Page 38 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

CHAPTER TWELVE

I decided to speak to Clint about my conversation with Claudine. I wanted him to understand the importance of not having her in my home. but that I’d help him in any other way that I could.

Ever since Nell brought him home to meet the family, Clint and I had grown fond of one another. I liked his ambition to work hard and succeed, but somewhere along the line, it had turned into something different. His goal had become a need to have more material things as a way to prove to himself and others that he could provide for Nell as well as her father could. The mistake in all this was that Nell wasn’t materialistic. She was just as content with her old car and her first house as it was. What she wanted was to be with him.

When I walked into the guest room, Clint was standing by the open sliding door leading to a private deck.

“Hi,” I said softly, not wanting to scare him.

He turned around and smiled at me. “This is such a beautiful spot. And quiet.”

“Our home and our privacy are very important to Vaughn and me. I hope you understand why someone like Claudine isn’t welcome here. She’s already expressed her curiosity about Vaughn. We must have a place where we’re safe from prying eyes.”

“I get it. I really do. Nell feels the same way,” said Clint.

“That being said, we have no problem with your setting up a Zoom call in any part of the house. Somewhere comfortable for you,” I said. “We can help you.”

“I think that might be best,” Clint admitted. “Nell and I talked about going back to D.C. so I could work on the plan, but I’ve reconsidered. Claudine and I can work on it together online. I want to get back to playing with the kids and my other activities.”

“Well, then, let us know when and where you want to set up the meetings, and Nell and I will help you feel at ease. Vaughn is home for a while. He can help too.”

“I haven’t felt up to it, but I’m sure I’ll be able to work tomorrow,” said Clint. “I can do some number crunching with my right hand. Thank God that arm is in better shape than my left one.”

“Is there anything I can do for you now?” I asked.

Clint studied me and then spoke. “I told Nell that Claudine thinks I’m going to divorce her. But I’m not.”

“I appreciate that you brought that up. Claudine told me the same thing. Why would she say that?”

Clint looked uncomfortable, but he kept a steady stare at me. “For a while, I was flattered by Claudine’s attention. At home, Nell was preoccupied with the children, upset with me for taking the job with Everett, Shuster, and Donnelly in the first place, and was angry about the additional hours I spent working. And then with the equity money in balance I had to increase time and energy on the project.”

I wondered if I should say anything and then decided I owed it to both Nell and Clint to speak up. “Remember, I saw you with Claudine. And I didn’t like it. Your behavior suggested that you were more than just business partners.”

Clint’s eyes widened. “But that’s all it is. I swear. You know how much I love Nell. More than that, we’ve promised never to hurt each other.”

“But you’ve been ignoring your family while spending hours with Claudine. What’s that all about? It’s just a work project. It may be an important one, but your family needs to come first. Claudine is acting as if you’re courting her. It’s a problem. Don’t diminish what you’ve done. You need to have a talk with Claudine and set her straight. You’d better take care of that now. Am I clear?”

“Yes,” said Clint.

I’d heard enough bullshit from my ex to realize Clint was telling the truth. His cheeks were flushed, his eyes wet. But there was a steadiness to his gaze that I admired.

“Okay, then. Let’s work together as a family to support your marriage. Nell mentioned Claudine had played a similar game for another man’s attention in the firm.”

“Yes. He left the firm because of it,” said Clint. “I understand that better now.”

“Hanky-panky between co-workers is nothing new,” I said. “It’s a relief to know that in this case, it’s not going to work. But it does make me see that you and Nell need to spend more time together.”

“Even if she’s going to continue to work at the hotel?” said Clint. “How?”

“That’s between you and her,” I said. “But it’s something you should discuss. Maybe being a mother doesn’t have to mean giving up what you love doing. In Nell’s case, she loves being involved in activities outside the home, in addition to caring for her children and husband. And we both know how much she’s wanted to move here. In fact, at one point, she told me you were almost ready to do so.”

Clint eased himself onto the lounge chair. “I realize I haven’t been entirely fair to her and the kids. But I thought I was doing it for them. I still do. Let me get past this project, and then Nell and I will make some decisions.”

“I’m proud of you, Clint, for being so honest with me.” I leaned down and kissed his cheek.

“Thanks for not judging me too harshly for allowing the situation with Claudine to get out of hand. I love Nell and will do whatever I can to save our marriage,” he said, closing his eyes and lying back against the chair.

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