CHAPTER ELEVEN
I found Clint lying in the lounge chair, his eyes closed, both of his arms in slings.
Seeing him in this vulnerable position, I wondered what had happened to the son-in-law I loved and admired that had led him to change his ways.
He’d been ambitious but down-to-earth. Nell mentioned that the partners in the company had many more benefits and perks and were more successful.
Had he decided he wanted that too? For Nell?
He opened his eyes.
I took a seat on the bed nearby and sat facing him. “Nell’s upset about your decision to fly to D.C., and I’m concerned that Claudine is apparently pressuring you to disregard the doctor’s orders to work with her.”
“Claudine told me the group hired me specifically for this project, and if I don’t follow through and get this done, I may lose not only my equity in it, but my job.”
Frowning, I leaned forward and patted his hand. “Clint, it doesn’t make sense for you to go to D.C.. First of all, with your injuries, you’re not close to functioning at peak performance. Secondly, this is a holiday weekend. Are all the people expected to work this weekend?”
Clint shook his head. “No. A lot of them went away. But they weren't tied to this project.”
“Then why is Claudine insistent on working with you this weekend?”
“She bought into the equity of this project like I did, with a lot more money. She doesn’t want to lose it because of timing.”
“It doesn’t add up to me. Deals don’t always work on a specific timeline. Lots of circumstances can change that. This should be one of them,” I said.
“Ann, I can’t afford to lose the money either. I knew it was a risky deal, but that’s how you make big money. You take a risk and make it work in order to cash in.”
I studied him and let out a long breath. “What made you decide to do this? You’ve bought into the concept of projecting a very successful lifestyle with a private school for the kids, fancy cars, and a membership to a pricey golf club. That doesn’t seem like you.”
“I know. But that was part of the deal. If you look successful, you’re more likely to be successful. I’m sorry about that concept because it’s so much pressure to keep everything going.”
“Whenever you want to pull the plug, you have my support. Vaughn’s too, I’m sure.”
“That’s just it. I want to provide my wife with a wonderful life without needing the support of her parents,” said Clint.
“You provide Nell and the kids by being there for them in person, loving and supporting them. You’re a very bright man, Clint. You don’t need to have a lot of money to make them happy.”
Clint stared out the window.
“And another thing. I saw the way Claudine was with you. Her intentions are very obvious, and you didn’t seem to be fighting her off. If you ever hurt Nell and destroy your marriage, you’ll have a line of people waiting to get back at you. I’ll be the first one there.”
His eyes widened, and then he nodded. “No worries.”
I got to my feet and faced him. “I love you, Clint. I want what’s best for you. You and your family.”
“I know,” he said, giving me a glum look.
I left the room and went back to the lanai.
“Well, what did he say?” asked Nell. “Is he going to stay here?”
“I don’t know about that,” I said. “But I have the feeling Clint is beginning to see that the golden handcuffs his business has given him might not be what he wants after all.”
“That sounds promising,” said Vaughn.
“He never said exactly that, but he’s worried. He and Claudine each stand to lose a lot of money if their deal doesn’t work.”
“That’s exactly why I was hesitant to have him buy into the deal. It sounded risky to me, but he seemed so sure it would be a wise move for us,” said Nell.
“He believes he’s done it for all the right reasons,” I said.
“What if Claudine comes to Sabal to stay in the hotel?” Nell asked.
“There’s nothing we can do about that,” I said. “We’ll take it one step at a time.”
Nell sighed and shook her head.
###
The next morning, I went to the hotel alone. Nell stayed behind to make sure Clint was doing as well as could be expected. The first few days following surgery were typically the most challenging.
I stopped in the kitchen to get a cup of coffee.
Consuela came right over to me. “How’s Clint?”
“He’ll be fine, but it’s going to be difficult,” I said. “He was hurt pretty bad.”
Consuela sighed and shook her head. “Such a shame. How will he be able to work? Is he going to stay in Sabal for a while? Nell told me he had to go right back to D.C.”
“It’s something Nell and Clint are trying to figure out. Frankly, I’m concerned. I think he should stay here for at least a couple of weeks until his body begins to recover.”
“I’ll make his favorite egg casserole and send it home with you,” Consuela said.
I hugged her. “Thanks.”
I left the kitchen and went to my office to see how procedures had been handled over the weekend.
Rhonda looked up at me from her desk. “Who’s Claudine Everett?”
A lump settled in the pit of my stomach. “A business partner of Clint’s. Why?”
“Apparently, she made a fuss checking in last night. She wanted the Presidential Suite. For a deep discount.”
I sighed, lowered myself into my chair, and faced Rhonda. “Remember how I told you there was something about Claudine that I didn’t like or trust? This behavior is an example of why I feel that way. Is she in the Presidential Suite?”
“No,” said Rhonda. “Bernie said no. Not at that price.”
“Bless him,” I said. “Clint was supposed to fly to D.C. with Claudine in the company’s private jet yesterday. When Nell called to cancel the trip, she was very specific about Clint needing to rest as the doctor ordered. Now, it’s clear that Claudine is going to ignore that.”
“What’s the rush?” asked Rhonda.
“The timing of putting this deal together appears to be crucial. Clint is worried that he and Claudine will lose a lot of money if they can’t pull it off.” I couldn’t help feeling anxious.
Rhonda gave me a thoughtful look. “Will could have been involved in many big-ticket deals with major companies, but he has always maintained that he’s happier with his own success, providing clients with excellent information.”
“Claudine may have checked into the hotel, but I’m uncomfortable about her being at my house.
She practically ordered me to make sure Vaughn, not I, drop Clint off for the flight to D.C.
She told Clint she was disappointed not to meet one of her favorite stars.
I don’t want someone like that in my home. ”
“I don’t blame you,” said Rhonda. “That kind of intrusion could be a problem.”
“I’m going to call Nell now and tell her my feelings,” I said, taking a sip of coffee before punching in her number.
When Nell picked up my call, I told her I didn’t want Claudine at the house and waited for a response.
“I needed to know you feel that way because she’s already phoned Clint. I didn’t pick up the call because Clint was sleeping. But eventually, I’ll have to talk to her and make that clear.”
“Thanks,” I said. “There’s something off about Claudine. As far as I’m concerned, Clint can do what he needs to at the house, including setting up an office. But I don’t want them working together there.”
“And I want them to wait until Clint gets stabilized,” said Nell. “He’s on pretty strong pain killers now, which means he won’t be at his best to work anyway.”
“I’m glad we agree on this. Stars like Vaughn have to be very careful about overzealous fans. That’s one reason we live in a gated community.”
“I agree,” said Nell. “ I wouldn’t want anything to happen to Daddy or you because of someone like her.” I could hear frustration in her voice.
“Thanks for understanding.” I ended the call and turned to Rhonda. “Hopefully, that will take care of any intrusion into our privacy.”
“You told me you were afraid that Claudine and Clint might be having an affair,” said Rhonda. “If so, Claudine isn’t simply going to walk away.”
“Especially someone as aggressive as she is,” I said. “Now, tell me about the goings on at the hotel. How was the engagement dinner?”
Rhonda lifted her coffee cup in a salute. “It turned out to be a goldmine for us. The hostess is none other than the sister of our governor, and the three other women present with their husbands have decided to book family weddings with us.”
“Thanks for handling that. I assume Annette was there to assist you,” I said.
“Yes, and you know how well she connects with people. She was able to say that she was one of our wedding coordinators. That worked well for us.”
“Well done!” I gave Rhonda a high five. We celebrated the big occasions at the hotel, but we also celebrated smaller ones. You never knew when a seemingly simple event would help bring in future business.
We were going over the financials for the previous day when someone tapped at the door, and then it flew open.
Surprised, Rhonda and I stopped talking and looked up to see Claudine.
I got to my feet. “Claudine, is there something we can help you with?”
She narrowed her eyes at me. “You can help me have a meeting with Clint. I’m his partner and deserve to have some time with him. His wife tells me I’m not welcome at your house. Is that true?”
I drew a deep breath. “My home is a private space for Vaughn and me. Though you can’t meet Clint there, I think he should be able to talk to you on the phone.
But he’s pretty drugged up at the moment and under the doctor’s order to rest for a few days.
He has been through a lot of traumatic experiences.
I would think you’d honor that information. ”
Claudine drew a deep breath and studied me. “Did you know that Clint was considering leaving his wife? He and I had an understanding.”
I gripped the edge of my desk. “I find that hard to believe. But really, it has nothing to do with Clint getting better. As I said, you’re welcome to call him. And he can decide if, when, and where, other than my house, he can meet with you.”
Rhonda stood and put an arm around my shoulder. “Miss, Claudine, is it? You’re upsetting my business partner, and I won’t allow that. Your business with Clint Dawson is not ours. You’d better take a hike.”
Claudine glared at Rhonda, then whipped around and left the room, slamming the door behind her.
“Wow!” said Rhonda. “She really is a bitch. Are you okay, Annie?”
I nodded, but inside, I was trembling with rage. I thought about calling Nell and decided not to. She’d have to handle the situation on her own.
###
That night, when I got home, Robbie was with the kids on the lanai while Vaughn was seasoning the filet mignons he was going to grill for dinner.
“Hi, darling. How are you?” Vaughn asked me.
“It’s been quite a day. Where are Nell and Clint?”
Vaughn indicated the guest wing of the house. “When I last checked, both of them were napping.”
“Claudine came into the office and demanded to meet with Clint. She wanted to know if it was true that she wasn’t allowed to visit him at our house.
I told her, yes, that it was our private space for obvious reasons.
I suggested she call Clint, and he could decide how to best proceed.
” I sighed. “She also told me that Clint was going to leave Nell, that she and Clint had what she called an arrangement.”
Vaughn’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? I don’t believe that. Not after the talks I had with Clint on the boat. What’s Claudine’s game?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t trust her. Something weird is going on. Something that doesn’t make sense.”
Nell padded into the kitchen. “I thought I heard voices. How are things at the hotel, Ann?”
“That engagement dinner last night brought us the possibility of many new weddings. And the high tea the other day went well enough that we’re considering offering it as a Christmas gift for some of the locals to purchase. Sunday afternoon teas will be served throughout the high season.
“I loved seeing how the teas are set up. I can’t wait to participate in them,” said Nell.
“Have you and Clint talked about his staying here?” I asked. It would make a difference if Nell couldn’t work at the hotel.
“Clint has agreed to stay here for a few days as the doctor has requested,” said Nell. “Then he hopes to go to D.C. to work on his deal. He’s talking about leaving the company, but he’s worried about getting his share of equity money back.”
“How will he handle traveling? He’ll still need help,” I said.
“He’s asked me to go with him. I told him I’ll do it on the condition he promises to return to Sabal as quickly as possible.
” Nell looked down at the floor and shuffled her feet.
When she looked up, her eyes were full of tears.
“He told me that Claudine thinks he’s going to leave me, but that it isn’t true.
He told her so. As the daughter of one of the business owners, she believes she can choose any man in the company she wants and is willing to strong-arm them into a romantic relationship.
She tried that with another man who has since left the firm. ”
I leaned against the kitchen counter and let out a loud huff of breath. “What a mess.”
Nell studied me. “As Rhonda would say, a freakin’ mess.”