Page 17 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

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?”