Page 57 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

“No, but I’m going to call him next. See you later,” Liz said, ending the call.

I sat back in my chair and let out a sigh of relief. It was still only an idea, but one that could be rewarding for my family.

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At lunchtime, Rhonda and I joined the other attendees, mostly female, for the Cancer Awareness luncheon. I sat with Vaughn at one of the tables for eight. Seeing how the other women at the table fussed over him, I was struck by the realization that to them, he was a movie star, while to me, he was just Vaughn, the man I lived with, slept with, and loved. I’d long since given up being jealous when women flirted with him. It came with the job. At home with his family, there was no doubt about his loyalty to them and to me.

After lunch, as I watched Vaughn speak about the importance of supporting cancer research and how his first wife, Ellie, had died from cancer, I loved how he glanced at me. I owed a lot to Ellie for teaching Vaughn humility at home while being adored in public. I would always think of her fondly.

I gazed around the room, noting who, in the community, was there. Rhonda and I encouraged luncheons like this, and I was pleased to see many people I knew. I’d come to Sabal not knowing anyone but Rhonda and Angie. Now, my life seemed full of friends.

After the meal, Dorothy Stern came over to me. “It’s a generous group this year. Thanks to the support you and Rhonda give to it.” She held up the small gold silk bag that we’d provided for each guest. The bag contained coupons and small gifts from businesses throughout the community, and a small bottle of expensive perfume from us. Brock had wanted us to include a plastic toy from his import business, but Dorothy had turned him down.

While Vaughn was busy talking to people, I left the room to see how our dinner for the evening was shaping up. A group of lawyers had booked the private dining room for a year-end holiday event. Between the high-end meal they ordered and the alcohol they would consume, it was a very profitable deal for us.

Rhonda followed me into the small dining room, my favorite room in the hotel. Decorated for the holidays, greens, gold ribbons, and glass balls filled the room with holiday spirit, accentuating the pale gold color of the walls and the rich walnut wood of the dining room furniture.

“I’ve got to leave,” said Rhonda. “Sally Kate has a classroom play I promised to attend.”

“I’m elated she’s doing well at her new school,” I said. Sally Kate struggled with dyslexia, and Angie and Rhonda had found the perfect teacher for her at a private school in town.

Rhonda and I parted ways, and I decided to go see Liz to talk about the house Nell and Clint wanted to buy. It was hard being this close to having a dream of mine come true, knowing obstacles still lay ahead.