Page 13 of Sea Breezes at The Beach House Hotel

Bubbling with excitement, Nell left the store with me, and we headed home.

“I can’t wait to show Dad what I bought,” said Nell smiling at me.

“You got some bargains and a chance to shop Christine’s latest arrivals. He’ll be pleased for you,” I said. Vaughn didn’t go overboard with gifts but loved to be able to do something nice for the kids.

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At home, Vaughn and Liana were watching Bailey and Ned swim in the pool.

Vaughn left them to greet us, and I watched his face as Nell held out what she’d bought to show him. Her excitement was matched by Vaughn’s pleasure at seeing her happy.

Nell took her bags to her room, giving Vaughn and me a chance to talk privately before I went to my room to change into my bathing suit.

I was grabbing a beach towel from the linen closet when Nell approached me in tears.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her.

“Clint called me and practically ordered me to fly back to D.C. with him the day after Thanksgiving. I told him no, and now he’s furious with me. He told me I should’ve asked him about working at the hotel before agreeing to do it.”

“It doesn’t sound like the Clint I know and love,” I said, becoming more than a little worried about the situation. “What’s really going on with him? Is he under too much pressure?”

Nell shook her head. “I don’t know. But now, more than ever, I’m determined to stay in Sabal.”

“Understandably so,” I said. “Let’s try to relax and have a pleasant time. When Clint arrives on Thanksgiving, you’ll have a chance to talk to him.”

While Nell went to change, I joined Vaughn, Liana, and the kids at the pool.

“How is it going?” I asked Liana, who’d become like a member of our family.

“I’m doing well in school and have pretty much decided that I want to go into nursing. Vaughn has offered to help me if I don’t get the scholarships I’ve applied for.”

“Heaven knows we need more nurses,” I said.

“I couldn’t have even dreamed of earning my undergraduate degree without your generosity,” Liana said. “I understand I’ll be working here for the next week.”

“Yes. We’ll discuss a schedule. Nell is going to help at the hotel.”

“What am I doing?” asked Nell, approaching us. “I heard you talking about me.”

“I was just telling Liana that you’ll be working this week,” I said, as Liana and Nell gave each other a brief hug.

“Good for you, Nell,” said Liana.

While the two women chatted, I slipped into the pool to play games with Bailey and Ned.