Breakfast at the Beach House Hotel Page 7

  Will accepted one of the artichoke and cheese squares she offered, ate it quickly, and reached for another.

  Rhonda beamed at him. “Nothing makes a cook happier than watching her food being eaten with enthusiasm.”

  “You should try Rhonda’s sweet rolls some morning,” I said to Will. “It’s wonderful to lie in bed and smell them baking.”

  “Yes, I should like that.” Will’s cheeks turned pink as he and Rhonda stared at each other with obvious interest.

  After finishing the appetizers and a second glass of wine, Will rose. “I’d better go home.”

  Rhonda jumped to her feet. “I’ll walk you out.”

  I watched them go—one, tall, thin and elegant, the other, curvy and flamboyant. Why did I think they’d make such a wonderful pair?

  Rhonda returned, her cheeks flushed, her eyes shining. “Isn’t he the most handsome man? And so sweet! Annie, did you see how he just poured the wine for us? Like he’d always helped me?”

  She sat in a chair and fanned her face with her hands. “I thought he was going to kiss me goodbye. We just stood there and stared at each other. The smile he gave me was almost like a kiss. Poor Will, all alone! Do you think he’ll come back? I asked him to.”

  “Oh, yes. I’m sure he will.” I’d noticed the way he’d gazed at her, almost adoringly, and knew he was attracted to her.

  Rhonda’s face glowed with happiness. “Do you believe in love at first sight?”

  “Not for me, but maybe for you.” I hugged her and hoped he wasn’t like some other men I knew.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  The following day, I was surprised by a phone call from Rick Jamieson, the hospitality consultant who’d been so helpful to me.

  “This is more a personal than a professional call,” he said, after greeting me. “I’m sitting here in Boston, having my second cup of coffee in the sunroom, thinking about the project you and your partner are beginning. Jan and I ate at the country club last night, and seeing Robert there reminded me of something I intended to discuss with you.”

  I laid down the promotional material I’d been reviewing. Rick had been good enough to give me his professional opinion on The Beach House Hotel gratis. I wondered what more could be on his mind.

  “You and Rhonda talk about The Beach House as a small hotel, but, really, what you’re planning is nothing more than a fancy bed and breakfast operation. A friend of mine just returned from Sabal, and from what he told me, a small, full-service hotel makes more sense. Think about it. You’re already planning breakfast and lunch and wine and hors d’oeuvres. Why not add dinner and make it more appealing for the upscale clients you hope to serve? The kitchen might need to be upgraded a bit, and your licensing requirements might change, but in the long run, it would serve you better. I’d like to see the two of you succeed, and what we’re talking about is not much more work than what we’ve already discussed—additional staff, of course, but that’s manageable. It’s just food for thought, Ann. By the way, Robert was shocked to know we’d been in touch. I hope it won’t cause a problem for you.”

  There was something in his tone of voice that led me to believe that Rick didn’t like Robert any more than I did. “Thanks. I’ll discuss this with Rhonda and see what her reaction is. With just thirty-two guest rooms, it shouldn’t be too much of a problem, should it?”

  Rick chuckled. “I’m not going to lie to you. The hospitality business is one of the toughest, but I think it’s something you can handle.”

  My mind spun as I thanked him and hung up.

  When I told Rhonda about the call, she became enthralled with the idea of a true hotel. Not even the Health Department’s requirements for upgrading the kitchen facilities daunted her.

  Over the next few days, she continued to talk about it with unbridled enthusiasm. I worried and pushed numbers. We’d have to keep it simple, starting out slow and easy, building into a full-scale operation with a chef and a larger staff than originally thought. I kept working the numbers.

  Rhonda came into the office as I sat in despair. “What’s the matter, Annie?”

  “In order to keep to our business agreement, I’m going to need more working capital. The additional capital and operating expenses to move to a full-service operation are steep, Rhonda.”

  “Call Will. He’ll help you.”

  I couldn’t help but smile. In a matter of days, Rhonda had fallen hard for him. In her mind, there wasn’t anything he couldn’t do.

  She grabbed my shoulder. “Guess what, Annie! He’s asked me on a date. We’re going up to Sarasota to one of his favorite places for dinner.” She clasped her hands to her cheeks. “Oh my God! What am I going to wear? Will you please help me choose something, Annie? Oooh! I’m so excited!”

  She did a little dance and grinned at me. “I used to take dancing lessons, you know. Way back when at Tina’s Tap Studio.”

  Chuckling, I rose and hugged her. “C’mon, let’s go take a look at what you’ve got.”

  Rhonda’s suite took up the top floor of one whole wing of the house. Her dressing area off the master bedroom was enormous. Two overstuffed chairs sat in front of a large window that overlooked a colorful side garden. A table and lamp between them provided the perfect place for reading and relaxing. Wooden closet doors painted a cream color to match the walls lined two of the four walls. Curious, I looked around.

  “What?” said Rhonda, noting my frown.

  “Where are the mirrors?”

  She laughed and opened two narrow doors, exposing a large floor-to-ceiling mirror. “I only look at myself when I have to. Know what I mean?”

  I nodded. Very few women, including me, liked what they saw reflected.

  We pawed through the clothes in her closet and finally chose a fuchsia pink top and black silk palazzo pants. After the number of phone calls Rhonda and Will had exchanged in the past few days, I was certain he wouldn’t care what she wore.

  That afternoon, I called Will and explained the new financial situation to him.

  “Why don’t you give a friend of mine a call? John Hastings is vice-president of the Sabal Savings and Loan. I think he’d give you a fair hearing.”

  “Okay, I guess I have no choice. Thanks.”

  Depressed, I hung up, recalling each humiliating moment of the other bank interview. But I had no choice. Reluctantly, I made an appointment to meet with Will’s contact.

  Dressed in my subtle best and carrying a leather attaché case full of information, I appeared at the bank. I could use the cottage as collateral, along with my savings and future payments from Robert, but I worried they might not be enough.

  John Hastings looked to be in his late-forties and seemed friendly. My hopes grew as we shook hands.

  Time passed as we discussed each detail of my proposal, making me feel hopeful. When we’d gone over everything, he sat back in his chair and shook his head. “I admire your tenacity, Ann, but the only way I could approve such a loan is with your partner’s co-signature.”

  Discouraged, I gathered my papers and rose. “I’ll get back to you. Thank you.”

  John stood and shook my hand. “I wish I didn’t have so many rules to follow. If it’s any comfort to you, I admire what you’ve done and are doing. Just give me the okay, and I’ll put the loan documents together for you and your partner to sign.”

  Feeling unbearably trapped by all the decisions, I left his office. It was too late to back out of the hotel now.

  Rhonda immediately agreed to co-sign the note. Seeing my despair, she patted me on the back. “Aw, honey. Don’t be so down about it. We vowed to do anything to make this work. Co-signing your loan is just another one of those things.”

  I sighed, feeling as if I were about to become a slave—both mentally and physically—to Rhonda’s generosity. Robert, damn him, had better come through, I thought, twisting my hands.

  I was still in a funk, thinking my day couldn’t get any worse when Brock Goodwin called.

  “Hell
o, Ann.” His voice was as silky as always. “They say the third time is the charm. What do you say I pick you up for dinner? I’ve got something special planned at my house.”

  A sour taste filled my mouth. “I’m sorry. I think it’s better if we don’t see each other. I’m not ready to date.”

  “Come now, Ann. Stop acting that way.”

  “But I ...”

  “What? You’re playing hard to get? Well, I’m warning you, I don’t give up easily.” His attempt at humor didn’t hide his frustration.

  I grew queasy. “Please don’t call me again,” I said as nicely and as firmly as I could. Trembling, hoping I hadn’t made an enemy, I hung up the phone.

  ###

  I stood inside the small Sabal airport awaiting Liz and Angie’s arrival. The passengers deplaned, and I watched Liz stride across the tarmac as if she didn’t have a care in the world. She saw me and waved gaily. With her blond-streaked hair, long, thin legs, and willowy body, she was attractive. More than that, she was a nice person. Young women today, I thought whimsically, have such bright futures in front of them. I hoped Liz would grab hold of the opportunities that awaited her and run with them clear up to the stars.

  “Hi, Mom!” Liz grabbed me in a hug and, laughing, spun me around.

  I hugged her back, loving the feel of her in my arms.

  Angela stood aside, watching us. I opened my arms. She came into them and gave me an affectionate hug. “Where’s Mom? She told me she couldn’t come to the airport, that she had something important to do. She wouldn’t tell me what.”

  I couldn’t hold back. “Your mother is in love.”

  “Yes!” Angela shouted, pumping her fist in the air. “I knew something was going on! Tell me all about it.”

  I shook my head. “I can’t. Your mother wants to tell you herself.” Unwilling to disrupt Angela’s studies, Rhonda had purposely kept her new romance from her.

  Angela grinned. “Hurry! Let’s get home! I can’t wait to hear all about it.”

  Liz and I looked at each other and laughed. Angela sounded just like her mother.

  We loaded the suitcases into my Honda, and the girls climbed in. Sitting in the front seat beside me, Liz turned to me with a devilish grin. “I talked to Dad before I flew down here. He asked all kinds of questions about what you’re doing. I couldn’t tell him much except you’re restoring the cottage. He flipped out when he heard the news. When are you going to tell him about the hotel?”

  “Rhonda and I sent out five thousand brochures this week,” I answered crisply. “He can always go to our new website to learn more.” My body burned with resentment at the thought of Robert’s anger. How dare he judge my actions! He’d lost that right some time ago.

  Liz chuckled. “Is he ever going to be surprised when he hears about the hotel! I’m so proud of you, Mom!”

  I let go of my anger, determined not to let Robert destroy the time with my daughter.

  At the house, the girls got settled in their rooms and came downstairs in their bathing suits ready for lunch and a swim. Rhonda joined us a short while later, her hair toned down in color and swept away from her face in a soft style that suited her. She looked, I thought fondly, like a woman in love.

  “Hey, Angie!” she called. “Come here and give your mother a hug. I don’t care if you’re wet or not. It’s been too long since I’ve held you in my arms.”

  Angela scrambled out of the pool and hurried into her mother’s outstretched arms. “So tell me about this guy, Mom. Who is he?”

  Liz came over to me. “I can hardly wait to see the cottage.”

  I smiled. “Put on your sandals and your shirt and let’s walk over there right now. You’ll love it. It’ll be complete by the time school is out for the year.”

  Chatting about school, we walked across the side lawn and through the opening in the hedge. It felt good to have Liz by my side. The hurried phone calls we made to keep in touch weren’t nearly enough for me.

  The wallboard inside the cottage was up and almost ready to be painted. The wing that had been added was complete and looked as if it had been part of the house all along. Liz listened to me quietly as I told her about the finishing touches in the kitchen area and showed her which bedroom would be hers.

  After we’d seen all of it, we headed back to The Beach House, arm in arm.

  “Are you happy?” Liz asked me.

  “Yes,” I said, realizing I was truly happy, even as worry dogged me like a persistent bird of prey, flitting into my thoughts, pecking away at my contentment.

  “What about Rhonda and Will?” She grinned. “Is she really in love?”

  I smiled. “They clicked from the moment they met. He’s a very nice man, a little on the shy side, definitely reserved. Rhonda has bowled him over with her outgoing personality, and he loves it.”

  “But what about the hotel? Will she stay with it?”

  I paused. Liz was no fool. She knew this new love development with Rhonda would probably mean more work for me. “She and I made a pact. She won’t let me down. No matter what it takes, I’ll make this work. I’ve got too much invested in it to let Rhonda’s diversion interfere with our success.”

  Liz nodded. “Good.”

  ###

  The days flew by. Liz and I made good use of the pool and enjoyed our time together and with Rhonda and Angela. It was a time of bonding for all of us.

  Rhonda and Angela left us one evening to go with Will back to his favorite restaurant in Sarasota, so he could get to know Angela better. Liz and I saw them off and had a quiet dinner, just the two of us, chatting like friends. It was a wonderful evening—something I’d always remember.

  Looking crestfallen, Rhonda came into the office the next morning and sank into a chair.

  “How did the dinner go?” I asked.

  “Not great. You should have seen Will! He was so sweet, asking Angie about her classes, telling her stories of Sabal before the developers took over, doing everything he could to be friendly.”

  “And?”

  “Angela was polite and all, but there was something off with her the whole evening. I think her stand-offish behavior may have hurt Will’s feelings.”

  I frowned. “That doesn’t sound like Angela. What happened?”

  “We talked after we got home. I think it all goes back to Sal leaving us. That was real hard on her, you know, going from being Daddy’s little princess to having no word from him at all. It was devastating to her.”

  “So how did you leave it?”

  Rhonda sighed. “Angela told me she needs time to get used to the idea of him and me together for real. She didn’t know it was so serious. Bummer, huh?”

  I nodded and thought of Liz trying to cope with Robert and Kandie.

  A look of determination crossed Rhonda’s face. “I can’t let anyone, even my daughter, come between Will and me. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a man. You know?” She got up and went into the kitchen.

  Observing her slumped shoulders, I realized starting a new relationship wasn’t going to be as easy for her as I’d thought.

  ###

  Too soon it came time for the girls to leave. I tried to tell myself it was only a matter of months before I’d see Liz again, but it was hard for me to let her go back north closer to her father. Liz had confided that Robert was trying to convince her to live with him. She’d assured me she had no intention of staying with Robert and Kandie, but I knew Robert well enough to know he wouldn’t give up easily.

  At the airport, Rhonda and I watched the plane take off. She dabbed at her eyes with a tissue and slung an arm around my shoulder. “Guess it’s time to go back to work, huh, Annie?”

  “Yes, I guess,” I replied, as sad as she to see the girls leave. But we’d set a lot of things in motion, and now we’d have to get down to the business of dealing with them.

  With the brochures out to various businesses and potential clients telling them of our fall opening, we manned the office every day f
rom nine to five o’clock. The new office set up behind the kitchen and adjacent to the newly completed dining room was plenty large enough to accommodate desks and equipment for both of us in separate cubicles. An empty secretarial desk sat by the door, poised for the time when we’d need administrative help.

  I was gratified by letters and emails from some of the people who’d received brochures. Most extended congratulations; some promised to book a room during the winter season.

  I was standing at the maids’ closet one morning, folding the new towels we’d ordered when Rhonda rushed over to me. She waved a letter in the air.

  “Listen to this, Annie. It’s from a travel agent in New York City, someone named Brenda Bolinder. She wants to come down here to see the hotel. She has a special client who might be interested in booking a large number of rooms for about four weeks this summer for television production reasons. She’d like to spend some time here and check us out.”

  “Wonderful!” I said and then frowned as a thought occurred to me. “It’s almost too good to be true. Do you think she’s one of those people who just wants a free room?”

  “Wow! I didn’t think of that!” gasped Rhonda. “Let’s call her and see if she’s legit.”

  Concerned, I followed Rhonda downstairs to the office. I went to my computer and Googled Brenda’s name and her company while Rhonda dialed her number.

  Information about her company popped up on my screen. My pulse raced as I read about her and the special work she did. She was everything she claimed to be and more.

  Rhonda’s eyes grew bigger and bigger as she talked with Brenda. After she said goodbye, Rhonda grabbed me by the shoulders. “Guess what, Annie! Brenda Bolinder is A-okay! And you know that little television production thing she’s talking about? It’s filming portions of a soap opera right here in Sabal! Can you believe it? She couldn’t tell me which show, but she said if they tape it here, it could mean marvelous advertising for The Beach House Hotel! She’s coming down to look around.”

  Laughing like silly school girls, we hugged and danced up and down. This might be just the thing to get us off to a good start.