Chapter 9 #2
“Apparently, everyone knows who you are,” Kylie remarked.
Bill Lonsdale stepped through the crowd and offered Zane his hand. “Good to see you, Zane,” as the two men shook. “I figured you’d be showing up soon.”
“Do you know Kylie Mayfield, Bill?” Zane asked, indicating her.
Tidewater’s general manager turned to her. “I’ve seen Kylie more than a few times on the ferry over the past few months. I know you and Danny have met many of the job applicants who are now staff members at Tidewater.”
“I’m looking forward to seeing what the resort actually looks like,” she said. “Zane is giving me a tour this morning before we start discussing transportation to the property.”
Bill nodded. “Let me know if you want to use space at Tidewater. We have a conference room available if you need it.”
“We’re going to negotiate off-site,” Zane informed the manager. “I just wanted to avail myself of the ferry service this morning and give Kylie a chance to poke around Tidewater some.”
He looked up and saw that almost everyone else had boarded. Zane waved to Danny, and the three of them ventured aboard the ferry.
Looking to Kylie, he said, “It’s crowded now. I’ll wait and walk around the ferry on our way back. I doubt they’ll be many aboard on our return trip to the Bay, so I’ll be able to see more.”
“We should have it to ourselves then,” she agreed. “I’ll give you a tour of every inch.”
Bill asked, “Would you like to meet the staff aboard now?”
Knowing he would need to at some point, Zane said, “I’d like that. Lead on.”
Kylie took a seat. “See you after we get there.”
Bill introduced Zane to various heads of the facilities, such as Quinn Walker, who was in charge of the spa, and Greg Delaney, who headed up water sports.
He told those in leadership positions that he wanted to visit with them at length over the next several days and that he was just at the resort today to get a first glance.
He also met regular workers, from maids to kitchen staff to front desk clerks, knowing they were getting ready for the first test customers this weekend.
Zane rejoined Kylie and let the ferry empty before they exited the vessel, saying, “Bill’s done an excellent job in hiring personnel.
He worked at Wagner properties in Chicago and LA, and he was an assistant manager in Berlin.
He received a promotion and headed our hotel and conference center in Toronto the past few years before being named general manager at Tidewater.
We thought he would be a good fit here.”
Bill waited for them as they left the ferry. “Golf carts are here at the dock to greet guests. We’ll have workers who’ll bring them and their luggage to the front desk. You can have use of one of the carts for as long as you’re here today, Zane.”
“Thanks, Bill. I know we have a lot to talk about. I just want to wander around this morning and see Tidewater brought to life. Starting tomorrow, I’ll go over things with a fine-toothed comb. Do you have time in your schedule for me?”
Bill smiled broadly. “I can always make time for Zane Wagner. Just come to my office, and we’ll go from there. I’ll clear my calendar so that tomorrow is wide open. I know how thorough you can be when you’re looking at a new Wagner Property.”
Bill indicated a golf cart to them, and Zane and Kylie climbed into it as Bill boarded another one.
Zane drove them down a path until Tidewater came into view. He stopped the cart, taking it the architecture of the main building.
Kylie whistled. “Wow. Just … wow. I knew Sullivan had to be talented, working at Wagner Enterprises, but this is spectacular. You should be really proud, Zane.”
Pride did swell within him, and he was eager to see the resort up close. He started up the cart again and drove to the front entrance.
“Is that Tyler Chastain?” she asked, surprise in her voice.
He looked at the man dressed in chef’s whites, standing nearby, looking ready to greet them.
“Yes, we hired him from a restaurant in New Orleans. Took quite a bit to convince him to come here. Are you a foodie? Is that how you know him?”
She laughed as she exited the cart. “Ty’s one of the Bay’s own, Zane.”
Kylie bounded toward the renowned chef, who opened his arms wide.
“Kylie Mayfield!” he proclaimed, wrapping her in a bear hug, causing jealousy to prickle within Zane. “I haven’t seen you in a month of Sundays. I hear you’re working for your family’s business.”
“I’m surprised I haven’t seen you on any of the ferries going back and forth. I’ve manned a few.”
“I’ve seen Danny, but I’m actually living at Tidewater. That was one of the conditions of my employment. I’m serving as the director of food and beverage, besides being the head chef at one of the restaurants. That makes for long days. Living on site was important to me.”
He turned and offered his hand to Zane. “Don’t mean to ignore you, Mr. Wagner. It was just good seeing an old friend again.”
Zane clasped the chef’s hand. “I had no idea you grew up in the Bay. When your résumé was presented to me, I focused on where you had trained and worked since you graduated from culinary school. It’s good having you on board, Chef. I’m eager to taste your fare.”
“I heard you were coming. I want you to dine in each of our restaurants. I have some special dishes I’ll prepare for you. Right now, could I fix breakfast for the two of you?”
Zane’s belly gurgled at the suggestion, causing everyone to laugh.
“I had a long run this morning and haven’t eaten yet.” He looked to Kylie. “Do you want to take time for breakfast?”
“If Ty’s cooking, I’m in,” she proclaimed. “He’s always been magic in the kitchen. His mom owns and runs Backyard Bites, down on the waterfront. His dad’s bar, Pelican Porch, is right next door. Ty worked at both places before he ever left the Bay.”
Zane looked to Tyler Chastain. “Then let my first meal at Tidewater be breakfast. Bring us a little of everything to sample if you would. And it better be as good—or better—than the Driftwood Diner. My grandparents own it, and I used to work there summers when I was growing up.”
“I think you’ll be happy with everything you taste,” Tyler said confidently. “I’ll feed you and then give you a tour of our restaurants and kitchen facilities afterward if you have time to see them.”
Zane placed his palm at the small of Kylie’s back, guiding her into the hotel. The contact between them caused a ripple of desire to run through him.
He couldn’t wait for their business to conclude—because once it ended, he had quite a different kind of relationship in mind.