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In addition, Brooke found pillows that matched some of the colors in the spreads and would be attractive additions to the comfortable look they hoped to achieve. The upgraded wi-fi network had already been completed by Austin, providing better service that several guests had commented about favorably.
Amby and his nephew, Rocco, stood by, ready to unload the items wrapped in plastic. The linen company had delivered towels and sheets earlier, and what the staff hadn’t already pulled for use in the rooms was stacked on shelves in the laundry storage room.
Beryl had doubled her crew for the day and had put her staff to work as discreetly as possible around the occupied rooms.
Livy, still wearing an apron from cooking in the kitchen, joined her at the loading dock. “Oh, these spreads are going to be beautiful.”
Charlotte grinned at her. “Prettier seeing them together in different colors, huh?”
Beryl and one other staff member directed Amby and Rocco to where they should take several of the spreads. Most of the rooms in the main house were occupied, but several rooms in the wing were empty. New sheets had already been washed and placed on the beds, and they were ready to receive the spreads.
Charlotte followed along to make sure that the styles were not grouped together but were spread apart.
The minute the first spread was put on the king-size bed, Charlotte knew her choices would work.
Brooke rolled a cart into the room holding several different pillows. They easily chose the three they wanted to place on top of the bed, put two on the love seat, and stood back to admire their selection.
“Pretty,” said Beryl. “So different.”
Livy raced into the room. “How does it look? Oh, yes, perfect!”
Charlotte gave each of her cousins a high-five. “It works.”
They all spent the rest of the morning helping to place bedspreads on beds after housekeeping had placed new sheets on them. The lightweight blankets had been purchased last year and were in excellent condition.
Beryl raced around to make sure the staff did everything to her satisfaction.
Taking advantage of rooms checking out in the afternoon, the crew quickly cleaned the room, added new sheets and towels, and placed new bedspreads on the beds.
Brooke worked with Amby replacing bathroom items, some of which Amby had to mount on walls and tiles.
By the end of the afternoon, all but eight rooms were completed, but those rooms were occupied.
As the three of them and the hotel staff who’d worked with them stood together in the last room, Livy said, “We’ve got to celebrate. Follow me to the kitchen. I’ll make a batch of margaritas. Then, some of us better get ready for cocktail hour.”
Downstairs in the kitchen, happy chatter filled the room. Charlotte loved that the staff was as eager to make each room nice as she. Gran had told her cousins and her how valuable the staff was to the operation of the hotel. Charlotte understood better how special they were. Outsiders could claim that some of the jobs were menial, but she knew better. Each staff person was essential to the operation.
She lifted her glass. “Here’s to all of us for a job well done. Glad you’re part of the family.”
Beryl gave her a small nod of approval and lifted her glass.
Amby clicked it and smiled at Beryl in a way that made Charlotte think of Shane. She could hardly wait to spend time with him. He’d gone back to work in Miami. Charlotte was driving there tomorrow on her day off and would spend the night.
###
The next morning, after making sure both Livy and Brooke were comfortable with her leaving for a day, Charlotte got into her car and headed out to Miami. She’d told Granny Liz about her conversation with her mother, and they both agreed it was a good sign.
“All in time,” Granny Liz said. “A lot has been going on, and there’s no need to rush.”
Charlotte nodded, but now that she and Shane had taken this big step, she hoped everyone understood that for the two of them, their coming together was a commitment to much more. Shane might have dated before, but she knew he’d never led on any woman, using her for his own selfish reasons. He was much too sensitive to do that.
###
As she drove into Miami, Charlotte couldn’t help thinking of Shane’s parents. She hadn’t liked his mother and was anxious about meeting his father. Her mother’s words about Henry had been positive, and that meant a lot. And he was the son Granny Liz adored.
Charlotte arrived in Miami early afternoon and let herself into his condo. She liked the area and wondered if this is where she might live one day. She unpacked in the guest room, unsure if this is what he wanted, and decided it didn’t matter. That choice would be made later.
She called him and suggested she put together some dinner for them.
