Page 2 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

“Aw-w-w, you know I just wanted to help you make some changes after your divorce,” Rhonda said. “I knew I could never be as classy as you, but I could show you a fun time.”

We laughed together. Rhonda was my best friend, and I loved her.

We strolled along the sand, talking about the high teas we were planning for our high season. We’d started offering them after a guest had demanded them, and now they were part of our winter season festivities.

I stared down at the footprints that sanderlings and sandpipers had left behind in the sand at the edge of the water. I loved the little signs that they’d been there.

Rhonda nudged me and hissed, “Oh no! Here he comes.”

Lifting my head, I stared at Brock Goodwin, surprised to see him here at this time of day. It was too late to try to move away. We were stuck.

“Hello, ladies,” said Brock, hurrying up to us. “You’re just the people I needed to see. My import business has just received a supply of spectacular fireworks for New Year’s Eve celebrations, along with a variety of Christmas decorations. I can offer you a discount on them if you place your order right away. They’re going fast.”

As enticing as it sounded, Rhonda and I looked at each other and shook our heads.

“Thanks, but no thanks,” I said.

“Hotels and condo buildings up and down the beach have ordered some,” said Brock. “Afraid you can’t compete?”

“As you surely learned from the Italian restaurant business you were associated with, we don’t have to compete,” said Rhonda.

“So, I made a mistake,” said Brock, trying to shrug it off as the truth trapped him. He’d lost money helping a chef attempt to hurt our business.

“More than one mistake,” said Rhonda. “See ya later.”

Brock stood breathing heavily with frustration, and then he turned and walked away, his feet childishly pounding the sand.

“It’s a nice idea to have fireworks,” I said. “Too bad we can’t trust him.”

“I’ll never be able to trust him,” said Rhonda. “He’s a total jackass. Besides, there are all those liability issues with setting off fireworks.”

“True. We don’t need those expenses.”

We stood facing one another. Our morning walk was ruined. Brock always wanted to find a way to harm us and our business.

###

That evening, I spoke to Vaughn about my concerns with Nell. “It’s not like her to be depressed and out of sorts. I can’t wait for her to come here, where I can really talk to her as she wants.”

“I’m grateful you and she have a close relationship,” said Vaughn, handing me a glass of red wine as we sat on the lanai. “I don’t like it when our children are having problems.”

“She and Clint have been married for over ten years now. Maybe they need to revive their relationship. With their visit, perhaps we can offer to have the kids stay here with us while Nell and Clint go off by themselves.”

“I’ll be home for a while and should be able to help with that,” said Vaughn. “Let’s wait and see what the situation is before we make plans. Nell will be here in a couple of days. On a brighter note, I heard from Nicholas Swain. He’s going to send me a script to look at for a movie he’s working on. He and Tina are coming to The Beach House Hotel for Christmas. He wants me to take him sailing.”

“Oh, how nice. I didn’t notice their name on the reservations list. But I’m thrilled they’ll be here.” Tina Marks was a young movie star whom Rhonda and I helped soon after we opened the hotel. She’d become like a daughter to us.

“Nicholas said they’d reserved a guesthouse under a different name,” said Vaughn. “After the kidnapping incident with their son, they don’t travel anywhere unless it’s under an assumed name for protection.”

“That makes sense,” I said, remembering how Rhonda and I had been involved in saving her son.

My cell phone chimed. Tina Marks.

“Hi,” I said cheerfully. “Vaughn and I were just discussing you and Nicholas. I understand you will be here at the hotel for the Christmas holidays. I can’t wait to see you.”

We chatted for several minutes and then Tina said, “With both boys in school, I’m finding myself with some extra time. I’m hoping to come more often to Florida to be with you and Rhonda.”

“We’d love it. Better watch out or we’ll put you to work,” I teased.