Chapter 16 #2
“I only play golf maybe half a dozen times a year, so I’m not the best at judging it.
Still, the course is beautiful. The pro who designed it mixed in a few easy holes, but most of them are fairly challenging.
I think guests will really enjoy playing it.
In fact, I think the golf course will be the premier draw for people to book a stay at Tidewater. ”
“I would like to come stay there, Zane. I think it’s a good idea to also go see other Wagner hotels and resorts. Maybe we should apply for a passport. I hear it takes a while for that to come in.”
Enthusiasm filled him. “Let’s get online and see what it takes, Gran. I’ve had one for so many years, I just renew mine when it’s about to expire.”
They got online and downloaded the application forms for a new adult passport and did a search for the closest facility to apply for one, finding that Corpus would be the most convenient.
He also helped her find where to have their pictures taken.
She had copies of both of their birth certificates, which would need to be brought when they went to apply.
All that took about half an hour to accomplish, and he was thrilled to see how excited she was by the prospect of traveling abroad.
“I’ll tell Neville what we’ve done during dinner tonight. If you would get the ball rolling on selling the diner, I’d appreciate that. It’s going to hurt our hearts to let the place go, but I think a quick, clean break will be best.”
“It’ll be my priority tomorrow. I’ll talk with Patti and get the process started.
I have a suggestion, and I hope you and Gramps will consider it.
” He paused a moment before continuing. “I’m going to take Gramps deep sea fishing the last day of this month.
It’s an eight-hour charter, which leaves at seven-thirty, so he’d have to close the diner that day.
With Tidewater opening the next day, you and Gramps could be there for that. Maybe stay a week.”
She swallowed, her eyes large. “You’re saying we should make the twenty-ninth the last day of operations? Why, that’s just around the corner.”
Zane nodded. “You said you wanted a quick, clean break. I think that’s the right way to go instead of closing for several days, coming back, and then closing again.”
“What’s the Bay going to do?” she fretted.
“We’ll try to move quickly so the town won’t have to be without a diner for too long. What you get for it will be a good nest egg.”
Determination filled her face, and Gran said, “Then the twenty-ninth will be the final day. Neville will go along with whatever I say, plus, he’ll have something to look forward to and keep him busy, what with the two of you going fishing and then us staying at Tidewater, mingling with all those rich folks. ”
He leaned over and hugged her. “You’re making the right decision, Gran. Dad is going to be over the moon. He’s been worried about the two of you still working at your age.”
“We’ve been productive. Working all these years has kept our minds strong and our bodies even stronger.” Her eyes twinkled. “But I’m definitely ready to play just as hard as I’ve worked.”
Gramps came through the door, lighting up when he saw Zane. “I didn’t know you were coming for dinner.”
“Actually, I just stopped by for a quick visit. I’m taking Kylie Mayfield to dinner tonight.”
“I’m glad you’re seeing that Mayfield girl, Zane. She’s a keeper,” Gramps said. He glanced at the table. “I see pie plates.”
Gran smiled. “I had my dessert before dinner. Want to do the same, Neville? We have something important we need to talk about.”
His grandfather chortled. “Leave it to Nellie to try and sweeten me up with sweets before she hits me with something. She knows I’m a sucker for her—and her pies.”
“I’ll leave it to you two then,” Zane said, standing and kissing Gran’s cheek before hugging Gramps goodbye. “We’ll talk tomorrow, okay?”
Zane left their house, walking over to Kylie’s. He was eager to tell her about the momentous decision his grandmother had just made.
When he arrived, he saw her car already sitting at the curb. He went around to the side apartment and knocked instead of using the spare key she had given him to let himself in. She answered quickly, wearing a blue and white sundress which brought out the deep blue of her sapphire eyes.
“You must’ve gotten home early,” he commented, stepping inside.
“I’ve been home almost two hours,” she told him. “One of the customers on today’s charter was seasick the entire time, so the party decided to head back early. I texted you, but I didn’t hear back. I thought you might be in a meeting.”
He pulled his phone from his pocket, turning the ringer back on. “Sorry. I silenced it because I finally had the talk with Gran and didn’t want to be interrupted.”
Zane had shared with Kylie how he was hoping to persuade his grandparents to finally retire.
She took his hand, leading him to the sofa. “Come tell me all about it.”
“Gran surprised me. Even told me that she had been thinking about retirement for a couple of years.” He smiled.
“I told her they needed to come to Tidewater’s grand opening.
I just heard from Dad today, and he’ll arrive in the Bay on the third and stay for a few days.
Not only have I convinced Gran to retire, but I also suggested that they close the diner the last day of June when Gramps and I go on our deep sea fishing charter with you. It’ll stay closed after that.”
“Wow, that’s really fast. What does she want to do, sell it outright or keep it and hire others to run it?”
“She thinks selling is best. Gran admitted she’d worry about Gramps heading over every day and telling everyone what they were doing wrong if they kept ownership.
Actually, I’m thinking about buying it myself.
I’m not sure if I would keep it or sell it down the line, but I hate seeing it leave the family.
She asked me to talk with Patti Perkins, and I’ll do that tomorrow.
See what she thinks a fair price is, and then I’ll double it.
I want them to have a decent amount for the place.
They’ve always refused money from Dad, so I want them to have plenty to live on. ”
Zane told Kylie about how he suggested his grandparents visit other Tidewater resorts.
“I even helped her get the process started to apply for their passports so they can even go abroad. They’re both in fantastic health and have all their faculties. I want them to stay active. Traveling would be good for them.”
“You are a terrific grandson, did you know that?”
She leaned in and gave him a soft kiss.
“We had talked about going to Backyard Bites for dinner. Do you want to do that now and then come back here?” he asked.
“That sounds good.” She indicated her sundress. “I don’t often dress up, but I did for you.”
He eyed her appreciatively, sliding one finger along her bare shoulder. “And I’m going to enjoy taking it off you after dinner.”
Her cell rang, and she said, “I better get that before we head out. Hello? Yes, I could do that. You know I love keeping the twins.” Kylie paused, listening a moment. “You would do that for me, Karl? You’re on! What time do I need to be there?”
Disappointment rippled through him since it sounded as if Kylie would be babysitting her niece and nephew. Selfishly, it meant one less night he could see her. Maybe they could get together afterward.
“Okay then. See you tomorrow night.”
She turned to him. “Karl has some dinner meeting in Corpus which has come up, and they needed a babysitter for Keira and Kevin tomorrow night. I was wondering if you might want to come over and help me?”
Babysitting was the last thing he would ever willingly do, but Zane wasn’t willing to sacrifice being away from Kylie for a night. Besides, kids went to bed pretty early. At least he thought they did.
And that would give them time together.
“I’ve never really been around kids,” he admitted. “But if it means getting to be with you? Count me in.”
Taking his hand, Kylie smiled. “The best part is since it’s last minute, Karl wanted to make it up to me. He said he would take my charters this weekend.”
“What?” Zane said, surprised. “That means … you would be free all day Saturday and Sunday?”
She nodded, her smile wide. “I could come to Tidewater. I could even stay over Saturday night with you.”
Leaping to his feet, he brought Kylie with him. He kissed her, and a feeling he could only describe as joy washed over him, feeling this warm woman in his arms.
“You’re on. We can go to Tidewater early Saturday morning.
Do whatever you want to do. Swim. Golf. Try out the different restaurants.
The spa.” He thought a moment. “Since you would need to get back Sunday night for Monday morning’s charter, maybe we could come back together to the mainland and play tourist. Take the Mayfield Sunday night sightseeing excursion. ”
She giggled. “That would be interesting. Mom and Dad usually do those together. Dad pilots and provides voiceover about the Bay. The area’s history and what it’s like today. Mom distributes drinks and appetizers. It would be fun being a guest on Rodfather.”
“How long are we babysitting Friday night?” Zane asked.
“According to Karl, the dinner should be over by nine or nine-thirty. That’ll put Annie and him home by ten at the latest.”
He took her hands in his and brushed a kiss along her knuckles. “Then we’ll go to Tidewater after that. I have a huge bed in a large suite. I can think of all kinds of things to do with you in that bed.”
Her gaze met his. “I can’t wait for tomorrow night.”