Page 50 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

“When Clint told me what had happened, it made sense to me because I was aware of an earlier conversation between them. Ms. Everett has been under the wrong impression about their relationship and refuses to believe his sincerity about being unwilling to sign the revised business documents.”

Rhonda said, “John, you know Annie and I have no reason to lie to you.”

He turned to Claudine. “What do you have to say for yourself?”

Claudine broke down, covering her face with her hands as she sobbed. “I need to be successful with this project, or I will be forced out of the company. My father never wanted me to be part of it. He’s unhappy with the projects I’ve worked on. He thinks I should get married, stay away from the business, and give him grandchildren.”

Tears streamed down Claudine’s cheeks. She glanced around at us. “Nothing I do is ever good enough. I hate being compared to my perfect, dead sister. The one he always loved more than me. I’m so tired of being a failure.”

The trooper looked uncomfortable. “Rhonda, do you or this gentleman want to press charges?”

We all turned to face Clint.

He shook his head. “I just need those signed papers returned to me so I can destroy them. I want as little to do with Claudine Everett and her father’s business as possible.”

The trooper studied Claudine. “Is that fine with you?”

Still visibly shaken, she sniffled, nodded, and hung her head.

We stood by as she reached inside her car for her briefcase and opened it, placing it on the hood of the car.

Carefully, Clint and I went through the paperwork and removed the documents he wanted.

“Okay,” said the trooper. “That’s settled then. Are we all in agreement?”

We indicated so, and then Rhonda, Clint, and I returned to my car.

“How am I ever going to thank the two of you?” Clint asked as I helped buckle him in the backseat. “I’ve totally screwed up.”

“Listen, kiddo,” said Rhonda. “It’s one of those fucking life lessons. Learn from it.”

“You have a chance to make the changes you and Nell both want,,” I said. “Make that fresh start work for you.”

Clint nodded. “I’m not sure how it’s all going to evolve, but I want to make it right.”

We were quiet as we headed back. Nothing more really needed to be said.

###

At home, Clint went to his room to lie down, and Vaughn and I watched Bailey and Ned in the pool, while Robbie was with his friend next door. Having a swimming pool meant making sure visiting children could swim. Both of Nell’s children had learned at an early age. And though they were capable swimmers, we always made sure to watch them.

When Nell called to tell me that she was on her way home, I told her about our plans to take Robbie, Bailey, and Ned to Robbie’s favorite pizza restaurant and then to the movies.

“Thanks. Clint spoke to me earlier, but as you said, we need to talk privately.” Nell cleared her throat. “I knew it was a bad idea for him to work for the company. Now, we’ll really have to listen to one another.”

###

That night, as I lay in bed beside Vaughn, he turned to me. “Thanks for being such a big support to Nell. It means a lot to me to know that she has your help navigating through this challenge. Nell is a lot like Ellie was—easygoing to a certain point, then watch out.”

“Clint knows he’s really screwed up and wants to make Nell happy. That will go a long way with her. Like we agreed earlier, we have to let them work it out. And if they end up with a much simpler lifestyle, that’s how it’ll be. Agreed?”

“Yes,” said Vaughn. “That’s how this whole debacle started, with Clint feeling he couldn’t support Nell as she wanted.”

“A completely false assumption,” I said. “The weeks ahead are going to be busy. Let’s enjoy them.”

“Okay. I’m going to start doing that right away. Come here,” said Vaughn, drawing me closer to him.