Page 16 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

Nell appeared and plopped down on the couch next to me. “Can we talk privately?”

“Sure. How about we take a glass of wine into my bedroom? We’ll have privacy there.”

“We’ll be right back,” I told Vaughn, though I wasn’t sure how long this talk would last. Nell looked miserable.

After pouring ourselves some wine, we carried our glasses to my bedroom and onto the private patio outside. It was a favorite spot of mine.

We sat in chairs facing one another. “Here’s to a successful day!” I said, lifting my glass and smiling at her.

She sighed and shrugged, then tapped her glass against mine. “Clint is going to be furious when he sees Ned. I should have been taking care of him.”

I frowned. “He surely doesn’t expect you to be with the children all the time, does he?”

“This is something new. All part of the family image thing,” Nell said. “He wants everyone to think that instead of hiring someone to help out, I’m the perfect stay-at-home mom. I think it’s because the partners in his firm all have nannies, and we can’t afford one.”

I set down my wine glass and stared out at the hibiscus bushes nearby, wondering what to say. The idea was preposterous. If a woman wanted that role, good for her. However, if a woman wants a career outside her home, she should be able to pursue it. It was all about having choices.

But I’d promised to be neutral and kept my mouth shut.

“You don’t have to say anything, Ann. I know it’s a very different attitude from what I’m used to. If I hadn’t had a good-paying job, we could never have afforded our first house, even with the financial help you and Dad gave us.”

“Why is Clint acting this way?” I asked her, puzzled by all the changes.

Nell emitted a long sigh and looked down at the floor. When she lifted her face, there were tears in her eyes. He’s invested all our money in this equity position opportunity. He’s afraid of stepping out of line. If he can make it work, we’ll be very successful. Financially.”

“What a mistake,” I muttered before I could stop myself.

“It really is,” Nell said. “I realize how important it is for me to make him see that all this pressure he’s putting on himself is ruining our lives together.”

“Can you persuade him to stay longer than Friday night?” I asked.

“We’ll see.” Nell gave me a weak smile. “I’m grateful you and Dad are willing to have the kids and me here.”

“Of course. We love you,” I said, reaching out and clasping her hand. “We’re here for you.”

“I’m not going back to D.C. until Clint and I have a clear understanding about our future together,” said Nell.

“You can stay here for as long as you need to,” I said.

“Thanks,” said Nell, standing. “Now, I need to be with my children.”

###

Later, at dinner, I was pleased to see how cheerful the kids were as we ate Liana’s delicious food. The kids’ chatter was very interesting. Though they spoke of friends and happenings at home, Clint’s name was never mentioned. I found that telling.

After dinner, Bailey and Ned were put to bed, and Vaughn, Nell, and I sat on the lanai. As if the dog knew she needed extra support, Cindy curled herself into Nell’s lap.

After discussing Clint’s situation, Vaughn offered to call and invite him for a weekend of sailing.

“You can try,” said Nell. “But I’d be surprised if he agrees to do it. Not when he’s working with Claudine on their special project. Claudine Everett’s family made a fortune in oil and real estate, and she’s not only rich but beautiful,” Nell explained.

“What is this project?” Vaughn asked.

“It has to do with an investment in a startup company that will be sold. Something like that,” Nell said.

“I wonder if Will or Reggie has heard any news about it,” I said. “Or maybe one of Arthur’s clients that Reggie will be handling from now on.”

“Let’s keep it as simple as possible,” Vaughn said. “To me, it sounds like a deal that could go terribly wrong.”

Nell’s cell phone rang. She looked at it and stood. “It’s Clint. I’ll go talk to him in private.”

After she left the room, Vaughn looked at me and shook his head. “I don’t like what I’m hearing.”

“Me, either,” I said. “But we have to let them figure it out for themselves.”

“Okay, but I still don’t like it,” he said.

A few minutes later, Nell came back into the room. “I asked Clint if he could extend his stay to include the entire weekend, but he said no. He’s hoping for a sail with you on Friday, Dad, before his evening flight.”

“Weather permitting, we’ll go,” Vaughn said. “Maybe I can get a better understanding of what’s going on.”