming to my office for lunch. I’m sure they won’t want to miss you.”
Smiling, she gave me a little wave. “See you all later.”
When I walked into the office, Rhonda was there at her desk. “We’re going to have to juggle guest rooms. The reservations office sent us a list of changes to look over.”
While we wanted everyone to be satisfied, we remained loyal to our guests who returned year after year and tried not to disrupt their requests.
We were busy later, reviewing promo information for the holidays, when Vaughn arrived with Bailey and Ned.
“We’re here for lunch,” said Bailey, twirling around in the new sundress I’d bought her.
Ned followed behind her and came right over to Rhonda and me.
“What happened to your head?” asked Rhonda, swooping him up into her lap. The bandage had been changed to a regular Band-Aid.
“I bumped my head,” said Ned. “But I was very brave.”
“Of course you were,” said Rhonda, hugging him. She set him down to take Bailey into her arms. “Such a pretty dress. Are you having fun with Grandpa?”
Bailey glanced at Vaughn. “Grandpa lets us swim in the pool for as long as we want and gives us treats.”
I looked at Vaughn’s sheepish expression and laughed. Kids didn’t let you get away with anything.
“Come sit at the conference table, and I’ll call Nell to tell her you’re here.” After reaching Nell, I left the office to get our lunch. The rule for hotel lunches was to taste everything.
When I returned to the office with sandwiches, salads, cake, and fruit, I took a moment to focus on my family, who were waiting patiently at the conference table. Pleased, I tucked away the image as a sweet memory.
Nell sat holding Ned on her lap. Vaughn and Bailey were looking at a picture she’d drawn on a blank piece of computer paper. Rhonda was standing by, talking to Nell.
“Here’s lunch. Auntie Rhonda, will you join us? I said.
“Of course. I’m sure it’s yummy. Right, kids?”
Bailey and Ned nodded and leaned forward as I opened the two boxes I’d picked up in the kitchen. “Consuela said to say hi. Before you leave, you can stop in the kitchen to say hello to her.”
“I’ll get the drinks,” said Rhonda. “Lemonade for everyone?”
“Yes,” said Nell. “That would be great.”
Vaughn and I quickly agreed.
I placed the sandwiches and salads in the middle of the table and handed out paper plates and napkins.
“I like picnics at the hotel,” announced Bailey.
“It’s fun to have you here,” I said. “And tomorrow you get to come to the hotel for turkey.”
“Can I have a big piece of turkey? I like turkey,” said Ned, giving a dubious look at one of the green salads.
“Of course,” I said and exchanged amused smiles with Vaughn.
Rhonda returned with Consuela and the drinks. After Consuela exchanged hugs with the kids, we sat down to eat our lunch. The kitchen had packed peanut butter and jelly sandwiches along with other items, and everyone was pleased with their choices.
“Is Daddy coming to Florida?” asked Bailey.
“He’ll be here tomorrow,” Nell said, giving Bailey an overly bright smile. “He’s busy at work.”
“He’s always busy at work,” Bailey said. “I like being with Grandpa.”
“Who’s getting ready for dessert?” I asked, veering attention away from Clint’s absence.
Nell shot me a look of gratitude, but we all were uneasy about Bailey’s awareness.
###
After lunch, we trooped into the kitchen to say hello to Jean-Luc, and then Nell took the kids on a tour of the hotel and to her office in the hospitality department.
Vaughn and I walked out to the pool and lanai area for a private moment.
“I was able to get in touch with Clint to ask him if he could extend his stay,” he told me. “He said he was flying to Sabal in the company’s private jet and would arrive around noon tomorrow. He thought he could arrange to leave Saturday morning instead of Friday night.”
“Private jet? He’s certainly living a glamorous lifestyle,” I said. “I’m worried about it.”
“Me, too,” said Vaughn.
Nell returned with the kids and said, “I have to take over for Lauren so she can go to lunch. See you all later.” She kissed each child and left.
Watching the spring in her step, I couldn’t help but think of all the positive changes she had undergone in the last few days, and I wondered what Clint would think of them.
###
The next morning, as Nell and I got ready to leave for the hotel, I said goodbye to Vaughn and the little kids. Robbie was still asleep. “Liana will be here shortly. Have a fun day. We’ll see you at the hotel for your ‘turkey day’.”
“I like turkey,” said Ned, and I chuckled. At our hotel lunch, he’d been a sport about tasting a salad he definitely didn’t like.
Nell appeared, looking adorable in a dark-green linen dress that added a touch of green to her blue eyes.
“Remember to wear comfortable shoes,” I said. “You’ll be doing a lot of standing to greet guests and will be helping them get seated for dinner.” In addition to breakfast for hotel guests, we had three seatings for our Thanksgiving buffet. It made a very long day.
Nell took off the pretty high heels she’d chosen and went back to her room to get the practical black heels I’d insisted on buying for her.
“Don’t worry about picking up Clint at the airport,” said Vaughn. “I’ve already arranged to do that.”
“Thanks, Dad.” Nell gave him a hug. “Tell him I’ll see him when he comes to the hotel.”
“Okay, will do,” said Vaughn, giving me a look of surprise.
I kissed him before stealing another hug from Bailey and Ned.
In the car on the way to the hotel, I turned to Nell. “You can leave the hotel to greet Clint if you’d like to.”
Nell shook her head. “No, I don’t want to have any disagreements. It’ll be safer for both of us to meet at the hotel. Any arguments can be handled at home. I’m sure he’s going to be upset that Ned got hurt.”
“That doesn’t sound like Clint. Kids get hurt occasionally. It’s nothing serious.”
Ned gave me a worried look, and I let it go.
###
Rhonda and I were greeting guests in the lobby when my cell phone chimed. Vaughn. I picked up the call.
“Liana and I are busy cleaning up the kids after a finger painting session that Liana conducted with them. Clint called to say they were landing at the airport. Can you leave and pick him up?”
“Sure. I’m curious to see this private jet he’s flying in,” I said, knowing that wasn’t the only thing I was curious about.
Quietly, I told Rhonda what I was doing and left the hotel to go to the Sabal airport.
As I drove the short distance, I couldn’t help but remember the first time I saw it when Liz and I flew to Sabal to spend Thanksgiving with Rhonda and Angela.
A lot has happened since then. Most of them were good, some not wonderful.
I pulled into the parking lot as a sleek jet came down the runway.
I hurried into the terminal and stood at the gate waiting for Clint to disembark.
There was no crowd waiting for others with me.
I got a clear look at a dark-haired woman descending the airstair before Clint appeared wearing a golf shirt and tan slacks.
He was a tall, handsome man with butterscotch hair and sparkling hazel eyes behind his sunglasses.
They walked toward me, smiling and talking to one another in a way that disturbed me. My mothering instinct rose inside me, filling me with anxiety. They looked like a couple.
They entered the building. “Hi, Ann. Where’s Vaughn? Claudine is looking forward to meeting him.”
“Hi, Clint. Vaughn couldn’t make it. That’s why I’m here.” I turned my gaze to the woman beside him. Tall, thin, and with thick, glossy, black hair that fell in a straight line to her shoulders, she stared at me with brown eyes that were busy sizing me up.
“Ann Sanders, this is Claudine Everett, one of my business associates,” said Clint. “She and I have been heading up a big project for our company.”
“Hello,” I said, holding out my hand.
Claudine gripped my hand almost painfully. “Nice to meet you. I’m disappointed. When I pick up Clint Saturday morning, I hope Vaughn will be here.” It was a command.
Startled by such boldness, l blinked and stepped back. “That depends on my husband’s schedule.”
Claudine’s lips tightened. “Well, I’d better go. My family is waiting for me at our winter home in Miami.” Claudine turned and gave Clint a hug. “See you Saturday.”
“Okay,” said Clint. “Saturday at ten. But I still think we can work in Florida this weekend.”
Claudine shook her head. “No, the rest of the team is in D.C. They expect us there. And we need to work together without any interruptions. Goodbye, Mrs. Sanders.” She turned and walked away from us with a confident posture and sure steps.
Clint noticed the confusion on my face and said, “I’m sorry this project has ruined my usual Thanksgiving stay. As I keep trying to explain to Nell, it could mean a very big profit for the company and me, in particular.”
“Does it really matter that much?” I asked.
Clints cheeks flushed. “This is a chance to prove myself capable in a way I haven’t been able to before. It’s for Nell and the kids.”
“But mostly for you,” I said, unable to hold back.
Clint frowned and looked away before turning back to me. “Why is Nell working for you? I make enough money that she doesn’t have to do that,” he said with an edge to his voice.
“I’ll let you discuss that with her,” I said. “But I will say that we’re grateful for her help. As you may know, Arthur Smythe died recently and his wife, Lorraine, who heads our wedding service, will be out for some time.”
“Ah, yes. I was sorry to hear about that. I talked to Arthur a while ago after I got my new job. He was a great guy,” said Clint.
“We’re all sad about it,” I said. “Though he’d been ill, it was still unexpected.”
“I’ll call Reggie while I’m here,” said Clint, sounding more like the son-in-law I loved.
###
I drove Clint to the house, and Vaughn and I stood by as Clint greeted the kids.
Seeing him greet Bailey and Ned with heartfelt hugs and kisses, I felt a sense of relief about him.
“Whoa! Ned, how’d you get hurt, Bud? Where was Mommy?” Clint asked him.
“Mommy works at the hotel,” Bailey said proudly.
“Well, I’m back now, and she doesn’t need to do that,” Clint said.
“We like the hotel,” said Ned.
“Yes, it’s a beautiful place,” said Clint, turning to us. “After I get settled, I’ll drive to the hotel to see Nell.”
“I’m off to work,” I said. “See you later.”
Vaughn walked me out to my car.
“I met Clint’s business partner, Claudine Everett. She wants you to drop Clint off at the airport on Saturday so she can meet you. She’s definitely a woman who knows what she wants. And I think it might be Clint.”
“You don’t like her,” said Vaughn.
“Seeing the way she and Clint were acting and her dismissive manner toward me, I’m not a fan. No wonder she makes Nell feel insecure. I love Nell, and I’m afraid she’s going to be hurt more than she has been.”
Vaughn’s lips thinned. “I’m going to try and find out why Clint is acting this way.”
“Nell has told me some things, but you might have a better chance of getting information from Clint than I can. As we’ve promised one another, we can get information, but we have to let them work it out.”
“Right,” said Vaughn. “But nobody is going to carelessly hurt my daughter.”
I headed to the hotel to a different Thanksgiving than I’d thought we’d have.