Page 77 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

When I walked inside the house, all was quiet except for the music blaring from a well-placed phone. Several people were painting the main floor rooms. I climbed the stairs. The rooms on the second floor had all been painted except for trim work. Even though Nell wanted to completely redo the upstairs bathrooms, she knew that was something that would have to wait.

The complementary colors and the freshness of the paint gave the second floor a whole new feel.

“It looks nice, huh?” one of the professional painters said to me, paintbrush in hand.

“Such a difference,” I said.

“We’ll do the trim tomorrow,” he said. “And then it’ll look even better.”

“Thanks for your help. This work couldn’t be done without you.”

“We have plenty of people working on it. The downstairs is coming along, too,” he said.

I followed him down the stairs and went to check out the main bedroom suite.

A buttery white was being painted on the walls. I studied it and approved. It was a perfect backdrop for any bedding Nell might choose.

Nell came over to me. “Like it?”

“I do,” I said. “Everything looks nice and fresh. I’m excited that Clint will see this version of the house instead of the original. I know he was proud to have that big house of yours in Maryland.”

“It makes a lot more sense for us to live in this one,” said Nell. “It’s already more like home to me than the one he chose.”

“It’s a great neighborhood for kids,” I said. “Families of all sizes.”

“He’s going to love having Reggie and Chad nearby,” Nell said. “His mother isn’t close with us at all.”

“How’s he doing with the business settlement?” I asked her.

Nell shrugged. “I think the company is realizing they can’t hold him back from doing anything else, and that they went against their word in dealing with him the way they did.”

“It sounds hopeful,” I said.

“I think so, too. More than that, Clint is healing well. What seemed like a disaster some weeks ago now seems manageable. He’s anxious to come here, but he’s going to supervise the shipping of our remaining furniture from our house there, and then he’ll fly here for Christmas. His lawyer said that at this stage, there’s no reason he has to stay up north.”

“I’m relieved. Has Vaughn gone to pick up the kids from school?”

“Yes,” said Nell. “I explained to him that I don’t want the kids here while we’re in the middle of transitioning the house. When the painting is done, they can come and help with a small project to feel part of it. If they see too much, they’re bound to give away my secret to Clint.”

I laughed. “The other day, Bailey was trying her best not to tell me what she made me for Christmas. It was adorable. She knows no matter what it is, I’ll love it.”

Nell smiled. “I have to pick up something special for each child’s room, and I want them to help me choose. The rest of their belongings have been packed and will be sent along with the furniture, but it’s gratifying for them to have a fresh start.”

I put my arm around her. “That’s exactly what you and Clint are doing—giving yourselves a fresh start.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Rhonda and I sat with Tina on the beach in front of the guesthouse, watching Victor and Tyler playing with Bailey and Ned on the sand.

“It’s fantastic being here,” said Tina. “It really is the home of my heart with the two of you, enjoying some bubbly together. It makes our holidays full.”

“You don’t mind missing all those glamorous Hollywood parties?” teased Rhonda.

Tina shook her head. “No. This is real.” She turned to me. “Your old friend, Lily Dorio, just got divorced from her husband. He’s a really nice guy. Their marriage lasted longer than I thought it would.”

I remained quiet. Lily Dorio had once tried to split up Vaughn and me.

“That woman is a disaster,” said Rhonda. “Not worth a worry.”