Page 76 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

I opened the door to the library, went inside, and stood a moment to admire the festive décor. Tables of four, covered in dark green linen, filled the room. Atop each table sat a crystal bud vase filled with holiday greens and a single, beautiful red rose. A large arrangement of greens and a variety of flowers sat on the small dais at the end of the room. A microphone was already in place.

Annette came up behind me. “Pretty, huh?”

“Very. Simple but beautiful,” I responded. “I love this event. For every guest seated, a donation of $100 is made to our charity.

“I like the idea of women helping women,” said Annette. “We’ve just finished setting up the private dining room for the Livingston family group. Want to see?”

We went to the private dining room, and the setting was much more formal. A long table filled the center of the room. Crystal glassware, sparkling silverware, and holiday gold-rimmed dishes were part of the display. The arrangement in the center of the table was filled with greens, gold balls, and orchids. Though it was very different from the library’s decorations, it suited the style and mood of this elegant room.

“Is the dining room prepared for this dinner?” I asked Annette.

“Yes. All the food ordered has been delivered, including the lobster tails,” Annette said. “It’s such a lovely way for the family to get together each year.”

“Especially as Mr. and Mrs. Livingston age,” I said. Elderly now, the Livingstons were one of my favorite couples. They quietly insisted on the best, making it a challenge for us and the staff to produce a delicious meal with stellar service.

I left Annette and returned to the office to make sure the billing was prepared for the Livingston dinner. Later, I would greet the women at tea before making sure that the guesthouse Tina had rented was ready for her arrival.

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After leaving the women enjoying their tea, I walked over to the guesthouses and let myself into the one Tina had rented. Stepping inside, my excitement grew, knowing Tina and her two boys would soon be there. Rhonda and I hadn’t opened the hotel for long before a Hollywood agent called to ask for our help hiding Tina while she lost some weight before starting a new movie. She’d been a total brat when she’d first arrived at the hotel. Now, she was like a daughter to me and Rhonda.

I heard the sound of a car outside and, surprised, went to see who it was. At the sight of Tina and her sons getting out of a white limousine, I ran to her.

“Ann! It’s great to see you!” Tina wrapped her arms around me, and we rocked back and forth.

“Mom, can we go inside? I want to go for a swim,” said Victor, her oldest son, who was the same age as Bailey.

“Better give Aunt Annie a hug first,” said Tina.

I hugged Victor and then his younger brother, Tyler.

The limo driver carried the suitcases inside the front door.

While Tina took care of tipping him, I went inside to check on the boys.

I saw a pile of clothes in the middle of the living room and heard them outside, where I went to check on them.

They were in the shallow end of the pool, laughing and splashing at one another.

“That was fast,” I said. “I bet that feels delightful after your flight.”

“It does,” said Victor. “We wore our swimsuits under our clothes. Mom says we can get together with all the kids. Where are they?”

“Most of them are in school. But there will be plenty of chances for you to see them.”

Tina came out on the lanai. “How does that feel?”

“Great, Mom,” said Victor. “Auntie Ann says we’ll get to see all the kids.”

“They’re almost out of school for vacation, and we’ve planned a lot of get-togethers. I’ll leave you to get settled here, then Rhonda and I will come back to celebrate with you. Rhonda has a special bottle of champagne for us to share. A homecoming for the ‘daughter’ we love.”

Tina clapped her hands together. “That sounds lovely.”

She hugged me goodbye, and I left to check the progress at Nell’s house before returning to the hotel. I hadn’t mentioned it to Tina yet, but I hoped she’d do a little work on the house because it had become a family affair.

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I arrived to discover a number of cars parked in front of Nell’s house. It was satisfying to see that many. It meant that work inside was being done at lightning speed.