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Ann studied her. “Okay, there’s one more thing you can do. Just before midnight, we deliver gifts to the doors of those who have made previous arrangements to send them here. They are all wrapped and tagged. Would you be willing to play Santa Claus and help our staff deliver them to the proper rooms?”

“Oh, yes!” said Emmie. “What fun! And don’t the kids get cocoa and cookies delivered? I saw that on your brochure.”

“Yes, that, too, though we try to add something healthy to those deliveries which are done at eight o’clock.”

“If you need me then, I can help.”

“We’ll see. You’re doing a lot for us already,” said Ann. She patted Emmie’s shoulder. “Your husband did such a thoughtful thing to arrange your stay.”

“I admit that it was quite a surprise. My daughters were unable to join me, but it’s working out well for you to keep me busy. I really appreciate it,” said Emmie.

“I’m glad,” Ann said and headed to the hotel.

Emmie made her way along the beach. Ted had mentioned the special houses on the property, and Emmie was curious to see them for herself.

Two homes came into view. One house was smaller than the other. At the larger of the two, she could hear voices coming from what she could see was a pool lanai. So, this was where Ted was staying with his family.

She moved on, keeping her eye on the ground, looking for shells.

“Hello,” came a deep voice.

Emmie looked up at Ted’s smiling face and felt a warm sense of welcome travel through her.

“It’s going to be a busy day for us,” said Emmie. “Are you ready?”

“I will be after I get a second cup of coffee,” he replied. “I’ll need it. The kids are awake at the house, and it’s a wild scene with them watching cartoons on the television, or playing swimming games, and all.”

“An exciting day for them. I’m ready to head back. I met Ann on the beach, and she told me she needs our assistance because staff members are sick with the flu. But I think that she and Rhonda are really trying to help us with what could be a difficult Christmas.”

“I admire them both,” said Ted. “This hotel wouldn’t be the same if they and their families didn’t run it. Of course, their staff is great too.”

They walked on.

Emmie tripped on a slimy piece of seaweed, and when Ted held her arm to steady her, it felt natural.

He didn’t seem to notice his gesture as he held onto her and they continued walking.

“Ann and Rhonda mentioned that you owned car dealerships and were often on television. Is that true?”

“Yes, my company sells both cars and trucks in the three dealerships I own. When I first started, I was the spokesman for the business. Now, it’s a little more sophisticated, but Chase and I still do commercials. Not the loud, noisy ones, but something a little different with kids and animals. An advertising company from New York City handles our marketing campaigns.”

“Interesting,” Emmie said. “I work in a law firm that recently worked on a case where an advertising firm promoted the wrong thing. It was a disaster for everyone.”

“Our agency is very innovative, though I must admit, I sometimes don’t like the attention,” said Ted. “Hopefully, my son, Chase, will take on more and more of that responsibility.” He stopped walking when they came to the houses.

“It was nice meeting you on the beach. I’ll see you in the kitchen at ten,” he said.

“It should be fun,” said Emmie. “See you later.”

###

Back in her suite, Emmie fixed herself a cup of coffee and ordered a room service breakfast to be fortified for the day ahead.

As she sat on the living room balcony, waiting for her meal to be delivered, she received a phone call. Gemma.

“Hi, darling. Merry Christmas Eve. How are you?” asked Emmie.

“I’m busy, but I’ve been missing Dad,” Gemma said. “How are you doing down there all by yourself?”