Page 60 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

“It’s been wonderful being alone with him,” Nell said. “It’s easy to remember why I fell in love with him. He can be very sweet.”

“Clint is a good man, and he’s a loved member of the family. This is what you might call a major life lesson.”

“I know,” said Nell. “For me, too. Give the kids hugs and kisses from us. I’ll see you tomorrow. I don’t know if I’ll need to return to D. C., but for the next couple of days, I’ll be home with you.”

“That’ll be great. The kids will be excited to see you.”

“They told me they’re having an awesome time with you, Dad, and Robbie. “ That makes me so happy,” Nell said, her voice wobbling a little.

“We’re here for you,” I said, feeling a little emotional myself.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

The next morning, I rose early, intent on a walk on the beach. I’d been thinking about Clint and Nell all night, tossing in bed with worry.

I was parking my car behind the hotel when I got a cell call from Nell.

“Hi. What’s up?” I asked.

“I’m not flying to Florida today,” Nell said. “I’ve thought about it, and Clint and I talked honestly, and I feel a lot better by staying with him while he’s going through this rough time.”

“I’m pleased you’re doing that,” I said. “I think it’s the right thing to do. Use these days to support him and to make the move out of the house the easiest it can be.”

“Yes, I’m going to do that,” said Nell. “It’s been such a tough year that I sometimes forget what our marriage was like when we first started out.”

“You two have a lot of love,” I told her. “That’s too precious to waste.”

“I’m relieved I can talk to you,” said Nell. “Is everything fine at the hotel?”

“Yes, we’re busy, but Lorraine is back part-time, and that helps. You and Clint should know, though, that Claudine has made a complaint to the Chamber of Commerce about Rhonda and me, as well as our hotel. We’re ignoring it, but it’s aggravating.”

“Very much so,” said Nell. “You know how I feel about Claudine.”

“Rhonda and I have faced worse, but we’ll keep an eye out for any more trouble from her.”

I was walking out to the beach when my cell rang again. Vaughn.

“Hi, what’s up?” I asked him.

“I just got a call from my agent. I have to go to New York City for a couple of days. Hope you don’t mind. It could mean an audition for me.”

“I understand. Thank heavens for Liana. Can you do me a favor and call her to make sure she’ll be on hand?”

“Okay. I’m catching a flight this afternoon. I’ll give you all the details.”

Vaughn ended the call, and I stepped onto the sand and walked to the water’s foamy edge to stare out over the Gulf. Life was unpredictable, and I needed this peace to catch my breath. Ever since moving to Sabal, the soothing waves and the birds in the sky or scurrying along the sand brought me a peace I couldn’t find elsewhere. Especially when a soft sea breeze caressed my cheeks, helping me to relax.

I’d just made it back to the hotel gate when Brock came running up to me. “Say, Ann, I heard from a friend at the Chamber of Commerce that The Beach House Hotel is about to be sued for mishandling a situation with a guest. It’s something I, as the president of the Neighborhood Association, should know about. Care to comment?”

“No, Brock, I don’t,” I said calmly, as my pulse sprinted inside me.

I left him grumbling under his breath as I hurried through to the loading dock and into the hotel.

“Why the rush?” asked Consuela as I entered the kitchen.

“I need comfort and warmth after meeting up with Brock Goodwin,” I told her, pouring myself a cup of coffee.

She gave me a grim look and handed me a plate with a warm cinnamon roll on it. “That man is beyond annoying. Did you know he tried to talk to one of Manny’s gardeners about how much he was being paid? Manny told him in no uncertain terms that an employee’s pay was private.”