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“Heck no. I couldn’t let a pretty lady like you lift a finger,” he said with a loud guffaw.
Callie coughed into her hand and showed him to the second-floor bedroom. Handing him a keychain featuring a sterling silver miniature tugboat, she was grateful for the sound of the bell jingling again, and excusing herself, walked back down the stairs.
In front of the desk stood a woman with platinum blonde hair that looked like it had been dyed to within an inch of its life. Her fuchsia dress was probably three sizes too small and revealed what Callie thought was an entirely inappropriate amount of cleavage. She tottered on four-inch heels and fluttered fake eyelashes, frowning when one stuck in her eyebrow. She quickly whisked it free with a pink fingernail. “Hi, I’m Amberley Drake. I’m here to attend theForever Yoursevents this week.” She set a Gucci handbag on the counter. Her voice oozed Southern twang. “I can’t wait to meet all the hot men. I’m more excited than a bunch of chiggers at a playground!” She flashed a credit card at Callie.
“We hope you have a pleasant time.” Callie smiled as she completed the check-in process. “You are in our Starfish Suite, right up the stairs to the right. I could help with your luggage if you like.”
“Oh yes, that would be great.” Amberley pointed at two oversized designer suitcases. Callie groaned inwardly as Amberley gripped the banister and began climbing the staircase ahead of her, leaving her alone to haul up the bags. “What I wouldn’t give for an elevator right about now,” she muttered under her breath. Amberley smacked her gum from the top of the stairs. “Do y’all have lounge chairs for the beach?” she asked. “I don’t want to get dirtier than I have to while I’m working on my tan. Also, what is the clothing policy here? Like, can I go topless? I hate tan lines. Especially as I’m on TV, you know. I’m the weather girl on DLLS 4 News in Dallas.”
“Oh, that’s neat. But, um, no, I’m pretty sure the city doesn’t allow nudity on this beach,” Callie said, fervently hoping that was true. “And, yes, we do offer a variety of beach chairs, umbrellas, and sports supplies like snorkeling equipment, volleyball and badminton nets, and bicycles off the back deck. At the top of the path, you’ll find a water pump that you can use to rinse the sand off your feet before coming back inside.”
Amberley clapped her hands. “Awesome. I’ll get changed into my bikini and get right out there.”
Callie handed her the key and pointed towards the hand-painted starfish design over the top of the doorway to the aptly named room. Hurrying back downstairs, Callie grabbed a cold glass of iced tea and brought it with her back to the front desk. She spied Tony Rizzoli as she glanced up from the appointment book. “The dining room is to the left,” she said as she tried to figure out which guests had yet to arrive and which bedroom suites Fran had assigned them. She needed to help her aunt invest in an online booking system.
“Hey, I’m signed up for a round of golf at the Delmont Links Club this afternoon,” Tony said loudly. “Any idea how to get there? Maybe you can join me, show me around a little, whaddya say?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I need to stay to help my aunt.” Callie swallowed. Hopefully, once the official matchmaking events began, Tony would focus his attention elsewhere. She pulled a folded map out of the drawer and spread it flat on the counter. Taking a red ballpoint pen, she carefully traced the route for him.
“Much appreciated, dollface.” Tony put the map into his back pocket. “I’m off to get some grub before I wow everyone with my swing.” He stepped back and mimicked swinging a golf club. “Oh yeah, that’s a hole in one right there, baby!” He rubbed his thick hands together and winked at her as he headed for the dining room.
Callie rolled her eyes and took another sip of her sweet tea. A few minutes later, the door opened again. A very tall, thin man with ginger-colored, thinning hair and a beard stood in the doorway. He squinted down at the crumpled list of directions in his right hand, muttering, “Left at the stop sign, go west two miles…now, did I take a left or right?” He scratched his head and peered at Callie. “Ma’am, I’m sorry to bother you, but I’m looking for the Harbor Inn.”
She smiled kindly at the confused guy. “Then I’m happy to tell you you’ve come to the right place,” she said. “Welcome to Harbor Inn.”
“Ah,” he said, “this is great, just great.” He looked around at the decor. “And do I detect the scent of something delicious of a baked variety?”
“Why, yes, you do. If you allow me to take your suitcase up to your room, I’d be happy to show you to the breakfast buffet.”
“Thank you, ma’am. I sure am hungry. I just came in from Atlanta, and they just gave us a tiny bag of nuts on the plane.”
“I completely understand,” Callie said. “May I have your name so that I can provide you with the key to your suite?”
“Name’s Benjamin Green. I teach math at the university.”
“Very good, sir. I have you in our Seashell Suite.” She placed the seashell-emblazoned key chain into his hand. “It is on the second floor, third door on your right. Each of our suites’ theme emblems has been painted by hand over the doorway, so you know which is which.”
Benjamin sauntered down the hall to join the others in the dining room, passing Aunt Fran as she bustled to and from the kitchen, clearing dishes and refreshing the beverages. Callie rose to help her, noting that the last two guests weren’t due to arrive until later that day. They included Thelma Ward, who was the CEO ofForever Yours, and another of the event’s attendees, a man by the name of Jackson Thorne.
“I wonder what type of guy he is,” Callie mused as she worked alongside her aunt the rest of the morning.
Chapter Four
JACKSON
The sun was starting to set, casting a rosy glow over the horizon. Jackson had enjoyed spending time with his brother’s family, helping grill hamburgers and hot dogs and horsing around with the kids in the backyard swimming pool. His sister-in-law, Tracy, patted his arm as he said his goodbyes after dinner last night. “Just try to be open to meeting people,” she said in a motherly tone. “Smile and be yourself.” Jackson scowled in response. Rob laughed and gave him a thump on the back.
“I know you guys are just looking out for me,” Jackson acknowledged, “but I trust you’re not getting your hopes up that I’m actually going to meetthe oneat any of these matchmaking events this week.”
“Relax, brother,” Rob said. “Look, if you meet a nice woman and feel a connection, great, and if not, you’ve earned yourself a vacation, anyway. Besides, your social skills could definitely use some practice,” he joked good naturedly.
Jackson smiled. “I’ve got to admit, that’s probably true.” He loaded his duffel bag into the car. “I’ll let you know how it goes.” They waved at him as he backed the Honda Accord out of the driveway.
An hour later, he pulled into the small gravel lot beside the Harbor Inn. The trees waved gently in the warm evening breeze as he walked up the sidewalk towards the entrance. Just then, a loud roar from a tiny sports car speeding down the street disturbed the quiet. With a final screech, it sailed into the last parking spot. A large woman who appeared to be in her 60s with teased black hair and a purse almost the size of her car got out and slammed the door.
“I need Marcy on the line right now!” she yelled into her cell phone. “The packets for tomorrow’s welcome event should have been delivered yesterday! I’m giving you one hour to find them!” She punched the End Call button with a harrumph. “It’s like herding cats!” she exclaimed to Jackson. Jackson thought it best to agree as he climbed the porch steps and held the door open for the woman, who brushed past in a cloud of too much perfume and stopped at the reception announcing loudly, “Thelma Ward, CEO,Forever YoursAgency.”
Jackson couldn’t quite hear the response, as whoever was behind the counter had bent down to retrieve something from a lower drawer or cabinet.
